Major TiVo Update
 

Just relaxing after work before bed and the TiVo threw me out of my recording and rebooted.

It then downloaded parts 1 & 2 and rebooted again.

I'm ready for bed so I'm leaving it switched on with a notice that says 'Installing Software...

Do not turn off the power.'

Anybody know what this is about?

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

It's an extension of the pilot for the new release of TiVo software (discussed a few weeks ago in the 'Coming Soon' thread). Derby, Exeter and Kirklees have now been added.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Cheers.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Will it make the tivo any faster?

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

A vindaloo couldn't make the TiVo run any faster................:D

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Well we certainly grumpy today MM.;)

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Won't replacing text with graphics make it run slower?

---------- Post added at 16:07 ---------- Previous post was at 16:06 ----------

But it was funny Den.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

I can't remember but did the tivo use Flash? That's probably what's killing it, its certainly trying to kill my PC. I wish flash would flash off.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Well we will know soon enough PB..

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

I think Flash was replaced in the last update. Was it replaced by Haxe or something with a similar name?

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Yes l am pretty sure it was but their was no discernible increase in speed though.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

It used to but was changed a while ago to HTML5 or something.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

The user interface is written in Haxe but it still uses the OpenFL Flash engine.

What's the TiVo software version for the new update? I assume it has to be after the performance optimisations and memory leak fixing that TiVo completed, which were not all present in the update last May.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Well as RichardCoulter hasn't been back to enlighten us i can only assume he's still waiting for it to finish booting back up ;)

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Yes, it will be good to have some feedback on the new software, in particular the speed of the menu and whether they've bothered to fix the optical output problem that has been dragging on for nearly a year!

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

And a few screengrabs would be nice as well

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

So far what I have noticed to be different:

- Instead of the EPG showing the channel list in text, it's now showing their logos. I dislike this because some of them are hard to see, even on a 40" screen and I have to get up close to the screen to see the name of the channel. Not good for those with a disability.

- When going backwards on the EPG to watch a programme that had been on Channel 5, instead of taking me to the programme, it took me to a page showing every channel logo that has VOD content. I then had to select My5 and search for the relevant programme!

- It is now possible to ask for programmes appearing in VOD to be shown in 'My shows'.

I can see that this may be useful, but most of my Series Links have been reset to show both recordings and VOD content.

This has meant that I have had to go through every single one, some for series that have ended or ones that I have deleted because I have already watched them. This took a very, very long time to correct, but it had to be done as I didn't know which were recordings or a notification of VOD availability.

I think it would have been far better to have let customers change the setting for themselves if they wanted to receive notifications of VOD content being added.

- Instead of setting series links for various channels, you can now set it to 'All'. This is an excellent idea, but not perfect and selecting this option needs to be considered carefully.

For example, I like to record some things from Radio 4. I set this to 'All', as sometimes the programmes are repeated on Radio 4 Extra (I always thought that this was an archive station :confused:) as this can help with clashes.

The trouble is that doing this can cause problems as it wants to record the same programme at the same time on Radio 4 FM and Radio 4 LW!

The same goes for BBC1- it wants to record the same programme on HD, SD, AD, England, Wales, Scotland etc!

I can see it could be useful if you aren't sure which channel programming will be on. Eg I like 'My Cat From Hell' on Animal Planet, but sometimes it is shown on other channels too.

This update has done nothing whatsoever to deal with the slow speed that the TiVo operates- but it was said that this update wouldn't be for that.

I'll update this thread if I find anything else that's different.

---------- Post added at 15:27 ---------- Previous post was at 15:24 ----------

A very good point PB, if this is the case, it would surely have been better to delay this part of the update until the slow response to commands was resolved.

It doesn't appear to have made it any slower, but I doubt it could get any slower!

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

There should be an option to go back to the names under the Green button when in the EPG.

Existing series links should have remained the same and only be set to recordings. New Series Links are set to be Streaming and Recording, but you can change this in the Series Link+ default options.

There is an option under the blue button when in a My Shows folder to change the view to only show recordings, rather than Recordings and Streaming / VOD.

To help identification recordings, whether planned or Suggestions, will have an 'R' icon next to them (the 'R' icon is slightly different for planned and suggested recordings the same as before). Available episodes from streaming sources don't have an icon next to them.

It should only record the programme episode once based on the Series Link+ preference even if it's looking across multiple channels - as long as there is appropriate show information. As previously with TiVo, if there is no episode information it possible it will default to record all available showings as it can't tell whether it already has or not.

If you've got the Series Link set to 'New and Reruns' then you will get episodes from each of the channels the programme is on, just as you would have previously got older episodes from the same channel.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Thanks Ben.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Some more observations since the update (although they may not be connected to the update):

- Not all HD recordings are in the HD folder. I've watched all my HD recordings to free up space, but found more in the general list of recordings!

- Very occasionally the TiVo seems to send a few seconds of noise audio, which makes me jump! It's a few seconds of what could be heard when analogue TV used to close down.

- A couple of recordings have only lasted for the first three minutes, resulting in me having to record them again.

- Some entries in 'Recording Hiccups' say that they have failed and give the reason 'Limit Reached'. Does this mean that it is saying that it has run out of disc space?

If so, my recordings average about 60/70% and subsequent recordings after that have recorded normally.

- Some entries have failed due to being 'Not available'. I assumed that this meant that the programme was no longer in the EPG, but it has recorded the programme via another regional variation. I have read of someone else having this problem, is it a known bug/fault?

Cheers.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

My TiVo had sped up considerably over the last few days

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Do you know how this was achieved?

Mine is taking up to two minutes to get a programme to play and refusing to cancel a Series Link.

I can't reboot it as it is currently recording three things.

Has anybody successfully got out of their contract under the 'not fit for purpose' provision?

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

The purpose of a limited trial roll-out is to iron out remaining bugs before the final release. Why not wait until the final release before making a decision?

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Is there a list of areas with dates for the rollout anywhere as in previous updates?

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

This is a pilot. It hasn't yet started the full roll out

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

I will, I just want to explore my options that's all.

It's the lack of response for ages by the box that's annoying me, it's making watching TV an irritation instead of relaxing.

Is it this bad for everyone else? A few seconds is irritating, but waiting up to one/two minutes between commands is something that I can't carry on doing.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

My Tivo slows down or gets stuck occasionally, but a reboot normally resolves it.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

I'm going to start rebooting it whenever I get a chance, but there's usually something recording.

Does TiVo learn any viewing preferences whilst we are watching live TV?

Unless I'm doing it wrong, there no longer seems to be an option to add other channels to the Series Links. It appears to be a choice of 'All' or only one channel :confused:

Selecting 'All' includes the +1 channels that I don't want.

What is the process to tell 'Suggestions' to ignore certain keywords?

I've asked it to out look for any horror programmes, but it keeps clogging up my planner with a filler called 'Horror Highlights' on the Horror Channel.

Is it like a search engine where i'd put 'Horror -highlights'?

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Not automatically. That's what the Thumbs on the remote are for.

It shouldn't matter. For instance, if the Series Link has recorded an episode from the 'main' channel, it'll ignore the +1 repeat as already recorded. Or if you've set the Series Link to ignore the particular season of the Series being recorded on the main channel, it'll also ignore the +1 channel.

Do you mean in a Wishlist? If so, add 'Highlights' to the wishlist keywords seperately to 'Horror', and then when it's shown in the 'saved Keywords' section, select it and press Thumbs Down once to exclude it (as per the on screen wording)

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Yes, in Wishlists. Thanks, that's a great help :)

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Yes, and in general the system works well. However, when you have a 3 year old and a baby who loves the Tivo remote (especially the thumbs up and thumbs down buttons which are brightly coloured), the results you get are interesting to say the least.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

24 hours a day?

A reboot takes less than 5 minutes.;)

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Most of the time when I'm up/in, yes.

I'm going to start rebooting it when there is nothing being recorded.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

I wonder if it's because SD shows from the 1970's that are shown on HD channels (eg ITV3 HD) don't go into the HD folder as they're not actually HD?

I have found what I think could be a bug.

If a programme changes it's start time, AFAIK the TiVo sets up another recording slot and doesn't delete the old one.

In circumstances such as this, or when a programme is taken off the EPG completely, the programme comes up in 'Recording Hiccups' as 'Limit Reached'.

I would have thought that in the first scenario, it should be reported as a clash and in the second 'Not Available' :confused:

I have today noticed another setting called 'Bookmark'. I'll have a play around and see how this works and let people know when I've had chance to find out.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

I think, from previous posts, this is so you can 'bookmark' stuff from On Demand to watch later. Give that a try first

From what I can gather, it's to bookmark an On Demand programme before it becomes available.

As soon as it does become available, up it pops in the 'My Shows' folder.

Any that you have bookmarked that don't appear on VOD go into a separate folder for unavailable bookmarks.

I've been told that you can also 'bookmark' programming from On Demand to watch later, but i've not tried this out yet.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Yes you can bookmark On Demand stuff and so it is there in your My Shows easily rather than trawling the menus potentially.
It's the only thing I have seen that improves anything for me.

The Series Link + just gets a bit confusing for me but then again I start with series from the start and record them. I may well store 10 or more episodes to watch when I am ready but extremely rare I get them from On Demand as it's just too flakey for my liking with them disappearing with seemingly no or little notice.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Nothing happened when I tried to use 'thumbs down' on the created Wishlist for 'Highlights', so I deleted it and entered '-highlights'.

Do you know if this will work , or does it specifically need the 'Thumbs Down' command to be used?

---------- Post added at 21:51 ---------- Previous post was at 21:49 ----------

Thanks :)

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Sorry, I meant within the Wishlist itself i.e when you're entering the keywords to set it up you have two options. 'Finished entering keywords' or 'Save this keyword and add another'.

So first you enter 'Horror' and then select 'Save this keyword and add another' then enter 'Highlights' and then do the same option to 'save this keyword and add another' again.

You should then have the screen showing 'Horror and 'Highlights' under 'Saved keywords' You then need to use the arrow keys on the remote to select 'Highlights' and you can then use Thumbs down. You'll know you're in the right place as the text on the right will explain about using Thumbs down once to exclude the keyword.

You can use the 'exclude' option in Keywords, Title Keywords, Actor and Director.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Is there any way of manually forcing this update at all?

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

No there isn't

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

The 'Your Virgin TV Just Got Better' box has again appeared in the Discovery Bar, so i'm assuming that there has been a further rollout to other boxes.

It takes a little time to load, but contains useful information for anybody who switches their box on to find that it's been updated :)

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Kind of ironic that the information box takes a while to load :)

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Absolutely!

It looks like the update was recently rolled out to the North West.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Just back from a weekend away in Edinburgh, just noticed the TiVo logo has changed to the new TIVO logo.
I wondered why my boxes were all on when I got home as I had put them on standby.

Im in Teesside :)

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Well this is double edged sword...

TiVO one has updated and is working tickety boo. :D

TiVO 2 is having a proper sulk. I have a green screen with an error that states , and I'm paraphrasing here "your DVR has identified a serious problem and will try to fix this. this might take three hours. Do not switch off your DVR during this process".

Its been at it for ten hours its just seems locked in a re boot / green screen / black screen / re boot loop.

Will call 151 and report back.

M

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Well no updates have filtered down this way as of yet.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Well as I said I had my update sometime this week. The odd thing is that my Cisco 500 has the update with Series Link+ but my Samsung 1tb is still the old software with old TiVo logo.
I think this is the first time one box has had the update but not another?

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Not sure if you're using it but you may find that the MRS doesn't work between the two boxes anymore.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

All boxes in an area will get the update. If the Samsung hasn't yet I'd expect it will do over the next day or so.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

I have 3 Tivo boxes. One of which, the Cisco 500, has been updated this week, to include the new TiVO logo, Series Link+.

The other two boxes remain with the old TiVo logo on the home page both are 1TB, Samsung and Cisco.



When I go to use Spotify, which we do everyday on the updated box, I get a message saying that Spotify is no longer available on Virgin TV.

On the other 2 boxes Spotify works fine.

Please please please don't tell me Virgin Media are taking away the Spotify app with this new update?

I dont use MRS, as mike_gain asked.

We listen to Spotify through Tivo as its connected to our surround sound system.

Spotify app on Virgin TV was one of the main reasons I have just re-contracted for another 12 months as its the best way to listen to music for us.








Quick Reply Reply

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Has the roll out now begun in earnest, Ben, or is this just another pilot area for testing?

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Spoke to a guy in Retentions last night as I'm still in my 14 day notice period. He checked with the Tivo dept which have no knowledge of Spotify being removed.
I was told the app would be back within the next 24hrs as my area is still getting the new software.

My other 2 boxes have just updated at 3.50am.
Spotify is still a locked app with the message that Spotify is no longer available on Virgin TV.

So now I have no Spotify at all. I have a few days to cancel my new contract, I just need to know if Spotify has gone for good?

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

It's an extension of the pilot.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

I'm afraid so.

"We’re sorry, the Spotify app is no longer available on Virgin TV. To carry on enjoying your Spotify subscription you can head online to Spotify.com
If you have your Spotify subscription through Virgin Media you’re still able to enjoy your full Spotify service across any of your other devices.”

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

What are Virgins reasons for discontinuing it on Virgin TV?.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

There isn't a version of the app available that is compatible with the new software.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Absolute joke. Talk about going backwards.

Thanks for the info spiderplant. Had no reply from the forum team or Facebook.
Retentions guy thanked me for your nformation as they know nothing, even though the new software has been out a few weeks now. Crazy!


Just called up and cancelled TV and phone.
Freeview, NowTV and Chromecast with Spotify going forward for me. Virgins loss...😀

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Remember its not Virgin that have to make the new App. It is the responsibility of spotify to update their app.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Yes but in this day of content being King, I would of thought it was in both companies interest to keep a service going?

Is this new software a version of the US software? I wonder if they have lost Spotify too?

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

The update has arrived in Darlington 20 minutes into the update at the moment

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Depends how many were using it. Spotify have limited resources. If only a few thousand people are using the Tivo app, it's not in their interest to have a team around to update it, as the amount they make probably wouldn't cover the salaries of the team.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

The prices go up, and the services come down. Classic

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Content may be King but if there is only a small percentage of Spotify customers using the TiVo app then spending money on creating a new version of the app is probably not worth doing. Besides there are so many other places to access Spotify anyway.

I found the TiVo app to be pretty dreadful anyway. I prefer to use it on my Mac and mobile and stream it through my AV amp.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

You are not the first person to comment on the updates coming out in the middle of the day.
Why on earth are they happening at this time?
Ok it does not affect me right now as I am at work but if I wasn't I would have been sitting back watching the Test Match and then all of a sudden your box starts updating????

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Updates don't happen during the day if the box is contactable overnight. Teesside updates were done between 2am and 6am on Tuesday and Thursday. Did you have your box turned off, Gavin?

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Updates from what l hear should usually happen in the early hours of the morning as that's the best time to do it.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

The silver lining of Spotify being removed may be that the STB runs a little faster as the app won't need the support that is currently slowing the boxes down.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

That's not how apps on TiVo work.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

I was going on what SP said.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Would it not be possible to postpone the full rollout until Spotify was certified on the new firmware?

Not supporting Spotify does seem like a major step backwards.
I would sooner have Spotify than the minor enhancements.

What do other people think?

Or are we saying that Spotify is not going to be available going forward on VM.

My Spotify subscription is through VM. But I will be unable to use Spotify on a VM platform that seems wrong to me.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Perhaps VM took the decision not to support Spotify on the new tivo software as Vevo seems to be more popular these days??

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

I use Spotify daily, my main Tivo is connected to my amp so I can listen to the music nice and loud, not on a laptop or mobile.

I have had Spotify since it launched on Tivo, so 5 years is a long time to use a service for it to be discontinued without any warning. Totally wrong in my opinion.

The updates for Tivo always take alot of time to write as we all know. I'm aware that the software is a UK version of the US version, so has Spotify been removed from US Tivo? I can't seem to find anything about that.

I just can't believe Spotify or Virgin would let this happen, regardless of how many people use the app. there was plenty of time to sort something out. Spotify don't seem to have a problem creating apps for other services.

So much was made of Spotify launching on Tivo too. I does seem like a major step backwards. Prices go up and services keep getting removed, Music OnDemand, VM Cloud app, things I used as a customer.

I know a company can't please everyone, but they have now lost my custom as a TV customer after 18 years. I'm another 'number' to add to the list of people ditching the TV side of VirginMedia.

---------- Post added at 22:43 ---------- Previous post was at 22:39 ----------

Vevo is an awful app, terrible replacement for Music OnDemand

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Personally l detest Vevo as its full of newer music and nothing from my day.:(:td:

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Does anyone know if the latest update fixed the optical output problem created by an update a year ago?

I've been waiting for a fix and really hope this update is the answer

Thanks

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

The knowledgeable SP or Ben would know the answer to that Joe.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

It is meant to be fixed, but I'd be interested to hear from users with optical kit in the pilot regions.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

I can confirm that the issue is fixed.
I just remembered about it yesterday and changed to DD. Works just fine.

I had forgotten how good DD5.1 is, while watching Discovery HD, I actually turned around to see what the noise was behind me :)

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Many Thanks guys, that's great news. Looking forward to this update now, hopefully not too long to wait until it's fully rolled out

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Sorry for the late reply yes It was switched off

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

I bought into Sonos and using my music streaming services send it around the house , excellent quality to.
1920 :D

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

A wise man once said you only gain wisdom when you reach 100 so l have got a few years left yet then...:D

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

I will be sad to see Spotify go on Tivo as I put it through my home cinema to listen to it.
I've got Spotify on the Nvidia Shield but there is no optical connection on the back to put through my home cinema and I can't use audio by pass as I only have one HDMI connector on the back of my Phillips home cinema.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Den you get some great stuff using the You Tube app old boy!

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Thanks for that MM as l will have a look in there later today and see what l can find.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

New box all fitted and working. LED's seem brighter than the old one ?

The install tech did mention they are going on training courses shortly for the new TiVO.

What's that all about then, surely the next generation box will be a cloud storage/streamer....

---------- Post added at 10:36 ---------- Previous post was at 10:34 ----------

Sorry I updated my amp to HDMI connections recently, the old optical bug was a right pain.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Does the update make it look much different? Any screenshots? :)

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Was your old box a Samsung and the new one a Cisco maybe?

The techs would need training no matter what it is.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

After receiving the initial update, my box has just rebooted itself in preparation for 3 updates.

I wonder what this could be for?

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Updating to the latest version. You were on a slightly older version than the regions that got it last week.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Thanks.

Should I notice anything different (the box ran faster, but that could simply be because it rebooted itself twice).

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

It's only a few bug fixes. You are unlikely to notice any difference.

There will be at least one more update in the pilot regions before we're ready to roll out nationally.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Cheers :)

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Is Stafford in this pilot? Since the update the bid has been really slow.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Yes, Stafford was included in the first pilot download. If you reboot, it might update to the latest version.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Yes it updated. Hope it helps with the speed issues. Is that one of the fixes?

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Not specifically, but I have seen reports that the current build is faster.

You could also try this:
http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/11...d-up-tivo.html

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

In the early hours of Friday and Saturday morning at about 2am my box rebooted itself, but didn't say that it had downloaded anything. Was this down to VM engineering work?

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Probably. There's loads of it going on currently.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

Ok, thanks. This morning it was 1:56 to be exact- thankfully it was recording a commercial channel and only chopped off the adverts.

It would be better if it was done between 4 and 6am as this is the time when less people watch television than at any other time.

Re: Major TiVo update started about 3:20am.
 

It is reported on another forum, you can no longer have more than one series link for one program on different channels. Says they are changed into all channel links. This is a problem for me as I don't want all the old repeats from channels other than the one or two I specify. Can someone confirm? Setting New Only doesn't usually work for me but that isn't what I wanted anyway as it might be a series I want that can be on two channels but not new but I don't want all the old episodes on channels that keep getting repeated every few weeks. Sometimes with wishlists the same program is recorded over and over several times a week so I don't want series links to record these. Why can I not just record on channels I want it too, like now? Even on BBC Tivo sometimes tries to record from all the regional variants at the same time!!