Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

Media Boy HQ can reveal that V Boxes are being removed from the network from August 1st.

We have been told to upgrade to TiVo by July 31st.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

Upgrade to Freeview instead ;)

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

You know it makes sense. :)

---------- Post added at 17:31 ---------- Previous post was at 17:30 ----------

You are so retro, Mr K. I'm surprised that you have electricity in your house! ;)

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

Electricity is for wimps ! Seriously, I find most of the things worth watching are on Freeview anyway. Reviewing my VM sub.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

This is actually is good for us with TiVo/V6 boxes if they do this they can shift to MPEG4 encoding and fit more channels in as well as UHD channels.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

I suspect that this is the idea. Moving ITV HD in the remaining areas not already done as well as all the SD channels over to MPEG4 will indeed free up space.

UHD channels are currently being tested internally off the EPG...

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

I thought Sky Movies and Sports and many other HD channels were already MPEG4.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

All HD channels are now MPEG4, apart from ITV HD in certain areas.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

You CAN'T watch any HD Channels on V Boxes.

You CAN'T get Sky Sports HD Channels on V+ Boxes. But all the rest of the HD is still on them.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

There's no technical reason why HD channels in MPEG4 cannot be shown on the remaining V+ boxes, this appears to have been a strategic decision by VM to force these sports subscribers to upgrade.

Wonder when the remaining V+ boxes and the V HD boxes will be scrapped?

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

About time at least everyone will have either just Tivo or V6

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

There would be far less dissatisfaction and subscriber complaints if it was just the V6. The Tivos have had it now.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

True even more so when it comes to using the Iplayer on the Tivo it is hopeless

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

Except for folks like me or my mum where TV is older and only has SCART inputs then the original TiVo is needed. Trying to convert HDMI->SCART only gives composite output which looks horrid. Don't have money or desire to update TV and there doesn't seem to be many good smaller TV's now. Even 32" would be big to us.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

Also a fair few of these boxes will be on accounts where the customer may not have broadband at all or don't have Virgin Media broadband. So couldn't get the V6.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

my elderly neighbour will be upset if he is forced to get a new box as he record to VHS via scart from his box :(

I don't think he'l appreciate the advantage of hdmi lead to connect to tv, he'll just be confused about how he can record, and keep programmes :(

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

All technology changes, unfortunately that's the way of the world. And after the changes it may not suit everyone.

The same happened when ntl and Telewest closed their analogue services. There were people relying on the 1-5 analogue TV broadcasts via the coax and didn't want to lose that.

But as then, some of the way people have the existing kit set up may not work with other TV platforms either.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

he got a letter last week, box is being delivered tomorrow so I have the joy of setting it up and showing him how to use it tomorrow evening.

I've tried to explain the advantages of tivo, let's hope once he uses it he'll see how great it is, at least he's got a couple of months to get use to it before the football starts again, which is all he really cares about :)

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

Ben what will happen if someone has V Box and v+ Box?

Can their keep the V+ Box (if yes can they ask for it to be moved)?

Or will they get two new TiVo boxes?

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

Try to keep it simple so he can understand. Don't try to cram too much in all at once. The EPG, the recordings and how to change channels should be the focus first of all. Don't tell him anything else for a few days until he's digested it all and has grown familiar with the basic operation of the box. Hopefully, he will get there in the end. Remember to tell him that if he gets lost, the 'Home' button is his friend.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

Only V-Boxes are being replaced at the moment. V+ and V-HD boxes are unaffected.

If you have a manned install, ask nicely if you want the boxes moved. Or just move them yourself afterwards,

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

I wouldn't even bother with the recording side at first. Also switch off suggestions
;)

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

good point, suggestions will confuse him, he'll want to record to VHS just in case he wants to keep it

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

VHS - really??

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

yep, it's what he knows and loves :(
he has a couple of Panasonic freeview VHS DVD recorders (one in living room with Tv and cable, one in dining room which just has tv aerial for freeview)

he has loads of tapes going back years he won't part with, i gave up trying to explain the advantage of the dvd recorder.

he's confused by the idea of the machine recording to a hard drive, I've explained I love it, but is worried that if it goes wrong and Virgin have to repair box he'll lose programmes, which is true, I've had that and it is a right PITA. there's also advtange that he can use VHS to record in living room, and watch in dining room.

He'd be the first to admit he's a stubborn old man that doesn't want to move with them times, he just wants to watch/record his football :) hopefully when he finds out he can record 2 matches at once, or if there's an overlap can watch, pause, rwd while its recording he'll come round :)

I occasionally go round there to watch the footy, and it's quite painful watching it on his nice 40" LG LCD TV plugged in via scart to old cable box :(

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

Reasons to change to DVD

VHS tapes seriously degrade over time.

VHS tapes stretch, break when used time and again.

Are New VHS tapes even available now - can't remember when I last saw them in shops.

Recording to DVD no more likely to fail than recording to VHS.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

lol, he was worried that shops would stop doing them so he has loads! he also took loads of my old ones when I was going to tape them to the tip.

he's a creature of habit, he knows where is copying tape to tape, removing adverts etc, he doesn't want to learn how to do all that with DVD.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

I phoned to downgrade my package today. Spoke to retentions, i wanted to have the TiVo discontinued as was only keeping it to watch old recordings. Was told I had to have the V+ removed as the system wouldn't let it through. Also insisted the V+ would be discontinued in 2 months anyway?. I have not received any information on this. Would I be offered a V6 when the V+ is removed as i have a TiVo?

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

phase 1 of operation box swap is complete!

the box is plugged in, set it to record the Pompeii thing on 5 for him the next few days, and left the TV on 3 so he could watch the soaps this evening!

Poor bloke very confused that he doesn't have to change what he's watching to record what he wants, he was worried about running out of "tape" so I explained it like having 50 tapes inside the Tivo box.

we're going to go through watching what's been recorded at the weekend when he's had a few days to play with the guide at his own pace. i think he'll be ok with the concept of that, as it's not disimilar to the freeview one on the panasonic vhs/dvd-r and he happily sets the guide to the program he wants to record on that.

turned off suggestions, thanks for that, he would have got even more confused about the box recording things he didn't tell it to.

the main thing he was happy about, was that when he pressed whatever he pressed for sky sports, it still went to that, then the same for Yesterday and bbc4 :)

Transferring to vhs I may have to get him to leave the house so he doesn't rabbit it on at me, and I can just remind myself how to do it ;)

now the old box, had to scart sockets, one to the tv, and one to one of the video recorders.

the new box has 1 scart socket, which to do things this evening quick and easy i connected to tv.

if i remember correctly,I played with this on mine a long time ago, if you connect the tv to the tivo box with hdmi lead, if you want to transfer to external recorder, you have to go through menus to do that don't you?

so, if i don't use the hdmi lead, but have the scart going into back of tv from cable box, and from other scart socket on tv into VHS, can he record what the tv is currently watching? i.e. it's only any use to record something he's watching but wants to keep, or a football match he's watching but may miss the end if he falls asleep ;) actually i suppose i'd be better off scart from tivo to vcr scart scocket 1, scart socket 2 on vcr to tv, but then he can't copy vcr to vcr! He'll have to use dining room VCRs for that :)

I think I'm going to have to get him used to recording to the tivo box, and then "backup" to vhs only if he really has to.

i started to explain to him, how he'll love it when he gets the hang of it, and he can record 2 shows at once, or not worry about them overlapping, or pause/rwd live tv, but he was keen to put off learning anything else till weekend at risk of overload :)

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

Admars running a scart from the TV to VHS only outputs from VHS in direction towards the TV i.e. you can play videos on the TV.

Use the HDMI to output to the TV and connect the VHS's 2nd scart to the Tivo. When he wants to playback videos it will play via 1st scart which goes from VHS to scart on TV.

The menus to transfer to DVD was the V+ I think (someone will correct me if I'm wrong). As far as I recall you just playback the show you want and simultaneously press record on the VHS.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

ok, thanks, I knew I had played with a menu to output but couldn't remember if that was the old V+ box, or my current tivo box

on TVs with freeview, with 2 scarts, at least one is bidirectional, I can record to my panasonic DVD-R/HD recorder freeview programmes from my tv via scart (the recorder is pre freeview) but that could be a special case that they just output the tuner, rather than what is being watched.

if/when I get it working i'll post what I did, 'cos someone else is bound to need to do it :)

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

Now that you mention bidirectional scart when there's two I think my old TV must have done it based on some of the language used in manual/user interface. I never needed to use it because our area got Freeview signal pretty late on, hence getting Starter pack cable tv package in the first place.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

V+ is not being discontinued yet. It is the V-boxes that are going in the next two months.

When V+ is eventually discontinued, I would expect V6 to be offered as a replacement provided you can have one (i.e. you have VM broadband and your TV supports HDMI). If not, you'll get a TiVo.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

The V box was a cool box, faster than the V+ or original Tivo. It didn't record but had catch up, quite and unobtrusive for a bedroom with no hard drive whirring away or lights flashing. There is a market for boxes like this. Mine was swapped for a V6, but i've had to tuck that away in a cupboard so i can sleep peacefully ! ;) RIP

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

You obviously never experienced some of the original ntl and Telewest SD only boxes then!

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

Now that was going back through the wormhole and beyond as l do remember those heady days..:D

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

oh yes, my original Jerrold analogue cable box you could fry an egg on ! I was thinking of the VHD - is this the one they are getting rid of ?
https://assets.virginmedia.com/help/...images/vhd.jpg

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

We had one of these then:

https://www.cableforum.uk/board/atta...4&d=1527758134

40 channels. Those were the days when our all-band multistandard TV could direct tune quite a number of the channels. ;)

Attachment 27414

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

Oh yes that's the the baby, never was able to return it after the egg frying ;)

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

Not currently, it's the older boxes than that. These ones and some others

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

Well if customers are still paying for those they've been ripped off royally by VM.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

l will trump you all as don't you remember the box on the wall which was the start of cable..:D

Attachment 27418

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

that looks circa 1973 Den - Antiques Roadshow maybe valuable ?

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

Virgin have continually promoted TiVo ever since it was launched and more recently the V6.

That's been through a combination of proactive upgrade offers, required upgrades when new offers are agreed etc.

Most of those that still have the SD only boxes either have them as additional boxes, or have no real desire or need to change their box as it 'just works' for them. So even if / when Virgin Media have sent them options to upgrade to new services, they haven't taken the offers available.

Which is why Virgin Media is now having to do the forced changeover.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

l think l remember having this box around the very early eighties.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

First cable tv in the UK was in 1938, apparently, bet some mug somewhere is paying VM for the same equipment still :D
http://www.digitalspy.com/tech/cable...-tv-in-the-uk/

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

We had the pace 4000 STB until a software upgrade bricked it. Then the Samsung which is in a cupboard somewhere as when we got the Cisco VHD box VM said they'd collect it and never did.

Guess I can safely send it for recycling now.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

Thanks spider,the problem was that i could not change my bundle without having the V+ removed. Is this correct?.:confused: As per admars it is used by a older person who knows how to use it and doesn`t like changing things. I dont want to lumber her with a old slow TIVO.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

All current bundle deals require the primary box to be either a TiVo or V6 box.

If the account doesn't already have one of those they will be required to change to one - no matter what type of box they currently have. But if the V+ HD box is an additional box, there is no current requirement to swap it.

That's been the case for around 2 years now, so it's not connected to this direct, but is part of the overall aim of getting rid of all V / V HD and V+ HD boxes from the network eventually.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

Thanks Ben, i have had the V+ and TIVO since i could and added a V6 last year. I just wanted to remove the TIVO but keep the V+, but the agent said i had to remove V+ for the change of bundle to go through.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

@CheekyAngus
thanks - as you suggested, keeping it simple worked, he suggested removing one VCR to make it simple :)

TIVO box to TV via HDMI
TIVO to VCR Via Scart
VCR (DVD combi) to TV VIA scart

so he can watch videos and DVDs and Virgin TV
most importantly for him he can record from the TIVO to VCR!

I recorded the Pompei programmes the other day for him, and he had told me he knew it was recording as he had noticed the red light come on on the tivo box. so went through watching them with him, so he's going to give it a go tomorrow, and put them on a 3hr tape :) I did tell him again he has plenty of room so can keep them on the box.

I must have been getting the V+ and TIVO boxes confused where you had to do a special menu option to backup to tape. i'll have to look at backing up some of the kids' tv shows i've got on my tivo.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

Great. :) And he must have noticed the HD picture quality now he had HDMI on his LCD?

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

I used to work for Rediffusion.Their cable service ended in 1985ish when Granada bought them out.

Robert Maxwell bought the cable network to start his own cable company. Luckily he didn't get his hands on the pension scheme as well.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

In Oxford, Radio Oxford was on Redifusion Channel A - it was mentioned in their jingle at the time.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

I'm all for updates on your neighbour's experience. I love stories like this :)

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe Vt Boxes from August
 

if you've got enough time you're welcome to go round to his and listen to him :)

he caught me this morning, and says he can't remember how to watch things on the TIVO box, but not to worry as he's happy watching them on video, which means he's probably doing what he did before, watching the tv set to the AV the VCR is on, which is set to the cable box, rather than using the shiny new HDMI lead!

you can't teach a dog new tricks, main thing is, as I said before he's happy, and I bet next time I go round there, and put it on HDMI for him he won't notice the difference, and will be confused why the video plays but he can't see it ;)

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

So, just to be clear, the only boxes left on the network after August will be the:

V+
Tivo
V6

Is this correct?

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

Add the Cisco Vbox HD (non recording) and you're correct.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

Surprised that they're not getting rid of the Cisco, given that the boxes that are being removed are also non recording.

Is it just because the Cisco is HD?

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

It's not so much that it's HD but that it supports the MPEG4 streams that VM is switching all the channels over to eventually. The better codec (H264 I Think) will allow for more content and/or better PQ.

It also has the incidental advantage of a down scaled SCART socket output so I can used my DVD/HDD recorder and the modulator.

We never seem to need to record much content so a TIVO or V6 is of limited interest.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

So you watch mainly live TV? I couldn't be doing with that! I stopped watching scheduled TV almost 20 years ago. The VHS tapes took over the lounge!

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

No, we watch a lot of downloads and streams plus a very few scheduled programmes. I'm seriously considering dumping the TV pack entirely so little use of it we make.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

you may be better off keeping it, I remember when I phoned to cancel tv, and just keep internet and phone, I was told the discount by having a 3 package bundle was greater than the cheapest tv package, so it was cheaper to have the lowest tv package than to remove it!

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

:gpoint:

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

I had an identical conversation a few years ago.
Very rare that I watch the TV, wife & daughter glance at it occasionally between catching up on facebook stuff, I'd estimate the dog watches it more than anyone in the household :D

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

What are his favourites😆

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

Watchdog, probably :D

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

After speaking to retentions today Spiderplant, they have insisted that my perfectly working V HD box needs to be replaced as its "obsolete".

Am I being told fibs? Me thinks I am.

---------- Post added at 20:51 ---------- Previous post was at 20:40 ----------

As an aside, I think we should have the option to use what equipment we want like they can do in America.

It is a complete rip off continually renting the boxes, especially as some of us paid "activation" fees upfront for them.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

You are indeed.

But there again, if they are offering a free V6, why not?

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

Thank you, Mr Spiderplant. :)

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

They are probably getting confused between the old V box (being made obsolete)and the small VHD more modern box (not obsolete).. However they surely must be able to see what's on your account

---------- Post added at 22:07 ---------- Previous post was at 22:02 ----------

Well there's the scart out on the older boxes which has many extra supplentary uses. Plus not everyone wants a recording (noisy) box in a bedroom, however my V6 sits ok and quiet shut in a bedroom drawer (with a little ventilation) for that very reason !

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

Quite right MrK, the ability to send the signal all around the house is very useful. It's still possible with the V6 but a real faff.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

I told them all that, but they wern't budging.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

In such cases you just need to ring back on another day and get another more competent person.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

Does this effect the older V+ Box as I have one in my Bedroom but nobody has imformed me of this?

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

No, it's just the SD-only boxes that are being withdrawn.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

Thank you for confirming my friend :)

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

If anyone is going to the web site to get an new box for their V Box can they ask for the other box to be replaced as well?

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

The website is just used to register that you want to swap. Someone then contacts you to book the swap.

I don't know if it happens in all cases, but when my parents ordered a replacement for their Samsung 2110, their V+ and SuperHub 2 also got replaced.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

Have virgin bricked the V+HD. Since the UKTV channel removal and replacement my mum's box is saying waking up on most button press. The fault status has now disappeared. I phoned earlier this evening and spoke to offshore faults who said that they could send a TiVo, I said why not a V6, was told he couldn't do that. Is the fault fixable or have virgin just found a way to kill off the V+?.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

My Dad box doing this as well. Started on Sunday he told me.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

No, the box does need to be swapped.

As I said a few posts ago, the V+ isn't being withdrawn at the moment. When it is, letters will be sent to the affected customers, followed by messages regularly popping up on the screen saying how to order a swap.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

Most of the time I think you would be get a V6 - if the account qualifies i.e. has at least VIVID 50 Fibre and you've got an HDTV. There are some other checks around how far away the Hub and TV are, but that's to ensure you get the right type of install.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

I seen it today - every time Paramount Network (Channel 188) is on my dads box reboots. But every other channels work.

I told him I will phone Virgin up next week if his V+ (Taping) is still not working by then.

It did the same thing about 18 months but started back up within 5 days.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

Someone has rung VM to upgrade their very old STB to a V6.

They have been told that, because they are a VM Business customer for BB & phone and a domestic customer for TV (VM stopped doing TV for businesses ages ago), that the V6 won't work!

Is this BS as I suspect?

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

No, it's not.

You have to have Broadband on the same account as TV to qualify for a V6. Doesn't matter whether you have business broadband or not - TV is a residential service so residential eligibility rules apply.

If you just have TV (with our without a phoneline) on a residential account, you'd get a TiVo box.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

Thanks Ben.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

V+ Box come back online on it own late last week. Just days before UKTV reappeared.

We see that Virgin has NO series links on any UKTV Channels.

Did Virgin move them all to new streams?

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

I really would see somebody about that 'we' thing you keep saying MB ;)

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

I can get series link on my V6 on the UKTV channels. Tried it out at the weekend on the one promising programme they have on all of UKTV's channels - 10 Days in the Valley.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

Much like OB I put a Series Link on 10 Days last night. Currently sitting in My Shows waiting to be watched. Also on a V6.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

The V+ and V6/TiVo series links work in a totally different way. It sounds like the V+ link data hasn't been set up yet.

Mr K: You obviously aren't aware of Media Mum and Media Dog.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

Maybe they won't even bother spending resources on it??

There can't be that many V+ boxes left on the system now after the free V6 offer.

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

:D :D Ah, now the Media Boy empire becomes clear !

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

Apparently, VM are now taking the V+ boxes off the network.

As some people are being told that VM don't even want old TiVo boxes back, are these being withdrawn too in favour of the V6?

What about customers who cannot have a V6 e.g. those with business broadband, will they simply lose TV service?

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

Would they just get a Tivo?

Re: Virgin Media UK to axe V Boxes from August
 

Correct.

V boxes will be swapped for V6s wherever possible, but if you can't have one due to lack of Broadband or if you've already got the maximum number of V6 boxes, you'll get a TiVo.