Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

Found this info regarding the launch of the V6 Horizon 4 in Ireland, although they are calling it Virgin TV 360. Can anyone confirm if this is what's planned later this year for the UK?..
https://www.virginmedia.ie/virgintv360support/

---------- Post added at 19:50 ---------- Previous post was at 19:48 ----------

Also this..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjJwiaG4Ij0

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

Well the video was interesting. I can't see the UK version being much different. Bit too much flash for the sake of it for me, but it looked better than previous vids of Horizon I've seen.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

Interesting to see Vimeo and Wikipedia in the apps section

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

Interesting to see the new multiroom setup, although I can see this causing issues in big households.

I assume if you set up seperate profiles you can choose to only see the recordings you have set or recorded. Lumping them all in together would cause problems. This is one thing I disliked about SkyQ. Also only having a single 1TB storage space is going to be a bit stingy. Up it to 2TB & they may be on a winner.

The remote boxes do not buffer channels & will only pause live TV for a few minutes. The reliance on the connection to the hub is a sticking point already for some. For others the requirement to still have all boxes connected to coax will put some off.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

Only 1 box to record presumably means only able to record 6 channels at one time. 1Tb would be inadequate.

This seems to be a backward step to me - are they just trying to replicate skyQ

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

Only 6 channels at one time............. good grief how much do you actually record !!!!

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

Regularly 12 to 20 programmes on a Saturday - I am usually out so catch-up when I can.

Today is a good example - cricket on all day and 10 EPL games all ko at 4pm, followed by the first championship play-off semi.
Already recorded 2 NRL rugby matches and a NZ Super Rugby union match this morning.

This equates to 15 programmes.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

You actually find enough hours in the day to watch all that ?

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

The 10 EPL games aren’t routinely televised.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

Not much else to do when furloughed

---------- Post added at 12:18 ---------- Previous post was at 12:17 ----------

Agreed, but they have been since the resumption - often 2 rounds a week, additionally all 8 NRL games have been televised per week. Championship football and Southern Hemisphere Rugby Union. Not to mention a test match each week.

It will be interesting to see if all EPL games will be televised in the rounds before crowds are allowed?

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

I hope so (I’d get rid of the blackout altogether - it’s a restriction on trade and competition) however the pressure to get games televised this time came from Government to discourage gatherings, and get some entertainment/industry going in lockdown.

Whether there would be an appetite from broadcasters long term? Commercially does BT getting extra games weaken Sky’s offering?

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

I don't think it would be a long term thing, just until reasonable crowds can attend.

I don't think BT's extra games weaken Sky's offering as they got a lot more extra games too.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

I like it - the existing UI is very dated. The vertical red line on the EPG and the highligted programme within it to show which programme is actually playing is a nice touch.

The comment you make about the storage space being stingy - I agree, but it is no worse than it is now, and in addition, you can bookmark your shows, which does not require extra disk space. I have 2TB of storage because I have two boxes, and I would imagine you can still have these with the 360 instead of, or as well as, the mini-boxes.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

I wonder if the red line (colour may vary) is patented. I've seen it on other TV boxes, but not many. An old Freesat box we have has it.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

SO is this a new box?

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

No. By the look of it, it's new software running on the V6

---------- Post added at 16:24 ---------- Previous post was at 16:22 ----------

Can't imagine them launching this in the UK until they've got their service desk back to full speed. I've not had it too bad with Virgin to be honest but have spent hours and hours on hold with EasyJet recently. India's lockdown is being felt all over the world :(

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

No. The current V6 box is split into 2 halves. The bottom half only contains the hard drive, so the new multi-room "360" box will just be the top half as a slave to the main master box, similar to Sky Q. The current V6 boxes will remain in use, but will be running the new software u.i. and epg. Here is the European version..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_0wKkLJGww

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

That Virgin Ireland system seems like Sky Q ie master box (recordable) with mini slave boxes with no HDD unlike the current setup.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

I don't mind Virgin doing that, as long as we still have the option to record and have second V6s. The mini boxes would be of no use to me - I need the recording space.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

VM could easily do the same and have a 2TB main box.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

Are there not too many assumptions here about what Virgin Media in the U.K. might do?
Other Liberty Global countries in Europe have not implemented this approach when moving to Horizon 4. They have implemented cloud storage, no hard disk, no mini boxes.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

Which requires rights agreements of which many havent been forthcoming in this area if the reports are to be believed.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

VM Ireland isn't part of the O2 deal as I recall, so I'm skeptical about anything they do coming here.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

That's true, but Horizon will be running on VM's V6 hardware in the UK - the company's already confirmed that. Quite happy though for someone else to experience it warts-and-all before we get it in the UK

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

If this is the forthcoming UI I was secretly hoping for a more radical facelift but it does seem to be reasonably fast and responsive if the YouTube clip is anything to go by. I am assuming it's running on the current V6 box.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

Another reason many are concerned about everything being in the Cloud.
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/v...-a4510141.html

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

Received an email to be updated to this box today for free or charge.

I click the link I get this...

Oops! Something went wrong.

Sorry, we’re unable to change your package online.

Tried the call centre who didn’t have a clue and told me it was still being tested so I couldn’t have received the email.

How do I take up this offer?

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

Do you have a screenshot of this email?

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

If it's the same email we received, then its a mini box but I don't know if it's legit yet as there is no information on a mini box.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

We think it’s only right that our customers get their hands on our amazing new TV experience first. Get it at no extra cost today and discover how we bring together all your screens, favourite channels and apps, so you can seamlessly watch and stream the telly you love, at home and on the go. Yep, it’s our best TV experience yet, on the house.
Great power and streamability
Our fastest-ever TV experience, now with new features like super powerful voice search, personal profiles and more.
Entertainment, brought together
The UK’s most popular channels, Catch Up services, movies, TV Box Sets and built-in apps, all in one place. So you won’t need to hop around.
TV that moves with you
Watch in more rooms with a 4K-ready Mini box. Or stream, control and manage your recordings with our free, supercharged, Virgin TV Go app.
Ready to go? We’re making our new TV service available to you early, and you have until 2nd September 2020 to get involved. There’s limited availability, but don’t worry it will be available again soon.
Once you’ve applied, it can take up to 7 working days to receive your confirmation.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

Wow. That definitely sounds like the new box. Didn't think they'd bring it to the UK so soon.

Their upgrade page has always been very buggy or the limited spaces have been filled

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

Which new box?

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

The link on the first page to Virgin Media Ireland has the new V6 box with Horizon and also mentions the mini boxes

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

This just seems to be the mini boxes, no mention of Horizon though.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

Seen someone on the main Virgin forum also received the same email.

Seems like they’re offering it for free almost as a soft beta trial

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

That's good to see the mini boxes are 4K hopefully Sky will take note and bring a newer Q 4K mini out now more and more people have a few 4K TV's in their houses.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

It's the V6 box with Horizon software

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

How do we know?

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

Has this new box got recording to hard disk or to the cloud?

If hard disk is it larger than 1Tb? Needs to be as the mini boxes don't record.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

With the exception of the limited capacity of the hard disc and the outdated user interface, there's not a lot wrong with the current V6, IMO - especially when compared to the previous Tivo box.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

My interpretation of that email wording is simply that it's referring to testing the Horizon software on the customer's existing box, whilst mentioning there's a new box for multiroom as an option.

paul0363 on Forumbox has said they were "greeted with a splash screen (over the top of my account page) asking me to register for my 'new TV experience' " so they aren't just asking via email.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

Any links to the website?

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

If you are getting the offer it will greet you when you log into the My Account section of the VM website, that was the context of the bit I quoted. The poster does give a link but I wouldn't bet on it working if you aren't currently being offered a chance.

Read the post on the thread link I provided above and make your own mind up though.:)

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

Could it just be a pop up, bit of spam trying to get card or account information?

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

No, wasn't asked for any account info.

The "splash screen" is similar to the "refer a friend" screen that's also popping up on accounts when you log in.

Link in Forumbox is to the "Registration Successful" screen as it's the only one I could link to:

https://www.virginmedia.com/offers/befirst/confirmation

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

I got the email and the same screen that paul0363 got too.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

Found this in the 'Legal Stuff' section on VM's website:

Virgin TV 360 Experience: Available exclusively with the Ultimate Oomph bundle. The main box and Mini boxes use an HDMI cable to connect to your TV so please check your TV has a HDMI socket.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

I have just logged onto My Account and the pop up appeared, I registered. I have a V6 on Maxit TV and movies.

I wonder if the V6 will just download the new Horizon software?

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

It won’t. If you’re selected, you’ll get sent new hardware.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

Thanks for the info. So to roll Horizon out everyone will need a new box?

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

How many? Two to cover the two boxes we have or just one? Do you get the mini box too?

It's a shambles really. Send an email out which really doesn't explain anything. Links in the email don't work, send another email out and the links still don't work. The broken link says the offer is not applicable to us so register interest. Click on that link and thats not working either.

Anybody know how to actually take up their offer of whatever they are offering?

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

Yeah l had the same problem as the links really were a road to nowhere.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

And lose all my recordings. The tiny bit of interest I had has completely gone now if that's the case. I thought part of the trial would be to see if the upgrade process would be smooth. No need if new hardware for the trial.

Surely that's just for these trials? It would cost VM and arm and a leg otherwise.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

I would like the Horizon software but not if I had to return my V6s. I don't wish to lose the ability to record at this stage, and I think the new boxes probably require you to record to the cloud and your retrieval time is much reduced. Not good.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

Anyone can register an interest here:

https://www.virginmedia.com/offers/befirst

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

The new box does not record to the Cloud. It has a 1TB HDD which the mini boxes share.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

That is the problem though as l tried that and it will not do it despite me filling in my details.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

How about those that were invited to take the offer up but the links in the email dont work?

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

What error message do you get?

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

The problem happens when l try to submit my details at the end.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

Surprisingly it worked for me. These things usually don't.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

Worked fine a few seconds ago
:)

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

Nope it still does not work for me.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

Totally inadequate - needs to be at least 2Tb. I have 2 V6 boxes (as many others do) and this is often a push - to halve my recording space is unacceptable.

Seriously, I will be looking at reverting back to sky when my contract ends.

Incidentally, I received an email this morning stating my monthly charge will shortly be rising to over £130pm (do they think I'm made of money?)

Scroll down the email it says the same is available to new customers for £80pm for an 18 month contract!

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

So what was the ofcom ruling about

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

Yes but what do you mean by that: does an error message come up, does the 'Submit' button not work for you?

It's just a simple form, a tick box and one click of a button so it's odd that it won't work for you but does for others.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

ofcom ruling??

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

The Ofcom ruling, if I recall correctly, simply requires companies to advise customers of the end of their minimum contract period and some representative prices of similar bundles. It does not require companies to offer existing, renewing customers the same deals as new customers.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

I didn't say it did - but £50 off is a huge discount, it doesn't encourage one to stay.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

It certainly is a huge discount - one YOU have benefitted from.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

Surely you agreed to a contract that stated the price would rise to that amount? I'm not sure how it comes as a surprise to anyone, that's how much the package costs.

Am I being stupid? Why would it half your recording space?

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

The reference to halving recording space is if 2xV6 are replaced with a Horizon box and a mini.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

I doubt that would happen, the bundles or your contract is two V6 boxes. I'm not sure they would take something away for something inferior.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

Untrue - when I joined Virgin my discount was nothing like £50 compared to my second year.

Any facts to back up your post?

---------- Post added at 21:48 ---------- Previous post was at 21:47 ----------

Yes, I explained that if you actually read my post

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

I have, I fail to understand how it would halve your recording space?

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

I think like this:
2 x V6 = 2 x1Mb recorders - 2Mb.

If the Horizon mini - like the SkyQ mini - uses only the main box for recording then you only have 1Mb total for both devices.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

The submit message does not work as l tried it several times..

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

Maybe it's stopped working because they have reached their full quota of registrations?

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

Possibly but unless they tell you that one would not know.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

It's TB not Mb. Also MB isn't the same as Mb, those are different.

Also I doubt VM is going to force existing customers who currently have 2 V6s to swap 1 for a Mini, it will just charge customers differently for the two devices. Two full Horizon-powered devices can probably talk to each other the same way two current Tivo-powered ones can.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

Virgin Media won’t be forcing anyone to do anything, at least in the short term.
V6 and the new boxes will co-exist for some time.
For the vast majority, I would suggest, if they have two boxes today, 1TB is more than sufficient for those that actually watch what they record.
For those that archive, .......

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

Do you think eventually the Horizon software will be downloaded to V6 boxes?

I remember NTL boxes downloading the Virgin software.

To swap out boxes to get Horizon I guess would be quite expensive for VM?
I hope they keep the 'Tivo' remote as I know where all the buttons are...

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

No, it's broken. They are working on it, so keep trying.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

I can't see VM wanting the expense/hassle of introducing new software and only making it available to new boxes when the existing main equipment (i.e. V6) is capable of using it.

I find it hard to see them not updating V6 to Horizon. And then presumably any new (non-Mini) box will be used for new customers and replacing original Tivo models that can't be updated to Horizon. Every TV customer would then be on the same OS with minimal additional expense/hassle.

The NTL and Telewest boxes were basically on the same software, all that happened was they changed the logo and colour scheme when the VM rebrand happened.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

Thank you never really looked in to it:)

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

What's broken that they are trying to fix? The register your interest link or the links to sign up to the offer in the email they sent?

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

The problem is with the database where the details get stored, so it affects both.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

Correct apart from it is Tb not Mb.

I stated this in my original post, Mythica doesn't seem able to understand - still not sure why?

---------- Post added at 13:05 ---------- Previous post was at 13:02 ----------


Your opinion not mine 1Tb is definitely not enough - I time shift my viewing, nothing on either of my boxes which is more than 1 month old so not archiving by any means.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

I am the same as you and I store certain series on certain boxes to take advantage of the full 2TB to have that halved is a non starter for me just to get a new interface which I would like it is not worth it to loose half the recording capacity.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

Firstly you never and secondly why would getting a mini box halve your recording space? Unless you're suggesting that a mini box will replace a V6 box. Firstly, that's never been stated and secondly that would make no logical sense.

---------- Post added at 13:48 ---------- Previous post was at 13:48 ----------

cheers for the answer.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

Sorry - I meant Tb - it was early in the morning :)

But I agree - replacing two V6 boxes with the two box Horizon option will half the available recording space.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

How will it half the available recording space? Am I missing something?

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

You are assuming that you will have 2 V6 boxes and mini-boxes.

Nothing I have seen suggests this, on the contrary what I have seen indicates 1 recording box of 1Tb and non-recording mini boxes (on the same principle as skyQ)

Hence the recording space would be halved.

The original suggestion was the recordings would be on the cloud - but details such as recording limits regarding total size and time before they were no longer available were sketchy to say the least.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

I wouldn't say I was assuming anything, more using logical sense. If you have two V6 boxes, why would you swap out one for a box with no HDD space, especially when your contract states your package comes with two V6 boxes and more so, the offer states it will not affect your current subscription terms and conditions.

Regardless of the above, nothing states that your recording space is getting halved.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

Why would you swap out a V6 for a box with no HDD?
Here’s a possible reason:
You can’t mix TiVo and Horizon boxes.
With two V6s, you would need to swap them out for a Horizon box and mini, halving your storage.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

But that would make no logical sense. You'd just get a third V6 or leave the two V6 boxes.

Edit to add that none of us actually know what the offer is. They might replace both V6 boxes.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

....but, at some stage, V6 will be retired.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

Obviously, but that has nothing to do with someone's storage getting halved by taking up this offer.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

You really hate to admit you may be wrong don't you.

Robboedin appears to work for Virgin - so possibly knows more than you or I do.

Re: Virgin TV Horizon 4 V6
 

No, I maybe wrong. Not sure why you think that? It's just you've come out with some ludicrous theory with no facts behind it.