TV360 - pro and cons
 

Just seen this over on DS Forum:

What are a pro and cons of TV 360 boxes?

-How many channels can you tape at once?
-Any confirmed switch over date?

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

The only cons that have shown out to me is the inability to resurrect accidentally deleted recordings and the series link being one link for each channel rather than all recordings amalgamating onto one link per program regardless of source channel.
TV360 can record 6 channels at once allegedly, never tried that many as theres never that many items of interest.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Mandatory switching maybe a way off yet, as many still have the old Tivo box, not even a V6. The main problem would be folks losing their recordings, which would make the punters very unhappy, and may cause them to look elsewhere for a tv service.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Having previously looked in this VM forum thread, I'm anything but keen to switch to a TV360 setup. Maybe things have improved.
Too many missing features that I routinely use on my V6.
Shocked that you can't partially watch a recording taking place and then switch to start watching another recording that is taking place at the same time.

---------- Post added at 15:56 ---------- Previous post was at 15:55 ----------

And they would lose their recordings anyway.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

So you've got multi-channel series links, and undelete. Just to mention two others that immediately spring to mind..

Background buffering of all 6 tuners on V6, only the live channel plus any recordings, on TV360.
V6 lets you set series links from a VoD entry, even if the programme isn't in the current EPG. TV360 requires an EPG entry.

In fairness, there are others where the two platforms work differently..
V6 has EPG integration with Netflix, TV360 doesn't - but uses a search-based method to (apparently) achieve similar results.
V6 has one-touch access between TV & recordings, TV360 has either multiple presses or voice-control.

There's numerous threads on VM's forum about V6 vs TV360, and they always provoke some debate. Fundamentally the two platforms are different, whether TV360 is an upgrade depends on your individual usage. TV360 has Disney+ & Paramount+ , and has the Sky Sports-HD multiscreen that hasn't yet landed on V6.

For me, it would be a massive downgrade as the current feature set stands.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Another important difference is that V360 is dependent on a server connection (via your hub). If your Broadband goes down the live channels might still work depending on the fault, plus any recordings you have already started to play on your box. Everything else will be unplayable until the server connection returns.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

The more l use the 360 the less l like it.

It cannot even do the basics of updating the EPG guide of the coming EURO 2024 2nd round games at the weekend.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

SkyQ hasn't either.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

For the group games, the broadcasters agree between themselves, which matches they are each going to show. Afterwards it's a combination of agreement or both can show a particular game. Then you get the added complication of extra time and penalties.
The TV listings mags tend to show two alternative schedules. EPGs and online TV listings can't really do that.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Same as TiVo V6

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Those who have changed and found that they don't like it are usually told that they can't.

I say usually as i've read on the Virgin Media Community forum that a couple of people have successfully gone back to the V6 software.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

One as far as l know once switched to the 360 cannot go back to the V6 software.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

If you upgrade to TV360, do you have to start a new 18 month contract?

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Usually, just like any other operator

---------- Post added at 19:38 ---------- Previous post was at 19:33 ----------

Another minor issue about changing from Maxit to Mega...
Virgin forums finally confirm that Mega TV customers cannot fast forward through adverts on ITVX. Maxit customers will be able to do this.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Think you mean 'downgrade'.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Is that not true via smart TV.s ? Fast forward on v6 is one thing that is better than I have found anywhere :erm:

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

I understand that you have to go premium itvx to get FF. Maxit customers had this feature free. To be fair there's little we watch on it anyway lol

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

It was a nice bonus while it lasted, but is one of the many reasons why "record record record" is the way to go whenever possible.

Keeping to the thread topic though, converting to TV360 shouldn't normally need a re-contract period. Many sales agents will encourage the migration at the same time as re-contracting, but it remains a separate transaction to any package alteration.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Fun fact: when the subscription pack code that eventually became Mega was being set up in the background, it included the "ITV Tier" service which allowed FF through adverts on ITVX. The Mega pack code was removed from "ITV Tier" on 30/08/2023, the day before the new bundles were officially launched. Presumably, for Virgin TV, Mega means less.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

No, it’s definitely an upgrade. What many cannot seem to accept on here is that different boxes have different features and that new technology simply means you do things differently.

A common complaint is that the 360 does not have an undelete facility, but I have to question how important that really is now. I think this feature is only available on boxes using TiVo technology - as far as I know, it doesn’t appear on any other boxes.

But how important is the undelete feature nowadays anyway? On the rare occasions when I have accidentally deleted something, I have resurrected the programme through the ‘add to watchlist’ feature, which draws programmes from the on demand system. Pretty well everything is on there now if it was previously shown on live TV.

A lot of the early problems with the 360 have been resolved now, and it’s pretty decent, in my view. I particularly like the profiles feature. I have a shared profile for all the programmes my wife and I watch together, as well as a separate one just for me and another for my wife. It makes things much easier for us both, in that we no longer have to flog through a huge long list when selecting our programmes.

It is true that you have to select Netflix programmes by going into the app itself rather than by linking them into your bookmarked programmes on the 360, but that was a Netflix decision, and unless they change their minds about that, all new boxes will be similarly restricted.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Actually it doesn't mean people have to do things differently at all, they have a choice, which may not be the same as yours.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

I would call it a sideways move . Always go to Netflix via app . Never used the v6 listing

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

They do have the choice for now. When the channels go IPTV only, that will change.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

What year are we onto now?

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Yes, then everyone will need Stream or a similar device. Still some years off everyone being moved over to XGS-PON though.

---------- Post added at 15:17 ---------- Previous post was at 15:16 ----------

Don't even ask, he'll change his predicted date quite a few times before then. :D

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Sky boxes have had it for as long as I can remember.
That said, I tend to agree its usefullness is questionable, Ive never used it.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Whenever they turn off the transmitters for TV. Curiously, they are saying that the date for this will be 2035.

---------- Post added at 17:26 ---------- Previous post was at 17:25 ----------

Nah, still the same.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Who are they and can you post a reputable source for such a claim?

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Netflix search isn't integrated into the 360 search. Instead there is a Netflix text search when selecting the search icon from the Home screen and then select Netflix from the "All" dropdown option on the right. It only shows Netflix items and immediately launches the Netflix app when selecting a result.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

I complained about the 360 and how bad it was and they brought me 2 new TiVo V6 to replace the ones I'd upgraded

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

You know…

https://i.giphy.com/3o72FbZkvYmiuxS9bi.webp



https://www.cableforum.uk/images/local/2024/06/2.gif

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Of course, a different government could completely change direction on that. It's not like the current government actually had a meaningful plan. That aside. What the hell does the terrestrial transmitter network have to do with cable boxes? It's a chalk and cheese argument.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Do keep up, Hugh. This has been debated extensively elsewhere on this forum. The BBC is planning for the switchover early in the 2030s. There is no current agreement for the transmitters to continue broadcasting TV beyond 2034.

As also discussed, we are being pressured to make more bandwidth available for mobile signals and this may prove impossible to resist.

There is a campaign going for terrestrial broadcasting to continue well beyond 2040, but unless the government finds a way to stand up to pressure from other countries to give up their bandwidth, I can't really see this happening.

https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.ph...v-by-2030.html

[EXTRACT]

The Director-General of the BBC, Tim Davie, has given broadband ISPs and mobile operators something extra to think about after he proposed that the corporation could plan to “switch-off” terrestrial TV and radio signals by the end of 2030. In their place, the broadcaster would focus on online content and streaming (e.g. iPlayer).

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

What other countries have committed to this?

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

You can Google this information, jfman, if you want more detail, but this will get you started. Haven't we been here before?:rolleyes:


https://cleanfeed.thetvroom.com/1974...30-cliff-edge/

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

A lot of white noise (pun intended) no commitments.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Do you realise that it has always been that way? Multiplex licences have always been for a fixed period. What actually happens after that is decided in the later years of the contract.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Other countries are still investing in their terrestrial networks. As can be seen by developments in Europe where the platform is being upgraded to carry UHD channels.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Just updated today. Quite like it as far as I can see so far. Like the watchlist feature and the easier app access. Only thing I’m not liking so far is the tv guide style.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

I use the undelete feature all of the time but I watch a lot of live motorsport which is not available on demand so I'd really struggle without it.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Why are you deleting so many things you want in the first place ?

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Lol

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

The cursor doesn't automatically go back to select programs and if you forget you delete the program you intend to watch instead of opening it. Saved me a couple of times in the days before it was easier to find stuff on catch up

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

On Sky - if you delete an episode you have just watched it then usually defaults to delete the next episode too that you haven't watch.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

I tend to watch the things I've recorded, then delete only to find out the wife wanted to watch whatever also. So it's handy to be able to undelete. (And vice versa).

I do find it handy. And I'd rather have the option than not.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

If you do a Series Link for F1, F2, MotoGP, etc. it records every single practice session, qualifying and race. I don't watch all of them so I delete the ones I don't want to watch. Later on I may hear of an incident that happened in one of those sessions so I temporarily undelete them to see.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Sounds perfectly reasonable to me:)

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

That's what I was trying to get at but you worded it better

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Yes, I’m well aware of that, as I am with the bigger picture.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

What bigger picture? You are wanting everyone to have big blank screens!

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Presumably the bigger picture would be the total lack of strategic planning by the previous government. Hopefully we can now move on to better things.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

I had to get my own brand new contract to get a £49.00 pm deal, as my late dad was paying £149 pm, we had 1 V6 and 2 TiVos & as SH3.


Setting up was easy once I realised I was in the wrong mode in my SH5, then all my other kit just worked fine.


I have a large TiVo 360 and a Smaller TiVo 360.


Am I right in thinking that the large box has all the recording on it only.


When is the best time to call VM CS and speak to a UK based CS bod, ad I need them to transfer the emails I had on my dads account to mine, the CS person I spoke to when I started the new account said that it would be ok.


Secondly when I went to set up my VM access the verify email bit failed and I get a 403 Forbidden error message.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

0800 952 2302. Bereavement line staff are brilliant
You can call between 8am to 4:30pm

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

:clap:

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

The recordings are stored on the large box but you should be able to use the menu on the mini to access recordings, set new programmes to record, etc. as long as both are on with network access.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

The 360 doesn't have Wishlists, Suggestions or QuickView.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Or the ability to undelete, or pause for more than a few seconds or record on the minibox, so half the recording space gone....

VM have their own definition of the word 'upgrade'.... Maybe they mean it's upgrading their profits as they don't have to pay for the Tivo licence on the 360?

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Exactly, just as they call Maxit to Mega an upgrade where the only difference is that you lose all the TNT Sports channels and the ability to FF through the ads on ITVX.

Didn't know that it also doesn't pause properly or have undelete, I use these functions a lot.

---------- Post added at 13:24 ---------- Previous post was at 13:23 ----------

Is the first minibox included or do you have to pay anything for it?

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

I have paused up to four minutes on the mini box. I just hit record if I know I will be longer. Mini box is an additional cost though many packages will have one included ( I'm paying less than before when I only had a V6.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

I guess quite a lot of legacy customers will still have multiple boxes with their own hard drives given there is an upgrade path, and they will function independently with recording to their own storage (accessible from others). So no loss of storage on that front.

Obviously new customers will lose out, but they won't know any better for the most part and have probably come from Sky Q which has a very similar arrangement.

The lack of 'undelete' still seems a rather glaring omission, but it might as well be missing on Sky Q because it's a sod to find in the menu!

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

You can list deleted programmes in Sky Q, and undelete them (Recordings > Manage > Deleted, IIRC).

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Thanks - I never think to look in Manage for these things for whatever reason :-D

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

It's called watchlist

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

I've been led to belive that it's not the same though. In what way is it different?

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

my friend still had an original tivo box. no one ever got in touch with him to even offer him a better box.

he's just got rid of his tv package now and just has broadband and phone. he realized a firestick as slow as i find it is still quicker than the original tivo.

i really feel virgin media are being foolish not going out to those on the original tivo to try and keep them wanting tv.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

They've always let old customers rot on old equipment, as well as much higher prices. I only managed to get my old Tivo swapped for a V6 earlier this year, it took some doing. I resorted to reporting it as a fault as it was so slow. Glad I did that, as now they be giving me a 360 and nobody wants those !

You're right though its a false economy. They'll just lose customers, as they are doing (over 13000 lost in the last quarter).

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

I thought they still replaced Tivos with V6's ??. I still use an ancient Tivo as it has lots of time shift recordings I look at and it still works fine albeit slowly. Really don't fancy a 360 when the current fossil finally gives up the ghost.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

he couldn't believe how quick the firestick was and then realized he didn't need virgin media tv. its such a strange approach to business. "we can save money by keeping people on ancient technology!"

But then the people realise they can get a better alternative cheaper...i know for a fact if he'd been sent a v6 he'd still be paying virgin media for tv. it just got so bad he looked into alternatives for once

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Faulty TiVo's are indeed replaced with V6.

If sales/CS offer TV360, that's another issue.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

:tu: Thank you. Seems odd some CS would offer a 360 if (presumably) there are still spare V6's to be had, are they just unaware of this.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

They want customers on 360, its a cost saving as no Tivo licence to pay. I think essentially its the same box, different software.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

The punters really don't like the 360.
https://community.virginmedia.com/t5.../Virgin_TV_360
Many have been 'forced' to 'upgrade' to get Sky Sports+. Not worth it imo.

Maybe VM should have done a bit of consumer testing first? The cost saving from the tivo licence may not be worth it if they are shedding customers (13k lost in the last quarter).

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

I saw the option the other day when using my v6 to watch Prime, and clicked for an upgrade, after eading this thread and the community one, maybe when the remote arrives, I'll put it to one side and won't "upgrade" my box yet.

I know people are more likely to moan than shout about the positives, but doesn't seem like a good move yet

I don't stream much, mostly record stuff, and watch later, my tv package is as low as you can get.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

The V6 will automatically update to TV360 after five days or so. You'll need to contact Virgin urgently if you don't want to change over.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

I think the change might happen automatically anyway if you ve selected the 'upgrade'.

https://community.virginmedia.com/t5...e/td-p/5562073

Think you'll need to get in touch with them to stop it happening.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

it did auto upgrade, but I've not had any problems with the box

the voice control at first I thought was a gimmick, but is quicker and easier than going through menus

had no problem streaming shows from prime

was a pain to lose things I recorded, but I was warned of that, and to be fair anything i recorded 6 months ago and haven't watched yet, probably isn;t an issue, tv series from bbc i can stream on iplayer so that's fine.

have used the guide to record programmes as I used to works the same, and watching them works the same, so I'm happy so far

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Still fail to see any great advantage to it, but the grass is always greener , is it not:cool:

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

It’s just different, that’s all. It doesn’t have the ‘undelete’ feature, but it has ‘profiles’. It doesn’t have the same ‘manage series links’, but it has more apps, including Apple+ and Paramount+.

It’s horses for courses and like most new tech things, there are trade-offs. Frankly I have not missed those minor features I have lost by changing from the V6 to the 360 - I didn’t really use them much anyway. It’s hardly a reason not to change - for me, anyway.

I ask myself questions about this reluctance to change over that some people have - why, for example, do you need to ‘manage’ your series links’ when you can just cancel a series link that you no longer want to have recorded? It makes no sense to me.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Don't use them, not interested in paramount, or apple anyway could I get them on a smart tv?.not interested in voice control, and always have recordings to watch, don't watch any shows but news live!

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

The advantage of having the streamers on Virgin is that you can add programmes from those streamers onto your watchlist (Netflix excepted). I find that useful because I can keep track of what I’m watching.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Great , but of no interest to me:D happy with system at the moment, but never say never. Push against moving to v6 for ages:erm:

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

One of the things that concerns me is, can you watch a show that is currently recording, other than the last 5 minutes?

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Yes, select it from the list of recordings, then pick "watch from start"

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Is that while they're recording or only after the recording has finished? Can you watch 15 mins of a programme and then return to it whilst it's still recording?
From post in this VM forum thread.
Perhaps things have changed since December 2022.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

I'm not sure how VM thought this box would be popular with those that have previously had a V6/Tivo. It is a downgrade of services. New customers won't know any better, hence the divided opinions.

The majority of people still just watch or record live tv. Streaming isn't the future yet. Customer numbers count at the end of the day and VM are losing sheds loads of them.

Unless they have a major upgrade or yet another new box/software platform or make it up with Tivo Inc. they are in big trouble , particularly as they also no longer have the monopoly on fast broadband, and their CS consistently wins awards for being the worst.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

There aren't any restrictions as far as I know. There was a problem with really long recordings (10+ hours), but I think that's now fixed.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

i think its subjective that. i prefer this box to the v6 just my own opinion. my mum who is in her 70s found it a bit difficult but got the hang of it within a week.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

People are bound to prefer one or the other, depending on the extra or missing functions on each box.

At the moment i've seen relatively few existing customers who prefer the 360 to the V6. New customers, of course, won't have anything to compare the 360 to!

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

I agree as I am not a big recording person, prefer live or streaming / on demand

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

The missing features compared with the V6 are only minor, and there other other features on the 360 that in my opinion are better and more useful.

If I understand this correctly, some of the TiVo features are patented anyway.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

The lad has his own Tivo in his room, the other is in the living room.

Without telling us, he accepted the "free upgrade to 360" option a few days ago, and today received 2 remotes. No mini-box or associated cables and power supply.

In the literature, it says that the software will be upgraded and set "in 5 days after receiving the pack".

Will this only affect his Tivo, or the family one too? Wiping out all recordings and series link settings (there are about 140 on the family box)?

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

I had the 360 installed on both my boxes. So I would have thought the family box will be upgraded’ too.

Whenever you change the box or the software system, you will lose your recordings. I made a note of those I wished to retain, and added them to my watchlist when the 360 was installed.

It sounds to me that you will find the profiles useful. Bear in mind that your recordings will be shown on both boxes, but you will see where you left off only on your profile. So let’s say you are watching on your profile and ‘the lad’ is watching on his, you can pick the recording up where you left it on your profile, and ‘the lad’ will see where he left off on his. However, delete it and you’ve deleted it for all profiles.

That’s why it’s better to ‘add to watchlist’ rather than ‘record’ in most cases. It doesn’t matter if you delete a bookmark on your profile - the other profiles won’t be affected.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Yes, both boxes will be wiped, 'year zero' in more ways then one....

Get onto them pronto if you want to stop it.. If you're the account holder and didn't authorise this then you have good reason.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

You are such a stick in the mud, Mr K!

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

He's right though. Not everyone agrees with your relentless march towards the lowest common denominator.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

If it ain't broke don't fix it:D

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

I use QuickView, Suggestions, Wishlists and record radio & set series links for forthcoming series not yet on the EPG

Which services on the 360 replace or improve on the above?

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

As I new 360 user, what on earth possessed them not to put a stop button on the remote!?

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

It's not me making this happen! I'm just commentating on what appears to be playing out before our eyes..

Time marches on, and I'm not going to be left behind. Others may prefer to bury their heads in the sand. That's OK, it's not my problem.

There was a time when we thought those old Jerrold analogue boxes were the future. 25 years on and they have become relics of the past. It's only a matter of time before the V6s are discontinued, so I guess those who are resisting change should make the most of it in these final years of Virgin's association with the TiVo system.

Re: TV360 - pro and cons
 

Yeah that is a bummer.


I just use the back button, and either select delete or keep option