Is the end nigh for v6
 

Had an e mail today saying that my box needed to be upgraded and sent details about 360 . Anyone know if this the end of v6 or just a push tactic

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

Sounds like their latest push tactic.
https://community.virginmedia.com/di...pgrade/5610308

Ignore it and opt of marketing- I've not received it.

Given the amount of issues folks have had 'downgrading' the V6 to the 360 they'd be foolish to force it through. It wipes all your recordings, they need your agreement before it can be done, or they'd have a few million complaints to deal with..

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

I did:D

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

The only upgrade I would advise taking up is from the old TiVO 500 to the V6, which IS an improvement.

V360 Horizon is a migration to a totally different platform.

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

Is that even an option anymore? I was under the impression VM wanted everybody straight on to the 360 and didn't offer the V6 any longer.

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

Yes. It is an option. It should be automatic for fault replacements. If you are wanting to just swap then VM will do this, although telephone agents will try to convince you otherwise.

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

That's interesting. Thanks :tu:

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

Are they on commission to 'convert' customers to 360? They must be , worse than the cybermen imho ;)

I suspect any new contracts will be on condition of taking 360, at which time I'll be saying bye bye to VM and get myself a decent freeview recorder. A lot more reasonable monthly non-charge.

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

New customers & re-joiners, yes. But not renewals unless you are adding something not available on TiVO boxes (Disney+, Paramount+ etc)

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

Atm maybe, but they seem to upping the 360 propaganda. Presumably their contract with Tivo must end at some point. Their latest email cobblers is 'You need to 'upgrade' your box' i.e not sounding voluntary.

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

Hence my question :rolleyes:

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

There is a nice VM bloke called 'Spiderplant' on this forum who will know the answers to all our questions.....

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

Had a further 2 messages saying the same thing, getting paranoid :erm:

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

Just renewed my contract for 18 months. No issues with keeping my V6 boxes.

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

Good to know we are still at the nudging stage and not the attempt at forced migration.

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

Same here, but I still have original TiVo.

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

Can't they just change the software :confused:

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

Not without sending the new voice remotes out, which you have to initiate.

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

What were the renewal prices like as my contract is up shortly. It may be cheaper for me to go to Sky (free Paramount / Netflix and Discovery+) and an Alt-Net

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

I was referring to keeping box. They don't need to change to mess it up from the customers point of view:shocked:

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

True, but it would be better if a new box was involved, especially as all recordings are lost either way.

My reasoning is that, as recordings are lost with box changes and the 360 software change, if people are happy to move to the 360, they might as well try to get a new box anyway as it is likely to last longer before the HDD fails and their recordings are lost yet again.

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

An old updated box could go on forever and a new box could have a disc failure within a few weeks. It's a gamble either way.

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

You can't use a firmware migrated box without the new remote.

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

What has that got to do with not changing the box which was my comment

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

bloody hell. my mate had that a year ago and it was just incredibly slow...how do you manage that?!

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

VM only has to change the box is you still have a TiVO 500. TiVO V6 to V360 is a firmware upgrade only. Customers with a TiVO 500 can have it swapped for a V6, which is still standard for fault replacements.

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

I manage just fine thanks. It is slower than new boxes, but is reliable and I don't really record that much. I have a smart Tv that runs all the apps I use.
Only really use Virginmedia for live sports events.

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

Snap, though I use a Firestick now in preference to the apps on the tv. I dread my Tivo biting the dust, it's been really reliable if infuriatingly slow at times.

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

I have a firestick on my back up tv also very good.

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

I had the dreaded email today about being eligible for a 360 upgrade, but having read these posts I will not be partaking. Thank you nthellworld.

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

You're a wise person!

There's an ancient Greek proverb:- "Beware of Virgin Media bearing gifts", or something like that....

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

The thing is, technology moves on (unlike some people!). It’s no good blaming Virgin.

I’ve just read that Netflix is being withdrawn from Apple TV boxes (the 2nd generation, which was discontinued in 2012, and the third in 2016). That was not Apple’s decision, it was Netflix.

In the end, you will have to replace your box if you still want to retain all your services, but it will not be Virgin’s fault.

While it still works for you and Virgin continues to support it, there is no reason other than what it can access why you shouldn’t keep it.

Mr K knows. Even he had to discard his old 9” black and white TV some time ago!

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

Technology may move on OB, but its not always for the benefit of the customer. In the case of the V6 its a cost cutting exercise for VM. No Tivo features to pay out for. Will the customer see the saving or will shareholders reap increases dividends ? Answers on a postcard...

The problem is VM promoting this as an 'upgrade' and giving customers no further info than that, or alerting them to the features lost. I'm all for choice as long as you're fully informed.

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

This exactly. More often than not there will be a sting in the tail with VM's "upgrades" especially when they actively contact people about it. There's usually only one winner, and that isn't the customer.

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

Having moved to the 360, my wife and I believe strongly that we have had an upgrade.

The views of some others may differ.

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

You do talk a lot of garbage sometimes, "technology moves on", "it's no good blaming Virgin". Technology hasn't moved on, this isn't some advanced CODEC being used in an advanced spec box, it is the same hardware. Any decisions made about the future direction of V6 are entirely Virgin's, blaming Virgin is, pretty much, spot on for anyone unhappy with how this is going.

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Not that it will stop you preaching that your view is the only correct view. :D

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

Firstly, I don’t say my view is the only one. Where have I ever said anything to indicate that? I give my view on here just the same as you and everyone else does.

I can’t vouch for your statement that the future direction of V6 is entirely Virgin’s - there is some truth in that, but if streamers cease to allow their content to appear on that box due to advances in the technology they are using, it means less choice for those with V6 equipment, which will lead Virgin to start thinking about withdrawing the box from subscribers.

It’s already happening with other old equipment, as I pointed out was the case with Apple.

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

You don't actually say that your view is the only one but seem to give it too much weight. May I ask how many people you meet on forums consult with you and your wife before they make a decision?

If the hardware can't support a new CODEC then, you are correct, the streamers would withdraw their app or it would just stop working. The 360 uses the same hardware, so there would be no magic way to make CODECs not supported by the hardware work on that either. There is a degree of built in obsolescence with most consumer devices these days. It's smoke and mirrors though, that's not what is happening with the V6.

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

How can it be an upgrade if features like rewinding a live event have been discontinued?

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

That is a red line for me, don't need it that much but find it very useful on the odd occasion. Waiting until force to change.

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

Many channels have the watch from start option on the 360. If I select 501 sports main event from the EPG, I get the option to watch from start or live, even if just switched on. V6 doesn't have that, or it didn't when I last used one.

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

Sure it can be used on i player or itvx , can't say I have ever bothered , sport channels don't have, so not a problem :D no reason to swap out. Money might work:rolleyes:

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

It’s an upgrade. There are one or two features on the TiVo that the 360 does not have, but the 360 has other features such as profiles and voice commands.

I must say that I was unaware that the rewinding of a live event was an issue. You can rewind it if you want to see something again that you’ve just seen, but it will only rewind as far as the point at which you started to watch the programme. But as stated elsewhere, you can select the watch from start option and fast forward from there.

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

There are more than one or 2 features missing on the 360 OB:-

• Wishlists
• undelete
• series link+
• series link manager
• suggestions
• skip-back on fast-forward
• quickview
• default recording options
• cancelling individual recordings from a series link
• multi-channel series links
• allowing recording of radio
• separation of recordings between boxes
• watching recordings when internet is not available
• a lot of programme info on the epg

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

Not quite true ...
I had no internet for 4 days in October and was able to watch recordings of individual shows. Granted I wasn't able to select if I had more than one show from a series. I was also able to set recordings.

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

So if you have 2 episodes of a show you can only see 1 of them is that correct?

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

You can't access any episodes as it needs the server to get the breakdown.

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

Sorry did I miss read this

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Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

E.g. you have a single recording of a show, you can select and watch it. If you have two shows from the same series, you can't select either of them.

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

The 360 has most of these they’re just named something else? The only ones I can confirm are missing are separation of recordings between boxes (which does not impact me at all it’s in fact a lot easier) and the recordings of radio (which I never saw the need to do when everything is available on my phone on demand)

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

What are the functions called that do what the V6 does?

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

That's plain weird :erm:
Sounds to me like it's very much a work in progress. Still see no reason to change .

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2025...tv-transition/

I assume that this means traditional cable TV will cease and it will all be done over the internet and the V6 will be retired.

Perhaps those with a 360 will get to keep it, but may no longer be able to record, but those with a streaming box will be fine.

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.ph...vo-tv-box.html

[EXTRACT]

Customers of broadband and phone provider Virgin Media (O2), specifically those who take their pay TV service and continue to use one of the provider’s legacy TiVo set-top-boxes, have recently been informed – via email – that the BBC’s popular iPlayer service “will no longer be supported” from 23rd July 2025. But it’s not all bad news.

The move (CordBusters) is hardly a surprise given the ever-advancing age of Virgin Media’s TiVo hardware (we suspect it may be the BBC that’s ending support, rather than Virgin), which first launched in 2011 and has already lost a number of features and content over the past few years. The box is now slowly grinding its way toward complete retirement, and new features tend to only launch on their more modern boxes like Stream.


I suspect the V6s will be phased out before too much longer as the BBCi-Player will no longer be supported.

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

When happens it happens, no point it stressing. Not sure why I would keep the box ,can do every thing I need to via smart tv if it is retired.

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

In which case VM will 'phase out' a lot of its customers. Streaming can be done on any Smart TV, you don't need a box from VM to do that.

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

Exactly.

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

V6s will still support iPlayer, it's the older TiVo Cisco boxes where BBC iPlayer will no longer be supported , although I suspect eventually the firmware on them will all be changed to Horizon.

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

Ah yes, that might be the meaning of their reference to ‘legacy TiVo boxes’ (ie, just the older ones). If the V6 is to retain the i-Player, they could have made it clearer.

I’ll try to confirm that.

[EDIT]

Yes, you are right.

https://www.cordbusters.co.uk/virgin...-support-ends/

[EXTRACT]

It’s worth noting that the TV360 box is the only available upgrade – customers can’t ask to switch to the V6 box, which is still supported and features the familiar TiVo interface.

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

Some customers (mostly those who already have a V6 as a multiroom box) are managing to wangle a V6 as a TiVO 500 replacement. There is always the "threat to leave" card that some are playing.

Re: Is the end nigh for v6
 

We agree that makes a change

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