Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

The only thread active at present is more of a speculation thread so I thought it better for one to discuss the actual system itself now that it is rolling out.

How many have got the system now and how are you finding it?

First big thing is this is (currently) not a replacement for the TiVo system although I'm sure with software updates many new features will appear in the coming months.

The guide data on the new system is updated much quicker and seems to be more regular too.

Anyone users have any comments they wish to share? Or anyone have any questions for users?

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

The remote automatically detects the HDMI connect tv and amp - so no programming needed.

The info screen on the 360 boxes is a fullscreen with graphics.
Sport events look quite impressive.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

It will be interesting to see what they charge for it. Shame that they are not intending to carry Horizon on the V6 box, though. I was looking forward to that.

Both of my daughters live in areas not covered by Virgin Media, so this could be a solution for them if they wish to switch from Sky. However, for one of them, I think the lack of the ability to record would be a deal-breaker.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Ozsat, have you got one? Or are you assembling info found from other sources?

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

I have a main and mini box setup.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Are you able to tell us if you can record stuff to the cloud on it?

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Can you have it without VM Broadband ?

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Cool. Was it self-install? I'd have thought it was in current climate.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Does the mini box require a connection to VM through coax?

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

How have you got this?

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

i'm intrigued by this too.

we currently have three v6s which we use constantly to record on all 3 boxes. so i think replacing that with 1 box and 2 minis doesnt seem to be particular good.

ill just stay with my v6s i think!

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Why do you need to record so much?

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Remember this is an early version of the software so things may get changed but this is the current state.

The mini box acts like a main box but has no disk - all recordings from either are only recorded on the main box (no cloud).

---------- Post added at 07:46 ---------- Previous post was at 07:46 ----------

No - it requires VM Broadband.



---------- Post added at 07:48 ---------- Previous post was at 07:46 ----------

Yes and as it was replacing V6 boxes it was really easy. The boxes look the same apart from the mini is half the height.



---------- Post added at 07:49 ---------- Previous post was at 07:48 ----------

Yes - which is the weak point of the mini I think as it can not easily be moved. Would be nice for it to receive the video via wifi (like SkyQ).

The two boxes themselves connect via you own network.



---------- Post added at 07:51 ---------- Previous post was at 07:49 ----------

If you have a lot of recordings then you are best stay with the current boxes for now.



---------- Post added at 07:55 ---------- Previous post was at 07:51 ----------

There are invites being offered to selected users. I have no idea what the requirements are for the invites.

It may be dependent of what you have now as VM might not be doing installs currently.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

So it was new kit?

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Yes - so you loose all your recordings on your current kit - not that I had many.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Shame! So VM will not be able to extend into non-cabled areas with this device, then. That could have been a real money-spinner for them, allowing direct competition with Sky.

---------- Post added at 08:34 ---------- Previous post was at 08:31 ----------

To avoid having to watch live TV with its schedules full of rubbish, and so you can watch what you want, when you want.

I watch all my TV that way and by VOD.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Apart from sport - most of our stuff is from recordings or CUTV.

Tend to join UKTV/ITV programmes late via the recording to skip over the ads.

I don't keep the recordings as an archive.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Is the main box still only 1TB?

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Yes - looks that way

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

You say it was replacing V6 boxes? So you lost two V6 boxes and got Horizon box and a mini box? That has to be the worst offer ever.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Not if you don’t need the disk space and want to see the Horizon software.

---------- Post added at 11:11 ---------- Previous post was at 11:09 ----------

The integration between the TV 360 box and the Virgin TV Go app, which now combines TV Go and TV Control function, is excellent.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Recording to the cloud has (in the past) been described as a rights issue. Not sure if that was ever resolved - I know cable operators in the past considered if it’d be possible to essentially record one copy of everything broadcast and have it downloaded upon request.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Why not?

A lot of people record to timeshift, skip adverts, avoid clashes etc.

Questions re the technical aspect of the box is far more important than asking why people record so much.

---------- Post added at 12:09 ---------- Previous post was at 12:03 ----------

So the new box has Only 1Tb disk space

Mini-box doesn't use wifi - needs a hard wire connection to the main box or the router? (Won't work very well if they are in different rooms which most would be)

Can't see it catching on without cloud recording.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

No, the mini box can be WiFi-connected but must have a co-ax connection, as well.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Like two V6s? I really can't see any benefit over my current set up where I can play from either box's 1tb disc via wi-fi - am I missing something here or is this a hardware replacement that's just going to inconvenience me for no perceivable gain?

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

For those happy with the current hardware and software, the new Horizon-based solution will undoubtedly be disliked.
For those that want flashy graphics and voice control, .....

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

If VM want to compete with the 4K SkyQ box, they really must up the capacity of the master box to 2TB. Unlike SkyQ you can have as many Virgin MRV (multiroom) boxes running as you have installed, whereas Sky is restricted to 2 at any one time.

Keeping the coax feed was also a must, as with a main box & 3 MRVs running you would only have 2 tuners available to record if you ran them over a network.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Would anyone who has the new set up mind answering how much the monthly sub is compared to just having the V6 or V6's?

Understandable if you don't want to disclose

Thanks

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

You're giving away a lot to see a software upgrade. Poor effort in my eyes, this is not moving forward. In no way did I see VM taking away a V6 box and replacing it with a mini box. Those on the ultimate oomph who this was offered to, I believe, should have been offered at least one V6 box replaced with Horizon and then the mini box for a separate room and kept the second V6 box.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

You can do that using catch up/on demand.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

It is V6 or TV360 - you can't have both.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

I just had an email to say


There was a glitch in our last email that stopped you from getting our new TV experience, at no extra cost. Sorry about that. Let’s try it again.

So I click the link and low and behold

Please call us about your upgrade

We're really sorry, but we won't be able to sort your upgrade through our website. Instead, please give us a quick ring so we can go through the details with you.

I think I will pass as I have 2 V6 boxes, don’t want to be cutting my recording capacity in half anyway for what is essentially a change of software.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Flashy graphics and voice control don't do that much for me as l much prefer a bigger memory.

---------- Post added at 14:19 ---------- Previous post was at 14:19 ----------

:tu:

---------- Post added at 14:20 ---------- Previous post was at 14:19 ----------

V6 then....

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Well I won't be taking their 'offer'.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Do we know how many tuners the new main box has? Presumably no technical reason why it has to be the same as the old V6 box.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

I think the hardware is the same - so six in the main box.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Not what I watch - sport is not normally available via catch up/on demand

Also takes a lot of disc space (around 4% for a UHD recording)

As several have said - not a good deal just to get flashy graphics and voice control (which I am not interested in)

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Unless VM have plans for the future for storage - I can see some users finding 1TB falling short for UHD recordings.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

I got the offer via email but it won’t allow me to sign up.

2nd email to fix the original and I have the same problem.

I have wasted around 3 hours on the phone trying to get someone to understand this and have given up.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Are VM going to run both platforms V6 and 360 ?

It seems a hard sell if you have two V6 boxes or more , Sky had a similar issue with people who had multiple boxes especially from people with the larger storage boxes.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Previously VM gave the impression V6 boxes would be updated to Horizon, now it seems less likely. I'm wondering now if they found unforeseen difficulties updating them without losing recordings and settings.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

This all sounds as half-arsed as we have come to expect from VM.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Is it really such a big deal? I mean doesn't the V6 that many people have at the moment do a good job? seems like many people getting their kickers in a twist over nothing much.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

The V6 does a very good job IMYO but it would have been nice if Virgin considered that some users record far more then others and thus put that thinking in their future STB's.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

I think the 360 box(es) would need to offer a whole lot more to persuade me - and I suspect many others - to switch over from the V6.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Is the main 360 box the same hardware as the V6?

Perhaps the intention wasn't ever to upgrade the boxes in customers' homes, but to update them from Tivo to Horizon once they are returned to VM from leaving customers, before they are reissued to new customers.

To be fair, firmware updates inevitably go wrong and brick the boxes. And of course, the implications of updates have an impact across multiple areas of the business, so a few considerations I'd be asking is I was VM...

Can the firmware be updated from one platform to another on boxes out in the field?
Would there be a higher number of errors/bricked boxes if it was to happen?
Do VM have the call centre capacity to deal with an influx of customer calls to resolve issues/queries etc
Would there be an additional demand on tech visits to customer homes?
Is that an appropriate risk in this Covid era?
Could this lead to increased customer attrition?
Are the costs/risks of all the above something VM would want to consider at the moment?

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Those are many of the issues I was thinking of, Inactive Digital.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

2 1/2 years ago I was told by Virgin that they were bringing out a 2Tb box - still waiting.

---------- Post added at 11:21 ---------- Previous post was at 11:20 ----------

But you also lose the recordings if you switch to a 360 system

---------- Post added at 11:23 ---------- Previous post was at 11:21 ----------

Quite agree, not changing just for flashy graphics and voice control

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Yes exactly. But my point is the customer knows they will lose their recordings if they change box. They expect to keep them with a software update.

The trial being new boxes rather than a software update suggests VM may have changed their plan, and the obvious reason is that they've had trouble implementing updates without losing recordings and settings.

Not the first time they've hinted at updating a box software then not doing it, they suggested way back that VHD boxes could possibly be updated to Tivo (minus recording facilities naturally) and they stayed on Liberate until they were discontinued.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

We won't miss an awful lot on the functionality by not signing up for Horizon, but we will be stuckmwith the increasingly dated UI. That's all, really.

---------- Post added at 20:07 ---------- Previous post was at 20:04 ----------

I guess that may explain why we get so little information on future developments coming our way!

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Can you (or anyone else on this trial) post a video review of the system in action please? or some screen shots at least? Thanks.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

A few shots

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Is the central column on the 4th screenshot how you navigate Catch-up all the time, or is that an alternative "quick" menu? Because that's a lot of vertical scrolling, potentially, by the look of it.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

I press the voice button and say "Catch Up"

You can name most programmes to for a search.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Ta. Not interested in voice control, so that won't be used.

Does the top part of the EPG screen get used for anything? It seems a waste of space in screenshot 1.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Observations

Screenshot 1. There are less channels on the EPG screen - backward step IMO

Screenshot 2. Ok, but do I need it??

Screenshot 3. You appear to be watching a rugby match - but why are the other thumbnails across the bottom of the screen? Wouldn't want that

Screenshot 4. Rarely use catchup so no comment

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

They come up if you press the HOME button while on live tv



---------- Post added at 09:55 ---------- Previous post was at 09:51 ----------

One less - but you can now select a date and channel from drop downs. Also pressing GUIDE defaults to the current channel and not 100

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Hi ozsat - please could you screenshot the apps menu? Thanks!

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

I'd like to see this too. Mainly to see if the Wikipedia app I saw on a video of the VM Ireland Horizon is there. :D

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Apps are currently these but I'm told more coming soon. Early TiVo users will remember there was little available at launch.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

So there IS a record function!

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

What do you mean by this?

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Does the Virgin TV 360 still have the following features that the TV6 has?

1) Does the epg show the date of when the programme was first broadcast?

2) When fast forwarding does it rewind a few seconds after pressing play?

3) Are 4:3 programmes shown in the correct aspect ratio (assuming that that option can still be found in the video output settings) ?

Thanks....

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

I'm not sure he understands the main box is a master box with all the minis acting as slave boxes.

The slave boxes still allow you to record a show the difference being its recorded on the main box.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Once connected - the mini box looks as if it is a recording device - it just records on the main box and so recordings are shared.

The mini box still works if the main box is off - just recording capabilities are lost.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

On the second picture in ozsat's post, the word 'RECORD' is dispayed next to a red button on the screen.

So if there is a record facility, the next question is whether the recording is made on the disk or whether it's actually a bookmark in the cloud.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

It's been explained above. We already knew this the other day didn't we?

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Yes - all recordings are made on the disc in the main box.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Thanks ozsat!

Interesting to see the likes of Deutsche Welle, CNN and WSJ on there but not BBC Sounds, ITV Player, All4, My5, Pluto TV etc. As you say, I'm sure there are more on the way and hopefully it will have all of these.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

DW, CNN and WSJ were probably easy to port from other Liberty Horizon regions.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Can you use Quickview on these?

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

No.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Shame, Quickview is great. Maybe they'll add it later.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

If you have two Horizon boxes (rather than one main and one slave), do you know whether you can view recordings from the second box on the main box and vice versa, as you can with the V6?

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

I think the big question is - Are you allowed to have 2 horizon main boxes?

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Yes, I know, but if you cannot, they are not for me unless we get a 2Tb hard drive.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

I suspect a lot of the limitations at present will be lifted or resolved in the future.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

absolutely old boy i agree! the v6 boxes are great for me for this reason! have no issues with them so im surprised virgin media are abandoning them for horizon boxes.

people on the virgin media forum are still under the assumption that horizon software will eventually come to the v6. do we know the source which is suggesting on here that its not going to happen?

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

It was this story: https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.ph...or-launch.html

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

That's right. As far as I know, Virgin has not made such an announcement. Mind you, they tend not to tell us anything!

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

is 360 system, still on test. or is it avaible to everyone

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Not generally available.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

After a suggestion that it is only a few seconds I checked the live pause buffer and is is 180 minutes.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Is that HD or SD?

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Yes, but only on the Live TV channel, I think.
There is no way, if I understand correctly, to get all six tuners buffering. You can’t access the tuners like you could on V6, using the Info button.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

That's disappointing, it's really useful.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Well that's a pain in the arse. Still think they should add an option to park the tuners on favourite channels, so you've always got a buffer on them when the box is mostly idle.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Was on a HD channel.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Just received our two 360 boxes straight away i could see it would be the same set up as sky q which i can not get on with. i phoned them to confirm All recording will be in one place so only 1T storage and all recordings are in one place mixed up. I prefer they way its set up with the v6 box in a separate folder so i know what i have left to watch and what space i have left on the drive. Also with this set up your programs may not record if other people in the house has filled up the drive. My personal opinion i am staying with the v6.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

If you’ve already installed them, it will be interesting to see if you can get your V6s back. Personally, I doubt it.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

are you one of the people that are testing it as i was told it is not available in uk . but have seen people on the top package can get the 360 boxes

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

I've been reading this thread with interest but without taking up any offers of trialing this new system. From what I can gather:

They're trying to copy the Sky Q set up, main box and mini boxes.
This appears to be implemented badly seeing as VM targetted existing customers with 2 or more V6.
Reduced recording capacity may not be an issue for all but certainly for some.
The mini box needing a coax connection is for me a terrible decision. Yes there may be technical reasons behind it and yes there may be a future software upgrade that makes it work through Wifi, who knows. But at the moment it works through coax which is fine when you're replacing existing boxes but new customers potentially moving from Sky Q would find it a pain, especially as second boxes are normally in a bedroom. Those cables can be diffcult to hide.

I'm sure the new UI is a hell of a lot more modern looking but I think I'll stick to the trusty V6's for now.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

I took delivery of my TV360 box yesterday, I'm certainly not on the top package!

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

The thing I find strange about it all is it still needs a coax connection for the mini box, seems totally pointless having one when you can just keep the second V6 box which also has it's own storage. I've got to say, in my opinion, this has to be the worst offer ever.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Where have you seen that you can have one V6 box and one new Horizon box?
I believe that is not possible - it’s TiVo or Horizon on an account, not both.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

i was on about a setup to have horizon box and mini one

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Not sure Mythica meant that - I suspect she meant she will stick with the 2V6 boxes, as would I if I was staying with Virgin.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Apologies.

Re: Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)
 

Yeah I meant sticking with two V6 boxes.