HD : Is it worth coming back yet?

[Twig The Wonder]

I left VM over a year ago and switched to Sky as they offered me a lot more for a lot less.

I'm just mulling over a telephone call to Virgin to see if they can entice me back.

Is it worth coming home, yet?

[carlwaring]

If HD is your only concern I'd have to day no. VM aren't missing that many channels but it depends if the few it doesn't have are worth keeping Sky for.

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by Twig The Wonder

I left VM over a year ago and switched to Sky as they offered me a lot more for a lot less.

I'm just mulling over a telephone call to Virgin to see if they can entice me back.

Is it worth coming home, yet?

Depends what you are looking for, Twig.

The position is the same in that Sky can offer a lot more channels, but the choice of programmes is still better on Virgin Media with their video on demand. We now have Sky Anytime on there as well.

We still haven't got Sky Atlantic, but that may change in September or thereabouts (mainly speculation). The TIVO box functionality is well worth having although some who are not so technically minded don't like it.

For me, VM is better, but as I say, it depends what floats your boat.

[Itshim]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Depends what you are looking for, Twig.

The TIVO box functionality is well worth having although some who are not so technically minded don't like it.

I understand how it works well enough. I have no use for a lot of the bells & whistles . It is, in my mind over hyped. With basics not YET up to scratch. Red button BBC is the biggie . I understand its a known fault. Sorry how long has it taken so far ?. That said if the deal is good and you do not want Atlantic, its a good PVR

[carlwaring]

Originally Posted by Itshim

With basics not YET up to scratch....

People keep saying this but "the basics" on a Tivo are Series Links, Wishlists and Suggestions and they all (mostly) work fine.

[devilincarnate]

Originally Posted by carlwaring

People keep saying this but "the basics" on a Tivo are Series Links, Wishlists and Suggestions and they all (mostly) work fine.

I thought the basics were that it worked

[carlwaring]

Indeed. And it does

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by devilincarnate

I thought the basics were that it worked

Well, for all the complaints about the TIVO, it is miles better than the V+, and I for one wouldn't be without it.

Most of the complaints are on trivial issues - trivial when compared with all the advantages over the other STBs.

The more problematical areas such as the red button, reminders and the automatically set series link buffers are all set to be resolved by the autumn.

[rmwebs]

As someone who moved from Sky to Virgin Tivo in December last year I can say that whilst I do prefer Tivo (the series links, search and on demand content are the best bar none) it does have some minor annoyances, such as having to go through a million+1 screens to watch a piece of on demand content...for example:

(lets say you want to watch an on demand episode of 'Ice Road Truckers':
1. Home
2. Down to 'On Demand'
3. Across
4. Down to 'TV For XL'
5. Press ok
6. Go all the way down to Nat Geo (or Discovery...cant remember which one its on)
7. Press ok
8. Go into the correct channel sub-menu (E.g Discovery HD, Discovery RealTime, etc)
9. Press ok
10. Go down to the program you want
11. Press ok
12. Go to the episode you want
13. Press ok
14. Press play
15. Press play again
16. (depending on content) Enter pin

This could be simplified a lot. Obviously you can use search which cuts out steps 2 - 9 but you've still got to type it out, go to the program info, go to on demand content, etc.

Tivo does feel old when you use it, and its not really surprising, its a very old system. But it is damn powerful! That being said, I personally prefer the overall UI of the older 'Liberty' system used on the VHD and V+HD boxes. We've got a VHD box in another room and its so much faster to browse around menus.

[carlwaring]

Originally Posted by rmwebs

This could be simplified a lot.

I agree.

Tivo does feel old when you use it, and its not really surprising, its a very old system.

If it ain't broke...

But it is damn powerful! That being said, I personally prefer the overall UI of the older 'Liberty' system used on the VHD and V+HD boxes. We've got a VHD box in another room and its so much faster to browse around menus.

Well yeah. Things can be simpler if the box does nothing

[Superblade7]

Originally Posted by Twig The Wonder

I left VM over a year ago and switched to Sky as they offered me a lot more for a lot less.

I'm just mulling over a telephone call to Virgin to see if they can entice me back.

Is it worth coming home, yet?

Like other posters have said, it all depends on what services you require and whether or not VM can do them for a price you're willing to pay.

Post back with what you want and I'm sure we'll all be able to give you some advice as to whether it'll be worth it for you.

[oliver1948uk]

In my opinion, the lack of real time updating of programmes is a very major drawback on Tivo. Last Saturday 55 minutes of tennis was recorded when Casualty was due. When that episode is finally broadcast, will Tivo record it or will it think it has already recorded it so not bother?

Apparently this is to be rectified but even VM say this will be a long time in the future. I do not see how it can be called advanced without a real time programme guide.

[carlwaring]

And how often does that happen? Once a year during Wimbledon? Occasionally when any Live sport is shown?

Yes, I agree it shouldn't happen but I wouldn't call it a "major" drawback given how irregularly it happens.

[Itshim]

Originally Posted by carlwaring

I agree.


If it ain't broke...


Well yeah. Things can be simpler if the box does nothing

But if you do not want them

" People keep saying this but "the basics" on a Tivo are Series Links, Wishlists and Suggestions and they all (mostly) work fine. "

Sorry these in my view are bells and whistles. I have no idea if they mostly work fine - that in its self is worrying. As I have no want, need or use for them. How ever a BBC Red button that works

[carlwaring]

Originally Posted by Itshim

Sorry these in my view are bells and whistles.

Then you would be wrong. Those are the original functions of the Tivo. And, in the case of Series Links, an essential basic function of any DVR.

If you don't need then, don't get a Tivo and save yourself some money and just get a standard VHD box which (AFAIK) includes a full 'red button' service.