TiVo 2005 tvdrive being billed at current prices!

tvdriver · 11-01-2017, 18:00

Hi. Haven't been in the UK for a few years but my new partner's VM bill shows her being billed (as TiVo with V+ HD) same as my parents' state of the art system but for a 2005 TVDrive complete with Telewest Broadband remote control!!!

This has remained installed despite additional more recent installations by VM (eg more recent 'second' vbox V+) but I am genuinely shocked at this state of affairs from VM.

While my partner feels it must be her fault for not knowing, I see billing which may have more of a feel of pure fraud!

Any opinions, experience or advice would be appreciated from the forum

Mr K · 11-01-2017, 18:14

Common practice for VM. They will happily leave you on old equipment and an inflated bill unless you complain/haggle each year. Ok for those in the know but there must be many with old equipment and massive bills.

**Paul** · 11-01-2017, 18:27

Have she ever asked them to update it ?

I had an old (non Tivo) box for years in my daughters room.
We decided to get it replaced so simply rang up and asked, they sent a Tivo out the same day.

Stephen · 11-01-2017, 19:21

TV Drive was the original Telewest name for the V+.

BenMcr · 11-01-2017, 20:33

Anyone with the original Scientific Atlanta box (which it will have been if it's the TVDrive) should have been offered a free swap to TiVo last year.

https://keepup.virginmedia.com/boxswap

tvdriver · 12-01-2017, 07:21

Thanks for all the replies people.
She didn't ask VM to update TV Drive box but at one point she recalls a new TiVo remote being sent out but not a new box offered and the remote doesn't work with the TV Drive. When she ordered a second box for bedroom, they came and installed a new v box but paid no attention to the TV Drive if they even saw it.
My question at the moment is whether this original box is even capable of delivering the v+ HD service she's been paying for. Certainly going to look at this because I don't think it's enough to place responsibility for an upgrade on 'customer request' while meanwhile upgrading the bill without upgrading the installation!

spiderplant · 12-01-2017, 09:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by tvdriver

at one point she recalls a new TiVo remote being sent out

VM wouldn't send a remote out of the blue, so she must have had some contact with them to initiate that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tvdriver

My question at the moment is whether this original box is even capable of delivering the v+ HD service she's been paying for.

Yes it is. At some point, some of the HD channels might stop working on it though.

As BenMcr says, last year these boxes were being proactively replaced with TiVos. Maybe they couldn't get hold of her. Get her to call Customer Services to discuss.

Edit: I didn't realise the https://keepup.virginmedia.com/boxswap page was still live. She could try that first.

tvdriver · 12-01-2017, 13:10

Many thanks. It seems this is something like a common occurrence, perhaps so I'm better advised thanks to your help. Frankly amazed though that a Telewest item could still be 'in service'. I could barely recall NTL last night