TiVo So Long Tivo - Back to Sky - Close but no cigar!

Zarf2007 · 14-05-2012, 19:30

ok,

So as an original adopter of Tivo I have decided to switch back to sky..I currently have 100Mb Broadband, Phone XL and Tivo XL with HD (but not the sports channels)....i have a tivo 1GB + HD box in bedroom.....

Like many people, I was excited when the prospect of Tivo technology was being resurrected by VM, I was an adopter of the original Tivo service in the UK and enjoyed its many features such as learning viewing habits etc.....

however, I can no longer tolerate the sluggish UI, lack of HD channels (it may have movies & sports etc but Sky is still way out in front) added to that the buggy iPlayer that crashes every time i use it (the PS3 version is way more stable) and in short I just don't think VM have delivered on Tivo....I hear rumours that they will 'unlock the 2nd processor core' but when? and also are many of tivo's features relevant in this day and age?

I am keeping the VM 100Mb broadband and Phone as at Â£45 per month I feel these are good value, however for Â£55 per month (discounted for six months) then Â£75 p.m for Sky World TV package (that actually includes the sport channels and many more in HD) + some decent 3D content (lets face it, VM does not cut it here) I feel its an improvement over my current Â£135 PM virgin package (no sports and less HD channels generally).....also it will be nice to go back to a responsive box......and for that I get a Sky+HD box and Sky HD multiroom box and free install.

I realise I am setting myself up for flak from VM fanboys like Carl Waring, but hey I can take it...

I really thought tivo would be the next best thing, and maybe in 5 years with numerous updates it will be, but at the moment it's big letdown....ok the Sky boxes may not be the latest tech, but content is king, and VM's mouthwash aint makin' it.

/end of rant

Sirius · 14-05-2012, 19:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zarf2007

ok,
I realise I am setting myself up for flak from VM fanboys like Carl Waring, but hey I can take it...

Put him on ignore then you wont have to read it

devilincarnate · 14-05-2012, 19:55

Bye Bye

alwaysabear · 14-05-2012, 20:11

Good luck I hope you enjoy your new service, the HD content on Sky is certainly superior to that on VM.

LexDiamond · 14-05-2012, 20:13

Another member for the Sky section

jb66 · 14-05-2012, 20:17

Â£135! You should have gone to VIP and saved some dosh

Zarf2007 · 14-05-2012, 20:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by jb66

Â£135! You should have gone to VIP and saved some dosh

true, but the unresponsive box, lack of HD channel issues would not be solved.....am I the only one disappointed with Tivo? I get the feeling many put up with it because its the best VM can offer (compared to the V+ box - and god they are pants!) which is sad really....

also with the amount of profit sky are making, they are bound to launch a new box soon.....

---------- Post added at 19:38 ---------- Previous post was at 19:36 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by alwaysabear

Good luck I hope you enjoy your new service, the HD content on Sky is certainly superior to that on VM.

Thanks, I will, and tbh while sky have their buying power I don't think this will change anytime soon, it seems VM is there to pick up the scraps when sky are happy to throw them...

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirius

Put him on ignore then you wont have to read it

I would but free speech doesnt allow it!

---------- Post added at 19:39 ---------- Previous post was at 19:38 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by LexDiamond

Another member for the Sky section

true, and looking at the beta of the new EPG its shaping up to be an interesting time...

Stephen · 14-05-2012, 20:42

My TiVo certainly isn't unresponsive, you should have reported it to faults.

Also VM hardly has a lack of HD channels now. Especially compared to 2-3 years ago.

jb66 · 14-05-2012, 20:50

The tivos are a bit sluggish, but not that fussed, internees more important to me

Zarf2007 · 14-05-2012, 20:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen

My TiVo certainly isn't unresponsive, you should have reported it to faults.

Also VM hardly has a lack of HD channels now. Especially compared to 2-3 years ago.

I would challenge anyone to do a direct comparison when navigating the EPG on a Sky+HD and Tivo box and say that the Tivo is equal in responsiveness.

Even after the initial 2 day bed in period for tivo it still runs like a dog....I have seen this on my, members of my family and on friends boxes....also saw one demo'd in a VM shop......I can't understand why VM users keep this myth going, it is way slower.... and as for lack of HD channels, VM is better than it was but its still no where near sky on this....

muppetman11 · 14-05-2012, 21:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zarf2007

I would challenge anyone to do a direct comparison when navigating the EPG on a Sky+HD and Tivo box and say that the Tivo is equal in responsiveness.

Even after the initial 2 day bed in period for tivo it still runs like a dog....I have seen this on my, members of my family and on friends boxes....also saw one demo'd in a VM shop......I can't understand why VM users keep this myth going, it is way slower.... and as for lack of HD channels, VM is better than it was but its still no where near sky on this....

I can take that challenge , my parents have TIVO so I've used this on numerous occasions , I have Sky+HD and have used the current EPG and am currently beta testing the new EPG. Moving around the menus on Sky is much quicker that said TIVO's interface is more richer and graphic laden so probably to be expected , that said I wouldn't say sluggish in my use however there seems a lot of screens to go through to achieve certain tasks.

Chad · 14-05-2012, 21:19

As they say Zarf the customer is always right. It doesn't matter what anyone else has to say about Tivo or SKY+HD, it's purely down to what you prefer. Enjoy SKY.

**Hugh** · 14-05-2012, 21:54

What Chad said - I am perfectly happy with my TiVo, and don't think it is sluggish or "runs like a dog", but you are right to do what you think is best for you.

Enjoy Sky.

14-05-2012, 22:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zarf2007

I would challenge anyone to do a direct comparison when navigating the EPG on a Sky+HD and Tivo box and say that the Tivo is equal in responsiveness.

Even after the initial 2 day bed in period for tivo it still runs like a dog....I have seen this on my, members of my family and on friends boxes....also saw one demo'd in a VM shop......I can't understand why VM users keep this myth going, it is way slower.... and as for lack of HD channels, VM is better than it was but its still no where near sky on this....

I did mention on this forum a while back when Tivo was a new toy that it had far too many gimmicks (and got flamed to hell by a certain poster) and maybe all that gimickery would cause problems .Some people will find some of the functions usefull but how many use them all ? and how many of them actually do what they are supposed to all the time .Since i have moved to sky and do wish that sky would upgrade their STB because i really miss only having 2 tuners and if they had taken tivo i bet it would have worked

carlwaring · 14-05-2012, 22:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zarf2007

however, I can no longer tolerate the sluggish UI.

It is a little, at timea

Quote:

lack of HD channels (it may have movies & sports etc but Sky is still way out in front)

Which, of course, is actually nothing to do with Tivo; and VM can't be blamed for the lack of some of those HD channels.

Quote:

...and also are many of tivo's features relevant in this day and age?

Such as?

Quote:

I realise I am setting myself up for flak from VM fanboys like Carl Waring, but hey I can take it...

Oh yes. Must have the now-seemingly obligatory personal dig at just because I don't necessarily share your opinions

(Of course, you'll notice I did agree about the UI but don't let facts get in the way of those personal digs, will you?

---------- Post added at 22:37 ---------- Previous post was at 22:36 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen

My TiVo certainly isn't unresponsive, you should have reported it to faults.

Correct.

Quote:

Also VM hardly has a lack of HD channels now. Especially compared to 2-3 years ago.

Also correct. And there's nothing wrong with SD anyway

---------- Post added at 22:39 ---------- Previous post was at 22:37 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zarf2007

I would challenge anyone to do a direct comparison when navigating the EPG on a Sky+HD and Tivo box and say that the Tivo is equal in responsiveness.

1. Nobody has said they are "equally as responsive".
2. Of course the Sky+ interface is quicker and simpler because it doesn't have to do as much

---------- Post added at 22:40 ---------- Previous post was at 22:39 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zarf2007

I can't understand why VM users keep this myth going...

Or perhaps it is you who are myth-taken and just happen to have a slower box. As has been said already, you should have had it looked at.

---------- Post added at 22:42 ---------- Previous post was at 22:40 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by martyh

I did mention on this forum a while back when Tivo was a new toy that it had far too many gimmicks...

Of course, one man's 'gimmick' is another man's 'useful feature'

---------- Post added at 22:43 ---------- Previous post was at 22:42 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by martyh

Some people will find some of the functions usefull but how many use them all?

I have the XL TV pack but don't watch anywhere near all the channels

Quote:

...and how many of them actually do what they are supposed to all the time.

All of them; most of the time at least