TiVo : How long is it reasonable to have to wait for my TV service to be restored?

[Danny Lawrence]

My TV cable service failed yesterday, 17.12.2015 and with it I lost access to radio and the programmes saved on the hard disc of my Tivo box as well as my TV channels. Calling 150 quickly established that the fault would require the intervention of a Virgin Media engineer but the first date that I was offered was 6 days later, 23.12.2015. Should the engineer be unable to fix the fault on that occasion, my family is likely to be without TV, radio and TV recordings for the whole of the holiday period. I regard a 6 day delay as wholly unsatisfactory but I would welcome the advice of other Virgin subscribers who have needed this kind of support. What is the normal waiting period? Am I unusually lucky in the Nottingham area or it is possible that things could be worse elsewhere. Obviously, with such poor support, I am considering cancelling my Virgin subscription but would value your comments first.

[OLD BOY]

I agree that this is a long time to be without your TV. I would normally expect a delay of two or three days if I was flexible about waiting in, but I must say that where someone has completely lost their service, they should treat you as a priority.

It might be worth phoning again to see if they can fit you in sooner, although I expect the repair guys are rushed off their feet installing equipment for Christmas.

If they can't fit you in before, you must request compensation for your loss of service.

Yours is a scenario that has always bothered me, which is why I have backup through my aerial and my Roku stick. I appreciate that not everyone can do this because of their location and/or finances, although if it's finances, a Roku would be a good idea for your Christmas or birthday list.

As far as other providers are concerned, I would be careful as the service may be even worse, and if you opt for Sky, repairs aren't free unless your equipment is still under warranty.

[arcimedes]

You should be aware that if the fault is with the tivo then it is most likely that the box will be replaced. If it's just loss of the cable then all will be safe

[Danny Lawrence]

Thank you for your comments Old Boy. We're in a poor signal area so I don't have a back-up alternative. That's why we went for cable (initially with Diamond, then ntl and now Virgin Media). We've not been offered compensation for loss of service - just a refund of our usual fee. I'm bound to say that though our broadband provision has improved since the ntl-Virgin merger, there are several ways in which our TV service has deteriorated. Thanks for the warning about the Tivo Box Arcidmedes. We've a lot of stuff on it but I'm reconciled to losing it if the box needs to be replaced. Navigation on it is terribly slow anyway and much worse than it was initially so it would be interesting to be if a replacement box performed any better.
Regards
Danny

[passingbat]

I really hope you get it fixed soon.

There are a couple of options if not. A laptop connected to your TV will give access to catch-up services.

Alternatively, for £15, you could get a Now TV box that has all the catch-up services and 3 months access to all the sky branded channels plus a few others.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...=sr_1_2&sr=8-2

[nomadking]

The VM "TV Anywhere" app would give you access to a lot of the cable channels including the Sky ones.

[passingbat]

Originally Posted by nomadking

The VM "TV Anywhere" app would give you access to a lot of the cable channels including the Sky ones.

Good point.

[WBC-WORKER]

This is in Enfield - nothing to do with my box.

Broadband went down 22.30 Thursday 17/12
Broadband back on 14.00 Friday 18/12
Broadband went down 14.05 Friday 18/12 { not a mistake - it only lasted 5 minuets }
Broadband back on 06.50 Saturday 19/12
Broadband and TV went down 07.14 Saturday 19/12
Broadband and TV back on 14.10 Saturday 19/12

Service with Virgin is complete Rubbish and their repairs should last more than a few minuets.

[pip08456]

Of course you could always download and install Kodi (free) and install the Genesis add on (free) and watch whatever you want (free).

[passingbat]

Originally Posted by pip08456

Of course you could always download and install Kodi (free) and install the Genesis add on (free) and watch whatever you want (free).

In the above case, free means Pirated.