General : Virgin TV 360 users (Horizon)

[Inactive Digital]

Originally Posted by cheekyangus

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.

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?

[cheekyangus]

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

[Raider999]

Originally Posted by denphone

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.

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 ----------

Originally Posted by cheekyangus

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.

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

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

Originally Posted by Mad Max

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.

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

[cheekyangus]

Originally Posted by Raider999

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

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.

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by Mad Max

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.

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 ----------

Originally Posted by cheekyangus

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.

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

[fox35]

Originally Posted by ozsat

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?

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.

[ozsat]

A few shots

[cheekyangus]

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.

[ozsat]

I press the voice button and say "Catch Up"

You can name most programmes to for a search.

Originally Posted by cheekyangus

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.

[cheekyangus]

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.

[Raider999]

Originally Posted by ozsat

A few shots

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

[ozsat]

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

Originally Posted by Raider999

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

---------- 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

Originally Posted by Raider999

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

[SonicMaster]

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

[cheekyangus]

Originally Posted by SonicMaster

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

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.

[ozsat]

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