V+ Tivo or V+ HD upgrade?

smjohns · 15-08-2011, 13:44

Hi,

I have been thinking for a while about updating my V+ TV service but am not sure what to do. I watch a lot of HD content and as such the tiny drive in the latest Samsung V+ boxes is not much use. Tivo seems to be the way forward with their 500gb or 1TB drive but is the extra money worth the hassle or should I just head down the (not quite contractually legal) route of just sticking a bigger driver in my existing V+ box?

In respect of the Tivo service, can anyone advise on the following?

1) What is involved with a Tivo install? If you already have a V+ HD TV service, is it just a matter of swapping boxes or do they need to replace the cables? If they do then this could be a problem for me as I have buried my existing cable under the floors so swapping this out would be a right pain.

2) Is the functionality offered by the Tivo service really that much better than the existing service (I know there are some nice new touches like the back a week EPG) but is it really a better TV experience than the standard?

3) How reliable is the Tivo box / software? Whilst not perfect the existing V+ box is pretty stable these days and I don't really want to revert to the dark old TVDrive days when that was first rolled out.

Other issues I have with the new TV service is the lack of red button (ok coming soon), no LCD channel number on the front of the box, oh and the shape of it as I currently have my PS3 sat on top of my V+ box, which will be impossible with the new curvy Tivo offering.

devilincarnate · 15-08-2011, 14:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by smjohns

Hi,

I have been thinking for a while about updating my V+ TV service but am not sure what to do. I watch a lot of HD content and as such the tiny drive in the latest Samsung V+ boxes is not much use. Tivo seems to be the way forward with their 500gb or 1TB drive but is the extra money worth the hassle or should I just head down the (not quite contractually legal) route of just sticking a bigger driver in my existing V+ box?

In respect of the Tivo service, can anyone advise on the following?

1) What is involved with a Tivo install? If you already have a V+ HD TV service, is it just a matter of swapping boxes or do they need to replace the cables? If they do then this could be a problem for me as I have buried my existing cable under the floors so swapping this out would be a right pain.

2) Is the functionality offered by the Tivo service really that much better than the existing service (I know there are some nice new touches like the back a week EPG) but is it really a better TV experience than the standard?

3) How reliable is the Tivo box / software? Whilst not perfect the existing V+ box is pretty stable these days and I don't really want to revert to the dark old TVDrive days when that was first rolled out.

Other issues I have with the new TV service is the lack of red button (ok coming soon), no LCD channel number on the front of the box, oh and the shape of it as I currently have my PS3 sat on top of my V+ box, which will be impossible with the new curvy Tivo offering.

1- They need to check the signal levels and swap the box, there is no changing of the cables.

2- The backwards EPG is better for finding stuff on catch up and also the BBC I-Player app has more than the standard V+ box.

3- I have not had any problems with the TiVo box but as you will have read on here some have. So it is all up to you?

I have a TiVo and also a SA V+ and only seem to use the TiVo now

Hope this helps you?

smjohns · 15-08-2011, 15:04

Thanks for reply. You have certainly put my mind at rest about the cabling. I am guessing if there is any issues on that front then the cabling in the house is fine so they would just need to update the cable up to the house, which is no big deal.

Good to hear you have not had any issues too as reliability is a concern based on some of the other posts. I am hoping that in the next few months that further updates will iron out any major ones including the lack of red button, which I know is high on Virgin's list.

Facade · 16-08-2011, 14:52

Don't forget the Tivo costs more each month!

I've been offered Tivo several times, the extra cost puts me off.

I don't need the extra space, all I use the recorder for is to watch a programme I can't be bothered staying up for, then I can erase it later- saves me watching stuff.

All that would happen with 1TB is that I would fill it to 90% with stuff that I won't ever watch.

smjohns · 16-08-2011, 15:04

Yeah Tivo adds Â£3 a month plus you have to take out an 18month contract.....oh and pay them Â£50 or Â£100 depending on what box you want. The will fit it for free though lol.

devilincarnate · 16-08-2011, 15:34

If you are on the VIP50 pack you do not pay the Â£3 charge. Also I think that when you upgrade it is only a 12 month contract (I may be wrong on this).

Digital Fanatic · 16-08-2011, 15:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by devilincarnate

If you are on the VIP50 pack you do not pay the Â£3 charge. Also I think that when you upgrade it is only a 12 month contract (I may be wrong on this).

you are correct Devil

gazellis · 16-08-2011, 21:41

Hi. Really interested in TIVO. I'm on VIP 30. Would the monthly charge remain the same as having the V+ box? Is there any one off costs?

What is the cost of VIP 50 and would that be a better option? Any one off costs here?

Any advise would be much appreciated.

zantarous · 16-08-2011, 23:00

I know times are tough but are people who are interested in Tivo really letting a Â£3 per month charge stop them?

jb66 · 16-08-2011, 23:20

Â£101 for vip50 with 1 v+ and 1 TiVo.

---------- Post added at 22:20 ---------- Previous post was at 22:19 ----------

And skysports movie hd on 1 box

17-08-2011, 08:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by smjohns

Hi,

I have been thinking for a while about updating my V+ TV service but am not sure what to do....

Just get Tivo it's streets ahead - but if you need red button it could be the deal breaker, dunno when they will implement this, heard September, as a big plus tho when they do implement red button Tivo users have been promised loooooooooooooads more red button content - hopefully that's why it's taking time to sort out

Check my 2 cents VV

Facade · 17-08-2011, 18:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by zantarous

I know times are tough but are people who are interested in Tivo really letting a Â£3 per month charge stop them?

I've read lots of reviews, and fail to see why a tivo is Â£36 a year better for me.

Is the picture better than the v+? (no)
Is the sound better (don't know, no one says but I bet the Toslink doesn't output 5.1 whilst the hdmi sound is still on)
Will it get catch up tv in HD between 18:00 and 1:00? (doubt it)

Â£36 to tell it to record from my iphone and to record the buffer doesn't seem worth it frankly.

Yes the menus might be "easier" but once you learned the V+, anything "better" is actually "harder"

jonandmarkuk · 17-08-2011, 18:14

Tivo all the way, yes it has some niggles but so do most new products.
Yes Tivo has been around for a long time, but Tivo in the USA are actually customising the experience for the UK market

Digital Fanatic · 17-08-2011, 18:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Facade

I've read lots of reviews, and fail to see why a tivo is Â£36 a year better for me.

Is the picture better than the v+? (no)
Is the sound better (don't know, no one says but I bet the Toslink doesn't output 5.1 whilst the hdmi sound is still on)
Will it get catch up tv in HD between 18:00 and 1:00? (doubt it)

Â£36 to tell it to record from my iphone and to record the buffer doesn't seem worth it frankly.

Yes the menus might be "easier" but once you learned the V+, anything "better" is actually "harder"

I'd recommend going to your local Virgin Media Store and having a play around with a TiVo, you may change your mind!

zantarous · 17-08-2011, 21:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Facade

I've read lots of reviews, and fail to see why a tivo is Â£36 a year better for me.

Is the picture better than the v+? (no)
Is the sound better (don't know, no one says but I bet the Toslink doesn't output 5.1 whilst the hdmi sound is still on)
Will it get catch up tv in HD between 18:00 and 1:00? (doubt it)

Â£36 to tell it to record from my iphone and to record the buffer doesn't seem worth it frankly.

Yes the menus might be "easier" but once you learned the V+, anything "better" is actually "harder"

Not really what I meant. If you want to get a TiVo would a Â£3 charge really put you of? In your case you clearly have no interest.