TiVo TiVo installed yesterday- not a good start - Page 2

David H · 19-04-2012, 20:25

I got mine a week ago, two questions probably best asked here as it's already covering that function. One is although Freeview users have BBC teletext on the red button we appear not to, and when we lost Sky text many years ago when analogue was replaced (and most of the games, great move Virgin) although it admits there is no current agreement with other suppliers as yet we should get it on BBC channels. Nope, just links to other BBC services. I've used teletext since it began and you'd really think after paying well over Â£40 a month (note the Tivo rental went up 40% to Â£5 the minute VHS became obsolete) you wouldn't then lose a service available for almost 40 years for nothing.

Secondly I changed the picture aspect on the old box so everyone was the same shape they are in real life. I've scoured the buttons and instructions and appears I'm stuck with matchstalk men, cars, cats and dogs. Is there any means to alter this or is that yet another basic service gone down the toilet while I am obliged to pay an extra Â£5 a month (till it goes up again) for a worse service?

spiderplant · 19-04-2012, 21:32

The aspect ratio settings are in Home -> Help&Settings -> Settings -> Video Output. Set the Aspect Correction Mode to Panel, and TV Aspect Ratio to match your TV.

starfish · 19-04-2012, 21:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by carlwaring

There are a few; though un-documented

From "Home":
1 : Manage series links
2 : Planned recordings (todo list)
3 : Wishlists
4 : Search all TV
5 : Browse all TV

And I suspect that the reason for it is that there are so many options it would be pointless.

No idea, but shouldn't it be in the same place?

(Don't use CU much!)

Thanks, Carl, that's really handy. I don't think the numbers on each menu would be pointless, the system worked very well on the V+ box. It's so much easier on the fingers if you can press just one number, instead of having to press the arrow several times.

As for the HD section, there is one but it lists 11 items! I haven't had the time to look through all the catch up programmes but there can't be only 11 HD ones, surely? There used to be five times that number on V+ and it was nice to browse the section for the documentaries etc in glorious HD.

carlwaring · 19-04-2012, 22:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy_m

I know everyone has different things that are important to them when it comes to choosing equipment, but I consider TiVo to be so good, and v+ to be so basic, that I am genuinely staggered when I hear people talk of "regretting" swapping. I'm not looking to restart a debate that's been done to death here and elsewhere, but I do think people need to be prepared to give TiVo some time before forming an opinion. I love it, and simply don't recognise some of the problems people describe. If you don't think something is working as it should, then report it.

I completely agree, andy. I would really hate to have to go back to a "dumb" DVR like the V+

---------- Post added at 23:13 ---------- Previous post was at 23:11 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by starfish

Thanks, Carl, that's really handy. I don't think the numbers on each menu would be pointless, the system worked very well on the V+ box.

Yes, because there were so few compared to Tivo

harry_hitch · 19-04-2012, 22:30

It took about two to three weeks for my box to become consistent, but since then I have not looked back. Give it time, it will only improve!!

xcellency · 19-04-2012, 22:45

Dang- I cancelled the tech this morning as OnDemand was up and running.. I was about to watch The Apprentice on catch up- there goes the OnDemand, AGAIN. Already getting sick and tired of this. I had V+ for over a year and NEVER had any problems. I've had TiVo for four days and we are yet to make any use of it Now I understand why our customers are frustrated.

---------- Post added at 23:45 ---------- Previous post was at 23:41 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by harry_hitch

It took about two to three weeks for my box to become consistent, but since then I have not looked back. Give it time, it will only improve!!

For such a 'groundbreaking' piece of kit, why should it take time for the box to settle?

harry_hitch · 19-04-2012, 23:09

I, personally, have very little idea (I think it has something to do with the many updates needed), but I am sure there are some very clever people on here who may be able inform you

Sherlock Holmes · 20-04-2012, 01:27

Ive recently swapped V+ to TiVo and can honestly say I prefered the TiVo box straight away (after a few hours getting used to the remote and menu's etc) .

The only thing Ive noticed negative about it so far is the sound on the iplayer was a bit overmodulated! Never noticed that problem before on the old V+ iplayer.

alexcopeland · 20-04-2012, 04:59

I've had a TiVo for all most a year now and I too also noticed when using a Samsung HDTV that the picture quality looked worse than the Samsung V+ box I had before it. May I recommend you take the time as I did to a just all picture settings to correct this. I found by setting my HDTV to stop using the advanced mpeg and digital filters improved picture quality.

Superblade7 · 20-04-2012, 05:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by xcellency

Dang- I cancelled the tech this morning as OnDemand was up and running.. I was about to watch The Apprentice on catch up- there goes the OnDemand, AGAIN. Already getting sick and tired of this. I had V+ for over a year and NEVER had any problems. I've had TiVo for four days and we are yet to make any use of it Now I understand why our customers are frustrated.

---------- Post added at 23:45 ---------- Previous post was at 23:41 ----------

For such a 'groundbreaking' piece of kit, why should it take time for the box to settle?

All the VOD is network dependant and it does sometimes depend on what time of day you are watching it and how many people are using your local network and it's capacity at the time. In an evening say between 7pm - 10pm you're more likely to get error messages saying it's unavailable but try the same content in a morning between 7am - 10am and it'll more likely work straight away.

In an ideal world it would work straight away all the time but the network simply can't handle the amount of traffic sometimes, especially in peak periods where many customers are watchin tv, VOD, online, etc.

However, if you're VOD never works on TiVo it's likely to be a fault with the signal levels which will require a tech visit to sort out.

I'd definitely recommend you persevere with TiVo, I swapped my old Samsung V+ for TiVo about 10 months ago and found some features frustrating at first but over time as you get used to TiVo and TiVo gets used to you, it is definitely superior in all ways to V+ (bar the odd missing feature although they are "coming soon").

Itshim · 20-04-2012, 07:52

I Repeat its not the technology that I have a problem with , nor the picture or sound. Its for what ever reason the lack of a "working" red button - down to the BBC I take it. & the lack of reminders - I know the argument , but that in no way negates the point. For ME & way I wish to use my PVR/set top box. It falls down. When these issues are completely addressed it will be my box of choice.Until then to ME it will be second best & if I was asked to pay a premium as it stands I would not take it. However that does not mean that it is, for other people far better than the V+ . I just wish fanboys would accept that it is not quite right for some users.

spiderplant · 20-04-2012, 07:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by xcellency

Dang- I cancelled the tech this morning as OnDemand was up and running.. I was about to watch The Apprentice on catch up- there goes the OnDemand, AGAIN. Already getting sick and tired of this. I had V+ for over a year and NEVER had any problems. I've had TiVo for four days and we are yet to make any use of it Now I understand why our customers are frustrated.

What error are you getting?

xcellency · 20-04-2012, 08:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Itshim

I Repeat its not the technology that I have a problem with , nor the picture or sound. Its for what ever reason the lack of a "working" red button - down to the BBC I take it. & the lack of reminders - I know the argument , but that in no way negates the point. For ME & way I wish to use my PVR/set top box. It falls down. When these issues are completely addressed it will be my box of choice.Until then to ME it will be second best & if I was asked to pay a premium as it stands I would not take it. However that does not mean that it is, for other people far better than the V+ . I just wish fanboys would accept that it is not quite right for some users.

Well put. TiVo is apparently 'changing the way you watch TV', 'innovative', 'groundbreaking' etc etc...it's all well advertising it as the next big since sliced bread- fix the damn network issues!

I rely heavily on OnDemand- so far it has been of zero use to me. Btw, my OnDemand is still not working.

carlwaring · 20-04-2012, 08:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by xcellency

For such a 'groundbreaking' piece of kit, why should it take time for the box to settle?

It doesn't; or at least it shouldn't. Mine certainly didn't

---------- Post added at 09:51 ---------- Previous post was at 09:47 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by xcellency

Well put. TiVo is apparently 'changing the way you watch TV', 'innovative', 'groundbreaking' etc etc...it's all well advertising it as the next big since sliced bread- fix the damn network issues!

Well it is for those who don't want to go backwards with old features like reminders

As I said before, do they have OD in the US and, if so, is it implemented in the same way? If not, that's why there's work to do on it.

Superblade7 · 20-04-2012, 09:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Itshim

I Repeat its not the technology that I have a problem with , nor the picture or sound. Its for what ever reason the lack of a "working" red button - down to the BBC I take it. & the lack of reminders - I know the argument , but that in no way negates the point. For ME & way I wish to use my PVR/set top box. It falls down. When these issues are completely addressed it will be my box of choice.Until then to ME it will be second best & if I was asked to pay a premium as it stands I would not take it. However that does not mean that it is, for other people far better than the V+ . I just wish fanboys would accept that it is not quite right for some users.

I can completely understand your frustration, with any service you pay for, it's got to meet your own personal needs otherwise it's clearly not right for you. If red button and reminders are key to you then TiVo is probably not for you at present. The BBC red button apps for news and sport have now launched on TiVo although the sport one is limited at present but as with reminders, there is more "coming soon".

For me TiVo is excellent as the intuitive nature it records suggestions, automatically reschedules to avoid recording clashes, the 14 day EPG and larger HDD were the biggest draws.

Whilst we may not agree on TiVo we definitely agree that it is all about personal preference.