TiVo : Confirmed. No Sky Atlantic. Broadband push.

[Chad]

Originally Posted by passingbat

You could hook the PC up to the TV. Usually a simple one cable connection.

And for people who do move entirely over to all TV via the internet, it makes a lot of sense to have a small, lounge friendly, PC, permanently hooked up to the TV.

As SMART TV's come down in price, they are becoming more and more attractive as options for those who don't want pay for subscription TV. My LG SMART TV offers access to Netflix, Lovefilm, Blinkbox and NOW TV. I can also access BBC iPlayer and Demand 5 with ITV Player and 4OD set to launch later this year. It also has a built in Freeview HD tuner meaning access to 11 free HD channels on top of the standard Freeview offering.

When you are next considering buying a new TV, it's well worth considering a SMART one.

[andy_m]

Originally Posted by muppetman11

Using streaming services is certainly becoming more popular , my issue with going solely down this route at the moment is how far behind the traditional broadcasters the streaming services are. There's many shows that were on terrestrial long since , the pay tv channels are also way in front example Modern Family Sky One is currently airing season 5 with seasons 1-4 on Sky On Demand compared to Netflix who only have S1-2.

If it wasn't for a few good Netflix originals I'm not sure I'd be subscribing , I do love the technology behind the service and it's great to have complete Boxsets however sadly most has been on the tv already.

That's why Now tv is so good I think, as it's a mix of on demand and live channels, with thirty day catch up for those channels, so currently the last four episodes of Modern Family are still available to view. Yesterday I caught up on Line of Duty from the night before, the last three episodes of Modern Family and the last 2 of Elementary. All of which are now available to me through Virgin and Now tv, so I'm certainly not keen to continue paying for both services. I've been enjoying True Detective so currently Now TV is ahead. Actually the only thing really putting me off going is losing the ability to record shows and the fact that I don't have a tv aerial point and I'd still want freeview, but I'm starting to think the initial outlay of having one installed and then buying a decent freeview+ box will be worth it in the long run.

[denphone]

Originally Posted by Chad

As SMART TV's come down in price, they are becoming more and more attractive as options for those who don't want pay for subscription TV. My LG SMART TV offers access to Netflix, Lovefilm, Blinkbox and NOW TV. I can also access BBC iPlayer and Demand 5 with ITV Player and 4OD set to launch later this year. It also has a built in Freeview HD tuner meaning access to 11 free HD channels on top of the standard Freeview offering.

When you are next considering buying a new TV, it's well worth considering a SMART one.

Yes we will need a new one in the next couple of years and by then they will be even better function wise.

[muppetman11]

Originally Posted by andy_m

That's why Now tv is so good I think, as it's a mix of on demand and live channels, with thirty day catch up for those channels, so currently the last four episodes of Modern Family are still available to view. Yesterday I caught up on Line of Duty from the night before, the last three episodes of Modern Family and the last 2 of Elementary. All of which are now available to me through Virgin and Now tv, so I'm certainly not keen to continue paying for both services. I've been enjoying True Detective so currently Now TV is ahead. Actually the only thing really putting me off going is losing the ability to record shows and the fact that I don't have a tv aerial point and I'd still want freeview, but I'm starting to think the initial outlay of having one installed and then buying a decent freeview+ box will be worth it in the long run.

Fully agree , my experience of Now TV only relates to the movie pass but the SD live PQ is more than acceptable so watching live isn't an issue and the price represents great value. Obviously I can see what's available on the entertainment pass and at the current £4.99 it represents excellent value for first run content.

[dgcarter]

Originally Posted by andy_m

They do have previous seasons. Three years worth of game of thrones, all of mad men, etc. Now TV is excellent in my opinion. With I player, ten very good channels and month long catch up I'm monitoring very closely at the moment, but the vast majority of my viewing is available through Now tv. Quality over quantity every time, Virgin have missed the point with all last year's channel launches, it really isn't about the amount of channels as far as I'm concerned.

I'm currently locked in with loyalty discount for a few more months, but I'm keeping a close eye on how Virgin sort out the suggestions mess and how much the now tv entertainment pass goes up by. I've been a very happy Virgin customer but now I can see that I might be getting to the end of the road. I really really really don't need faster broadband.

---------- Post added at 20:12 ---------- Previous post was at 20:11 ----------

Slight disclaimer, I actually don't like game of thrones, but it is on there.

I agree, Freeview and NowTV is a much better offering than any of VMs.

[passingbat]

Originally Posted by andy_m

Actually the only thing really putting me off going is losing the ability to record shows and the fact that I don't have a tv aerial point and I'd still want freeview, .

You will probably find that if you keep VM BB and phone, you can keep one Tivo with M TV (which is essentially Freeview channels) for no extra cost. It actually reduced the cost for me.

---------- Post added at 09:24 ---------- Previous post was at 09:21 ----------

Originally Posted by Chad

As SMART TV's come down in price, they are becoming more and more attractive as options for those who don't want pay for subscription TV. My LG SMART TV offers access to Netflix, Lovefilm, Blinkbox and NOW TV. I can also access BBC iPlayer and Demand 5 with ITV Player and 4OD set to launch later this year. It also has a built in Freeview HD tuner meaning access to 11 free HD channels on top of the standard Freeview offering.

When you are next considering buying a new TV, it's well worth considering a SMART one.

Very true, although all those are available via PC. And there are things that you can get via a PC that aren't available via a Smart TV.

[andy_m]

Originally Posted by passingbat

You will probably find that if you keep VM BB and phone, you can keep one Tivo with M TV (which is essentially Freeview channels) for no extra cost. It actually reduced the cost for me.

---------- Post added at 09:24 ---------- Previous post was at 09:21 ----------




Very true, although all those are available via PC. And there are things that you can get via a PC that aren't available via a Smart TV.

I am considering m as an option, although I'm also toying with losing the landline altogether as our mobile packages are so good, and ideally I want a one stb solution for the tv partly so the tv cabinet isn't a mess and partly so I don't have to constantly flick between input sources.

[passingbat]

Originally Posted by andy_m

partly so I don't have to constantly flick between input sources.

Logitech Harmony remotes are the answer to that one. It then becomes just a one button press to switch between devices, using just the one remote to control the whole lot.

[RobboEdin]

Originally Posted by andy_m

I am considering m as an option, although I'm also toying with losing the landline altogether as our mobile packages are so good, and ideally I want a one stb solution for the tv partly so the tv cabinet isn't a mess and partly so I don't have to constantly flick between input sources.

You won't get TV M without paying for a landline. In other words, no BB and TV M bundles.

[bamav]

Originally Posted by passingbat

You will probably find that if you keep VM BB and phone, you can keep one Tivo with M TV (which is essentially Freeview channels) for no extra cost. It actually reduced the cost for me.

---------- Post added at 09:24 ---------- Previous post was at 09:21 ----------




Very true, although all those are available via PC. And there are things that you can get via a PC that aren't available via a Smart TV.

And not everyone has or needs a PC these days. Smart TVs or boxes are the future - as is streaming. I have recorded dozens of series from live TV since TiVo launched - there are very few that I've actually watched live or within even the duration of a series.

If I could subscribe to a couple of services that would give me most of the popular TV series on demand whenever (including into the future), then I would definitely cut TV package down to the minimum. VM know this is the way things are going and that is why they're keen to ensure their fibre is the best in the business.

---------- Post added at 13:43 ---------- Previous post was at 13:22 ----------

And here's news that might just confirm the death of "TV"...

http://www.whathifi.com/news/digital...me-watching-tv

[passingbat]

Originally Posted by bamav

And not everyone has or needs a PC these days. Smart TVs or boxes are the future - as is streaming. I have recorded dozens of series from live TV since TiVo launched - there are very few that I've actually watched live or within even the duration of a series.

If I could subscribe to a couple of services that would give me most of the popular TV series on demand whenever (including into the future), then I would definitely cut TV package down to the minimum. VM know this is the way things are going and that is why they're keen to ensure their fibre is the best in the business.

I don't think anyone disputes that that is the way things are heading. and it's good.

But I am able to get all the things I want, except the odd show, without TV services from any provider, including Freeview. So I am able to 'Cut the Cord' now. But, at this point in time, I could not get all the things that I watch without access to a PC. So, as we stand now, I'm not sure that full Cord Cutting is possible without the use of a PC. Obviously, that does depend on the shows you watch.

Granted, I have a limited time to watch some shows as they are not recorded to a hard drive. But many of them are available for four weeks.

[andy_m]

Originally Posted by RobboEdin

You won't get TV M without paying for a landline. In other words, no BB and TV M bundles.

Hence my use of the word "although".

---------- Post added at 15:57 ---------- Previous post was at 15:46 ----------

Originally Posted by passingbat

Logitech Harmony remotes are the answer to that one. It then becomes just a one button press to switch between devices, using just the one remote to control the whole lot.

Thanks for all your advice. I have actually got a Logitech remote, but I've found the battery life so poor that I've stopped using it.

[passingbat]

Originally Posted by andy_m

I have actually got a Logitech remote, but I've found the battery life so poor that I've stopped using it.

I've always bought the rechargeable models, and leave them on charge overnight so wasn't aware of that issue.

Logitech seem to have reduced the number of models over the last year, and the mid priced rechargeable models seem to have gone, sadly leaving the rechargeable ones at the expensive end.