TiVo : Does anyone actually like using Virgin Media?

BB = Excellent.

TV = Ok - the Tivo user inteface is awful compared to sky, but the functionality is good.

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by Paul M

BB = Excellent.

TV = Ok - the Tivo user inteface is awful compared to sky, but the functionality is good.

I prefer the TiVo GUI over the Sky one.

[passingbat]

The service that I have had from cable over the last fifteen years has been excellent. So much so that I would be concerned to move to another supplier in case they couldn't meet the same quality of service.

The very few faults that I have had over the years have been fixed very quickly.

Broadband for me has been rock solid, giving me the advertised speeds.

I personally don't find Tivo slow and there is not a PVR out there from any other provider that can match it's functionality.

I dropped the Pay TV side of VM almost two years ago and just use Tivo for the free M TV channels. That was purely because my viewing habits changed and I was streaming most of the content that I watch (VM bundling a premium sports channel in the XL pack helped give me the final push that I needed).

But the three recordable tuners on Tivo are a massive advantage over other providers' two channel boxes when recording a lot of pay TV channels; it still seems to use three tuners quite often with just the M TV channels.

Also, Tivo's automatic re-scheduling of recording clashes is a big plus, as are Whishlists.

The only negative with VM's TV is lack of HBO content from Sky Atlantic, which, if you are desperate for, can be fixed with a £5p/m Now TV subscription and a fifteen quid Now TV box.

[Superblade7]

I had VM TV for 9 years and can't really complain about the quality of service.

Main frustrations were:
1) VM slow to add new channels;
2) lack of Universal HD and Sky Atlantic (which I used to pay extra for via Now TV);
3) TV Anywhere very poor for content for viewing on tablets/phones but believe this was due to rights restrictions;
4) Cost - VM can be pretty expensive, particularly if you have Sky Premiums.

Item 4 was the thing that finally pushed me over the edge and made me dump the TV and move to Sky as I got a great offer. I did however keep broadband and phone with VM because that has always been very reliable.

Having been with Sky for several months now I do personally prefer their TV service over VM's as it better meets my needs at a cheaper price. However, I would certainly consider returning to VM TV in the future if the price was right and they improved the items above.

So to reassure you sugnid, if the package and price meet your needs, I'm sure you'll be fine and enjoy VM's services.

[theone2k10]

Originally Posted by Maggy J

I'm not putting money in Murdoch's pocket and I'd never trust anything from BT ever..Might consider Freeview TV at some point but VM's BB is excellent.

Technically you are though if you subscribe to vms m+ or above package.
BT aren't as bad as people make them out to be yes they have their faults but no company is perfect.
When i was with VM had nothing but buffering issues as they over subscribed in my area, they tried to call my bluff too when i phoned to cancel they soon realised i was serious, i would probably go back to VM in future though if things have improved.

[tweedle]

If you have been using a Sky+HD box previously and are moving over to VM TiVo then you are going to find TiVo slow. You'll either just become ok with the sluggishness or you'll be back with Sky before your cancellation period is up.

You once had 30 days to cancel not sure if the same any more.

[Sugnid]

Originally Posted by tweedle

If you have been using a Sky+HD box previously and are moving over to VM TiVo then you are going to find TiVo slow. You'll either just become ok with the sluggishness or you'll be back with Sky before your cancellation period is up.

You once had 30 days to cancel not sure if the same any more.

Really? What about it is slow compared to the Sky box?

[Kymmy]

Let me see, VM = 200Mb broadband that has only gone down for more than a few hours once in the last 8 years

or I could have BT ADSL2 (no FTTC here and none planned) running at 15Mb

Yep I'm more than happy with VM

[ianch99]

Originally Posted by Sugnid

Really? What about it is slow compared to the Sky box?

Depending what mood it is in, it can take many seconds (upto 5) to respond to a command e.g. My Shows for example. My relatives have Sky+ and when I have seen this in use, it seems instant when responding by comparision. Not a scientific test but just an observation ..

[Biffs]

Very happy with all our VM stuff - Tivo excellent, phone hardly used going out but no worries for inward stuff, and the broadband is fast and solid. Never needed tech support so can't comment. Just booked the BB upgrade so wait and see, but I'm confident that I'll get what's promised. Wouldn't dream of changing anything.

[tweedle]

Originally Posted by Sugnid

Really? What about it is slow compared to the Sky box?

Most things are slower on TiVo, for example as you know as you have Sky you can go from watching a live channel to watching a recorded show in about 2 seconds (press the play button on control to go directly to planner then press play on the recorded show) that can take quite a bit longer on TiVo but only a few seconds.

Another problem is 3 or 4 rapid button pressed on TiVo can cause a real slowdown, as it catches up.

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by tweedle

Most things are slower on TiVo, for example as you know as you have Sky you can go from watching a live channel to watching a recorded show in about 2 seconds (press the play button on control to go directly to planner then press play on the recorded show) that can take quite a bit longer on TiVo but only a few seconds.

Another problem is 3 or 4 rapid button pressed on TiVo can cause a real slowdown, as it catches up.

H'mm... And how long does it take to select a programme from on demand and to start watching it on Sky? At least we don't's have to download it first!

[muppetman11]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

H'mm... And how long does it take to select a programme from on demand and to start watching it on Sky? At least we don't's have to download it first!

That depends on your Internet connection normally around 10 seconds or so on a connection of 5mbps +.

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by muppetman11

That depends on your Internet connection normally around 10 seconds or so on a connection of 5mbps +.

In my experience of playing with my daughter's Sky + box, I would say that you can access programmes rather more quickly directly from on demand through the TIVO.

For those who don't know, you have to download selected programmes from on demand to your recordings before then selecting the programme to watch if you are on Sky.

[muppetman11]

Can't honestly say I've ever found a problem using either service , that said if Sky's service took an age I'd have ditched it long since so clearly it doesn't.