TiVo : Sky Q and VM answer ?

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by passingbat

You do understand that updating something like a Tivo box is no where near as simple or inexpensive as a fifty quid streamer box, which can be quite easily updated on a yearly basis? Development wise, a streamer box nowhere near as complicated as a Tivo box, which has way more functionality.

If VM brought a new box out annually, I'm sure you wouldn't be willing to pay the extra cost involved

I wasn't suggesting we should have a new box annually, but you could not have failed to notice the frustration many feel about Tivo speeds.

I assume that the VM Tivo is slow because it doesn't have sufficient memory to perform its many tasks.

If that is the case, it does rather show a lack of foresight. Hopefully, they will get this right with the new box and assume in its design that it will carry a range of streaming services as well as enabling us to save our programme preferences to the Cloud.

[BenMcr]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

If that is the case, it does rather show a lack of foresight.

I'm not sure that's completely fair.

The current TiVo box hardware was made available to customers in December 2010 so would have been in development for a period of time before that (the partnership was announced in November 2009).

So some of the services you're comparing VM's TiVo to now didn't exist then, and even where some did, they're no longer supported (try getting iPlayer, Netflix or other streaming services on Smart TVs and consumer AV kit from 2009/2010)

I'm sure Virgin Media could have well created more powerful hardware at the time, but it would have meant charging more for it. And we all know how that would have gone down.

I do completely appreciate that 6 years is a long time in regards to hardware, but you only have to look at the responses that do happen when Virgin change their broadband kit, or recently where they're doing SciAt V+ swap to see that no matter which way around it goes, there is always someone that doesn't want to change, or is unhappy that they can't change.

I'm not denying that the existing TiVo hardware is likely due for some form of replacement, but you only have to look at the fact that most of what Sky Q does, TiVo already does to see that it's not that far behind the cure.

[passingbat]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

I wasn't suggesting we should have a new box annually, but you could not have failed to notice the frustration many feel about Tivo speeds.

I assume that the VM Tivo is slow because it doesn't have sufficient memory to perform its many tasks.

If that is the case, it does rather show a lack of foresight. Hopefully, they will get this right with the new box and assume in its design that it will carry a range of streaming services as well as enabling us to save our programme preferences to the Cloud.

The development cycle for cable service boxes is around five years (apparently Tivo themselves have a 3 year cycle, but it obviously takes longer to implement Tivo software for VM requirements.)

It's processor speeds that improve vastly in those years and make a 5 year old Tivo box slow compared to less complicated streamer boxes that can have the processor updated with each annual release (and doesn't have to do as much processing anyway).

And don't forget, when you complain about lack of over the top services on Tivo, when Tivo did launch on VM, it was the only box around that did integrate standard PVR functionality with app activity.

If/when VM release a new box, speed wise it should be great, but at the end of it's life cycle people will be moaning once again that it's slow. Such is the nature of that kind of equipment, when people demand more and more functionality be added year by year to a box that won't have it's processing power updated for around five years.

I use Tivo purely as a PVR and it's speed is fine. For streaming and catchup services, for the reasons outlined above I don't expect Tivo, at this stage in it's life to be fast, so use inexpensive streamer boxes. But having said that, Tivo currently is still perfectly adequate for OTT services, providing you don't want really fast load times.

[denphone]

One of the biggest problems now is only having three tuners and also we could do with more memory as well as it fills up too quickly.

[japitts]

Originally Posted by denphone

One of the biggest problems now is only having three tuners and also we could do with more memory as well as it fills up too quickly.

if we had the 500Gb box I'd have to agree with you - our 1Tb is often around 40-odd% after a busy month, easily 70% after holidays etc, but we do record 80%-plus in HD these days which doesn't help.

But...wouldn't MPEG2/4 help with this as well?

[denphone]

The problem is sometimes there are 5 or 6 things all on at the same time in the evening and even allowing for +1 channels there are still not enough tuners for my liking.

[Gavin-D]

Sky Q prices for new customers will start at £42 per month for the basic set-top box.

If you want the premium Sky Q Silver device it will set you back £54 per month but this does include a Q Mini box for multiroom viewing (extra Mini Q boxes will cost £99 each).

Sky fans who want movies and sports will have to add an extra £34.50 per month to the package.

There's also a £50 installation charge and a one off smart features fee.

This fee starts at £99 for customers who subscribe to Sky Sports or movies but rises to £299 for those who don't.

The typical monthly cost for existing Sky+ customers will be around £12 extra compared with their current package.

If the price isn't putting you off then Sky Q will arrive in living rooms from next month.

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/tech/news...date-announced

[heavyside]

The proposed Sky Q pricing has been leaked. http://www.techradar.com/news/televi...cement-1313992

[muppetman11]

This is the best source

https://corporate.sky.com/media-cent...t-from-just-99

[heavyside]

Here's an interesting article from Trusted Reviews comparing the forthcoming Sky Q to Virgin Media's offering. http://www.trustedreviews.com/opinions/sky-q-vs-virgin

[Bob]

I'm currently on half price deal with them (TV only) so might consider it when that expires. Hopefully by then, they'll be supporting other broadband providers.

It's an extra £12, but it includes Sky Go Extra which is an extra £5 or £6 anyway and the luxury of being able to take recordings with you is something that appeals. It's my main gripe with the current system.

Am I correct in assuming the box is now rented like Virgin Media as I note that service call outs are now included (specifically itemised in the table)?

I also heard is requires a new LNB? Might be an issue as we have a communal dish in my development...

[passingbat]

Originally Posted by denphone

One of the biggest problems now is only having three tuners and also we could do with more memory as well as it fills up too quickly.

Until Sky Q hits the streets The current Tivo is still the one with the most tuners. You can't do comparisons with a box that is not yet available.

Do you not think these two issues will be addressed with a new VM box?

[Joedm45]

As good as Sky Q looks, those set up fees are very high as expected for a premium product. £50 + £299 If you don't have Sky BB, Wow!

I'm glad I renewed my VM contract recently, really happy with the deal I got so I'll take another look in 12 months time. Hopefully VM will have something new too by then.

[muppetman11]

Originally Posted by Joedm45

As good as Sky Q looks, those set up fees are very high as expected for a premium product. £50 + £299 If you don't have Sky BB, Wow!

I'm glad I renewed my VM contract recently, really happy with the deal I got so I'll take another look in 12 months time. Hopefully VM will have something new too by then.

I think you also qualify for the lower upfront costs if you sub to Sky Movies or Sky Sports.

I agree however those setup costs are expensive , it should have been £49 for Sky and £79 for Sky Q Silver.

[denphone]

Originally Posted by passingbat

Until Sky Q hits the streets The current Tivo is still the one with the most tuners. You can't do comparisons with a box that is not yet available.

Do you not think these two issues will be addressed with a new VM box?

l am confident that both will be addressed but the sooner it happens the better in my opinion.