Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV

[Felim_Doyle]

Originally Posted by mersey70

I would guess releasing a V+ that runs Tivo would defeat the object of launching the new STB. It would be nice if the existing V+ became the standard box, at least to XL customers as the V+ subscription is included with XL anyway.

I've had XL (and its predecessors on NTL) from day one but, even when my old Pace V Box failed, I was not issued with a V+ Box.

I'm in a quandary now because I don't have a HD TV yet but I would like to have a PVR with, at least, an eight day EPG. However I don't want to have the problems associated with the ageing SA boxes (I also want my Pace compatible £5 remote keyboard to still work!) and I can't justify having a TiVo just now although ultimately I'll probably want one.

[mersey70]

Originally Posted by muppetman11

Thanks for that Ben , Im desperate to get one and will shell out an upfront cost but wouldn't be to happy with a monthly charge on top especially when the box is never mine.

Isn't Tivo usually based around some sort of a subscription though. I know the Sky Tivo kit that customers owned could be supported by a one off lifetime sub but being loaned kit isn't it likely to be a monthly subscription. All guesswork I suppose but given VM directly charge for V+ to non XL customers I personally doubt it will be a free service which in my eyes is fair enough.

[clinteastman]

Originally Posted by mersey70

Isn't Tivo usually based around some sort of a subscription though. I know the Sky Tivo kit that customers owned could be supported by a one off lifetime sub but being loaned kit isn't it likely to be a monthly subscription. All guesswork I suppose but given VM directly charge for V+ to non XL customers I personally doubt it will be a free service which in my eyes is fair enough.

TiVos have a subscription but what we are getting is "V+HD with TiVo Inside", It's not a TiVo TiVo (if that makes sense). TiVo have a contract with VM, not it's customers. Now if VM decide to put a surcharge on the box to start off with (as in the long term TiVo will be the only middleware and they will have to drop it at some point) that's up to them.

[pauldavies83]

Originally Posted by BenMcr

As the Liberate contract is due to end within the next couple of years I'm sure there is probably a plan to do something at somepoint

According to this it was only extended until Jan 2011...

http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2009/...rate-contract/

Unless more has been done after this (quick google didnt find anything more recent than this)

[BenMcr]

Isn't Tivo usually based around some sort of a subscription though

Even with the V+ HD there is a subcription - it just happens that for XL the cost of the subscription is £0

[mersey70]

Originally Posted by clinteastman

TiVos have a subscription but what we are getting is "V+HD with TiVo Inside", It's not a TiVo TiVo (if that makes sense). TiVo have a contract with VM, not it's customers. Now if VM decide to put a surcharge on the box to start off with (as in the long term TiVo will be the only middleware and they will have to drop it at some point) that's up to them.

I see what you mean but the kit appears to be over and above what a customer needs to receive the standard VM services so unless it is offered with an extended new contract, lets say 24 months just as an example I wouldn't be surprised if it attracts a monthly surcharge but we will just have to wait and see.

Although it dosen't really appeal to me I would have no objection to paying extra for it if I subsequently decide to get it, within reason!

[braysoj1]

itv 1 +1 news

itv + 1 is going 2 start soon on freeview

[mersey70]

Originally Posted by braysoj1

itv 1 +1 news

itv + 1 is going 2 start soon on freeview

Yeah I noticed that last night, channel 35.

---------- Post added at 12:10 ---------- Previous post was at 12:04 ----------

Originally Posted by BenMcr

Even with the V+ HD there is a subcription - it just happens that for XL the cost of the subscription is £0

Baffling.

[Felim_Doyle]

Originally Posted by muppetman11

You would think they would want everyone on the same EPG otherwise it becomes a nightmare for support.

On the ex-NTL platform we used to get a 3-day EPG and more information on the i-button (e.g. year and actors for films) but when the platforms merged VM opted for a lowest common denominator EPG for all of the standard V Box STBs as some older models did not have the resources to support the better one. There was presumably a cost saving in having only one EPG for all standard boxes and one for + and HD boxes. There may even have been more than one EPG supplier involved previously necessitating multiple contracts (experts to confirm please).

The situation will likely be similar in the future with TiVo middle-ware boxes having a far more advanced EPG but + and HD boxes having a sub-set of the features. There will also likely be a (not too) gradual ageing out of older standard boxes leaving just two main middle-ware / EPG combinations to support.

<OT>
Speaking of EPG, why does Living never have anything on the i-button for CSI (standard V Box)? You can't tell what episode it is.
</OT>

[muppetman11]

Originally Posted by Felim_Doyle

I've had XL (and its predecessors on NTL) from day one but, even when my old Pace V Box failed, I was not issued with a V+ Box.

I'm in a quandary now because I don't have a HD TV yet but I would like to have a PVR with, at least, an eight day EPG. However I don't want to have the problems associated with the ageing SA boxes (I also want my Pace compatible £5 remote keyboard to still work!) and I can't justify having a TiVo just now although ultimately I'll probably want one.

Great point , that's what I was trying to say wouldn't it be better to have standard issue box as VHD with TIVo , then V+ HD (new build Cisco box say) with TIVO £75 then a Premium TIVO with all bells and whistles £150.

Many people want a PVR but don't want to pay £150 for the pleasure. Cable could lose customers here as Sky offer a free Sky+HD box now.

[clinteastman]

Originally Posted by muppetman11

Great point , that's what I was trying to say wouldn't it be better to have standard issue box as VHD with TIVo , then V+ HD (new build Cisco box say) with TIVO £75 then a Premium TIVO with all bells and whistles £150.

Many people want a PVR but don't want to pay £150 for the pleasure. Cable could lose customers here as Sky offer a free Sky+HD box now.

I'm guessing at some point we will just have "VHD with TiVO inside" and "V+HD with TiVO inside". VHD as the standard box for all and V+HD with a surcharge for people lower than XL, just like it is now. "VHD with TiVO inside" almost negates the need for a DVR.

[mersey70]

Originally Posted by clinteastman

I'm guessing at some point we will just have "VHD with TiVO inside" and "V+HD with TiVO inside". VHD as the standard box for all and V+HD with a surcharge for people lower than XL, just like it is now. "VHD with TiVO inside" almost negates the need for a DVR.

Why would VHD with Tivo Inside 'almost' negate the need for a DVR?

[Felim_Doyle]

Originally Posted by braysoj1

itv 1 +1 news

itv + 1 is going 2 start soon on freeview

Surely, as a public service provider, ITV would aim to launch on all platforms simultaneously as was the case with BBC1 HD, for example.

Originally Posted by mersey70

Yeah I noticed that last night, channel 35.

Was there something on Freeview channel 35 before or was it already reserved for ITV +1?

Originally Posted by mersey70

Baffling.

How so (or were you being facetious )? If you pay extra for XL you get the + and HD features included. Simples!

When did meerkats become Christmas decorations? They're everywhere in the shops with Santa hats and all!

[clinteastman]

Originally Posted by mersey70

Why would VHD with Tivo Inside 'almost' negate the need for a DVR?

VM are striking VOD aggreements with most the important players, couple that with the ability to stream web content then you almost don't need to record the content yourself.

[nialli]

Originally Posted by Felim_Doyle

Surely, as a public service provider, ITV would aim to launch on all platforms simultaneously as was the case with BBC1 HD, for example.

But not ITV2 HD, ITV3 HD or ITV4 HD apparently.