Hi clearbluesky
Sorry that the recording functions question wasn't picked up correctly in your original thread <here> where you stated, 'now Virgin can connect us to full fibre', as you should have been informed that recording boxes aren't available in full fibre areas. Instead we all extolled the virtues of the TV360 box which isn't compatable with the full fibre network.
VM's full fibre (XGS-PON) network isn't compatable with the older coax cable network that carries the TV signal over cable. On the full fibre network the TV signal is provided over the internet so TV customers are provided with the Stream (Flex) TV set top box which is IP based.
A lot of the live programs are also available via the apps and catch up services.
The Manhattan t4r boxes are capable of recording the freeview channels obtained via a terrestrial aerial (see /manhattan-t4-r-review-the-peak-of-freeview-recording/ ) however those boxes aren't able to record the channels provided via the stream box.