Am taking out a new broadband & TV package & it mentions a stream flex box, does this mean there are no TiVo boxes now?
trouble is I can see no information on it when making an order
This is the point. TV360 is only available if you're in an HFC-area, and even then you have to proactively request it via VM telesales. It's not offered at any stage - the default TV option now is Stream.
Yes, the TiVo\V6 boxes are no longer available. Stream is the default now and in some areas the only option, I believe the 360 box is still available as an upgrade with a £50 installation fee as long as you're not in one of the areas using the new network (I think that means you have a Hub 5x). The 360 is not as good as the TiVo\V6 (missing a lot of features) but it does allow recording so is better than the Stream box.
TBH if you're stuck with Stream only I'd just get the internet and not bother with the TV, you can just buy a FireStick\AppleTV or similar and use that to stream instead rather than having to pay a monthly sub.
TiVo & V6 boxes were withdrawn for new customers many years ago, TV360 has been the new-customer offer ever since. Existing TiVo/V6 customers can remain and also upgrade from TiVo > V6.
As mentioned by Tavis, Stream is now the default option for new customers and the only available TV service in full-fibre XGS-PON areas. In traditional HFC areas, TV360 is available reactively via telesales and with a £50 install charge.
Holy moly I didn’t realise it was this bad, you can’t record with Stream? Like what’s the point, now I see why there are only broadband only options everywhere, basically Virgin TV is dead..the TiVo box is great. Dam
basically Virgin TV is dead
Virgin TV's USP for new customers now seems to be accessing all your subscriptions in one place.
It's the way TV is going unfortunately. I don't have VM TV and just use my old Humax for recording Freeview, and for anything else I just stream. Even Freeview's terrestrial TV transmission day's are numbered. The plan is to have everything on IPTV <sigh> ...
Streaming boxes, whether by VM or Sky, enable you to watch previously broadcast programmes by Catch-Up or On Demand, in some cases by 3rd party apps like BBC iPlayer or ITVX. I think this works well in the main as these facilities have increased hugely over the years - but I'm not in favour of forced ads.
but I'm not in favour of forced ads.
This, unfortunately is the reason Companies want rid of recorders. I'll hang on to my old Humax as long as possible. I've already replaced/upgraded the HD twice ...
Yes, I switched to using a network Freeview tuner with Plex to record Freeview about 18 months ago, it's not as good as TiVo (but better than 360) and offers 4 tuners and basically unlimited recording space (as the recordings are just standard PC accessible video files). Will be hanging onto that as long as there is still a Freeview signal, hopefully by the time that goes someone will have hacked Freely TV to allow recording (or they'll actually have released official recorders for it, but I'm not holding my breath).
Streaming boxes, whether by VM or Sky, enable you to watch previously broadcast programmes by Catch-Up or On Demand
Some programs, not all the channels have streaming apps and even the ones that do, not all the programs appear. As I understand it, the F1 races and football matches do not appear on catch up, or if they do it's a few days late (which is odd as the official F1 app has the races available on demand from the moment they start, it's just not available here).
Plus, as has been mentioned, often unskippable ads and a limited timeframe to watch the program. And of course, the streaming services that replace live TV are generally available for free anyway, so absolutely no need for a Virgin TV subscription.
There is mention of bringing streaming subs together, but unless you want all the services 12 months a year, you're better off dipping in and out.
but unless you want all the services 12 months a year, you're better off dipping in and out.
+1 Absolutely this. This is what I do.
I missed the point where someone said I can order a 360 box, trouble is I can see no information on it when making an order and the online chat is hopeless. How does Virgin make money if it makes it this hard to take out a new contract
trouble is I can see no information on it when making an order
This is the point. TV360 is only available if you're in an HFC-area, and even then you have to proactively request it via VM telesales. It's not offered at any stage - the default TV option now is Stream.
It's similair to Sky. While Sky Q is no longer offered as a new product, and Sky + boxes have been phased out due to the removal of most channels.
Sky are now primarily promoting Sky Stream and Sky Glass (streaming TV set) as the future of their TV service, emphasising streaming rather than traditional satellite. Prospective customers need to call sales to see if the Q box is available.
You make an excellent point there about streaming by Sky rather than by traditional satellite. I assume you know all satellites are due to be switched off by 2030? This explains why Sky is pushing streaming via their puck and Sky Q.
The clue is the hub: if it is not a hub 5X you can order a 360 for £49.75.
One thing just to be slightly careful on as you mention both is that Stream is a set top box issued by Virgin, and is now used across several products, whereas Flex is just one of the TV packages offered via that box.
Flex is in reality a base package to which various channel bundles can be added or removed [the removal with a month's notice].
Stream is also used with their more traditional bundles which are more hard coded into the contract and trickier to change, so it is worth checking that you are getting the channels you expect and won't have to pay more for them, or if so you know what the cost will be. Check against the contract, as other communication is not always consistent to put it mildly.
Flex is in reality a base package to which various channel bundles can be added or removed [the removal with a month's notice].
Unfortunately we see users on these Forums who cannot remove channels quite as easily as this would suggest. Personally I'd rather manage this sort of thing on my own streaming kit.
Sky stream now does cloud recordings where broadcast rights permit, so 95% of content can be recorded, if the content isn't available via an app. Hopefully Virgin will see sense and do the same.
I don't believe personal cloud recording exists, "cloud recording" is just a marketing term for catch-up or VOD. Any recording by Sky is delivered from their VOD servers. It's the same for VM's streaming service.
I was within my two week install period & have had a nightmare getting everything working with our smart TV setup, basically the streaming puc is awful, it doesn’t support any smart controls as it’s Bluetooth remote, all the work around I tried failed. Turning on the TV has never been more painful! Then to top it off I don’t realise we can’t record any live TV and have to watch ad’s , depending on the channel. We now hate the thing
So I called Virgin & was told by the first guy , no problem we can swap it over, he put me through to another guy who was very nice but basically said Virgin are phasing them out & will do anything to stop you getting one, to get one I’d have to take out a new deal and return all our installed equipment then negotiate a new deal plus £49.95.
so what’s true can we or can’t we get a TV360 box? We are in the right area. It’s all red where we are.
You would need to speak to the sales team on 0800 183 1234. As far as I know they would have to cancel the original account and put through a new sale which includes the TV360 box. There are some additional price reductions this week for some of the packages.
I haven't seen any posts from anybody with the Stream (Flex) box being able to pair a third party remote to work with the box, however they can use the VM TVGo app as an additional remote. Providing One Power is enabled on the Stream remote and you have HDMI-CEC enabled on your TV then the VM Stream box should be able turn both devices on and off.
The 360 box only pairs with one VM remote, however there is better news. I have two 360 boxes and can operate them both with my LG TV Smart remote (Samsung smart remotes also work). Instead of choosing Virgin I had to type in Ziggo as the set top provider, and then Ziggo Mediabox Next as thedevice. ( Ziggo is the name used in Holland by Liberty Global (VM's owners))
There are also three One For All remotes that work with the 360.
The OneForAll URC1240, OneForAll URC6820, and the OneForAll URC7125.
The URC1240 and URC7125 are both available from Amazon, and slightly cheaper than from Argos. To set up the OneForAll URC7125 - use the SimpleSet setup process and choose Ziggo as the manufacturer. To set up the OneForAll1240 enter the code 1582, It needs direct line of sight to set it up.
( I haven't tried the URC6820 and don't have a code for that one, but reviews on Amazon say it works)
Thanks for the info , well our two weeks are up now , lapsed yesterday & we’re stuck with it for 2 years, we hate it, we watched some master check bake off the professionals last night, full of ads , typically I would have had these recorded and be able to fast forward. This steam box is useless.
I appreciate the remote info but our original Virgin box was linked to our smart Alexa setup, so simple to say Alexa turn on the TV & it turned on everything at once, we can do something similar with the new remote but sometimes it works sometimes there is no sound sometimes no picture . It’s all reliant on the amp & TV turning on at the same time. We shall dump the Virgin Steam & get a free view box. It’s a waste of time
