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TiVo & V6 boxes were withdrawn for new customers many years ago, TV360 has been the new-customer offer ever since.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.
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.
