Forum Discussion

AlCannon's avatar
AlCannon
Just joined
19 days ago

What is the point of a stream box?

Can anyone explain what the stream box does that my tv apps do not? I have just moved house and my 360 boxes have been replaced with stream boxes, now I can’t record and have to watch all the ads. As well as this if I try to watch a program that is currently live I can’t watch it from the start but if I go into the app on my tv I can watch from the start. It seems the stream box just makes life harder and you have to pay extra for it! Definitely cancelling as soon as I can.

11 Replies

  • Mr_K's avatar
    Mr_K
    Knows their stuff
    2 hours ago

    Thr point of a stream box is to maximise revenue for advertisers.   The riff raff have been fast forwarding through ads on recordings, that has to stop. 

  • BlueLou's avatar
    BlueLou
    Virgin Media Staff
    9 hours ago

    Can you explain the issue you're having here please?

    The Startover functionality is common to both 360 and Stream; there wont be any programs that you can do that with on 360 that you cannot on the new box.  Instead of recording just use My Watchlist in the same way, you can still fast forward through the ads on many of the shows there.

    As well as this if I try to watch a program that is currently live I can’t watch it from the start but if I go into the app on my tv I can watch from the start. 

    • Tavis75's avatar
      Tavis75
      Super solver
      9 hours ago

      Instead of recording just use My Watchlist in the same way, you can still fast forward through the ads on many of the shows there.

      It doesn't work in the same way; many programs are available live (and therefore recordable) that aren't available on demand, so can't be added to the watchlist (or if they can, they can't actually be watched), you cannot fast-forward the adverts on ALL programs, you need a working internet connection to watch things and anything added can only be watched for as long as it remains on the on demand service, which varies by provider.

  • TOMCAT22's avatar
    TOMCAT22
    Joining in
    22 hours ago

    The only advantage of having a stream box is to benefit Virgin Media as they get more money from advertisers as you can’t fast forward through adverts.I feel I was duped into getting a stream box on my contract renewal.I was told I couldn’t keep my 360 box and had to send it back.Now can’t do series link,record or other other useful features.Will be ditching Virgin like a hot potato at contract end.👎🏻

  • Richardr1's avatar
    Richardr1
    Fibre optic
    18 days ago

    It really a question of what you watch. The Stream box has most of the linear channels, not all of which have apps. If you want to watch channels within the subscription tier, such as many of the Sky and U& channels then it is an easy way to do that. It is also as good as any way to watch the Sky Sports channels. It allows easy switching between channels, not possible if you are just using different apps, and connects the main channels to their apps, which may be an advantage to some people. The versions of the apps from the four public service providers is in my view as good as any other streaming box or TV, and some of the basic channels are in higher quality than on Freeview and Freesat.

    On the other hand, if you don't watch linear TV, or are happy with the Freeview / Freesat channels plus apps, then it isn't for you. In particular some of the pay apps on Virgin Media can be had in higher quality elsewhere, not all are on Stream, and you are also not paying for Virgin Media's TV in addition to the app price.

    • Tavis75's avatar
      Tavis75
      Super solver
      15 days ago

      It seems like it's only really a benefit if you watch live TV, as you get slightly more channels than Freeview\Freesat, which feels like stepping back in time 25 years! But if you don't watch live plenty of things are not available on catch up, and most of those that are, are available for free on apps anyway. On Freeview, you can of course still record, so depending on which channels you actually watch, if you don't watch live then you may get more content available, plus you can FFWd the ads.

      The 10% discount on streaming services also doesn't seem like much of a draw as it works out more cost efficient to stop and start subs as required throughout the year, whereas I think with a lot of the stream ones you're tied in for the full contract length (and if you can get any of them on a monthly basis at a discount, then you have to deal with VM's systems\"customer service" to cancel). Most of the streamers also offer discounts for yearly memberships anyway (i.e. Disney gives 2 months free), I don't know if the VM discount factors that in.

  • Roger_Gooner's avatar
    Roger_Gooner
    Alessandro Volta
    19 days ago

    The Stream box is vastly superior to other streaming devices as it gives you access to whatever 313 TV channels and 45 radio stations that you have subscribed to - plus On Demand, Catch-Up and 37 apps. The box is also used as the additional ones in multi-room and can play back 360 recordings.

    This is Pay TV and if you don't want it or can't afford it then there are multiple suitable alternatives.

  • Cardiffman282's avatar
    Cardiffman282
    Community elder
    19 days ago

    I think you get a 10% discount on steaming services. Generally I agree that it seems a pretty thin offer over TV apps. 

    • newapollo's avatar
      newapollo
      Very Insightful Person
      19 days ago

      If you aren't bothered about recording programs then it's more portable than the other VM boxes as it doesn't require a coaxial connection and thus can be easliy moved from room to room.

  • Adduxi's avatar
    Adduxi
    Very Insightful Person
    19 days ago

    I believe you get VM specific items on the Stream box. Other than that I guess it’s just like any other streaming box.

  • stuey9964's avatar
    stuey9964
    Tuning in
    19 days ago

    You can fast forward through the adverts with the stream box and if you add programs to your watchlist you can watch them as soon as they are available.  I used to have a Sky Q box but I prefer the stream box.