Is it possible to revert to TiVo ?

[arrgee1991]

I have had 360 for a short while and to be frank I don't like it for umpteen reason including no SD channels, no way of going back on last channel, no wish lists and a bonkers remote that is not usable in the dark.  Can I revert back?

[Mandy1808]

Hi Arrgee1991 

I wanted to take the time to reply to actually agree with you that I to, like you, don't like the new 360 Service and only "ended" up with it by accident as I didn't know that at the time of 'enquiring' it was an automatic sign up.

From day 1 of having the new service I officially hated it.  Not only were all my pre-recorded, but not yet watched, programmes lost on the V6 Tivo Box but also any Series Links which meant I had to try and remember what they were and reset which is difficult when some of the programmes \ series have ended and not due again till next year.

I note that one of the replies to your question as to whether you can revert back is slightly wrong as yes you can revert back but it is not easy.

I say this from experience because as I said I absolutely hated this new System from day 1 and following lots of back and forth 'chats' on line with Customer Services and threating to leave I have finally managed to have my System reverted back to the V6 Tivo Box - which was welcomed with open arms :-).

This new System, whilst supposed to the big new thing and all encompassing is no way intuitive or user friendly and as mentioned in one of the other replies does not have a lot of the features, such as Wish Lists, finding deleted recordings, Series Links etc, as the V6 Tivo box.

I have, as I said above, preserved to get the System changed back otherwise despite the fact I would have to paid a "leaving fee" as my Contract is not due to expire yet I would have happily left.

The System is absolutely crap and useless.  

I am person who is very IT literate and savvy so don't find technology and new Systems a problem but this one certainly had me frustrated from Day 1 and there were many times that I wanted to through not the Set Top Box and Remote through the window.  A bit dramatic but that is how frustrated it made me.

I will say when; and if; you speak to Customer Services, either verbally via the telephone or the Web Chat, that you preserve and keep reiterating that you don't want this new System and want to revert back to the V6 Tivo System and don't take "no" as an option.

Happy to help again if you want. 

[Roger_Gooner]

There are some misunderstandings about VM's linear TV which is delivered over its DOCSIS networks, most of which is HFC whose cables into premises are coaxial, and using the V6 and 360 STBs. VM is undertaking a big project to overbuild its HFC network with fibre in order to run services using modern technology called XGS-PON, with a tight deadline of end-2028. However, there will then be an even bigger project to migrate everyone onto fibre and XGS-PON, and this won't be completed until around 2040. So, expect to see STBs for quite some time.

Although fibre and XGS-PON are undoubtedly superior to what we have today, there is a significant drawback for many, i.e. the loss of the decades-long facility to record any live TV broadcast. This is because films and TV shows which, rather than being broadcast will all be streamed (this is IPTV which doesn't work with legacy STBs), and in many cases streaming box will have no facility to make recordings. Just have a look at Sky's Stream box which enables you to (sometimes) make a cloud recording, other times you'll be directed to an app, other times you'll have nothing. The issue as I understand is that the content owner either does not permit cloud recording (typically because it has its own app) or does not have the VOD rights for that particular content to provide to Sky (and VM).

I think this is a good example of where a technology improvement of an all-IP platform is so substantial that every cableco and telco wants it but there is always a downside, and what matters is how it's dealt with.

[japitts]

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@Tavis75 wrote:

I would have had to renew for another 18 months and I'm pretty sure the 360 will become compulsory before that time is up.

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I'm fairly sure that's a pessimistic view, and compulsory migrations will not be happening in the next 18months.

Only time will tell, though.

[Roger_Gooner]

Liberty Global will hardly want to extend TiVo's contract when it's been spending money for years in developing and supporting its Horizon 4 platform. There is bound to be a forced migration to the 360 before the end of the TiVo contract. There's nothing unique about forced migrations (VM has already done it regarding the old pre-TiVo STBs) and some will remember being forced to get a digital STB as analogue TV was being switched off.

[wisedroid]

there have been threads about forced migrations, apparent shortages of V6 capable boxes for years. If it was that costly to VM to have two platforms they would have forced the upgrade years ago.

If anyone feels like they have been misled into a move to TV360 I'd recommend raising a formal complaint as I was able to revert my boxes back last year.

[nodrogd]

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@arrgee1991 wrote:

Virgin still charge extra for Sky Sports HD.  Will this charge be removed?

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The Sky imposed HD cash cow continues for the time being. There may be a change when the Sky Sports + revamp happens, but don't count on it.

[nodrogd]

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@wisedroid wrote:

there have been threads about forced migrations, apparent shortages of V6 capable boxes for years. If it was that costly to VM to have two platforms they would have forced the upgrade years ago.

If anyone feels like they have been misled into a move to TV360 I'd recommend raising a formal complaint as I was able to revert my boxes back last year.

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The maintenance of the Arris V6 box (the only one that is TiVO capable) is now reliant on the supply of spares VM can obtain to recycle them. They are no longer manufactured by Arris (courtesy of an industry insiders info). This same situation occurred with the V+HD boxes, that were in circulation for many years after they stopped manufacture.

[Roger_Gooner]

The V6 and 360 boxes by Arris are exactly the same aren't they? Also I was under the impression, and I'm happy to be corrected, that although Humax made the early 360s for a while the only supplier now is Arris.

[arrgee1991]

"..the loss of the decades-long facility to record any live TV broadcast. "

One big reason I pay a small fortune for Virgin is I can record things when I go out. Not everything is on catch up/on demand. Without that, Freeview and my Fire TV stick with Now TV gives me everything I want.  More, as I get Sky Atlantic that way. 

If the TV turns into a streaming service, there are plenty of cheaper alternatives to Virgin.

[japitts]

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@arrgee1991 wrote:

More, as I get Sky Atlantic that way. 

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Sky are putting increasing numbers of Atlantic shows onto Showcase the past few months.