Virgin V6 box to TV 360, should I do it?

[cdturri]

Hi, I just got an email from VM saying that "Sky Sports are launching Sky Sports+ but that it doesn’t work on my current Virgin TV 6 box" and that "I can upgrade my box to access Sky Sports+ at no extra cost". I went to the VM forums to see what people think about TV 360 and didn't find anything good:

• "several major features are missing owing to TiVO patents"
• "Don't do it. 360 is absolutely awful"
• "All your v6 recordings will be lost"

But not many specifics or whether these issues are still happening. Does anyone have any good guides on which are the main differences and issues moving from Virgin V6 box to TV 360?

Thanks!

[Tavis75 · Accepted solution]

Some of the missing features are as follows; Wishlists (where you can set the box to record programs on certain subjects or featuring certain people), undelete, series link+, series link manager, suggestions, setting of series links for programs not in the current TV guide, ethernet control, keyboard support via USB, switching between tuners with constant buffering, skip-back on fast-forward, quickplay, default recording options, cancelling individual recordings from a series link, multi-channel series links, radio channels allowing recording of radio, separation of recordings between boxes, watching recordings when internet is not available and probably a few others I've forgotten.

Also, extra boxes do not have their own hard disks or tuners (unless converted from a V6 box), so you lose storage space and recording ability and are also reliant on the main box being on to watch and set recordings and also on having a decent wi-fi signal (or ethernet cable) between the two boxes when watching recordings.

And you will lose all your current recordings and series links (which will be difficult to set up again as you can only set series links for programs currently in the TV guide)

[cdturri]

Thanks, that's really helpful. I use the VM TV Control App a lot to "stream" TiVo recordings to my iOS devices. A lot of times I even watch live broadcasts using the VM TV Control App because I find the picture quality much better than the relevant app from the channel (ie BBC, Sky, ITV, etc). I also find the delay using local stream to be much smaller than using a channel app. Is this feature still available with TV360?

[BlueLou]

Hey @cdturri 

I think on a forum such as this you may find more customers with issues than those who are happy, it's the nature of the feedback forum. 

Despite some people clearly preferring TiVo, the data suggests 360 is objectively a better TV service.  Customers with Virgin TV 360 consistently score higher in satsifction scores than both V6 and TiVo.  They also remove their TV service at a lower rate. 

In terms of improvements

• 360 has a better and wider range of content available and integrated into the platform.  Sky Sports+ is the first example, its not going to be available on V6 any time soon if at all, and wont be available on TiVo.  
• In addition Disney+, Apple TV+, Paramount+ and any upcoming app launches will be only available on 360 and integrated into the platform so you're going to find what you want to watch sooner.
• This continues with the superior homepage on 360, with continue watching rail, puchased content/rentals, most used apps, recent recordings and Watchlist available with just a few taps down the menu/
• Of course the quickest way to get around the service is Voice Control; use it to open apps, search for what you want or just say "fast forward three minutes" to sip through the adverts!
• It looks miles better, without the rows of text you see on V6.  
• Startover is a great feature where you can start playing from the beginning of a live show, even if you missed the start.
• Profiles is a great way to make the experience your own, you can even set up your own EPG with just the channels you want!
• Finally HD override will always default to the best quality available in your package so you dont need to remember additonal channel numbers

All of this adds up to a much better viewing experience.  I think it's important to get a balanced view before you switch, you will lose your recordings so you want to make sure it's worth it!

[cdturri]

Thanks BlueLou, this is helpful although I have to say I don't or won't use any of the new features you mention. So at the moment there is nothing for me to push to upgrade. 

• 360 has a better and wider range of content available and integrated into the platform. Sky Sports+ is the first example, its not going to be available on V6 any time soon if at all, and wont be available on TiVo. => It is confusing to me what Sky Sports+ is but that's a VM issue rather than a Sky issue. It seems that it is just more Sports in additional to what I get already but not something I will be watching as I always watch plenty of sports. Also it's not clear if I can watch Sports+ on the Sky Sports app which will make the "upgrade" to 360 unnecessary.
• In addition Disney+, Apple TV+, Paramount+ and any upcoming app launches will be only available on 360 and integrated into the platform so you're going to find what you want to watch sooner. => By far the best App streamer is the Apple TV 4K so I don't really need VMs box todo anything else than VM content. So no disrespect to your VM TV 360 software but it can't compete with the Apple TV.
• This continues with the superior homepage on 360, with continue watching rail, puchased content/rentals, most used apps, recent recordings and Watchlist available with just a few taps down the menu => In general it seems like a dumb down of the user interface and a way to promote more sales and other content I am not interested on. 
• Of course the quickest way to get around the service is Voice Control; use it to open apps, search for what you want or just say "fast forward three minutes" to sip through the adverts! => Would really want to see who uses Voice Control, personally I don't like it. I prefer buttons. 
• It looks miles better, without the rows of text you see on V6. => I would agree with this but to me functionality is more important than looks as you can usually ignore bad looks but can't ignore missing features
• Startover is a great feature where you can start playing from the beginning of a live show, even if you missed the start. => Not something I need. I either watch live or record which also gives me start from  the beginning capability. Also most catch up apps have this although I agree the integration with the guide is a good feature. 
• Profiles is a great way to make the experience your own, you can even set up your own EPG with just the channels you want! => No one uses the VM box other than myself. The rest of the family uses streaming apps in the Apple TV.  
• Finally HD override will always default to the best quality available in your package so you dont need to remember additonal channel numbers => I only watch HD/UDH channels and have already added them to My Favorites so I never see SD channels. Already solved this problem in a much more elegant way. 

Here is a question about TV 360:

1. V6 boxes struggle to fast forward UHD recordings as they don't show the fast forward images and can be confusing on when to stop. Does the TV 360 address this problem?

[arrgee1991]

One good reason to not transfer to 360 is the remote is impossible to use in dim light.  
360 is probably worthwhile as a streaming experience like Sky Stream, but it is closed, so you can’t add apps like Now TV and GAAGO, so I use my Fire Stick which is generally superior.  If only TV Go and Sky Sports were on my fire stick.  It would probably be better to do that as I could ditch the virgin box.

The loss of watch lists is a drag, as is the fast forward/rewind which has four speeds rather than a means of skipping 15/30 minutes as before.  Particularly useful at half time in a football match.  I find I am now watching Freeview in preference to VM as I can skip recordings in 10 minute chunks.

Also, the Home Screen shows me a load of stuff I am not interested in.  I don’t want to buy tickets to gigs via priority. Nor watch anything on Alibi. My Fire Stick is far less intrusive.

And gone are the days when I could just leave the TV on a channel to rewind when I need to be away from the TV for a while.  Once programme changes, that’s it. No going back.

[japitts]

VM have, on this forum, openly confirmed that the Sky Sports HD multiscreen will come to V6. There's just no timescale for it.

It's already available on compatible mobile devices for V6 users, regardless of box support.

A conversion to TV360 is no more or less an upgrade than a conversion between Apple & Android, or vice-versa. The two platforms are completely different. TiVo-software is a very accomplished recording box, whereas TV360 is designed around the streaming world.

[Roger_Gooner]

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@cdturri wrote:

• 360 has a better and wider range of content available and integrated into the platform. Sky Sports+ is the first example, its not going to be available on V6 any time soon if at all, and wont be available on TiVo. => It is confusing to me what Sky Sports+ is but that's a VM issue rather than a Sky issue. It seems that it is just more Sports in additional to what I get already but not something I will be watching as I always watch plenty of sports. Also it's not clear if I can watch Sports+ on the Sky Sports app which will make the "upgrade" to 360 unnecessary.

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Your lack of understanding of Sky Sports+ is hardly VM's fault. Sky Sports+ is essentially about additional ways to watch Sky Sports content.

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Of course the quickest way to get around the service is Voice Control; use it to open apps, search for what you want or just say "fast forward three minutes" to sip through the adverts! => Would really want to see who uses Voice Control, personally I don't like it. I prefer buttons. 

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I often use voice control to switch between linear TV and apps, and is the best advantage over the V6.

[arrgee1991]

Everyday I discover something else that is unacceptable with 360.  Surely there must be a way back.  Unfair that I am lumbered with this platform where I can't record radio and can't hide adult channels and have no means of getting back to what I had.

The home page is showing me a show on alibi and I don't have access to it. Likewise most of the shows in top picks. I don't need the Box Sets & Movies nor Catch Up which also show all the stuff I haven't subscribed to and don't want.

[KeithLeonard]

The whole point of these adverts and services if you don't subscribe to the services concerned, is to try and tempt you to subscribe to them. It is the same as adverts on the tv and in the press, they are there to tempt you buy them if you don't have them.

Personally I like the 360 box especially the voice control which I use a lot if I am trying to fast forward recordings. It is not perfect but what is. One day everyone will be transferred over to the 360 box (no decision has been made when that will be) as Liberty Global are doing away with the Tivo System as they have done in other countries.