[Merged] New V+ box likely in 'second half of 2008'

[braysoj1]

A new Virgin V+ box could be released during the second half of this year, the company has said.

A spokesman confirmed news that work was underway on the new PVR.


http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitalt...f-of-2008.html

[v0id]

Hopefully they go back to a silver box

/wishful thinking

[nicke261192]

Originally Posted by v0id

Hopefully they go back to a silver box

/wishful thinking

Why silver? Black is cool! I hope they offer more than 1 colour that would be good.

[Horizon]

Wonder if this will be the ntl mpeg4 box that ntl was going to release prior to the merger with Telewest?

(It's the Telewest box that is now used across all VM franchises)

[v0id]

Originally Posted by nicke261192

Why silver? Black is cool! I hope they offer more than 1 colour that would be good.

I just liked the look of the old TV drive better.
However, as I've said before I'll probably wait until freesat get their HD boxes out anyway, and just have subs free Hi Def channels

[Rob]

Originally Posted by Neptune

Wonder if this will be the ntl mpeg4 box that ntl was going to release prior to the merger with Telewest?

(It's the Telewest box that is now used across all VM franchises)

I can't see how they could do that, unless there was to be a major loss and expense of confining the existing V+ systems to the bin. Effectively the decision was made and now they are stuck with it.

[Kellargh]

More info on the V+ update -

V+ Pilot regions
* Southport
* Swindon
* York
* Crawley
* Wessex
* Warwick

These are the several areas that will have the pilot code download to fix bugs.

The bug fixes include these:

Short Recordings
A bug has been fixed which could cause the V+ to stop recording part way through at any time, even though the recording would be displayed as being the correct length

Recordings that fail to play back (2056 Errors)
A fix has been made that should drastically reduce the occurrence of 2056 errors going forwards. Unfortunately however, this will not fix historical recordings marked as failures.

Audio Drop-outs on recordings and live TV
We have identified and resolved a problem where on some channels the sound would drop momentarily on both recordings and to a lesser extent live TV.

This has also manifested itself as picture blocking and freezing.

Failed Recordings
In previous software versions it was possible that certain configurations of series link recordings where the programmes were back to back could result in failed recordings.

Red Button Failure
We have resolved a problem whereby the playback of recordings at certain times of day could cause red button services to fail on returning to live TV.
Customer’s who continue to have any red button problems are most likely not provisioned correctly. Please contact us to ensure that your account is set-up correctly.

Inability to book Live Events and Adult Pay-Per-Night programming
We have made a number of changes to stabilise the ability to book these services. We believe that the vast majority of problems encountered have been resolved.

Service Enhancements

Channel change time
We have drastically reduced the time it takes for the V+ to change channel and we’re continuing to improve this further.

VCR SCART output in HDMI mode
Back by popular demand from our customers. We have re-enabled the VCR SCART socket for all TV configurations. However, note that this does not carry any graphical overlay e.g. mini guide so may cause customers to call in who have their TV SCART lead in the VCR socket by mistake. The VCR SCART will continue to display a separate output when in ‘Copy to VCR/DVD’ mode.

Default Padding
We have increased the default padding values to 2 minutes before and 5 minutes after programmes (This will apply to NEW installs only). This is expected to reduce the number of calls from new customers due to in-precise broadcast schedules.

Clearer indication of recordings that will fail due to conflicts
We have added a new banner graphic on the ‘Home’ screen that will display whenever the customer has recording conflicts that need to be resolved. We hope this will make it easier for customers to resolve conflicts before they result in a failed recording.

Volume Adjustment from the settings menu
It is now possible to adjust the V+ TV SCART volume level via the ‘Display and Audio Settings’ menu.

Extra Pin Protection for added peace of mind
We have added pin protection when archiving any recordings that have the pin requirement to view from the hard drive to a VCR or DVD recorder.

[mertle]

apparantly I found this on a forum saying a spokesman said there is a new V+ being comissioned.

This could suck for existing V+ unless they give a free upgrade.

I would take it with huge pinch of salt until better report but I rival forum say the spokesman was Neil Berkett announcing that Virgin will bring out a new V+.

If so good news if it was the one originally planned before the merger.

http://www.sat-television.com/showthread.php?t=41506

A new Virgin V+ box could be released during the second half of this year, the company has said.

A spokesman confirmed news that work was underway on the new PVR.

However, it is at a relatively early stage and is not anticipated to be launched in the near future, he added.

"Not much is confirmed as yet," the spokesman told DS today. "It will be ready in the latter half of this year at the earliest."

Meanwhile, Virgin has also confirmed it has begun piloting new software on existing V+ boxes. The new code aims to fix several bugs including sound drop-outs and recordings ending early. It is also expected to re-enable the VCR SCART outputs when the box is in HDMI mode.

Virgin plans to send the new software to PVRs in several areas in coming days. It will then be rolled out nationally.

[dav]

Premonitions are scary things

[mertle]

some on another forum states its because scientific atlanta no longer makes the current model vm uses and they have to use more upto date model.

That would make perfectly sense.

Cisco who I believe own scientific atlanta revealed new models in january I am not saying these will be the likely replacements.

http://www.scientificatlanta.com/new.../08Jan07-1.htm

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – International CES – Jan. 7, 2008 – Cisco® today announced the latest additions to its 8500HDC Digital Video Recorder (DVR) Set-Top Series, demonstrating that set-tops have come a long way from their predecessors. The new 8500HDC DVR models offer a broader set of features and technical innovations enabling the delivery of next-generation visual networking experiences. The emerging consumer experience category of visual networking blends streaming digital video technology with social networking, which enables more choice, easier navigation of content from the provider network and the Internet, higher-quality viewing and faster, more personalized interaction.

U.S. consumers have become more connected during the past ten years − due in large part to their use of more than 50 million set-tops, 100 million wireless local-area network (WLAN) routers and 1 billion mobile phones to date. With its latest consumer products, including set-tops, Cisco helps create connections between people and what they treasure most, offering consumers innovative, new ways to communicate with friends and family, discover entertainment content and access information in different locations via multiple devices.

The three new models in the 8500HDC DVR series1 offer a range of capabilities such as sharing Internet services and content across multiple device platforms and the portability of personal photos and video content. The 8500HDC DVR Series provides the ability to support key next-generation features such as:

• Whole Home Content: Sharing DVR or user-generated Internet-based video content across multiple set-tops or personal computers (PCs) in the home;
• Richer Media Experience and Navigation: Advanced programming guides, enhanced video navigation options, and integrated search functions across multiple devices;
• Internet and Premium Content Services: Extended high-definition sports, international content, user-generated video, and Internet content now accessible on the television (TV) or mobile phone;
• Device Docking and Storage: Photos and personal video from the PC available for viewing on TV, music downloaded from the PC to home entertainment and mobile devices;
• Interactive and Community/Social Applications: Content and experience sharing, as well as communicating with other people across devices on the same network; and
• Enhanced Video Communications: Instant messaging across multiple devices, home monitoring services and caller identification (ID) services across the TV or PC.

Additional Features Enhance Visual Networking Experience:
The latest additions to the 8500HDC series offer 800 mips (million instructions per second) of application processing power; dual 400MHz processors for MPEG-4 advanced video compression decoding; 1 GHz tuning; and optional OpenCableâ„¢ features. Additionally, the 8552HDC DVR model set-top is one of the first in the industry to offer Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) whole-home connection. MoCA adds Ethernet-over-coax support, enabling the transport of digital video and entertainment through existing coaxial cable in the home to other consumer home network devices.

“Many years of research and hard work have resulted in our developing new capabilities to meet the needs of our service provider customers and consumers,� said Bob McIntyre, chief technical officer, Cisco Service Provider Group. “The 8500HDC DVR is vastly improved and has new features that surpass the PC you bought two years ago. The new Cisco set-top boxes were built to enable innovation and will soon be the must-have device for every home entertainment system.�

The 8500HDC DVR Set-top Series models will be on display at the International Consumer Electronics Show, Jan. 7-10, 2008 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, North Hall Room N246.

These new 8500HDC series models are now commercially available for our service provider customers.

1. Model numbers include: The 8550HDC with analog & digital tuning, the 8540HDC with Digital-Only tuning, and the 8552HDC with optional MoCA support.

click the pictures it just might be our new V+(there hoping)

http://www.scientificatlanta.com/new...ts-CES2008.htm

---------- Post added at 21:52 ---------- Previous post was at 21:45 ----------

just an update why this is happening seems Cisco dropping scientific atlanta brand completely.

Therefore VM has to change the V+ to Cisco based model.

Dont praise me a rival forum done the research I just sharing the information which was unearthed.

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/05...atlanta-brand/

Cisco is killing the Scientific Atlanta brand

Posted Jan 5th 2008 8:29PM by Ben Drawbaugh
Filed under: Industry, Set-top boxes
When Cisco first acquired Scientific Atlanta back in 2006, we wondered how long it would take before the brand was dropped and it appears that CES 2008 is the time. In an attempt to make the Cisco brand as well known in the consumer market as it is in the information technology field; according to Ken Wirt, Cisco's vice president of consumer marketing, when Cisco announces it's new set-top boxes at CES, all the new gear will proudly carry the Cisco name. Hopefully, with the new brand will come better products, as most people unlucky enough to experience Scientific Atlanta's SARA software will tell you, it's in contention for the worst home media experience around.

[grabbi]

Apparently so, and its been in the works for sometime.

Thanks for posting it in the RIGHT forum, BTW, mertle. hehe. The other poster didn't.

Well, from what Ive heard, they have another Scientific Atlantic PVR lined up, with much of the same specs as the current V+ box.

The rumors flying about the place are that the new PVR is the one ntl: were considering way back before the Merger, and that piece of equipment is supposed to be quite the Gadget...

Explorer 8450DVB from Scientific Atlanta, it is, and it allows MPEG-4, instead of MPEG-2 like the current one...

Maybe someone more technically savvy can enlighten us on what this means for Subscribers.

Personally, it wont matter either way, because HD isn't top of my list.

[mertle]

Originally Posted by grabbi

Apparently so, and its been in the works for sometime.

Thanks for posting it in the RIGHT forum, BTW, mertle. hehe. The other poster didn't.

Well, from what Ive heard, they have another Scientific Atlantic PVR lined up, with much of the same specs as the current V+ box.

The rumors flying about the place are that the new PVR is the one ntl: were considering way back before the Merger, and that piece of equipment is supposed to be quite the Gadget...

Explorer 8450DVB from Scientific Atlanta, it is, and it allows MPEG-4, instead of MPEG-2 like the current one...

Maybe someone more technically savvy can enlighten us on what this means for Subscribers.

Personally, it wont matter either way, because HD isn't top of my list.

thanks grabbi after posting this I found the other and have used it Might be worth merging the threads.

turns out cisco dropped scientific atlanta branding.

I would assume there will be wholesale changeover.

MPEG 4 just better newer compression done by Motion Pictures Expert Group. You might want to browse there website.

http://www.mpeg.org/

Unfortunately HD is very much is mine with my HD and blu-ray films once you seen HD films you will spit on DVD

[Itshim]

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds90540.html

Some time ago I said a engineer I met in the street said don`t get a V+. wait till next year.

Perhaps he was right?

[Sonynut]

Might explain why VM have reduced the price of the V+ boxes to £75, get rid of the old stock before the new stuff arrives!