SD : Channel 5+1 to launch on December 6

[Alan Fry]

Originally Posted by HD Boy

I just said

sorry about that!

[David H]

First point, catchup TV is selective and don't include everything, and whatever they do have is only kept for a week. Big Brother winner's week wasn't included and took me days to find the only existing podcast.

As for Tivo, remember not everyone (including myself) has a Tivo. As they are rented rather than bought (on Virgin anyway) then until the switchover is completed I will not be spending my £3 a month thank you. I know it takes years to reach the price of buying one but they've already made thousands from our existing £70 a month fees so hardly need the extra.

But the crucial point is you can only watch something on Tivo when you remember to record it. If not, then you need +1, nothing else will guarantee seeing something.

[Digital Fanatic]

Originally Posted by David H

First point, catchup TV is selective and don't include everything, and whatever they do have is only kept for a week. Big Brother winner's week wasn't included and took me days to find the only existing podcast.

As for Tivo, remember not everyone (including myself) has a Tivo. As they are rented rather than bought (on Virgin anyway) then until the switchover is completed I will not be spending my £3 a month thank you. I know it takes years to reach the price of buying one but they've already made thousands from our existing £70 a month fees so hardly need the extra.

But the crucial point is you can only watch something on Tivo when you remember to record it. If not, then you need +1, nothing else will guarantee seeing something.

It will arrive early in the new year, but we haven't got a firm date yet.

[David H]

Just in time for Big Brother with any luck, saves a lot of arguments if I can watch some an hour later than usual...

[denphone]

Originally Posted by Digital Fanatic

It will arrive early in the new year, but we haven't got a firm date yet.

Thanks DF.

[andy_m]

Originally Posted by David H

First point, catchup TV is selective and don't include everything, and whatever they do have is only kept for a week. Big Brother winner's week wasn't included and took me days to find the only existing podcast.

As for Tivo, remember not everyone (including myself) has a Tivo. As they are rented rather than bought (on Virgin anyway) then until the switchover is completed I will not be spending my £3 a month thank you. I know it takes years to reach the price of buying one but they've already made thousands from our existing £70 a month fees so hardly need the extra.

But the crucial point is you can only watch something on Tivo when you remember to record it. If not, then you need +1, nothing else will guarantee seeing something.

I know it's slightly off topic, but I just wanted to pick up on the point you make about box ownership. Unless you have an insurance plan, Sky look to charge you approx. £65 to come and fix your box for you when it goes wrong. There is no equivalent charge with Virgin.

Secondly, whilst it is often the case that a threat to leave Sky means they won't charge you this amount, the same can be often be said of Virgin customers looking to avoid the monthly Tivo service charge. And don't forget that the fact that Sky boxes use an internal power supply board made with poor quality components, unlike Tivo with it's external transformer, means you WILL need a repair with Sky at some point.

Thirdly, I left Sky after they had come out to replace my stb on three occasions, all free of charge because I threatened to leave. On the fourth occasion I needed a repair I threatened to leave if they charged me for the call out, and they told me I could go! So I did. I took advantage of the benefit of stb ownership and sold my Sky+ box. For £20.

I find it very difficult to make a compelling argument for box ownership over the Virgin model. High call out charges, hassle to get them waived and very little residual value in a used box.

[kop32]

Originally Posted by andy_m

I know it's slightly off topic, but I just wanted to pick up on the point you make about box ownership. Unless you have an insurance plan, Sky look to charge you approx. £65 to come and fix your box for you when it goes wrong. There is no equivalent charge with Virgin.

Secondly, whilst it is often the case that a threat to leave Sky means they won't charge you this amount, the same can be often be said of Virgin customers looking to avoid the monthly Tivo service charge. And don't forget that the fact that Sky boxes use an internal power supply board made with poor quality components, unlike Tivo with it's external transformer, means you WILL need a repair with Sky at some point.

Thirdly, I left Sky after they had come out to replace my stb on three occasions, all free of charge because I threatened to leave. On the fourth occasion I needed a repair I threatened to leave if they charged me for the call out, and they told me I could go! So I did. I took advantage of the benefit of stb ownership and sold my Sky+ box. For £20.

I find it very difficult to make a compelling argument for box ownership over the Virgin model. High call out charges, hassle to get them waived and very little residual value in a used box.

Andy,

I presume you read the terms and conditions when you joined Sky?,if so you would know that after a year you would be charged for a callout/repair,will you also try and hold VM to ransom if something happens that you don't agree with (or even worse may cost you!!),I know we are all after a good deal etc but for me if Sky continue to supply the full TV experience then I am willing to pay for an insurance policy to cover my equipment,anyway, seeing as though your Mighty Eagles gave me the the best laugh all year when they beat Man Ure I will forgive you

[andy_m]

Originally Posted by kop32

Andy,

I presume you read the terms and conditions when you joined Sky?,if so you would know that after a year you would be charged for a callout/repair,will you also try and hold VM to ransom if something happens that you don't agree with (or even worse may cost you!!),I know we are all after a good deal etc but for me if Sky continue to supply the full TV experience then I am willing to pay for an insurance policy to cover my equipment,anyway, seeing as though your Mighty Eagles gave me the the best laugh all year when they beat Man Ure I will forgive you

Yes, I was aware of the terms and conditions, and yes, I'm aware I was arguing for something I wasn't entitled to. I make no apology for that, like you say, we're all after the best deal we can get, and there are always deals to be had when companies are desperate for your business. After all, on three out of four occasions Sky waived their fee for me and whilst I'd asked for that, it remained their decision to do so. (Please bear in mind that this isn't necessarily a criticism of the way Sky staff handled my case, more an argument that box ownership isn't in the interests of the consumer).

Put it this way, I have no problem with asking a company for a better value deal than they advertise-I don't like one size fits all solutions, I think each time you purchase a product or service it's an opportunity to negotiate with that company.

[David H]

I'm guessing we are all free to buy a Tivo or compatible digital recorder instead, although it wouldn't be customised to work with cable and guessing the Tivo also replaces our old unit rather than adds to them as a DVR will? I'd only go with the Virgin option as even if it has to plug in the existing unit will still presumably be designed to work with it uniquely and carry all the built in channels and tuners? I've only ever seen Sky Plus work the one time and never seen a Tivo at all.

[Digital Fanatic]

Originally Posted by David H

I'm guessing we are all free to buy a Tivo or compatible digital recorder instead, although it wouldn't be customised to work with cable and guessing the Tivo also replaces our old unit rather than adds to them as a DVR will? I'd only go with the Virgin option as even if it has to plug in the existing unit will still presumably be designed to work with it uniquely and carry all the built in channels and tuners? I've only ever seen Sky Plus work the one time and never seen a Tivo at all.

Have a look HERE

[David H]

It's not absolutely obvious, but guessing it replaces the old box, especially as I remember when it was called a V+ box and certainly was a direct swap then.

Well, still no 5+1, so won't be any use for Celebrity Big Brother which is the most needed usage, although Neighbours will be a help although shown four times a day already so not exactly a problem finding a slot every day already. I suppose as Virgin aren't connected to C5 then they had no incentive to bring it on to fit CBB which is a shame and I probably won't use it for any other programmes till the new series in the summer. Better late than never but I could have been watching something else now if they'd had it, I can't be bothered recording absolutely everything as I've got more than enough stored up already.