Re: Virgin Media will launch a new set-top box
 

That would be rubbish as not all content on the channels is available through VOD/Streaming. How would I record content that isn't available on VOD to watch later?

Re: Virgin Media will launch a new set-top box
 

They are both playing to their strengths , the two way system of cable makes the cloud more logical in comparison to a competitor like Sky who relies on its customers having a broadband connection to access On Demand. Sky's customer base also have varying broadband speeds anything from 1mb to 1gb with the lower speeds not being ideal for such an implementation.

Sky uses satellite to deliver the tv to the master box with the mini's and ipad using either powerline , WiFi or ethernet to distribute everything around the house.

Both systems have pros and cons and I'm sure both systems will have a few years road map of innovation delivering even more going forward.

Re: Virgin Media will launch a new set-top box
 

So the big question is going to be. How much ? and are VM going to replace the existing boxes

Re: Virgin Media will launch a new set-top box
 

Totally agree.

That's two big questions, not one. :) 1. TBA. VM probably doesn't even know yet. 2. Can't see this happening due to the vast cost involved but it's possible it would be the default box for a new top subscription tier.

Re: Virgin Media will launch a new set-top box
 

Broadband TV News have written up the Investor Q&A about the Eos box. Not really any additional information there than Horizon's original transcript.
http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2016/...across-europe/

Re: Virgin Media will launch a new set-top box
 

Whit !! A new platform ?? Would you "horizon" the football for me tonight son ? Na doesn't quite roll off the tongue

Re: Virgin Media will launch a new set-top box
 

Don't worry just yet - the forthcoming box will have Tivo software on it. By the time its successor comes out, it will probably read your brain to discover what it should record! http://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/04...rolled_drones/

Re: Virgin Media will launch a new set-top box
 

Maybe it's just me, but this all feels like a panic reaction to Sky Q to me. Sounds like Virgin were caught on the hop and now need a placeholder to try and stop/slow defections.

Of course they have had alternate Tivo boxes available for several years and will have been "watching developments" but I see no sign this is part of a long planned move with a clear, independent vision behind it.

My expectations are very low. "Turn of the year" sounds like the most amount of time they were able to give themselves and still sound like they were vaguely "on the case", yet not so specific they are bound by it. I expect any full rollout to slip 6 months to a year. I hope I am wrong!

Re: Virgin Media will launch a new set-top box
 

Interesting but slightly negative comments. Certainly the move to a unified box across Europe looks strategic. Whether VM had hoped to launch this with Horizon software originally but brought the launch forward and had to use TiVo software is some thing we don't know.

Re: Virgin Media will launch a new set-top box
 

The only way that this box is going to take off or have any longevity is if VM sort out deals where they get the UHD channels from Sky/BT.

Anything less and it's not worth having.

Re: Virgin Media will launch a new set-top box
 

Yes, I agree with that. Having been with Virgin/Telewest/United Artists? for 28 years(!) I now expect to stick with Virgin for Broadband but abandon their TV service when I get setup for UHD (more for HDR/BT.2020 than 4K) later in the year.

(yep, Andrew, I am somewhat negative about Virgin's under investment in TV. Back in the day, cable offered the promise of a superior service all round than satellite. Reality has been something different :(. )

Re: Virgin Media will launch a new set-top box
 

I expect that there will be more on offer than just 4K. 4K is still a very small proportion the total TV sets. If VM were relying purely of 4K viewers to 'sell' the new box, then they would end up being very disappointed with the 'sales'.

Re: Virgin Media will launch a new set-top box
 

Oh I'm sure, like Sky Q, it will have a slicker, more responsive interface, more tuners, will be the "hub" for the home able to play content on other TVs, via a small box and on tablets etc. too (subject to DRM!).

But, we shouldn't think that UHD means 4K. Although it will come with 4K, HDR will have a much bigger impact on most people's viewing, as it is just as impactful even with small screen sizes.

Re: Virgin Media will launch a new set-top box
 

Quite agree; HDR will be good. For the size of TV most people will purchase, 4k will have little effect on PQ.

Do you know if Sky Q has HDR?

Re: Virgin Media will launch a new set-top box
 

They have publically been quoted saying it will be upgraded to support "HDMI 2" by firmware (don't think they specified 2.0a, but that may be an oversight). They have also been testing HDR. But nothing can be certain until the 4K service launches and they actually do the upgrade.