V+ : No EPG info for Radio 4 & On Demand for over a week.

[BenMcr]

Originally Posted by fredtheted

If they wanted extra capabilty why not take away the +1 channels. There is no real point to them as all the programmes are constantly repeated. If not record them.

You can't get rid of channels from one box but not the other. You'd have to lose them for everyone, and not all boxes are recordable i.e. the V HD box that is still sold isn't recordable.

[fredtheted]

So basically the Virgin+ box is now deteriorated into a second class service, not what most people originally signed up for, and if you want a return to a first class service with all the benefits you used to take for granted you have to pay the extra for a Tivo box.

[BenMcr]

Originally Posted by fredtheted

So basically the Virgin+ box is now deteriorated into a second class service, not what most people originally signed up for, and if you want a return to a first class service with all the benefits you used to take for granted you have to pay the extra for a Tivo box.

The V box platform that runs all the V, V HD and V+ HD boxes is based on technology that is anywhere up to 14 years old (if not more). As with all technology, there was always going to come to point where it's limitations were reached.

The same happened with analogue cable (and satellite). There was a point where nan upgrade to digital services was required.

TiVo has been available since December 2010 and over half of Virgin Media's TV customers now have it.

To swap from a V+ HD box to a 500GB TiVo costs a one off £20 for self install delivery, and possibly up to an extra £5 a month depending on your current bundle.

[spiderplant]

Originally Posted by BenMcr

You can't get rid of channels from one box but not the other. You'd have to lose them for everyone, and not all boxes are recordable i.e. the V HD box that is still sold isn't recordable.

I think fred means to take away the guide data for the +1 channels. But that would affect more users that reducing the radio channel data. Far more people record +1 channels than record radio channels.

Ideally the +1 channels would re-use the same guide data as the main version, but this would require significant broadcast and STB software changes.

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by fredtheted

It would appear as I have previously written that this is Virgin+ taking away bits and pieces gradually leaving the users no alternative but to get Tivo and that is just for the
the basic service us Virgin+ users used to take for granted.
If they wanted extra capabilty why not take away the +1 channels. There is no real point to them as all the programmes are constantly repeated. If not record them.

Many of us find the +1 channels useful, Fred. Why not just take the plunge and get a TiVo? Maybe Retentions can do you a deal so you don't end up paying more.

[Media Boy UK]

What is up with Magic Radio the sound is breaking up.

[fredtheted]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Many of us find the +1 channels useful, Fred. Why not just take the plunge and get a TiVo?

Why should I have to pay an extra fiver per month plus installation for full epg, which I used to have included in my virgin+ subscription?
People on this forum complain enough when prices go up a couple of quid per month.

[BenMcr]

Originally Posted by fredtheted

Why should I have to pay an extra fiver per month plus installation for full epg, which I used to have included in my virgin+ subscription?
People on this forum complain enough when prices go up a couple of quid per month.

Have you actually checked whether it would go up by £5? If you've only got a V+ HD box, you're likely on quite an old bundle, so it's very possible that moving up to TiVo won't cost you any more than you currently pay.

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by BenMcr

Have you actually checked whether it would go up by £5? If you've only got a V+ HD box, you're likely on quite an old bundle, so it's very possible that moving up to TiVo won't cost you any more than you currently pay.

I agree. I tacked on to my original message that he may not have to pay more, but it crossed with yours!

[fredtheted]

Many thanks for your suggestions. We are thinking of moving, so I will try that tack when transferring services.

[RichardCoulter]

Originally Posted by BenMcr

The V box platform that runs all the V, V HD and V+ HD boxes is based on technology that is anywhere up to 14 years old (if not more). As with all technology, there was always going to come to point where it's limitations were reached.

The same happened with analogue cable (and satellite). There was a point where nan upgrade to digital services was required.

TiVo has been available since December 2010 and over half of Virgin Media's TV customers now have it.

To swap from a V+ HD box to a 500GB TiVo costs a one off £20 for self install delivery, and possibly up to an extra £5 a month depending on your current bundle.

The V+ technology was years old when VM started using it.

Across all industries, migrating customers from old to new technology usually takes this form in my experience:

- Exclusively introduce extra services on the new technology at no extra cost over and above what it costs to obtain the new service.

- Start running down the old service by taking away bits of it's functionality (by necessity or otherwise).

- Introduce offers to incentivise customers to change over.

- Start to remove large chunks of what is available on the old technology.

- If all the above hasn't worked, send them a letter stating that their service will cease on a given date and emphasise the offers available to change over.

- Repeat the last action a few times in the run up to the closure of the service.

- Close the service to the few remaining customers on the due date.

It looks to me that the next stage for VM will be stage four.

[Mad Max]

Buy a radio, problem solved........

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by fredtheted

Many thanks for your suggestions. We are thinking of moving, so I will try that tack when transferring services.

I think you will be pleasantly surprised, Fred.

[RichardCoulter]

Originally Posted by Mad Max

Buy a radio, problem solved........

Lol, I've got radios, it's the reminder function that I found useful. It meant that I could watch live TV, watch recordings or listen to other radio stations and have selected Radio 4 programmes interrupt this (my V+ won't record radio programmes).

---------- Post added at 17:01 ---------- Previous post was at 16:58 ----------

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

The V+ technology was years old when VM started using it.

Across all industries, migrating customers from old to new technology usually takes this form in my experience:

- Exclusively introduce extra services on the new technology at no extra cost over and above what it costs to obtain the new service.

- Start running down the old service by taking away bits of it's functionality (by necessity or otherwise).

- Introduce offers to incentivise customers to change over.

- Start to remove large chunks of what is available on the old technology.

- If all the above hasn't worked, send them a letter stating that their service will cease on a given date and emphasise the offers available to change over.

- Repeat the last action a few times in the run up to the closure of the service.

- Close the service to the few remaining customers on the due date.

It looks to me that the next stage for VM will be stage four.

Looks like stage 4 could be here already:

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/11...removed-v.html

[fredtheted]

Stage 5 next week?