V+ : Can the + recording function be disabled by VM?

[LexDiamond]

When customers downgrade their TV package from XL to any of the other packages (and don't pay the sub for recording functionality), can VM just disable the recording capability of the V+ or does the STB need to be replaced?

[jb66]

They can disable it.

[RobboEdin]

...but you lose HD capability as well as PVR capability if you do not pay the £5 per month V+ charge.

[mersey70]

Originally Posted by RobboEdin

...but you lose HD capability as well as PVR capability if you do not pay the £5 per month V+ charge.

Indeed, you also lose red button capability.

I have done just what the OP mentions and downgraded to TV M.

[LexDiamond]

Thanks. I'm also moving to M tv like Mersey as I have signed up for Sky.

Just to double check, does M still include catch up on demand? Just wondering as I'm not sure it is actually worth keeping the STb just for the M package.

[RobboEdin]

Originally Posted by LexDiamond

Thanks. I'm also moving to M tv like Mersey as I have signed up for Sky.

Just to double check, does M still include catch up on demand? Just wondering as I'm not sure it is actually worth keeping the STb just for the M package.

Yes you retain catch up. I'm a bit surprised that red button goes since it is available on even the most basic boxes.

[LexDiamond]

Originally Posted by RobboEdin

Yes you retain catch up. I'm a bit surprised that red button goes since it is available on even the most basic boxes.

Thanks for confirming.

It does sound quite strange that there is no red button. I guess it is probably a way of annoying M customers into moving up to M+.

[mersey70]

Originally Posted by LexDiamond

Thanks for confirming.

It does sound quite strange that there is no red button. I guess it is probably a way of annoying M customers into moving up to M+.

I think the lack of red button is attached to having V+ disabled so you still will not get basic HD channels or red button on M+ if you don't pay for V+.

At least I think that is the case but maybe someone more technically minded could confirm that. I wonder what will happen if someone has a V+ box that has had recording disabled but they subscribe to Sky Sports, will they not be able to use the upcoming Sky Red Button too?

I doubt it would affect many customers though.

[jb66]

Its a "fault" the red button was never intended to go but it does. In those instances a box swap to a regular stb would be required

[RobboEdin]

Originally Posted by LexDiamond

Thanks for confirming.

It does sound quite strange that there is no red button. I guess it is probably a way of annoying M customers into moving up to M+.

I'll apologise in advance but I would annoy TV M customers much more - by doing away with free TV M and making TV M+ the minimum.

[LexDiamond]

Originally Posted by RobboEdin

I'll apologise in advance but I would annoy TV M customers much more - by doing away with free TV M and making TV M+ the minimum.

VM only offer it at retentions now so I guess they see it as a marketing tool.

[RobboEdin]

Originally Posted by LexDiamond

VM only offer it at retentions now so I guess they see it as a marketing tool.

... and I would like it to be even removed from Retentions domain.

[jb66]

It saves virgin collecting the box and makes it easy for the customer to upgrade in future

[Digital Fanatic]

Originally Posted by mersey70

I think the lack of red button is attached to having V+ disabled so you still will not get basic HD channels or red button on M+ if you don't pay for V+.

At least I think that is the case but maybe someone more technically minded could confirm that. I wonder what will happen if someone has a V+ box that has had recording disabled but they subscribe to Sky Sports, will they not be able to use the upcoming Sky Red Button too?

I doubt it would affect many customers though.

it's a platform fault that needs an upgrade. The TV Team are going to fix this in the next software update, sometime in June I believe as part of the UK download.

---------- Post added at 17:37 ---------- Previous post was at 17:36 ----------

Originally Posted by LexDiamond

Thanks for confirming.

It does sound quite strange that there is no red button. I guess it is probably a way of annoying M customers into moving up to M+.

.

[RobboEdin]

Originally Posted by jb66

It saves virgin collecting the box and makes it easy for the customer to upgrade in future

I appreciate that that is the reason always quoted but I happen to think that counterproductive.