Quizzes & Puzzles7 mins ago
Virgin Tivo Box
25 Answers
Hi Abers, would be grateful for some advice. We're thinking about getting a Tivo box for our Virgin TV package. Two questions ..... how many days in advance can you record things - we seem to believe that you can record up to 14 days in advance with a Tivo box. And apparently you get a whole load of films you can watch (loads and loads apparently) - do you have to pay for these films, as you do with the regular Virgin package?
And are there any other pros? And the cons?
Hope you can help, many thanks, Chox.
And are there any other pros? And the cons?
Hope you can help, many thanks, Chox.
Answers
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.How long have you been with Virgin chokkie?.. The reason I ask is I wanted the Tivo box. I rang Virgin (I've been with them forever) and said I was looking to change providers but would consider staying with them if they upgraded my Box to the Tivo at no charge....And they did... That might be worth a try initially..I wasn't quite that direct :o) We love it, I think we got Netflix free for 6 months as well
TiVo box is one of the best I've come across. We're not into films, so I don't know much about that side of it, but there are a couple of free film channels, most are subscription.
It's a clever box, in that you can tell it what you like and it will record it for you even if you haven't set it up. eg, my wife likes tennis, so it finds live tennis events and (usually) records them. You can set a search so, it will look for programmes containing "midsomer" and record them. You can also record a series by just finding any episode and "catch-up" is also available.
Normal programme guide is at least a week in advance but the "search" facility helps to extend this.
One bit of advice, think about a 1TB box if you like to watch in HD; the recording time available is only about 1/4 of that for SD. If you find the 500GB box too small it will cost you £80 to upgrade it.
It's a clever box, in that you can tell it what you like and it will record it for you even if you haven't set it up. eg, my wife likes tennis, so it finds live tennis events and (usually) records them. You can set a search so, it will look for programmes containing "midsomer" and record them. You can also record a series by just finding any episode and "catch-up" is also available.
Normal programme guide is at least a week in advance but the "search" facility helps to extend this.
One bit of advice, think about a 1TB box if you like to watch in HD; the recording time available is only about 1/4 of that for SD. If you find the 500GB box too small it will cost you £80 to upgrade it.
Yes Chokkie, it is possible to set a Tivo to record up to 2 weeks in advance..I thought it was more but I've just gone to check + it seems that is the max.
Another pro is that you can record 3 programmes at a time whilst watching a recording from an earlier time.
As for the films....plenty of them to choose from, but the decent ones are pay to view, ranging from £2.99-£4.99.
Like Mazie, I managed to upgrade to a Tivo without any extra to pay,....in fact I negotiated a completely new package with them, so it's well worth a phone call to tell them you're thinking of leaving.
We got Netflix free for 1 month, but didn't continue with it, bit if you are into watching box sets, then it's ideal.
Another pro is that you can record 3 programmes at a time whilst watching a recording from an earlier time.
As for the films....plenty of them to choose from, but the decent ones are pay to view, ranging from £2.99-£4.99.
Like Mazie, I managed to upgrade to a Tivo without any extra to pay,....in fact I negotiated a completely new package with them, so it's well worth a phone call to tell them you're thinking of leaving.
We got Netflix free for 1 month, but didn't continue with it, bit if you are into watching box sets, then it's ideal.
Hmmm, thanks for your help, everyone. Looks very tempting. I think we will go for it and maybe go for the bigger of the two boxes. If you just want to record one-off programme, for example, do you how long in advance you can record. We're always frustrated when we go on holiday and, with the present Virgin package we can only record up to 7 days (well, it's actually 6). So 14 days in advance would be a godsend to us. Hope you can help. Cheers, Chox.
PS: in answer to Mazie's question, we have been with Virgin for quite a number of years now, I think it's at least 5 years now. It's not that cheap of course, but we get a lot of enjoyment out of it ....
PS: in answer to Mazie's question, we have been with Virgin for quite a number of years now, I think it's at least 5 years now. It's not that cheap of course, but we get a lot of enjoyment out of it ....
Hi Chokkie
Had a Tivo for a couple of years now. As far as recording 3 programs at once is concerned, it works if you either watch one of the programs you are recording or watch a program you have previously recorded. You cannot watch a 4th Channel while recordinganother 3 i.e. record BBC1, BBC2, ITV, then you can't watch Channel 4 (or another channel). We only use ours for recording as we don't think there is enough decent programs on the channels available. Seriously considering ditching the Tivo and buying a Humax freeview box.
FBG40
Had a Tivo for a couple of years now. As far as recording 3 programs at once is concerned, it works if you either watch one of the programs you are recording or watch a program you have previously recorded. You cannot watch a 4th Channel while recordinganother 3 i.e. record BBC1, BBC2, ITV, then you can't watch Channel 4 (or another channel). We only use ours for recording as we don't think there is enough decent programs on the channels available. Seriously considering ditching the Tivo and buying a Humax freeview box.
FBG40
you just need the app as hc mentioned (assuming you have a smart phone) and you can set to record from there, i use it all the time to set recordings, cancel & amend series links
love my tivo, hate virgin but love my tivo
don't know about movies as i have xl package & you have to pay for the films so i only get the odd one or two
love my tivo, hate virgin but love my tivo
don't know about movies as i have xl package & you have to pay for the films so i only get the odd one or two