Virgin TV & Tivo

[rog2054]

Hi.

MY gran who lives with us needs a separate phoneline - she's happily used a VOIP solution for the last 2 years but recent reliability problems have put her (and me) off that solution for now...so we're weighing up whether to go with BT or cable for a 'normal' phoneline for her.

I like the Virgin deal of 11/month for the telephone, and they throw in the basic TV package for free - freeview reception is poor where we live so even though the basic package wouldnt give extra channels, there would at least be a good picture...an extra bonus of getting the telephone sorted :)

Now my gran LOVES her tivo (and a wizard on it considering she is nearly 90) so obviously i need to be reasonably certain that the virgin set top box will work happily with tivo - currently her tivo uses the wands to control a freeview box.

Does anyone have any experience with Virgin TV and Tivo? on the basic virgin package? ... i understand there is a V+ settop box also
- As a (potential) new cable customer i am neither ex-ntl or ex-telewest, so have no idea what make of equipment they provide etc, but it has to 'just work'...or at the most require a timer plug to reboot the box overnight :o

[inahat]

if she happy with tivo, then i don't see an point in V+.
I have used NTl (now virgin) happily?? for years.

might use that timer-plug idea

[BrianHughes]

I used NTL for years with no problems until I moved to a non-cabled area. The PACE box I had then was as reliable as the Sky box I use now. Some boxes required an IR converter though. Mine didn't so I'm not sure if they still do.

[cwaring]

I didn't have any problem with an older Pace box (the 2000) when I was with TW and now have no problems with the newer Samsung boxes now I'm with xNTL.

However, that's not to say you (or your Gran) won't have problems. Seems it's a regional thing. Some people seem to have more problems than others.

[rog2054]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

I didnt realise the V+ was a PVR solution, but think i'll stick with Tivo for the pvr (of course). I'll give Virgin a call tomorrow and see what box i'm likely to get in my area and go from there.

Thanks again ;)

[cwaring]

You will most-likely be given whatever box the installer has "on the van" when he calls. Hopefully it will be one of the newer ones though :)

[davisa]

Until recently (see my other thread re. red button) I've had absolutely no problem with Virgin (ex Telewest) for years.

I requested a 4000 series box when I signed up, and when the installer turned up with a 1000 series he happily went back to the office to get me a 4000 as requested.

[childe]

To my knowledge the only boxes that will work reliably with Tivo are the Pace 1000, 1010, 2000 and 4000 boxes. With the first 2 (possibly 3) you need an IR converter (£30 from Customer Services). Some people seem to find the Samsung to be OK, but I (or my Mum) did not, and many others don't.

My mum recently had a bit of a nightmare trying to get rid of her Samsung box, but eventually she got a 1000 box and now has no problems.

The only shortcoming of the older boxes is that they may not be so good with the interactive TV services, but we never use them anyway, so that's no loss.

Good luck

[mikerr]

To my knowledge the only boxes that will work reliably with Tivo are the Pace 1000, 1010, 2000 and 4000 boxes.
You can add my SA 4200 to that list - 100% reliable.