November 03, 2010

Virgin announces Tivo 1 Tb V+

Press release: 
Virgin Media announces details of new TiVo-powered next generation connected TV service
  • New HD/3D set top box will offer 1TB of personal storage
  • Thousands of hours of TV on Demand instantly available
  • Dedicated internal modem to bring internet services and apps direct to TV
Virgin Media today announced the first details of its upcoming TiVo-powered HD/3D set top box which will give customers a whopping 1 TeraByte of storage for personal recordings.  The new HD/3D set top box will launch alongside Virgin Media’s new TiVo-powered next generation connected TV service scheduled for later this year, and will be capable of storing up to 500 hours of content. When coupled with Virgin Media’s pioneering TV on Demand service, the new service will give UK consumers unrivalled access to over 4,600 hours of TV shows, movies and music videos, including hundreds of hours of HD and 3D entertainment, plus catch up TV from the terrestrial broadcasters, all available instantly.
Powered by Virgin Media’s unique fibre optic network, the box will also feature its own dedicated internal modem able to deliver HD video and other online services without impacting customers’ regular broadband connections. As a result, Virgin Media’s new TiVo-powered service will not only be able to deliver linear TV alongside an unbeatable instant TV on demand offering but will also be able to support compelling online video in HD straight to customers’ TVs without having to sacrifice other online activities when in use.
Competitors’ ‘connected TV’ products rely on just one central broadband connection, typically DSL, making it difficult for families to watch online TV or TV on Demand and take advantage of the internet at the same time. With Virgin Media, a typical family enjoying the new TiVo-powered TV service alongside Virgin Media's ultrafast 50Mb broadband connection will be able to enjoy a seamless experience with incredible connectivity, allowing the whole family to watch, surf, and play, all at the same time without compromise.
Cindy Rose, executive director of digital entertainment at Virgin Media, said: “Virgin Media’s next generation connected TV service - powered by TiVo - and combined with our superior broadband will blow other ‘connected TV’ products out of the water. We’re really proud of our new next-generation TV service which will appeal to anyone and everyone looking for the best of live broadcast TV, catch up, on demand and internet apps and services.”
No more details yet but should be imminent "will launch [...] later this year" which, given that we're already into November means in the next month or so. 
I've no idea what pricing will be; Sky's 1Tb Sky+ is £249 plus a £15 install for existing customers, but that's no real indicator as Sky customers then own their box, Virgin Media customers won't. Also, the TiVo service is a subscription service in the US, not sure if that will hit us or not. (Tivo US pricing can be found at www.tivo.com.) More news, hopefully, to follow really soon.


3 comments:

matthew said...

Sounds great...but doesn't sound cheap....already pay close to £100 a month.. reluctant to pay much more!!! Its not so much the one off payment its the monthly payment.I don't expect it for free...

tassiekev said...

Hope VIP customers get first chance - but like Matthew, I'm just over £100 pm

Unknown said...

£100 a month? Wow, you need to watch a lot less TV...

As for upgrading to the new box, apparently there will be an upgrade path but no details yet. Assuming the price isn't silly I'm sure I'll take the plunge, as my old Scientific Atlanta V+ is a relic I'll be glad to be shot of.