TiVo installations: order confirmation

I've had a few folk asking if they should have got a confirmation of TiVo installation notification. From what I understand Virgin Media engineers normally send a text message to your mobile to confirm an installation before arriving but there's no email confirmation if you've added or modified your package through the call centre.

Updates on TiVo ordering

• From what I understand, TiVo offer emails have gone to VIP's first, then the triple XL customers, then the XL customers.
• If you haven't received one yet it may be worth calling 0800 408 2159 but, given the inconsistencies experienced in responses from the call centre staff, there are no guarantees - if you don't succeed in getting an installation on your first call, it may be worth dialling in again.
• I found I got straight through when calling a couple of times in the afternoon on Monday but had around a 10 minute wait in the morning.
• Install dates as early as Wednesday this week have been reported.
• The 500gb box isn't available until May 16th and cannot be pre-ordered.
• I've put a quick poll up on the blog to see how many folk are getting quick installs - see the right sidebar to vote

Sky Sports red button: April 21st...but not for TiVo

Media Boy's blog says:

Virgin Media are set to launch the Red Button on Sky Sports for non-Tivo viewers on April 21st.
Red Button for Sky Sports on TiVo will follow in July or August

So those waiting for Red Button sports but also want TiVo have to decide what they want first

TiVo sign up emails ahoy!

Got mine...got yours?
Also, the 500Gb TiVo is confirmed for May 16th launch: £49.95, £40 install, £3 a month. Existing customers only.

UPDATE: Although the system at VM now seems to be okay and people are reporting that they're getting install dates, I didn't get one ("system problems") and was promised a call back in the next few hours. Anyone else get this? I'm still waiting and I have a horrible feeling I'm now at the back of the queue. If I call them of course, I'll be on hold for a while...

Further Update:
Decided to ring Virgin rather than wait any longer for a call back. I was told that I would not hear back from them UNTIL MONDAY 18th, even though I called first thing this morning. When I told the woman at the call centre that I knew people who had called after me this morning had been given install dates this week she told me MAYBE BY FRIDAY I would get a call back.
Sorry Virgin Media, that is AWFUL. Train your operators. Pathetic.

Update on the further update:
Once I calmed down, I called Virgin again. Straight through to a chap called Chris, who gave me a date straight away for my install (21st - offered me earlier but the Thursday is better for me). What really realy riles me though is that my call just a few minutes earlier was so poorly handled and I was completely misinformed. How many other willing customers are similarly being brushed away???!!

Comments on this blog

A few comments have appeared this week that I think are sliding into the kind of personal attacks that spoil some of the forum threads elsewhere. If this continues I will introduce comment moderation. Keep it civil please.

More new HD series arrive this spring

Camelot s1 - April on 4HD
Desperate Housewives - s7 returns April 13 at 10pm on 4HD
Dexter s5 - this summer on FXHD
Doctor Who - Sat, Apr 23 on BBC One HD
Justified s2 - April on 5USA (not HD...but still worth catching)
The Chicago Code - May on Sky1 HD
The Defenders - Fri, Apr 8 at 10pm on FX HD
The Reckoning - Mon, Apr 18 at 9pm on ITV1 HD
The Wire s1 - April, FX HD (not HD - but still worth catching if you haven't seen it before)

Sky Arts 1 & 2 HD arriving April 26th

Virgin Media has announced the arrival of two further HD channels - Sky Arts 1 and 2. Free to TV XL customers.

Virgin Media today announced the addition of the award-winning Sky 1 Arts HD and Sky Arts 2 HD channels to its TV service from the 26th April. The company is continuing to broaden the range of content available in stunning high definition with the arrival of these new channels, and Virgin Media customers now have access to over 30 HD channels with up to 19 channels available for no additional monthly fee*.

Sky Arts is the only stable of channels in the UK dedicated solely to the arts, and Virgin Media customers will be able to engage with the some of the best culturally stimulating programming available in spectacular high-definition. Both channels cover the greats of contemporary and classical arts – from iconic rock performances to the best operas, from ballet to books, from theatre to photography.
Virgin Media customers will now be able to watch great programmes including Songbook, The Book Show, In Confidence, Rock and Roll Exposed and Sky Arts Cinema with Mike Figgis in true high-definition, providing them with a crystal clear viewing experience.

TiVo pricing update: great news!

TiVo install is free in April for existing customers!

What's more, VIP's (50 & 100 only) are getting the TiVo monthly charge waived. It will appear on the bill, but we will get a bigger discount to cover.
Source: the mighty Digital Fanatic
Thanks to Virgin Media for listening, and a reminder: do not contact VM until the launch email comes out.They cannot process any orders before the launch day.

TechRadar pitches Virgin's Tivo against the Sky+ 1Tb

...and draws a pretty lame conclusion; Sky better for content, Virgin better for on demand. They like the simplicity of Sky's EPG but also impressed by the intelligence of the TiVo's interface. Hardly rocket science and to me it smacked a bit of "let's not piss off Sky". Full feature at TechRadar

Nialli's take on the TiVo pricing

Here are my comments on the somewhat passionate response on this blog to yesterday’s “Dear Dean” email from Virgin Media confirming the availability and pricing for the new TiVo 1Tb box.

Personally, I think £50 off for existing customers is not to be sniffed at. However, for us VIP50s and VIP100s out there who are already shelling out £100+ each month it is galling to be charged an additional £40 for installation and another £3 a month for TiVo, on top of £149. I would have thought that one of those should have gone; sub free for a year or no install charge. Both will limit appeal to existing customers methinks.
So, it is an expensive piece of kit but is still cheaper than the inferior and now not-even-in-the-same-breath-mentionable Sky 1Tb box. But for how much longer? Expect Sky to discount that immediately.
What is more, TiVo is not a mandatory upgrade, so if people decide they cannot afford it they don't have to. Smaller capacity boxes will come and the price will fall - early adopter premium for those who cannot wait. I'm a little sceptical that TiVo can be implemented on existing V HD boxes, but if that happens, great.
I don't have a problem with Virgin's two under-the-radar promotions giving free boxes out to 1000 customers or the raffle, but I think it was poorly marketed and has created something on an anti-Virgin sentiment on some forums. Sure, not everyone can win, but the way it was done was poor. Those who got the original free Remote and lifetime sub really did get a bargain.
The date slipping from March to April 4 to April 11 - these things happen, and the more stable the box is when it hits the wider community the better in my book.
I guess one last observation would be that fewer people jumping in straight away will mean installation will be a little quicker for those of us prepared to pay now at this price. That's very self-centred of me, but you know what I mean.