Virgin Box and the BBC Record function

[HarryPD]

Just moved home and to ensure no break with broadband (both WFH) prior to moving contacted Virgin about moving our account to new house. This all seemed very easy, they were very “helpful”& even offered a new fibre box which apparently was “better” (faster, no cable mess, 12 month offer etc)

In the thick of the house move I foolishly did not investigate further, just told them once the bundle was the same and everything transferred over seemlessly, we’d go with that.

We have now discovered that with the shiny new box comes this whole BBC recording problem. We don’t really watch much tv except for BBC and even then tend to record and watch later so no longer being able to record is a major pain and renders the Virgin box pretty much useless us as all we are using is the broadband

Does anyone know of anything available on the market which would enable us to watch and/or record programmes on BBC? We are not technically gifted so any suggestions re VPN swaps etc would most likely be lost on us. Any digital recording devices out there in the likes of Currys etc, that would enable us to record BBC or any other channel?

Any help appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[theresa1]

You would have to get Sky Q (not Sky Stream) or a satellite dish installed without getting technical.

 

[HarryPD]

You would have to get Sky Q (not Sky Stream) or a satellite dish installed without getting technical.

Thanks for your reply.

So if we got a new SkyQ box (with dish), that would enable BBC recording (ie they have overcome the licensing issue which seems to the problem with Virgin?)
I’m not totally against technical advice, I’m sure I could decipher it eventually!

 

[jpd]

Sky Q, with satellite dish, let's you record BBC TV channels

But no red button

 

[Ruffian]

So if we got a new SkyQ box (with dish), that would enable BBC recording (ie they have overcome the licensing issue which seems to the problem with Virgin?)

They have the same licensing issue but it only impacts Sky Stream/Sky Glass. Sky Q is fine and should be ok up for the next 4/5 years (https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/202...o-2029/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter). It will probably be streaming only after that.

 

[Brendan Burgess]

My virgin box records. Can you not switch to the model which records?

 

[theresa1]

My virgin box records. Can you not switch to the model which records?

Technically this would be possible if HarryPD is not on the full Fibre Virgin Network but Virgin will not facilitate this.
Thankfully Brendan I also have a 360 box with hard drive and full recording facility.

 

[Ruffian]

Technically this would be possible if HarryPD is not on the full Fibre Virgin Network but Virgin will not facilitate this.
Thankfully Brendan I also have a 360 box with hard drive and full recording facility.

I am with Sky but reportedly Virgin are trying to get all subscribers onto the new streaming box. Anyone who looks for better pricing is offered a very competitive sounding upgrade on a new contract but not told about the BBC recording issue.

 

[HarryPD]

My virgin box records. Can you not switch to the model which records?

The Virgin box I had (360 I think - modem) up until 1 week ago recorded BBC, they then hooked me up with this new fibre box which does not. I could be wrong but believe if requested, they will not provide a new box enabled to record BBC however I will be calling them in the morning.

 

[HarryPD]

Thanks for all the replies, very helpful. I’ll call the Sales people and if they don’t get the old style box with BBC enabled recording, I’ll ditch their tv and go to SkyQ.

 

[theresa1]

You could get a satellite dish and a recordable box that will let you record BBC and you would not have to pay a subscription fee to Sky. Freesat is the service you would be looking for.

 

[jpd]

I imagine Sky will be ditching their satellite service sometime in the next few years

 

[ClubMan]

I imagine Sky will be ditching their satellite service sometime in the next few years

Sky switching to streaming and away from the satellite dish?

Sky look like gradually replacing delivery of programming over Sky dishes by 2028 with Sky Glass and Sky Stream. https://www.c21media.net/news/sky-to-slash-1000-jobs-as-customers-ditch-satellite-dishes-for-streaming-services/ TV via dish will still be available until then at least...

www.askaboutmoney.com

 

[Ruffian]

You could get a satellite dish and a recordable box that will let you record BBC and you would not have to pay a subscription fee to Sky. Freesat is the service you would be looking for.

But they will have to arrange separately for Saorview if they want Irish channels? And a combibox if they want to record them?

 

[Sue Ellen]

Thanks for all the replies, very helpful. I’ll call the Sales people and if they don’t get the old style box with BBC enabled recording, I’ll ditch their tv and go to SkyQ.

There is a previous AAM thread which may/may not be relevant.

Eir appear to be doing same things.

They are currently doing the cables in our area for the new fibre stuff so just wondering if anyone can confirm if they connect us to that will we then lose this option or is it only when a new box is installed that it happens?

Just wondering what happens if a complaint is made to ComReg, what their reply is to people not being notified of this loss before they move? Would put € on it that once you have switched you cannot go back, but if you have been misled what's the story then?

 

[theresa1]

If you switch your Virgin Tv box 360 with hard drive to a small streaming box then yes you won't be able to record from BBC.

 

[Ruffian]

Would put € on it that once you have switched you cannot go back, but if you have been misled what's the story then?

I guess they are misleading by not proactively disclosing the information - and not by actively giving inaccurate information. They can just tell you that you get all the BBC channels but they do not go on to say you cannot record or use the iPlayer to catch up. "Don't ask, don't tell".

 

[HarryPD]

If you switch your Virgin Tv box 360 with hard drive to a small streaming box then yes you won't be able to record from BBC.

I wonder if I asked to revert to a hard drive would the new hard drive box would have the BBC record function? I get the impression it’s only on the current/old boxes and not on any new ones provided. But that would ve the most straightforward fix.

 

[theresa1]

You would need to be on the not full fibre Virgin Media Network so you would be using the old co-axial cable but yes if you got a 360 main box you would then be able to record BBC. Your only chance would be if you still had a 360 box and they could 'swap' it in for you but they won't do that. They only send out the streaming boxes now to everybody.

 

[Ruffian]

I’ll ditch their tv and go to SkyQ

If you do go to Sky just make sure it is Q you come away it. They still offer it but it is streaming that they are pushing upfront.