Catch-up and on-demand
Virgin Media continues to lead the way when
it comes to catch-up and on-demand content. It has had catch-up services for
the main terrestrial channels (BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and 5) integrated into its
timeline for a while. Some of this is sent via cable TV and uses one of the
boxes’ cable tuners to play saving your broadband bandwidth while other
programs come over IPTV, including iPlayer. There’s also a separate iPlayer
app, with the latest interface and full HD support, so you can browse for BBC
TV and radio content. All of this work via the cable connection, so there’s no
extra cabling, as with Sky.
It
has had catch-up services for the main terrestrial channels (BBC, ITV, Channel
4 and 5) integrated into its timeline for a while.
In addition there’s a wealth of on-demand
content, with huge lists of TV box sets you can browse and watch whenever you
want.
The amount of content you get varies
depending on whether you have the M, L or XL package, but there’s stuff here
you won’t get on Sky, both classic series and newer ones. This content is
changed periodically, so new stuff is always appearing. It’s a pain to browse
but you can search using TiVo’s powerful search tool. Also included here is
catch-up content for any Sky channels to which you subscribe.
Apps and mobile devices
You can check listings and set up
recordings via a simple app for iOS and Android devices. Recently Virgin Media
has also added an iOS app that allows both local and remote connection to your
TiVo box. You have to connect your TiVo box to your router via its Ethernet
port and go through a setup process to ensure your box stays secure, but once
you’ve done that you can access it from anywhere you have an internet
connection.
Virgin’s
apps on mobile
If you’re at home the app can act as a kind
of super remote control. You can access a touchscreen version of the TiVo’s
interface, with the box reacting instantly to your inputs. It’s faster and
slicker than using the remote, and you get more thumbnails for shows. You can
even browse for a new show while your box plays another full screen.
Away from home you can manage your
recordings and series links and browse the guide. There’s also a handful of
streaming TV channels, including Euro sport, ESPN, Gold and Channel 5, plus a
few children's channels.
You can also watch this selection of live
channels from Virgin Media's website using a PC browser, and you also get Sky 1
and Sky Sports here. You can stream some on-demand content, including box sets
of programs from the BBC, lots of kids’ TV and even Walking Dead
episodes from Fox.
The website also provides a brilliant
interface for managing your TiVo box. If you want to have a clear out of old
shows, re-organize your series links or update your thumbs-up/down list, then
grab a laptop and do it online. A mouse and the slick menu system make it
easier and quicker than navigating the box’s own menus.
How to get it
While most people can get Sky, not everyone
has the option of cable services. If you do have it on your street the
installation should be fairly straightforward. The engineers will likely have
to drill a small hole through the front wall of your home to get the cable into
your house. A small plastic box then covers the incoming hole and the splitter,
which divides the cable so it can connect to both the TiVo box and the supplied
cable modem router for broadband customers.
The
menu system is easy to navigate
Pricing is complicated, with a huge variety
of options on offer, but the bottom line is that you’ll need to sign up to a
phone line, calls package, broadband and TV to get a good deal. It’s hard to
compare like-for-like with Sky’s services, but if you want HD TV and fast
broadband but don’t want to pay for Sky's premium channels, then the Premiere
Collection is the one to go for.
This provides 60Mbit/s broadband, free
weekend calls, 200 channels (with 30 in HD) plus both a SOOGB TiVo box and a
second HD-playback box for a second room. It costs a substantial $96.09 a month
including line rental, but a comparative package from Sky would set you back a
whopping $136.51 a month. With Sky you would get Sky Atlantic HD (and Sky
Sports F1 HD if you move quickly), but then the Virgin Media package offers
around twice the broadband speed. However, if you have no use for the second
box and no interest in ESPN, then an equivalent Sky package costs around the
same.
At the top end, the VIP package contains
everything on TV (including Sky Movies and Sky Sports) plus 100Mbit/s
broadband, all for $173.88 a month. At the bottom end you can have speedy
30Mbit/s broadband, the great 500GB TiVo box and free weekend calls for $50.33
a month including line rental, although there is a $76.26 installation charge.
Verdict
If you can get Virgin Media's cable
services, then the choice between these and Sky’s services largely comes down
to whether you want more premium content in HD or faster internet speeds.
Either way Virgin Media’s packages tend to be a little cheaper across the
board, throwing in extras such as ESPN and an extra set-top box, when compared
to Sky’s equivalent packages.
In terms of hardware and apps, there’s
little between the two services. We prefer the Ti\/o box for its third tuner,
which is handy for family use, but it can take a while to get used to the menu
system. If you’re in it for the long term, then having the kit belong to Virgin
Media, and getting free repairs if required, is another tick on cable’s
scorecard.
