Virgin Media brings TiVo boxes to the UK with 1TB DVR
updated 01:15 pm EST, Wed December 1, 2010
TiVo boxes coming to the UK through Virgin Mobile
The UK's Virgin Media on Wednesday announced it is bringing out home entertainment service called Virgin Media TV powered by TiVo. Such a partnership was a long time in the making, and users will be able to access on-demand programs, pause and rewind live TV, record programs and access apps. UK buyers will get new hardware, with a set-top box that contains a 1TB hard drive and three tuners.
That third tuner will be enabled by a software update sometime in 2011. Virgin promises users will have access to standard- and high-definition programming as well as 3D. The service has dedicated bandwidth and a built-in 10Mbps cable broadband modem so users do not need to use up their own broadband allotment.
The platform will recommend what programs a user may like based on the types of shows they've been watching. This also translates to music, TV shows and online content. The peanut-shaped TiVo remote control is the same as before, including the thumbs up and thumbs down buttons to flag shows.
The Virgin Media TV powered by TiVo launches in the UK in mid-December. It will cost £199 ($310) to purchase and carry a £26.50 ($41) per month fee. Installation costs £40 ($62), but the combined deal gets users the XL TiVo package with more than 160 channels.
