Updates for Virgin Media TiVo Review and PVR Comparison Document

The review I did for TiVo has been updated, mainly with a 'for' (series links can find alternative broadcasts of a programme on the same channel if the original recording of that programme couldn't be completed), and, an 'against' (no access to live PPV events content until a future software update).

The PVR Comparison Document has also been updated, now that the 500Gb version of TiVo is available to existing customers.

Virgin Media Tivo vs Sky HD at TechRadar

TechRadar compare the premium boxes from Sky and Virgin Media in their article, comparing both offerings for ease of use; user interface; HD content; 3D programming; VOD and urm, Wow Factor. They conclude that:

While both Freesat and Freeview HD have plenty to offer, they can't compete directly with the powerful Pay TV propositions of Sky and Virgin Media. Of the two, Sky is our first choice when it comes to hi-def and 3D.

However, the satcaster has some serious catching up to do when it comes to Catch Up TV and VOD services, and its content Search options remain rooted in the past. Sky broadband users can take advantage of Sky Anytime+, but this is not an all-embracing solution.

When it comes to streaming video and Catch Up TV, Virgin Media's Tivo sets the new gold standard. Powered by the cablenet's high speed fibre optic broadband, it offers an unbeatable VOD catalogue ingeniously interweaved with regular programming. Its unique recommendation engine is also enormously compelling.

In the end, each proposal has clear, definable strengths. Ultimately, your choice may be decided by other factors such as location and availability. The good news is that whatever way you jump, both services guarantee you'll always have something great to watch.

You can also compare the premium boxes from Sky and Virgin Media in the PVR Comparison document.

TechRadar reviews Virgin Media's TiVo: "With a bit of polish, [this] will become the finest PVR on the market"

TechRadar's review of Virgin Media's TiVo is online now. Awarding the next-generation PVR 4 stars out of 5, TechRadar liked most of what they saw but they wish Virgin would give the whole package a polish:

Will it keep the TiVo fans and television nuts happy? Yes. Is it the most powerful box on the market? Yes. But is it better than Sky's flagship 1TB Sky+ HD box? Not yet. And it won't be until it's given a much needed polish.

We hope that the blips will be quickly wiped out as Virgin Media gathers feedback and improves its product, and we're always impressed by a product that gives you the power to do something seriously cool.

Perhaps the most important point about the TiVo box is that it takes the best points about being on cable – fast internet, instant HD on demand and the capacity to quickly suck in data, and makes them more fun, more usable and more powerful.

Sky's deep pockets, greater range of context and simpler user interface remain a powerful force in British pay-television, but finally we have a challenger with the power and the hardware to genuinely mount a challenge. And with a bit of polish, The Virgin Media powered by TiVo box will become the finest PVR on the market.

Read the full review at TechRadar, and compare Virgin Media TiVo to Sky's HD 1TB box in the PVR Comparison Document.

PVR Comparison Document updated; Virgin Media's TiVo vs V+ HD vs Sky+ HD 1TB

There's been a few updates to the PVR Comparison Document recently, including updated information on the number of recording hours for TiVo after the recent software updates; Clarification on the Sky HD channels available on the Virgin STBs, and updated Tuner information for TiVo and Sky+ HD.