Replace Virgin Streaming puc

[Boomish]

Just renewed our Virgin service & we got one of their horrible streaming pucs, it’s useless! Well compared to the old TiVo box.
Wondering if I can setup an IPTV service to replace it, but it’s all new to me, though am quite techy, did Kodi years ago etc etc just wondered if I could get some advice . I’m thinking of a streaming box we can record & playback easily with catchup, ideally all the normal UK channels inc Sky in HD /best quality, so am looking at the new Formuler box , as their EPG is supposed to be very good, as is the quality & ease of recording etc I don’t need films or sport, though I wouldn’t say no to the F1 channels ..:) I presume I need an IPTV sub for this even if just normal TV channels especially if anything is Sky. Is it going to be crazy money going down this route ?
I hope it’s ok to ask this here
Appreciate any advice..

 

[mike123]

Although you can record on IPTV genrally not a good idea. Most services have catchup, replays and VOD with most the suff you'll need.

As for a box there's a good choice you don't need to spend a fortune on a device.

 

[Boomish]

Although you can record on IPTV genrally not a good idea. Most services have catchup, replays and VOD with most the suff you'll need.

As for a box there's a good choice you don't need to spend a fortune on a device.

Thanks for the quick reply Mike, catchup on the Virgin box is awful, can’t rewind or even fast forward. We really miss the ability to record TV shows, funny we have an old satellite box that works ten times better but it doesn’t get all the channels & is quite old now. Am having a play with UHF via an Apple TV box

 

[manic01]

Thanks for the quick reply Mike, catchup on the Virgin box is awful, can’t rewind or even fast forward. We really miss the ability to record TV shows, funny we have an old satellite box that works ten times better but it doesn’t get all the channels & is quite old now. Am having a play with UHF via an Apple TV box

If you need ability to record/catch up on all channels etc dont waste your time on iptv, too inconsistent no matter what some may try and tell you.

 

[Boomish]

If you need ability to record/catch up on all channels etc dont waste your time on iptv, too inconsistent no matter what some may try and tell you.

Oh bugger, back to square one then, how can technology make things worse FFS. Looked at Freeview boxes & Satellite but they’re not so great for having everything in one box. That’s why I thought the Formuler box might be good.

 

[mike123]

If its sports you generally want most will have replays and like the ppv is normally in vod section.

I would say catchup is more reliable than recording but wouldn't 100% rely on it

 

[Boomish]

If its sports you generally want most will have replays and like the ppv is normally in vod section.

Na it’s not sports at all or films, I have a Plex server I can use for movies & motor racing, but you made me think I probably don’t need catchup if I have a box that can record, I can get catchup via apps etc Just UK TV really but Virgin has some of the Sky Channels which you don’t get via Freeiview & don’t really want to jump around apps for general TV. Sorry if I’m being dumb here just looking for best solution.. Thanks again for the reply

 

[spc]

Na it’s not sports at all or films, I have a Plex server I can use for movies & motor racing, but you made me think I probably don’t need catchup if I have a box that can record, I can get catchup via apps etc Just UK TV really but Virgin has some of the Sky Channels which you don’t get via Freeiview & don’t really want to jump around apps for general TV. Sorry if I’m being dumb here just looking for best solution.. Thanks again for the reply

Personally, i prefer E2 (sat receiver) for day to day viewing getting freesat channels via dish and premium channels via iptv sub. The box needs to be a new(ish) 4k one with good processor and ram, ideally with inbuilt SDD. Whilst Android (or Apple tv) can be more stable for live streams the record feature (especially series setting) of E2 is far superior and if/when the iptv stream feed drops out momentarily the E2 will auto restart recording which the others do not. The major downside of E2 is learning curve to get a good setup

 

[Boomish]

Personally, i prefer E2 (sat receiver) for day to day viewing getting freesat channels via dish and premium channels via iptv sub. The box needs to be a new(ish) 4k one with good processor and ram, ideally with inbuilt SDD. Whilst Android (or Apple tv) can be more stable for live streams the record feature (especially series setting) of E2 is far superior and if/when the iptv stream feed drops out momentarily the E2 will auto restart recording which the others do not. The major downside of E2 is learning curve to get a good setup

Really appreciate the reply SPC that’s really helpful, been thinking of getting a more updated Sat box, I just want freeview with some of the Sky channels you get with Virgin & a good recorder! We had this years ago bizarre technology has gone backwards making us watch ads again. Must be some kind of deal Virgin have done. What’s the best Sat box currently?

 

[scoob197]

Lots of options with E2 boxes and the best box will be subjective. As said above it will be a learning curve to setup and you still cant guarantee recording will work every time. The Tuner feeds will record flawlessly. IPTV wont record consistently, it will 'work most of the time', if you have it setup rite.
I record using E2, and if it fails, I use catchup.

 

[Boomish]

Lots of options with E2 boxes and the best box will be subjective. As said above it will be a learning curve to setup and you still cant guarantee recording will work every time. The Tuner feeds will record flawlessly. IPTV wont record consistently, it will 'work most of the time', if you have it setup rite.
I record using E2, and if it fails, I use catchup.

Thanks Scoob that’s great advice , I looked at a VU+ box a few years back , time to do more research on the E2 ..Thanks again for all the replies .