on demand message need to upgrade to X1

I have the exact same question. when I upgraded to select+ I specifically refused the x1 box, with its' tiled-interface. I still use the silver/red remote (you can actually see it at night). there was no mention of this upgrade in the last monthly statement. 

The same thing happened to me this week and last November.  The message appeared in the On Demand menu - no notification on my bill, no direct contact via email, text, nor voice - then the message disappeared within hours.  I did not lose my access to On Demand then; we'll see what happens now...

The issue is because Comcast is moving more and more video to IP (Internet) based services. The old, legacy iGuide boxes only support standard QAM tuners. Many newer channels the past few years are only available as IP channels, or at least HD versions are only IP. The frequencies being tied up to service the old-style OnDemand will go to expanding Internet speeds.

Just be aware that Comcast no longer has a contract with the company that made the iGuide software, so there have been no updates on Comcast systems for many years.

I, too, was just forced to downgrade to the X1 box, and dislike it as much as I did when I tried it for two days a couple years ago.

1) It is slo-o-o-w. It takes time for each digit to appear when entering a channel number, it then requires a click on "OK" to register that channel, and then three dots appear for 10 seconds before the channel appears on the screen. It took less time for an outdoor antenna to swivel with 1950s TVs!

2) It doesn't have sorted favorites lists, so looking for, say, a movie channel is now a pain.

3) The tiling in the "On Demand" menu makes the system even slower--graphics scroll slowly, and less appears on a single screen. Why isn't "text only" an option under preferences?

4) It can't handle favorites. I've multiple starred channels (like ABC) that don't show up as favorites when using the guide. Because the thing is so slow, I don't want to have to reconstruct the favorites list every time I use it. (I found this was complaint a couple years ago. It still hasn't been fixed!)

5) There is no way to completely disable its own "power saving" function. I usually have the BBC World Service on throughout the day, listening and only looking up when a video with a report interests me. On multiple times in the past three days, I've looked up to see that the TV has switched to its own screensaver. This in no way saves power, so why is it built into the system? (Even with Power Saving off, the "nap time" kicks in if the remote hasn't been touched for four hours.)

Did it occur to Comcast to ask its customers what legacy features they liked before switching to the X1 system?

Since the X1 has been out for several years now, I'm afraid it's no longer v1.0, and a patch with bug fixes probably won't be appearing any time soon.

It sounds like you got the horrible XG2v2. The one with the vertical light on the front right corner. Grossly underpowered. You can complain and try to get an XG1v4, which is MUCH faster. 

Just started getting the 0-VOD TV Box Update Needed message on my Legacy boxes in the Denver market. I have one older Motorola and the others are the newest Pace boxes (which are inferior to the Motorola). I just called to ask if tech support had any more info, and the knowledgeable rep couldn't find anything after several ways of searching.

I am also not a fan of X1 at all (have helped my neighbor with her system many times over the years) for some of the same reasons as previously mentioned - only one Favorites menu, very slow responsiveness - but also poor UI design overall and, especially, the channel guide. Plus, I can't network them in my house the same way I can with the Legacy boxes. I will definitely miss the Legacy system once it's completely removed.

Somehow, no Xfinity agents can find the info on when and which boxes, but I just found this article on Xfinity's site. So it's ALL Legacy boxes and it actually starts in a few weeks. Like I said, I just got the box message, but I haven't had anything in a bill yet. I still think I will hang onto the Legacy boxes, though, since they are better than X1, and I can get OnDemand though the Xfinity app and other apps, so not advantage to using an X1 box.

Starting May 31, 2023, customers with the following TV Boxes will begin to lose the ability to view Xfinity On Demand programming, including Subscription On Demand services:

• All non-X1 TV Boxes
• RNG150 and Pace XG1v1 X1 TV Boxes

If affected by this update, you’ll be notified by bill message approximately 60 days before you lose Xfinity On Demand service

https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/xfinity-removed-select-tv-boxes

I received the same email. I do not have Comcast internet - only TV - and when I downgraded a few years ago I was told I could only use an X1 box if I had that service and Comcast internet.

-   Does this mean Comcast expects me to change my internet service provider??? Believe me, I won't. My excellent internet provider has CS personnel who answer the phone with a human when I call.

-   Will Comcast charge me more?

From what I know, you can use X1 for TV, rent/buy and OnDemand, but you cannot use any of the apps. 

@andyross 

Thank you for this reply. Since I have always used DSL for broadband Internet I still wonder if the proprietary coding used on the X1 box will interfere with my Internet signal.

I'm having issues also.  I was given new boxes at xfinity store with new remotes but I'm unable to access on demand...WHY?

If Xfinity wants people to stop ditching cable, this is the WRONG way to go about it.  It should NOT take me WEEKS to get the new box, and then MULTIPLE attempts with the useless assistant to get a non-voice remote.  Every single family member over the age of 70 is STRUGGLING with this [Edited; "Language"] product.   As a household we have forgone streaming because of my 81yo father.  To have to deal with this learning curve leaves me zero reason to stay with cable.

@Anon57998611 

I fully agree with you. My wife and I are similar in age to your folks. We have medical problems tying up most weekdays. We cannot plan any time to have someone come out. Our only choice is to wait until something finally happens. At that point we will take the current Legacy box to service center about 10 minutes from home. If they don't have a replacement, we will have no choice except to drop service at that time. For now we will keep checking here to see how it works out for others.