V+ ....Is it worth upgrading?

[admin_exported]

I have negaotiated a deal with virgin to ammend my package and one of the things they can offer me is to purchase the V+ box for £75 instead of £150.

If I take this offer, in addition to having the PVR facility (of which i hear varying reports), I understand I will also be able to receive HD broadcasts, of which there is very limited availability. As I am on their 'XL' package there won't be a monthly subscription. I already have 2 hard drive DVD recorders, so can already record decent quality TV.

The question is, is it worth bothering with the offer of the V+ box, knowing that other offers will come along, and just how much HD content will I have access to? Am I correct in assuming that although I have the Sky Sports package, I won't have access to their HD broadcasts? Also, if I wait until more HD content is available, the technology for receiving it will advance and prices drop, therefore getting better value at the time when I actually need it.

The radical alternative to all this is to leave Virgin and go to Sky, but I am quite happy with my broadband from virgin and have heard less than favourable stories about getting set up on the Sky free braodband. Price wise there wouldn't be much difference.

Anybody have any thoughts?

 

[Anonymous]

Hi there - i have decided to join virgin from sky,with whom i had all the hd content,yes you are right there is a lot less hd content on virgin,but i think in time it will increase,and as you say,you are not paying the extra £10 .The only hd channel i will miss is the sky sports hd channel,but gaining satanta sports free[i will also have xl package!], more than compensates!. In my opinion i would upgrade,as not only have they given you a half price deal,but with the v+ box you will get digital sound[are you rigged up to a amp?] As regards the broadband,well your not missing anything with sky,it is fairly slow[ will seem more so to you if you were to leave virgin]-just dont do it mate!-i dont think you can get better broadband at the moment,than virgin.

 

[Messiah]

Also, there is a fair amount of Free HD stuff 'On Demand'. Personally, I would upgrade without a doubt!

 

[Anonymous]

I've been thinking about upgrading as well, from my regular Virgin Set Top Box. I was also offered the V-Box at £75.00 but with a £5.00 monthly subscription added to my existing subscription as I am an L customer, I believe.

I think I will go ahead and get one. Thanks guys.

 

[Anonymous]

Will I be able to receive Sky Sports in HD on Virgin with the V+ box, or will I be limited to the terrestrial broadcasts plus whatever virgin offer on demand?

 

[Anonymous]

at the moment sky sports hd is not available on virgin,only on sky!

 

[Anonymous]

Thanx guys - Have now ordered the V+ box.

Evilwolf & Coletti - I only started down the route of the V+ box after being spoken to by Sky and offered a much better deal than was currently on with Virgin.

I rang Virgin retentions to see about disconnecting and have now been upgraded from L tv with full Sky Sports, M broadband and phone with w/end and evening calls which was costing me £58.45 and increasing to £59.45 in Sept, to the same package, but with XL tv (main benefit that it includes Setanta) all for £52.45 - A saving of £7 !!!!!

Now, because I am on XL tv, I do not have to pay the £5 monthy V+ subscription, just the £75 up front for the V+ box - no installation cost either.

 

[Andy Clough]

Always worth doing a bit of haggling. I'm on Virgin too and threatened to switch to Sky, but got the XL/V+/20Mb broadband package at a considerable saving once I'd had a chat with them on the phone. IMHO the HD content on Virgin is rather limited (Sky scores better on that one), but the broadband, being fibre optic, is fantastic.

 

[Anonymous]

i agree with andy,the broad band is good,but going back to the tv service,dont forget that if your box breaks down you just get a free replacement,however with sky,unless you pay monthly for their breakdown cover,you will have to pay £60 just to get an engineer out,then pay for another box if it cant be replaced!

 

[Anonymous]

Is the picture quality on Standard Def material any better going over HDMI instead of RGB? ÿI currently have normal virgin connected to Sony 40W4000 and am considering the upgrade to V+ but wondered if i'd notice any big difference on normal viewing?

 

[Anonymous]

Had my V+ box installed 2 days ago and am really impressed with it.

Being able to record 2 channels at same time as watching another is really impressive.

Have been watching the Olympics on HD, and, wowww!!!! Never knew my tv could look so good.

So far I think I made the right choice in upgrading. Now just need to wait patiently for more HD content to come to Virgin, especially from Sky Sports.

Anyone know when that might be, if ever?