Virgin Media TV

[admin_exported]

Hi,

I can't get sky tv where I live because I'm not allowed to put up a dish on the building. Apparently it breaks the aesthetic design of the building, though I think it would be a considerable improvement. I can get virgin tv. I want to get the sky movies and sky sports channels as well as their xl package.

1. Are sky sports & sky movies available in HD as with Sky?

2. Is virgin anywhere near as good as sky?

3. Is there any difference in picture quality (loss of signal) due to the fact that the signal doesn't come via a dish?

4. I was quoted £48 pm, whilst sky costs approx £56 pm for HD, is this right - or would I be paying £48 for non-hd?

I apologise for the many questions, and I'd appreciate any comment/ info anybody has.

Thanks in advance

I

 

[Andy Clough]

Quick answer is that Virgin TV is good (I have it at home), but there's nothing like as much HD content as Sky HD. And no, Sky Sports and Sky Movies HD are not available on Virgin.

To receive HD broadcasts on Virgin you'll need the V+ set-top box, which costs extra (either as a one-off payment or montly rental). Picture quality is very good - the box also upscales standard-definition broadcasts on Freeview to good effect.

And the amount of HD content on is steadily growing, as we reported earlier today, with BBC iPlayer content now available on Virgin in HD as well as some programmes from ITV HD and FX HD.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Andy,

I just wanted to clarify that because I spoke with someone at virgin media, who told me that the sports and movie channels were hd, but I was sceptical due to it being cheaper, and because it didn't advertise HD sports & movies channels.

So even with the virgin + set top box you still don't get HD movies & sport? Is this what you have?

Would you say that virgin tv's upscaling is such that at 8-9 ft picture would look ok?good? on a 50" full hd plasma? I'm torn between a 42 or 50" panasonic v10, or pioneer 5090 - though realistically I will probably have to settle for the cheaper v10. Waiting (and hoping) for a good review first though.

 

[Andy Clough]

I watch at a distance of 9ft on a 40in screen and the upscaled picture looks great. 42in screen at that distance would be ideal, 50in might be bit too large.

Have checked the Virgin website again, and on the XL package (which I have) you get Sky 1, 2 and 3 and Sky Sports News (in SD), but not Sky Sports and Sky Movies HD which are, presumably, exclusive to Sky HD.

Yes, there are some movies in HD on Virgin, but they're pay-per-view (usually around £3.99-£4.99) and a more limited selection than on Sky.

 

[Anonymous]

I spoke to a Virgin Media representative today, as I was looking to change from Sky. The person advised that Sky Sports and Sky Movies were going live with full HD coverage tomorrow!

If it does can someone let me know and I will change over.

Thanks

 

[mjs]

Virgin rang me yesterday, quite out of the blue. They are sending me a Virgin media box, free of all charges (basic 40 channels) for life.They say I am a good customer ( I have 10mb broadband and phone((very low usage)). Cannot refuse at that price can you.

 

[digigriffin]

If you are restricted from placing a dish on the building I think I have heard of floor mounting the dish on some sort or stand or pole mounting in a rear garden.

The person I knew who had a floor mounting was australian and said these were common place over there.
Getting one in the UK was a lot trickier but he definately had one.

I don't think it needs to have height just a clear line of sight at the correct angle?

Would this contravene the restrictions?