Sky and Virgin bury the hatchet. (Sky 1/Sports News back on Virgin )

BexTech

kcb wrote: »

I have the lowest level tv package with Virgin. I'm sure that when Sky 1 was last on Virgin I had it, but I wont be getting back now. Virgin 1 is no real substitute.

If you are on an old package such as xTelewest's Starter TV package and haven't changed to the VM branded M, L or XL package and Sky 1 was on that package before Sky channels were taken off, then you will get them back without having to move onto the higher VM packages.

BexTech

roddydogs wrote: »

But wheres the HD? thats the problem with Virgin.. PS for £85pm you should be on VIP package.

Yeah, that is the big problem with VM - very little HD.

Only one HD channel - BBC HD and a handful of HD VOD - you can only watch them a few times over before you get fed up of them.

People had been promised for a few years more HD was to come soon - it hasn't arrived.

Problem was they decided to go for a MPEG2 system for HD and not the newer more efficient MPEG4 that satellite went with and Freeview is going with. Cable also has lack of capacity, hence very slow to add channels. VM are starting to switch analogue cable off to free up some capacity.

BexTech

scrappee wrote: »

Does anyone find that changing channel takes ages... or is it just me?? I noticed that in the FAQ on the Virgin webpage that they say this is something they can't do anything about but I find it very annoying. Wondered if anyone else has this problem - never happened when we had sky?

The problem with the V+ is it is very buggy, clunky and a right PITA at times.

Yes, the V+ has 3 tuners which is excellent, it's just that the software on the box is so poor and the response compared a satellite box is so slow.

Then you get the 0:00 / 01:00 issues where the boxes lock up when updating the EPG data.

Unlike satellite and Freeview where the broadcaster updates the EPG data and update it constantly as programmes change and with broadcasters like the BBC on-the-fly from programme running data, cable only updates at most 4 times a day, hence when programmes change, cable is virtually always out of date. Also means that if programmes run a few minutes early or late you can miss parts off (even with padding) where on satellite and Freeview as the Now/Next data isn't switched (many broadcasters do this, though not all) until the programme is actually about to start then the recording is exact.

VM would have an excellent box, if they could sort out the clunky and buggy software, get a faster box, with more memory, a bigger HDD, a switch to MPEG4 and get more HD.

The Sky+ and Sky+HD currently only have 2 tuners, however that should be changing to a box with 4 tuners, as like cable now they can use one co-ax to feed 4 or more tuners.

ladycatnap

BexTech wrote: »

If you are on an old package such as xTelewest's Starter TV package and haven't changed to the VM branded M, L or XL package and Sky 1 was on that package before Sky channels were taken off, then you will get them back without having to move onto the higher VM packages.

I was with Telewest before Virgin took over and had free tv with my broardband and telephone. I used to have Sky1 before it was taken off but now i have been told that if i want Sky i need to pay another £11 a month. Virgin no longer give free tv with their packages and it is in line with a digibox. There is nothing they can do unless i change packages.

foxxymynx

wahoo!!! Oooh I'm all excited now!

BexTech

ladycatnap wrote: »

I was with Telewest before Virgin took over and had free tv with my broardband and telephone. I used to have Sky1 before it was taken off but now i have been told that if i want Sky i need to pay another £11 a month. Virgin no longer give free tv with their packages and it is in line with a digibox. There is nothing they can do unless i change packages.

Must have changed their minds in the last couple of days.

VM still do a free TV package with the phone line, this is the M package, however that doesn't include Sky1, this is comparable to Freeview (maybe you meant this went you said digibox, as a digibox is just shortened word for digital box, first used by Sky, but as all current boxes are digital, fits in with satellite, cable or Freeview).

The previous package the TW did was the Starter TV package and that came free for a while with the broadband. They did a few various packages, so depends on which you were on.

I'd wait until the day and see what happens. As some VM insiders are saying if it was included before it will be now, but now staff on the phones are saying otherwise (though they are usually the last to know).

10past6

BexTech wrote: »

Then you get the 0:00 / 01:00 issues where the boxes lock up when updating the EPG data

Is that what it is?

It's been a PITA, I thought my box was faulty as it happens nearly every night :mad: :mad:

dc

10past6 wrote: »

Is that what it is?

It's been a PITA, I thought my box was faulty as it happens nearly every night :mad: :mad:

Yes, perhaps you should go to bed earlier like Virgin do,

BettiePage

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7722644.stm

curlylox

I have just changed onto this package

https://allyours.virginmedia.com/websales/product.do?id=15163

It is called the TRIPLE XL and is £45 per month plus £11 line rental.

New customers ordering on-line get a better deal though -

£38 per month plus £11 line rental and a £50 cash-back.

I always think it is unfair how they don't give existing customers the same offers!!

HTH