Moving to house with Virgin cable already installed - should we use it?

eilidhsmum

Hi, we are moving to a house that already has Virgin (at least Telewest boxes) installed in to it. Is it worth using for broadband? TV? Have read various mixed reports about Virgins customer service not being up to scratch and drops in connection (although not sure this is cable)
The other question I have is regarding the wireless broadband that they do supply.
At the moment we have a BT line and use Madasafish as our ISP. Apart from being slow (more to do with distance from BT exchange I think) they have been absolutely excellent. The one time I had to use customer service they were more than helpful, with the same guy phoning me back a couple of times to check everything was now OK. We have our main PC hardwired into our Linksys gateway/modem with a couple of laptops wirelessly connected. The joy is that they are all networked and can therefore share the printer with the PC.
Will I be able to set up the same kind of network with the kit provided from Virgin (excuse my ignorance if this sounds a really stupid question)? and what would I need to have as I know the Linksys gateway doesn't work with cable?
Currently use Sky for TV and had been considering upgrading to Sky+ HD, does Virgin TV meet up to Sky or does it lag behind?
Sorry for all the questions and thanks for reading so far. :A

dylanuk

VM will supply you with a wireless router - which you can hardwire (to your PC) or use wirelessly with your laptops...

The sharing of your printer is done via your PC and the wireless network - and doesn't sound like your current wireless router is doing anything but acting as a hub between the laptop and PC workgroup (and then the Internet)...

Basically, you should be able to set up the exact same thing with the router VM will supply you - if it is done on workgroups you probably won't need to change any settings either - though you might need to make sure everyone can 'see' each other (as the devices may get allocated different IP's when you re-setup with a new router).

I think Sky TV is generally better, you've also got more flexibility if you want a movie or sports channel.

If you currently like Sky TV - I'd probably suggest staying with them. You can get Sky broadband and phone fairly cheaply as a bundle too.

Here's a couple of articles that might help you decide too: http://www.chooseisp.co.uk/broadband-guide/articles/sky-vs-virgin-media.html one comparing sky against virgin and this one http://www.chooseisp.co.uk/broadband-guide/best-buys/broadband-bundles.html about the prices of bundles.

ACDeag

There are some subtle (as well as obvious) differences between Sky and VM. VM you get a lot of On Demand, BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, etc built in. 500 movies available on demand. With the V+ box you get some HD channels thrown in.

With Sky if you want to pay more you can get more HD channels, you also get many more channels and you get some red button services that VM do not offer. VM's call charges are more expensive than nearly anyone else in the UK, but their broadband is more likely to hit the advertised speed.

I have Sky and are about to move to VM, mainly for the on demand and the free HD channels. With Sky HD you get more channels but I never watch them and have to pay £10 with VM the ones I do watch are thrown in.

You basically need to work out what you want.

macman

I wouldn't use Virgin just because the connection is there. Your real issue is: is there also a BT connection? Because if not then you will need a BT line installing before you have any options other than VM.

dylanuk

Currently use Sky for TV and had been considering upgrading to Sky+ HD

Thought you might be interested to know Sky are currently offering a free Sky+ HD box and set up plus £25 M&S vouchers too - and.... it's for new or existing customers joining Sky HD... http://www.sky.com/portal/site/skycom/skyproducts

hansi

dylanuk wrote: »

Thought you might be interested to know Sky are currently offering a free Sky+ HD box and set up plus £25 M&S vouchers too - and.... it's for new or existing customers joining Sky HD... http://www.sky.com/portal/site/skycom/skyproducts

There's also a very good Virgin casback offer with at http://www.topcashback.co.uk/retailerdetailVirgin_Media.

dylanuk

Yeah it's £65 though... if the OP wants HD the Sky offer is saving her £75 (that's the cost of getting VM HD box and set up) plus another £25 voucher for M&S.

MajorR

What is the £75 for setting up V+HD actully for? I mean they have to come out and setup the normal box anyway, so what are they doing different thats worth £75?

hansi

It's to make money!;)

ACDeag

MajorR wrote: »

What is the £75 for setting up V+HD actully for? I mean they have to come out and setup the normal box anyway, so what are they doing different thats worth £75?

I just signed up to V+HD without paying the £75 as an existing Sky subscriber, however I was rung up by VM saying what web page I had got the offer from as apparently their marketing department knew nothing about it either.

When I gave them the page they gave me the offer but were surprised. Offer ended 31 Jan so no point giving the link now.