Virgin media Tv only offer

mikegahan

Virgin media have just touted an offer as a way of connecting to HD television. The basic package is £11 per month, but if you want a HD viewer that also records it is £16 per month. You do NOT have to take their phone line with this There is also installation at £35, plus £49 for the box itself. For that you are supposed to get 65 freeview channels plus 3 or 4 Hd channels. I already get freeview easily but wanted to try the HD channels. I already have a HD ready TV. i do not want to go down the SKy or BT route for HD.

What do people think of HD? I do not watch sport or nature programmes so am wondering if that is worth an extra £16 per month? What do people think of the virgin media TV service in general? Thanks in advance

acrleyton

Ooh, that sounds tempting. I have Sky HD, and yes while sports and nature look lovely in HD, other programmes certainly do too. Movies for starters!

For the extra fiver a month I presume you'd be getting V+ (the recorder) and HD which I'd say is definitely worth it.

mikegahan

Thanks a lot, acrleyton, for your advice. I have signed up, though i am not sure what is "special" about this offer as it has been advertised on their website for some time anyway. Still it is a good way of getting to test HD TV on a basic level, without getting too committed. On a years contract it is still cheaper than buying my own HD freeview box/recorder and I should have good reception, which can be an issue with getting HD with an aeriel. Plus if I like virgin i can take a phone line and broadband from them later

macman

If you don't want HD sport, then why not just get Freesat HD? The only cost there will be a Freesat HD box and a dish (if you don't already have one). Yon are going to pay £408 in the first year alone for the VM service, then £324 thereafter. The one off cost for dish, box (PVR version with recording facility) and install would be around £300-then it's free for ever. So I don't follow your calculations when you say it's cheaper than buying your own-the digibox rental over just one year will buy you one outright.
Alternatively you can get Freeview HD now if you are in a Freeview HD broadcast area, this will require only a new box (PVR versions are coming in a few weeks time).

spike7451

I'm still amazed at the amount of people who think they're 'getting' a VM box for XX quid.You dont 'get' the box,it remains the property of VM at all times & has to be returned when you leave VM or you'll be billed up to £250 for the box..
The £49 is for the set up of the HD box,not the box.

Spike (ex NTL/VM Engineer)

mikegahan

Dear Macman

Thanks for your advice. i neglected to explain that they are doing the box and installation free if you sign up fo the full TV service, which comes in at £29 per month, but you can downgrade to the basic service after that month. You also have the right to cancel after 28 days from installation. So the cost of one year contract will be £29 + 11 x 16 + £205. I may choose the Freesat option later or take on a phone line or broadband with VM, as i will have the installation in place

shellsuit

spike7451 wrote: »

I'm still amazed at the amount of people who think they're 'getting' a VM box for XX quid.You dont 'get' the box,it remains the property of VM at all times & has to be returned when you leave VM or you'll be billed up to £250 for the box..
The £49 is for the set up of the HD box,not the box.

Spike (ex NTL/VM Engineer)

I'm amazed that you are still being pedantic and pulling everyone up who says 'you get the box for free/£X'