New Smart TV - how does this interact with Virgin V+ cable set top box

littlerock

Am looking at buying a new LG42LF652V Smart tv. How would this connect into and be used with our existing Virgin cable V+ box which is currently connected to our existing fairly basic tv?

TadleyBaggie

Exactly the same way, except the new TV would need either an Ethernet or wireless connection.

[Deleted User]

Since the Virgin decoder already provides Catch Up services like iPlayer etc, the SMART functions of the new TV will only replicate what you have available already.

littlerock

Well I do not have Sky. The smart tv option on the tv I am looking at claims to come with Now TV which does and then I can pay to view individual games and movies instead of paying for a monthly sub to watch football I dont want.

Also the iplayer on virgin is not as comprehensive at the actual bbc site. And a smart tv also enables me to stream watch netflix and amazon video to which I have subs and which I cannot watch via a V+ box, not unless I pay twice in the case of Netflix. I have a V+HD box. I cannot stream the internet on my V+HD box.

Maybe a TIVO box is closer to a smart tv?If all the options are available on a Virgin box, why do people buy smart tvs?

littlerock

Separately I am having a bit of trouble pinning down what smart services are actually available on the tv I have specified (LG42LF652V). According to Amazon the tv smart services include Now TV (for sky sports and movies), iplayer, Demand 5, Eurosport, Netflix and Amazon video. However the spec for the same tv (same price) on John Lewis and Currys does not include any of these services by name, only saying it has webOS and a free view tuner. The LG site is ambiguous saying services available will depend on the spec at time of purchase.

pappa_golf

go into j lewis /currys and ask to view one working, if the amazon one is available from a retailer with a physical shop , j lewis will match this and offer a better warranty

Alt

Apps available on LG TVs I would guess should be the same across all the models. My 2 year old LG TV does have those 3 apps. It does not have ITV or C4 catch-up apps that Samsung has. Also remember most apps such as Eurosport do require subscription to view.


Additionally if you are planning to regularly use the web browser note that is it might not be compatible with all sites and is a right pain to type URLs without the magic remote.


Alt

littlerock

Well it seems that the only Smart tv which has itv player is Samsung due to an exclusivity deal. I looked up Samsung smart tvs online and their own website has a link on the home page called Smart tv apps. This just takes you to a generic "Samsung tvs are wonderful page" and does not list their tv apps at all.

Amazon lists Samsungs as having itvplayer exclusively but makes no mention of any Now Tv app (for Sky). This seems to be an LG exclusive. Neither model has 4OD so far as I can make out. Is there a Samsung smart tv owner with a 2015 model, who can list exactly what apps it comes with?

If I go into John Lewis, will they know accurately?

almillar

Apps available on LG TVs I would guess should be the same across all the models

That would be a wrong guess.
littlerock - welcome to the world of 'smart' TVs! You're doing the right thing by checking the specs BEFORE you buy!
You'll be linking your Virgin Media TV box to your smart TV via... HDMI. You also need to connect your Smart TV to the net for the 'smartness' - an ethernet cable, or WiFi connection, to your router.
If you goto John Lewis, look at a display model and play with it yourself. I wouldn't expect salespeople to be accurate enough.
Check out what on-demand content you can get through your Virgin box as it may be better than using the TV.

littlerock

I currently have an older non digital SONY tv in my sitting room cabled up to a Virgin V+ HD set top box and cable. I am now thinking of buying a smart tv to replace it (see previous posts here) but will probably connect the Virgin V+ box to it (long boring list of reasons).

This means I will have a perfectly good working tv going spare. I am thinking of moving it into my study/craft room and connecting it to a roof aerial, to watch Freeview's basic service. I have a roof aerial connection outlet in the study but have never used it, so it would just be a matter of getting a new external aerial on it on the roof. I have checked on line and am in a good area for reception.

I assume I would need a Freeview tuner box to connect the aerial to the tv?. As I plan on keeping my V+ box I don't need Freeview Play. I am already paying Virgin and do not want to pay twice for my tv services.

littlerock

OK at present the tv Virgin cable comes into sitting room (from outside) at ground floor level and connects to the V+ box which sits under the tv. The broadband cable comes in at first floor level (from outside) and connects to the Virgin router which is in first floor office ( over the sitting room with tv). The router runs home network, cable and wifi.

Does the smart tv have to connect directly into the router by hdmi cable or can it pick up the signal downstairs via wifi?

Is there any conflict of interest between watching V+ channels, and now tv (which is sky)? When we have a paid for app, like mlb or netflix, will that just appear as an alternative option on the home screen, alongside Virgin and Now and Iplayer etc?