TV boxes with Virgin Broadband

dexterwolf

I have virgin broadband but don't reallt want to take out a Tv and broadband deal with them. Can you buy a second hand Virgin box and use it with the broadband or could someone recommend me a decent TV box to use with virgin broadband please.
I have a smart TV but the aerial signal in my house is poor for the local channels so ideally want a box that gets the normal TV channels.

Neil_Jones

So you want Virgin TV but you don't want to pay for it?

Note that the main channels (BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5) you should be able to stream the channels through the respective apps on the TV.  If you have a Smart TV you can get accesss to some other stuff from the CBS channels, and then there's Freeview Play.  All of these work down the internet connection you have now.

matelodave

https://www.cordbusters.co.uk/how-to-cut-the-cord-watch-tv-without-cable-uk-guide/ have a look here. You can stream a lot of stuff and even watch catch-up TV with most smart TVs nowadays but recording stuff will require a suitable device to do it. Virgin TiVo boxes use the cable network wheres you'll need something that records from the internet if you cant get a decent signal via your antenna - have a look at Humax, YouView etc.

macman

The boxes are the property of VM, they are leased not sold. So you'd be buying stolen property.

mobileron

Why dont you get a new aerial and use freeview.or get a firestick and stream everything.

Rodders53

If you have Freeview reception of sorts then any Freeview box would work for streaming stuff:
Freeview Play are the latest and BT/Humax You View boxes will use the VM (or any ISP) connection for streaming stuff (including the BT pay services in the latter two).

NB these boxes require some level of Freeview reception, at least during setup.

Consider upgrading the aerial installation in the home to improve reception if your predictions are mostly green when you click through to <detailed view> here: https://www.freeview.co.uk/check-channels-home

If not then freesat is another alternative.