Is Virgin Media still really bad?

[Enfluence]

I left Virgin Media about a year ago due to me getting pings of 4487 (seriously) on games like Counter-strike Source and Quake 4 etc but it always downloaded on its speed 10mb 1.0mbps a second always was there.
having 4-10 can't remember..engineers around to tell me nothing i didn't know, i even had to explain ping (latency to them) they had no idea what i was on about...and did a pretend unintresed shock face to me when i said i get pings that high :rolleyes: .

Now I'm with BT and to be honest it really isn't bad for games at all since now i get pings of 26 on games which is awesome and all, BUT!!!!! for some reason they find it necessary to give me a "Router" that only consists of 2 internet ports and the options of it completely confuse me and arnt user friendly at all because of all the different hubs out there and their different layouts you can never find a guide to actually use it.
So I always have to play games with NAT on strict which...is really...annoying and stops me from talking and using many other things on the Xbox 360
And I would be alright if my BT internet stayed with its sometimes speed of 300-400kb a sec which is fine for all things i'm not an extreme downloader at all but it never seems to stay and usually finds its way to a speed of 70-150 kb a second...they blame it on times in the day but its definitely not that its just the router...being a piece of crap.


Anyway lol needed rant ...still annoys me to this day but back to the main question....Is virgin media still really bad at games? i live in the brighton area

[frogstamper]

I left Virgin Media about a year ago due to me getting pings of 4487 (seriously) on games like Counter-strike Source and Quake 4 etc but it always downloaded on its speed 10mb 1.0mbps a second always was there.
having 4-10 can't remember..engineers around to tell me nothing i didn't know, i even had to explain ping (latency to them) they had no idea what i was on about...and did a pretend unintresed shock face to me when i said i get pings that high :rolleyes: .

Now I'm with BT and to be honest it really isn't bad for games at all since now i get pings of 26 on games which is awesome and all, BUT!!!!! for some reason they find it necessary to give me a "Router" that only consists of 2 internet ports and the options of it completely confuse me and arnt user friendly at all because of all the different hubs out there and their different layouts you can never find a guide to actually use it.
So I always have to play games with NAT on strict which...is really...annoying and stops me from talking and using many other things on the Xbox 360
And I would be alright if my BT internet stayed with its sometimes speed of 300-400kb a sec which is fine for all things i'm not an extreme downloader at all but it never seems to stay and usually finds its way to a speed of 70-150 kb a second...they blame it on times in the day but its definitely not that its just the router...being a piece of crap.


Anyway lol needed rant ...still annoys me to this day but back to the main question....Is virgin media still really bad at games? i live in the brighton area

Hi Enfluence, I too live in Brighton and my 20mb conection is great, I get well over 19mb all the time and my upload never drops below 600kb, my pings average around 30-40 so to be honest I can't complain.

[Horace]

Nobody can give you a meaningful answer to the question because it depends on their own routes, ubr and whether any local problems affect network performance. I consistently get good pings to UK, Europe and US servers and always considered VM/NTL much better than ADSL based on comparisons between myself and other clients connecting when I have admin access to IP's as well as information from friends. Maybe I'm just lucky. Your best bet is to chat with someone you know on VM in the same locality and ask them to do some trace-routes to servers you're likely to use.

[AmAtoL]

Like Horace said it's really hard to compare different areas of the country on performance.
I game every night, probably like a lot of others and I can tell that there are great differences in connection quality from night to night. I run through a router with 2 other users and that makes a difference on my game quality, although there are some on here that can have 4 people gaming, browsing, downloading etc all through a £40 router :sarcasm:

Last weekend I was the only one in the house for a few nights, the difference it made to my gaming was so good it was untrue, pings were constantly low 17 - 30, hit detection was as good as I have experienced recently with no noticeable packet loss that wouold cause you to wonder what happened there. In my overloaded area for that few days it was very good, I dare say in a less oversubscribed area it would be even better.
In short, if it was just me in the house I would be happy, but there isn't, if I could get another line in I would but it looks like an ADSL line for me only unless the network can be sorted out soon.
Me now
Sun, 1 Jun 2008 08:28:48 UTC

Test 1: 1024K took 421 ms = 2432.3 KB/sec, approx 20042 Kbps, 19.57 Mbps
Test 2: 1024K took 438 ms = 2337.9 KB/sec, approx 19264 Kbps, 18.81 Mbps
Test 3: 1024K took 422 ms = 2426.5 KB/sec, approx 19994 Kbps, 19.53 Mbps
Test 4: 2048K took 844 ms = 2426.5 KB/sec, approx 19994 Kbps, 19.53 Mbps

Overall Average Speed = approx 19824 Kbps, 19.36 Mbps

Last night it was 3 Mbps and about 200 kbps up, gaming was a bit of a trial.

[whydoIneedatech]

If you want more connections just buy another router connect via your ethernet cable and you have 5 connections, 1 on your original router and 4 on the second router.

[goldoni]

To ping or not to ping that is the question
Whether 'its nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous slow downloads,
Or to take arms against Virgin Meda,
And by opposing end them? To Leave or stay
and suffer high pings and slow downloads
That is the question? :D

[Graham M]

If you want more connections just buy another router connect via your ethernet cable and you have 5 connections, 1 on your original router and 4 on the second router.

Umm no, don't buy another router (if you've already got one), that's just a waste of money buy a switch with as many ports as you need + 1 (1 to uplink to the router)

[Enfluence]

Thanks for all your replies, looks like im going to check them out again just need to find out how long my BT contract is on for.

[frogstamper]

To ping or not to ping that is the question
Whether 'its nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous slow downloads,
Or to take arms against Virgin Meda,
And by opposing end them? To Leave or stay
and suffer high pings and slow downloads
That is the question? :D

Except some rather catchy quotes from Hamlet.:)

[Jonathan90]

Simple m8 jsut get it installed if its total rubbish theres a 30 day money back thing cancel with in the 30 days and there will be no fees

[huyi]

simply no, i would suggest you stay with your current ISP, their throttling, phorm, STM is enough to put anyone off using virgin media ever.

[DC_FC79]

I dont have any problems with VM and i know a few other people who are with them as well and are happy

[oliver1948uk]

It does fluctuate, but normally around this:

Mon, 2 Jun 2008 21:36:56 UTC

Test 1: 1024K took 444 ms = 2306.3 KB/sec, approx 19004 Kbps, 18.56 Mbps
Test 2: 1024K took 426 ms = 2403.8 KB/sec, approx 19807 Kbps, 19.34 Mbps
Test 3: 1024K took 440 ms = 2327.3 KB/sec, approx 19177 Kbps, 18.73 Mbps
Test 4: 2048K took 865 ms = 2367.6 KB/sec, approx 19509 Kbps, 19.05 Mbps

Overall Average Speed = approx 19374 Kbps, 18.92 Mbps

I am a very satisfied customer of around 10 years (ex-ntl)

[Berealwith]

It does fluctuate, but normally around this:

Mon, 2 Jun 2008 21:36:56 UTC

Test 1: 1024K took 444 ms = 2306.3 KB/sec, approx 19004 Kbps, 18.56 Mbps
Test 2: 1024K took 426 ms = 2403.8 KB/sec, approx 19807 Kbps, 19.34 Mbps
Test 3: 1024K took 440 ms = 2327.3 KB/sec, approx 19177 Kbps, 18.73 Mbps
Test 4: 2048K took 865 ms = 2367.6 KB/sec, approx 19509 Kbps, 19.05 Mbps

Overall Average Speed = approx 19374 Kbps, 18.92 Mbps

I am a very satisfied customer of around 10 years (ex-ntl)

ah bless him :angel: your such a lucky boy arn't you

[xspeedyx]

ah bless him :angel: your such a lucky boy arn't you

I think someone is bitter towards Virgin Media lol.

I never used to have problems but I have for around 6 - 7 months but I am doing some research and hopefully will get this sorted

[A$h X]

1 month ago I would have sang their praises, but now with the torrent throttling and STM, is VM broadband really worth it?
A speed test attached shwos acceptable spped for this time of day, but if they become a big fat zero once you start d/ling torrents, then what's the point?

[goldoni]

Except some rather catchy quotes from Hamlet.:)

And I thought nobody would notice Hamlet ;)

---------- Post added at 17:54 ---------- Previous post was at 17:52 ----------

It does fluctuate, but normally around this:

Mon, 2 Jun 2008 21:36:56 UTC

Test 1: 1024K took 444 ms = 2306.3 KB/sec, approx 19004 Kbps, 18.56 Mbps
Test 2: 1024K took 426 ms = 2403.8 KB/sec, approx 19807 Kbps, 19.34 Mbps
Test 3: 1024K took 440 ms = 2327.3 KB/sec, approx 19177 Kbps, 18.73 Mbps
Test 4: 2048K took 865 ms = 2367.6 KB/sec, approx 19509 Kbps, 19.05 Mbps

Overall Average Speed = approx 19374 Kbps, 18.92 Mbps

I am a very satisfied customer of around 10 years (ex-ntl)

anbody would be happy to be ex NTL ;)

[wanttosurf]

I just got home, and am getting this out of my 20mb connection:

Tue, 3 Jun 2008 17:29:53 UTC

Test 1: 1024K took 828 ms = 1236.7 KB/sec, approx 10190 Kbps, 9.95 Mbps
Test 2: 1024K took 1344 ms = 761.9 KB/sec, approx 6278 Kbps, 6.13 Mbps
Test 3: 1024K took 1141 ms = 897.5 KB/sec, approx 7395 Kbps, 7.22 Mbps
Test 4: 2048K took 2422 ms = 845.6 KB/sec, approx 6968 Kbps, 6.8 Mbps

Overall Average Speed = approx 7708 Kbps, 7.53 Mbps


Tue, 3 Jun 2008 17:30:33 UTC

Test 1: 1024K took 1750 ms = 585.1 KB/sec, approx 4821 Kbps, 4.71 Mbps
Test 2: 1024K took 1516 ms = 675.5 KB/sec, approx 5566 Kbps, 5.44 Mbps
Test 3: 1024K took 906 ms = 1130.2 KB/sec, approx 9313 Kbps, 9.09 Mbps
Test 4: 2048K took 2719 ms = 753.2 KB/sec, approx 6206 Kbps, 6.06 Mbps

Overall Average Speed = approx 6477 Kbps, 6.33 Mbps



Tue, 3 Jun 2008 17:30:57 UTC

Test 1: 1024K took 1484 ms = 690 KB/sec, approx 5686 Kbps, 5.55 Mbps
Test 2: 1024K took 1735 ms = 590.2 KB/sec, approx 4863 Kbps, 4.75 Mbps
Test 3: 1024K took 797 ms = 1284.8 KB/sec, approx 10587 Kbps, 10.34 Mbps
Test 4: 2048K took 2515 ms = 814.3 KB/sec, approx 6710 Kbps, 6.55 Mbps

Overall Average Speed = approx 6962 Kbps, 6.8 Mbps



Tue, 3 Jun 2008 17:31:42 UTC

Test 1: 1024K took 2157 ms = 474.7 KB/sec, approx 3912 Kbps, 3.82 Mbps
Test 2: 1024K took 1187 ms = 862.7 KB/sec, approx 7109 Kbps, 6.94 Mbps
Test 3: 1024K took 1375 ms = 744.7 KB/sec, approx 6136 Kbps, 5.99 Mbps
Test 4: 2048K took 2078 ms = 985.6 KB/sec, approx 8121 Kbps, 7.93 Mbps

Overall Average Speed = approx 6320 Kbps, 6.17 Mbps

[goldoni]

Heres a new way to test your speed via the BBC Link (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7416471.stm) for a true result do it three times. I did the download test and didn't have time to start the stopwatch. So thats dead cool

[wanttosurf]

Did that, got 5.7/3.3/1.7..

Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage!

That about sums it up.

[aseriouscat]

i have had 1.86Mb from a 2Mb connection for the last 2 1/2 hours!!

239 kilobytes = 1.8671875 megabits ;)

[homealone]

Did that, got 5.7/3.3/1.7..

Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage!

That about sums it up.

It sums up that the test, like so many others, is susceptible to how many people try to use it at the same time.

I just downloaded a file from usenet at 19Mb/s - that test gave 1.5Mb/s just afterwards ....

[wanttosurf]

19mb download speed? omg.. since I got this 20mb connection the fastest I have EVER seen it download was just over 2mb/sec..

[aseriouscat]

to test your speed;

go to -
gamefiles.virginmedia.com
or
nettest.virginm.net

download a large file
your transfer rate will be in - Kb, KB or MB

make a note of the transfer rate

go to google

type in (your transfer rate in Kb, KB or MB) in MB

like

256KB in Mb <<<type that in google

256 kilobytes = 2 megabits

thats 2Mb

---------- Post added at 20:31 ---------- Previous post was at 20:28 ----------

19mb download speed? omg.. since I got this 20mb connection the fastest I have EVER seen it download was just over 2mb/sec..



check your PM's in the top right corner... note the typo ;)

[homealone]

19mb download speed? omg.. since I got this 20mb connection the fastest I have EVER seen it download was just over 2mb/sec..

I get that regularly when downloading from the GigaNews European server - the actual speed displayed is 2400KB/s..

[wanttosurf]

ok.. I just downloaded 500mb from http://nettest.virginm.net/

speed topped out at 840kb/sec

If I run that through Google as you suggested it tells me that:

840 kilobits = 0.8203125 megabits

not 8Mb as you are suggesting - but 0.8.

Therefore when you see your download speed as 2400kb/sec you are not downloading at 24mb/sec but at 2.4mb/sec.

I think you've got your maths messed up.

[aseriouscat]

wanttosurf - I think you've got your maths messed up.



i think you've got the difference between Kb and KB messed up???

[homealone]

ok.. I just downloaded 500mb from http://nettest.virginm.net/

speed topped out at 840kb/sec

If I run that through Google as you suggested it tells me that:

840 kilobits = 0.8203125 megabits

not 8Mb as you are suggesting - but 0.8.

Therefore when you see your download speed as 2400kb/sec you are not downloading at 24mb/sec but at 2.4mb/sec.

I think you've got your maths messed up.

Bytes, not bits - multiply by 8 :) 2400 KB/s = 19.2 Mb/s

[aseriouscat]

Bytes, not bits - multiply by 8 :) 2400 KB/s = 19.2 Mb/s



thanks - i thought it was me for a min! :shocked:

[wanttosurf]

Doh!

You're completely right, I did get Kb mixed up with KB there.. my mistake.

So if I redo the sums my actual download speed maxed out at:

840 kilobytes = 6.5625 megabits

which is roughly inline with the speed tests I posted at 18:30 - and still less than a 1/3 of the speed I'm signed up for.

[AmAtoL]

Anyway, back on topic is VM any good for games ?

I've given my tuppence worth, anybody else care to share their experiences of the current state of the VM network as regards gaming capability ? Rather than just outright download speeds.

[wanttosurf]

I've not got any complaints from a gaming point of view, have always had decent pings on COD4, Battlefield 2, Americas Army, etc...

[mouqeet]

get it installed if its rubbish theres a 30 day money back

[hoggie]

I've not got any complaints from a gaming point of view, have always had decent pings on COD4, Battlefield 2, Americas Army, etc...

my son said the same. never any lag or trouble.
but this does depend on your set-up at home.

from the modem router 1 has xbox360 (no nat)
connected to router 1 is router2 with 1pc wired. three laptops (WiFi) Nat enabled.
and all works brill:D

[aseriouscat]

Anyway, back on topic is VM any good for games ?

I've given my tuppence worth, anybody else care to share their experiences of the current state of the VM network as regards gaming capability ? Rather than just outright download speeds.



how about you mail me your post code and i will mail you back how the broadband looks in the area?

[AmAtoL]

I don't need to mail you my post code aseriouscat it's SK2 7DN.
I know what it's like for me, I was just canvassing other peoples opinion :)
I've been on VM or whatever from the beginning and I find it at the moment very unpredictable, pings seem generally ok with just me on as I said on page 1.
I'm seriously thinking of getting the ADSL option for the summer hols, I should say downgrading the 20 meg for 4 as well and seeing how that goes.

[aseriouscat]

SK2 7DN - network build due for 24 july.

[AmAtoL]

SK2 7DN - network build due for 24 july.

Aaah, now what would that mean to me exactly, is it a network upgrade thingy with the UBR being overloaded and all that. Or is it for the 50 meg ;)

The thing is can I wait that long to find out if it will be any better.

Cheers anyway

[aseriouscat]

it does not give a explanation of the work, however it would suggest there have been / are network issues in the area and this is the date we will be fixing them.

The 50Mb thingy has not been confirmed though.

[AmAtoL]

Sounds promising either way :)

[jcw00]

I dont have any problems with VM and i know a few other people who are with them as well and are happy

My VM BB connection is rock steady, always get the speed I pay for, and only been down for less than 48 hours in the last 4 years.

[grungernut]

SK2 7DN - network build due for 24 july.

As always subject to change :-)