Cable Forum - Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)

HD Channels update: HD Testing in Ex-C&W areas.

VMTest1 - Channel4 HD
VMTest2 - National Geographic HD
VMTest3 - FX HD
VMTest4 - MTVNHD
VMTest5 - not broadcasting
VMTest6 - not broadcasting

BBCHD = 17.6Mbps bitrate, 1920x1080i, 2.0/5.1 448kbps AC3 Audio.
National Geographic HD = 16.8Mbps bitrate, 1920x1080i, 5.1 384kbps AC3 audio. Probably 2.0 for some documentaries. Screenshot - http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/915...2520h51m28.png
MTVHD = 15.0Mbps bitrate, 1920x1080i, 2.0 384kbps AC3 Audio, possibly 5.1 for some music video/concerts. Screenshot - http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/814...2117h08m02.png
FX HD = 15.0Mbps bitrate, 1920x1080i, 2.0 384kbps AC3 audio, possibly 5.1 for some shows. Screenshot: http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/4448/fxhd.png
Channel4 HD = 16.8Mbps bitrate, 1920x1080i, 2.0/5.1 384kbps audio. Screenshot: http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/2...2223h26m34.png

NOTE: post updated as Virgin are now testing with improved video bitrate for Channel4HD and National Geographic HD of 16.8Mbps instead of 15.0Mbps that they were testing with a few days ago. Audio for channel4hd was incorrectly stated as 192kbps .MP2 2.0 it is actually AC3 2.0/5.1 depending on the show and it is 384kbps bitrate. Screenshots have been re-uploaded as tinypic was resizing them to a lower res than the 1920x1088 that they are. HD screenshot of a channel4HD show added too (the e4/channel4 show Skins).

dnh	27-07-2009 11:07

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)

So we know that 4 hd channels are coming this week, does anyone know which day?

Media Boy UK

27-07-2009 11:17

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)

Quote:

Originally Posted by dnh (Post 34841686)

So we know that 4 hd channels are coming this week, does anyone know which day?

An Virgin Media worker has posted on DS Forums that FX HD, MTVNHD and Nat Geo HD will launch on Thursday.

alanasomething

27-07-2009 11:19

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen (Post 34841655)

No its MTV HD, FX HD and Nat GEo HD in July with Living HD around September time.

On the "Boiler room" for customer care it says we will be getting LIVING in July? Last time I checked anyway.

Just googled it to make sure it was LIVING I saw and as far as I can see I was right,

"Starting from the end of July, Living, FX, MTV Networks International and National Geographic will all be getting HD channels; bolstering the level of high definition content available on Virgin Media not inconsiderably. "

But to be honest, I don't think any of the channels will be on before August.

hansi

27-07-2009 11:21

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)

Coming soon.................:rolleyes::rolleyes:

Fred Fish

27-07-2009 11:28

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 34841685)

The only link I can get to work is the FXHD one.....

BTW I hope the wedding was good.....

Media Boy UK

27-07-2009 11:33

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred Fish (Post 34841702)

The only link I can get to work is the FXHD one.....

BTW I hope the wedding was good.....

I forgot to test links before posting - sorry.

Wedding was OK - everyone at my table was outside half an night due to the Smoking Ban.

friends1980

27-07-2009 11:36

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)

As far as i am aware that LIVING-HD will be out in mid september but testing of the channel should begin sometime mid august.

Plus from what i heared i would not put it passed virginmedia to launch C4HD at the same time as LIVING-HD.

dsmuk

27-07-2009 11:53

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)

in Ex-Telewest areas all the VMTest channels are showing place holders for PPN porn!

Hope they flick to the right feed before they launch on the EPG... that would be a scandal and a half!!

Media Boy UK

27-07-2009 11:56

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)

This week list has now been updated - see post one.

daveetwo

27-07-2009 12:55

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsmuk (Post 34841712)

in Ex-Telewest areas all the VMTest channels are showing place holders for PPN porn!

Hope they flick to the right feed before they launch on the EPG... that would be a scandal and a half!!

That would save Jaqui smiths hubby asking for expenses for porn movies. lol

Stephen

27-07-2009 13:09

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanasomething (Post 34841694)

I am sure the Press release states three at the end of July and 4th Quarter for Living

joglynne

27-07-2009 13:25

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)

Actual Press release says....

Quote:

Virgin Media (NASDAQ: VMED) today named four new High Definition (HD) channels which will soon be available on its award winning TV platform. For the first time, LIVING will be broadcast in spectacular HD and will be joined by HD channels from FX, MTV Networks International and National Geographic. All four channels will be available to Virgin Media's 3.6 million TV customers, with the first channel due to launch at the end of July.

http://pressoffice.virginmedia.com/p...633&highlight=

Jabbs

27-07-2009 15:45

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)

^^ That press release was dated 13/7 a lot can happen in that time.

joff81

27-07-2009 15:59

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2009)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jabbs (Post 34841823)

^^ That press release was dated 13/7 a lot can happen in that time.

but the point is we have heard nothing since then so there is a chance we may get nothing.