Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

i think you guys are confusing what hd and upscaling are. The main reason why the picture is good on the sky and virgin boxes is because you are using a hdmi cable so the video is digital, scart is analog and is very blurred, the actual upscaling doesn't make much difference. What does make a difference in hd is the bitrate which is why non-hd programmes on a hd channel is no longer blocky, hd shows are obviously way better still as not only do they have higher bitrate they also have 1920x1080 lines.

Anyone who says ITV looks nearly as good as ITVHD on virgin needs their eyes testing i'm afraid, the difference is night and day.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Keep up-to-date on the latest news on upcoming channel launches and other important events across all platforms of Virgin TV network.

NOTE: I do not work for Virgin Media so all the information on this list is subject to change.

BOLD = New

Colours on my list are as followed:

Media Boy = New Info just added.
Media Boy = Virgin Media News.
Media Boy EXCLUSIVE: = It an Media Boy EXCLUSIVE and you can only see it on my Blog or on this thread.
Media Boy = Other Media news.

=== Coming up on Virgin's Digital TV ===
=== Free to view Channel offer ===
October 29th. Racing UK will become available as a freeview to all viewers for 3 days until November 1st on Channel 536.
October 30th. Sky Movies Showcase and Sky Movies Showcase HD to be made free to air for the weekend.

=== October ===
No news...

=== November ===
1st. Phoenix CNE to be remove from Virgin Channel 833.
7th. Discovery Knowledge to be rebranded as Discovery History on Virgin Channel 217.
BBC One HD will launch (Now testing).
Ginx may become available on Virgin Media sometime this month. (Info from jamiec21).

=== December ===
1st. Virgin Media to cut prices of some Asia packages.
1st. ZING and Zee Punjabi may become available on Virgin Media in old Telewest areas.

=== Before 2011 ===
-BBC to add 21 hours per week to their HD Channel on Virgin Channel 108.
-Virgin Media will introduce TiVo co-branded set-top boxes.
-BSkyB are to close Bravo, Bravo +1, Bravo 2, Channel One and Channel One +1 by the end of 2010.
-BBC ALBA will launch on Virgin TV.
-Diva TV will be rebranded as Diva Universal on Virgin Channel 164.
-KidsCo.
-BET, BET + 1, Comedy Central Extra + 1, NickToons Replay, Russia Today and Quest + 1 will all become available on Virgin Media.
-Media Boy EXCLUSIVE: Some new Discovery Channels will launch on Virgin TV.
-Virgin Media aim to have 20-30 HD channels.
-Virgin Media will cease all analogue television transmissions.
-Virgin Media will complete the nationwide switch to a "next generation", Nagravision conditional access system.
-Virgin Media will introduce a new next generation V+ box.

=== January 2011 ===
3rd. Coming Soon to Virgin TV 2011 Vol. I launches today.
3rd. Global Radio to close Galaxy or rebrand Galaxy as Capital today on Virgin Channel 919.
ITV1 +1 may become available on Virgin Media sometime this month.
An new ESPN Channel may become available on Virgin Media sometime this month.

=== February 2011 ===
No News...

=== March 2011 ===
No News...

=== April 2011 ===
No News...

=== May 2011 ===
No News...

=== June 2011 ===
No News...

=== July 2011 ===
No News...

=== August 2011 ===
No News...

=== September 2011 ===
No News...

=== October 2011 ===
No News...

=== November 2011 ===
No News...

=== December 2011 ===
No News...

=== Before 2012 ===
-Northern & Shell may rebrand Fiver and Five USA.
-Disney/ABC Television Group is to rebrand Playhouse Disney as Disney Junior on Virgin Channel 727.
-The BBC will close BBC Asian Network.
-The BBC will rebrand BBC Radio 7 as BBC Radio 4 Extra.

=== Unknown dates ===
-Pop Girl.
-RTE International.
-Squirt FM.
-Virgin Media will introduce an enhanced TV interface

=== Rumoured/Hope/No news in months ===
-Eden +1 will relaunch on Virgin Channel 209.
-Yesterday +1 will relaunch on Virgin Channel 204.

=== Latest Virgin on Demand News ====
=== Coming up on Virgin on Demand ===
=== Before 2011 ===
-UKTV on demand will launch.
-Virgin Media Player.
-Virgin Media will offer 3D content on-demand.
-BBC iPlayer will offer subtitled content.

=== Before 2012 ===
-Sky Sports red button interactive service.

=== Unknown dates ===
-Channel 4's ''4oD'' will offer HD content.
-Demand Five.

=== HD Channels rumoured to be coming to Virgin Media ====
-Media Boy EXCLUSIVE: My Virgin insider has told me that talks are ongoing with ESPN over the launch of ESPN America HD on Virgin Media.
-Virgin rumoured to be looking to add the HD Channels: MGM HD, Disney Cinemagic HD, Rush HD, History HD, Bio HD, CI HD, Nat Geo Wild HD, Hallmark HD, Luxe HD.
-Virgin Media will launch the following HD Channels by 2011: Sky Arts 1 HD, Sky Arts 2 HD.

=== What happened on Virgin Media this month ===
Channels rebranded:
Oct. 18th. Hallmark Channel has been rebranded as Universal Channel on Virgin Channel 162.
Oct. 18th. Hallmark Channel +1 has been rebranded as Universal Channel +1 on Virgin Channel 163.

Channels moved Package:
No Channels has moved package so far this month on Virgin Media.

New Channels/Move Channels/New broadcasting hours added:
Oct. 1st. Sky1 HD has launch on Virgin Channel 122.
Oct. 1st. UK Swingers has launch on Virgin Channel 480.[/B]
Oct. 5th. UTV HD has launch on Virgin Channel 113 (N. Ireland only.)


Channels Stop broadcasting/Been removed on Virgin TV:
Oct. 1st. Red Hot 40+ Wives has been remove from Virgin Channel 480.
Oct. ??th, S4C2 has been remove from Virgin Channel 168 (Wales only).

=== Channels THAT still to appear in all areas ===
List was last updated on September 21st 2010.

NO. Channel Name
811. ZING*
812. Zee Punjabi*
833. Phoenix CNE (To be removed on November 1st by broadcaster.)*
917. Radio: RTE Radio**
920. Radio: WRN Europe**

* = Channels are not broadcasting in Ex-Telewest areas right now,
** = Channels are only broadcasting in Ex-Telewest areas right now.

=== Media Boy Thinks: ===
Virgin will keep the following Channels:
ZEE channels

====== Media Boy Information =====
Media Boy - giving out information for FREE on Cable Forum.
Media Boy is part of ''Media Boy Family''.

=== Media Boy Blogs & Extra TV info: ===
Virgin Media Blogs:
See My Virgin TV Blog here - http://virgintvmediaboy.blogspot.com/
See latest on Virgin TV's Analogue switch off - http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/10...-schedule.html
See Virgin Media on ''twitter'' here - http://twitter.com/virginmedia
See latest news about Virgin on Demand via ''twitter'' here - http://twitter.com/vmondemand
See Nialli's blog on Virgin Media High Definition & TiVo Services here - http://vmhd.blogspot.com/
See Nialli on ''Twitter'' here - http://twitter.com/niallivm

=== Ask Media Boy ===
Q: WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INFORMATION ABOUT VIRGIN MEDIA FROM?
A: I get all my info from Virgin Media workers (NOTE: I called them ''An Insider''), Virgin Media viewers, my blogs and Web Sites (NOTE: When I used web sites I will post an link to that web site).

Q: I HAVE GOT NEWS BUT I WORK FOR VIRGIN MEDIA AND I DON'T WANT ANYONE TO SEE MY USER NAME?
A: All you need to do is pm me right now and tell me and I will post your news on ''Coming soon to Virgin TV'' for you.

Q: WHY AM I NOT GETTING ''CHANNEL Z'' FOR?
A: Some channels are only in some areas - Zing is only in Ex-ntl and Ex-Cable & Wireless areas but Ex-Telewest area have got RTE Radio.

Q: NOW THAT BSKYB HAS TOOK OVER VIRGIN MEDIA TELEVISION WILL ANY CHANNELS CLOSE ON VIRGIN TV?
A: Living HD has launch on Sky Digital. But us Virgin Media viewers will see some channels moving about as we have now got Sky1 HD and will be getting Sky Arts 1 HD and Sky Arts 2 HD sometime before 2011.

==== Deals with broadcasters ===
When deals with broadcasters run out Virgin Media need to sign new one to keep that Channel on Virgin TV.

Here is an list of channel that Virgin may get when they old deal runs out with that broadcaster:

NOTE: To start broadcasting soon = That channel has still to start broadcasting on Sky or Freeview.

=== SD and Radio Channels: ===
=== Own by AETN UK ===
Crime & Investigation Network +1
History +1

=== Own by ABC Television Group ===
Disney Cinemagic + 1
Disney Junior + (Soon to start broadcasting).
Playhouse Disney + (Soon to be rebranded as Disney Junior +)

=== Own by ARY Group ===
ARY News
QTV ARY

=== Own by BSkyB ===
Sky3 +1

=== Own by CBS International and Chello Zone ===
CBS Action
CBS Drama
CBS Reality + 1
Horror Channel + 1

=== Own by Channel 4 Television Corporation ===
More 4 + 1

=== Own by CSC Media Group ===
Bliss
Chart Show TV
Dance Nation TV
Flava
Kix!
NME TV
Pop Girl
Pop Girl +1
Scuzz
The Vault
Tiny Pop + 1
True Enterainment
True Movies 2

=== Own by Discovery Networks Europe ===
Animal Planet +1
Discovery Home & Health + 1
Discovery Knowledge + 1
Discovery Science + 1
DMAX + 1
DMAX + 2
Investigation Discovery
TLC (To start broadcast in the UK in 2011.)
Quest + 1

=== Own by GMG Radio ===
Real Radio

=== Own by Independent Media Corporation ===
AAG
GEO News
GEO UK

=== Own by ITV Digital Channels Ltd ===
ITV1 + 1 (Soon to start broadcasting in England and Wales areas only.)

=== Own by NBC Universal Global Networks ===
Diva TV +1

=== Own by NBC Universal, Corus Entertainment, Cookie Jar Group ===
Kids Co (Soon to start broadcasting.)

=== Own by NGC Europe Limited ===
FX + 1

=== Own by Scripps Networks Interactive (Run by Chello Zone) ===
Food Network
Food Network + 1

=== Own by Sony ===
NOTE: The following channels will become part of the ''ViewAsia'' package if Sony can sign an new deal Virgin Media:
ARY Digital^
B4U Movies^
Colors
MAX^
SAB
Sahara One
SET Asia^

^ = On Virgin Media right now.


=== Own by STAR TV ===
STAR Gold
STAR One

=== TIML Radio Limited ===
Absolute 90s (Soon to start broadcasting)

=== Own by Turner Broadcasting System Europe ===
TCM 2

=== Own by Twenty Four 7 Ltd. ===
Luxe TV

=== Own by UKTV ===
Eden + 1
YeSTERDAY + 1

=== Own by Viacom ===
BET
BET + 1
Comedy Central Extra + 1
MTV +1
MTV Classics
MTV Shows
NickToons Replay

=== Own by Zee Entertainment Enterprises ===
ZEE Cafe

=== HD Channels: ===
=== Own by AETN UK ===
Bio HD
Crime & Investigation Network HD
HISTORY HD

=== Own by ABC Television Group ===
Disney Cinemagic HD
Disney XD HD

=== Own by BSkyB ===
Sky Arts 1 HD*
Sky Arts 2 HD*
Sky Movies Classic HD
Sky News HD
Sky Sports HD3
Sky Sports HD4
Sky Sports News HD

*To launch before 2011?

=== Own by ESPN Inc. (The Walt Disney Company/Hearst Corporation) ===
ESPN America HD

=== Own by ITV Digital Channels Ltd ===
ITV2 HD
ITV3 HD (Soon to start broadcasting.)
ITV4 HD (Soon to start broadcasting.)

=== Own by MGM Channel (UK) Limited (BSkyB and MGM) ===
MGM HD

=== Own by NBC Universal Global Networks ===
Universal Channel HD

=== Own by NGC-UK Partnership ===
Nat Wild HD


=== Own by Rainbow Media ===
Rush HD
Sundance Channel HD

=== Own by Scripps Networks Interactive (Run by Chello Zone) ===
Food Network HD (Soon to start broadcasting).

=== Own by Twenty Four 7 Ltd. ===
Luxe TV HD

=== Own by UKTV ===
Eden HD
Good Food HD

=== Own by Viacom ===
Nickelodeon HD

=== 3D Channels: ===
=== Own by BSkyB ===
Sky 3D

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

anyone know if we are likely to get sky on demand , now that we have sky movies/sports

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

I would say 100% no, simply because its Sky On Demand so they will keep it for themselves.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Noticed 2 new 3D trailers of upcoming films have appeared, for the new Christmas Carol film and Garfield Pet Force (which is now available to purchase). I've recently purchased a 3D TV (Sony HX803) so have checked them out. Both looked quite effective in 3D, the Christmas Carol in particular (always like the snow effect in 3D) so I am tempted to purchase when it is released in December.

The list is growing at least, see http://www.virginmedia.com/movies/fe...n-media-3d.php

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Yes, the V+ box does upscale very nicely. However, it's only as good as the SD channel in question. If the SD channel is poor quality (I'm looking at you, ESPN America) then the upscaled version will also be poor. If you have an HDTV try comparing ESPN and ESPN HD on the same TV. The HD channel is way better than the upscaled SD channel.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Yes I've noticed that myself, the range if quality of SD channels can be significant with its impact on upscaling.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Bravo and Channel One to close on January 14th?

I was playing around with my Virgin Box on Saturday Afternoon and I found out that Virgin will remove the final show from Bravo on Demand on January 14th. With Channel One on Demand last show being remove on January 7th (I think).

Virgin remove HBO on the 14th of October when the last show was set to be removed on that date.

But still no insider will confrim the 14th of January date to me.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

My friend who's the media contact says he's heard the ESPN content could be in the New Year dependant on ESPN 2 launch but he said its all up in the air.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

For me, it's not just the better picture quality of HD (and why shouldn't we have the best picture quality that is available on Virgin Media?), but it's also, very much, about the sound.

A lot of films and most current US dramas are broadcast in Dolby Digital 5.1. This not only gives better sound clarity, but surround effects for the action type dramas. Music often sounds much better in 5.1.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

That's a very good point.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

But most content on HD channels is not in 5.1.

On ITV HD it I do not think the sound is even digital.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

The sound is bad i have to chance the seting on my surround sound system to stereo :erm:

and thats all we going get is crapy BBC1HD

think its time to ring virgin up again

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

Yes, I meant to mention that ITV1HD are useless with regard to 5.1. Someone has said that they are working on it.

But the other HD channels have a lot of 5.1; It depends on what you watch. A lot of films shown on channel 4/E4/Film4 are 5.1.

Most of the current US drama series shown on all the HD channels are; Fringe and Nikita are a couple of examples.

Re: Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2010) Vol. IV
 

ESPN 2, ESPN America HD, ESPN News, ESPN Classic on demand is to launch on the Virgin platform early in the New Year. My insider has confirmed that talks between the pair have resulted in Virgin adding these channels at no extra cost

Well done Virgin :handshake