Originally Posted by RichardCoulter (Post 35194282)

Further developments tonight:

* The total number of channels has changed on the EPG and we now have four extra.

There looks to be two new adult channels now on the EPG. One is "My ex Girlfriends" (that I saw testing last night) and the other something to do with swingers.

I think the other two are Sky film channels. Didn't Sky open a new classic channel shortly after the deal? It looks like that's on VM now and Sky Indie may be new too.

Anybody? (I don't subscribe to films).

* At about 2.15am I went to channel 0 and the EPG listings were for a childrens channel. Nothing matched any childrens channels on the VM EPG.

* Listings included 2.00am kat v kid, 2.20am Pokeman, 2.45 Pokeman and 3.10am Galaktic Football. The listings lasted well into tomorrow evening. Anybody know what channel these are on?

* When tuned to channel 0, there is no channel number showing at the front of the box.

* If one tries to set a reminder you get the standard PPV message about no reminder needing to be set as this is automatically done when the event was bought.

* If one tries to set record on one of these programmes, it goes red for a few seconds, before returning to normal.

* The white lines in the top left hand corner only appear when the mini guide is showing, otherwise it's just a black screen.

* I checked again at about 3.25 and the normal PPV slate was being broadcast.

I'm beginning to wonder if these tests are only done from, say, 2 to 3am??

Also, it will be interesting to see if a new childrens channel appears later today, as was the case with the adult channel.

Originally Posted by ottoni (Post 35194482)

Someones just confirmed over on DS that it is indeed listings for disney XD in HD.
Makes me wonder, if a deal has been struck for XD, maybe cinemagic in HD might follow?

Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35194483)

Two ''new'' adult channels has been on Virgin Media have been on for some week/months on the EPG.

"My ex Girlfriends" was launch on the 4th of March.
and ''swingers'' was launch on the 1st of October 2010.

The movie channel you saw is maybe MGM HD?

More info on link - http://virgintvmediaboy.blogspot.com...ut-of-bag.html

---------- Post added at 15:00 ---------- Previous post was at 14:48 ----------



Wikipedia says that the Disney XD HD is just Simulcast of Disney XD.

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter (Post 35194531)

Do we currently get Disney XD SD?

I obviously don't count the number of channels, I just look at the last page to see if that has changed.

We have either lost two channels, or gained four.

I can't see any that we have lost, but, some are saying that the total number of services in the menue has only increased by 1.

It looks like I was wrong about the two adult channels being new additions.

Can anyone confirm what's been added or taken off? :confused:

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter (Post 35194531)

Do we currently get Disney XD SD?

I obviously don't count the number of channels, I just look at the last page to see if that has changed.

We have either lost two channels, or gained four.

I can't see any that we have lost, but, some are saying that the total number of services in the menue has only increased by 1.

It looks like I was wrong about the two adult channels being new additions.

Can anyone confirm what's been added or taken off? :confused:

Originally Posted by jobbie8 (Post 35194610)

My channels have gone up from 330 to 331, could this be the Chris Moyles red button "channel"??

Originally Posted by jobbie8 (Post 35194610)

My channels have gone up from 330 to 331, could this be the Chris Moyles red button "channel"??

Originally Posted by jobbie8 (Post 35194610)

My channels have gone up from 330 to 331, could this be the Chris Moyles red button "channel"??

Originally Posted by devilincarnate (Post 35194620)

It must be nice to have the red button, whoops i have got Tivo ( sorry too tempting ):(

Originally Posted by savvychels (Post 35194677)

just no HD connection LOL (sorry couldn't resist - the irony is too much)

Originally Posted by ottoni (Post 35194851)

Can confirm, there is a sky 1 HD feed unscrambled broadcasting at 1080i, this could be testing for a possible new hd channel? There are 4 other channels called test 41 to test 44, but shows no picture. Any changes will let you know.;)

Originally Posted by mersey70 (Post 35194867)

Indeed, as I mentioned earlier I can confirm this too.

Perhaps Sky Atlantic chaps?

I cannot imagine VM would have lit up an individual HD stream without plans for it though!

Originally Posted by scorpionatthepc (Post 35194890)

I doubt it. Its been said a few times don't expect sky atlantic 'anytime soon'.

Originally Posted by mersey70 (Post 35194895)

Indeed but you never know. However it seems odd it is a Sky channel broadcasting on the test stream, and a HD one at that. Usually they just use a OD trailer for tests.

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35194897)

If I had to stick my money on an HD channel arriving i'd say Sky Arts HD or Nat Geo Wild HD ;)

Originally Posted by howardmicks (Post 35195063)

Hope i am right but heard a whisper its universal HD

Originally Posted by BenMcr (Post 35195072)

As long as their HD picture is better than their SD one!

Originally Posted by BenMcr (Post 35195072)

As long as their HD picture is better than their SD one!

Originally Posted by BenMcr (Post 35195072)

As long as their HD picture is better than their SD one!

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35195126)

Agreed on that Ben there SD picture is worse than awful if that's possible LOL :D

Originally Posted by mersey70 (Post 35195138)

If it's possible it's even worse on Sky!

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35195146)

Agreed on that to , when I was on sky before the SD wasn't great although its not a massive problem with over 50 HD channels and more to come.

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35195146)

Agreed on that to , when I was on sky before the SD wasn't great although its not a massive problem with over 50 HD channels and more to come.

Originally Posted by Digital Fanatic (Post 35195154)

Steady now :D

LOL ;)

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35195182)

I meant to say with more to come on VM as well DF :D

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35195182)

I meant to say with more to come on VM as well DF :D

Originally Posted by passingbat (Post 35195199)

You're gonna flaunt your HD channels now, aren't you?

Well, just wait 'till I get Tivo.... :D

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35195146)

Agreed on that to , when I was on sky before the SD wasn't great although its not a massive problem with over 50 HD channels and more to come.

Originally Posted by richard1960 (Post 35195207)

I did notice on vm when sky sports 1/2 arrived in HD i took them for a month and noticed on my set up a samsung 32inch that there was a difference but it was not a huge one over the SD equivelant probably down to the decent upscaling on the V+ box,i soon canclled the HD variants.

Its often said i do not know if its true sky have lowered the bitrate for the SD channels to make the difference when compared to HD more pronounced for the charge.

Originally Posted by howardmicks (Post 35195063)

Hope i am right but heard a whisper its universal HD

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35195214)

I do believe the bigger your set the more HD is needed , I have a 40 inch TV and the difference between SD on VM and HD to me is massive and probably even bigger
difference on a larger screen like 46 / 50 inch etc.

---------- Post added at 18:46 ---------- Previous post was at 18:43 ----------

I think Disney XD HD , Universal HD and Sky Arts HD channels will arrive soon on VM.

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35195204)

I can see it now mines more tuners than yours , hope VM continue strengthening their TV product competition benefits subscribers of both companies.

Originally Posted by Henkesghost (Post 35195230)

Think you mean start strengthening not continue;)

Originally Posted by Henkesghost (Post 35195230)

Think you mean start strengthening not continue;)

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35195235)

I know I'm switching to Sky but come on the VM TV product has vastly improved.

Originally Posted by passingbat (Post 35195238)

So don't all the HD channels VM added count? They went from one to a lot over the space of a few months. Sky do have more, but VM have a very good number. In my view, muppetman11 was right to say continue.

Originally Posted by Henkesghost (Post 35195239)

Agree mate it did last summer, but has gone if anything backwards since. Like you I didn't want to go back to sky tv but virgin just dragged soooo long.

Cable, mobile and land line excellent but tv:td:

Enjoy mate and for what it's worth you seem to be one of the more even minded regular posters on here, good luck

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35195241)

I've always said it Sky strengthening makes VM up their game and vice versa so in the end it benefits the customers of both platforms , sure VM aren't perfect but neither are Sky.

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35195214)

I do believe the bigger your set the more HD is needed , I have a 40 inch TV and the difference between SD on VM and HD to me is massive and probably even bigger
difference on a larger screen like 46 / 50 inch etc.

---------- Post added at 18:46 ---------- Previous post was at 18:43 ----------

I think Disney XD HD , Universal HD and Sky Arts HD channels will arrive soon on VM.

Originally Posted by savvychels (Post 35195242)

The only way it could have gone backwards would be if it removed the HD channels it added. The only things lost were lost across all platforms, so seriously how could it go backwards. It may have temporarily stalled, but I suspect that's due to the TiVo rollout. I agree communication could have been better with that, but that's still forward motion...

Originally Posted by alwaysabear (Post 35195247)

I agree, my daughter has a 50" and there is a massive difference from SD to HD.

Originally Posted by Digital Fanatic (Post 35195249)

Yeah, HD is important at that size.

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35195254)

I would say you can notice a decent improvement from 40 inch upwards.

Originally Posted by alwaysabear (Post 35195258)

Yep I have a 42 " plasma and the difference was very noticeable from my old 32"tv.

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35195283)

Hopefully mate VM will give you ESPNA HD to fill that 42" screen.

Originally Posted by alwaysabear (Post 35195308)

Yeh right, is Christmas coming early this year?:D

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35195314)

I genuinely hope it does with this channel for you.

Originally Posted by alwaysabear (Post 35195332)

Well enjoy your viewing Of ESPNA HD on Sky, I understand from DS forums that it is the best HD viewing experience.

Originally Posted by AndyTSJ (Post 35195431)

Still can't believe we don't have ESPN America HD. Virgin need to sort this out.

Originally Posted by AndyTSJ (Post 35195431)

Still can't believe we don't have ESPN America HD. Virgin need to sort this out.

Originally Posted by AndyTSJ (Post 35195431)

Still can't believe we don't have ESPN America HD. Virgin need to sort this out.

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35195484)

You will have to wait a long time.

Originally Posted by AndyTSJ (Post 35195492)

Why is that ?

Originally Posted by AndyTSJ (Post 35195492)

Why is that ?

Originally Posted by mersey70 (Post 35195500)

VM probably cannot afford to provide it given their pricing structure. ESPN and most of it's spinoffs are exclusively available as stand alone premium services on Sky so not only do you have to pay separately for the ESPN package you also have to pay extra for it in HD.

You probably cannot have these things both ways, XL is great value but HD is restricted because of the pricing structure but hopefully they can strike a deal but I would guess they would have more mainstream priorities ahead of an american sports channel, same applies to the Arts channels I sought in HD, I concluded there are other channels that would please more people than providing those I guess.

Originally Posted by AndyTSJ (Post 35195523)

I'd willingly pay a bit more for ESPN America HD.

Originally Posted by AndyTSJ (Post 35195523)

I'd willingly pay a bit more for ESPN America HD.

Originally Posted by alwaysabear (Post 35195530)

So would I, only a short time ago I paid £10 a month for NASN.

Originally Posted by mersey70 (Post 35195534)

It's horses for courses, I agree with you that you get what you pay for.

People simply cannot expect a mirror of Sky's HD services, particularly where ESPN is concerned when it costs considerably more to Sky customers.

My gripe with VM was that they do not give you the choice, you get what they deem as cost effective to be bundled in XL which is great value but it is completely inflexible and (in my opinion) can never satisfy the appetite for HD that many people have. It dosen't add up to my mind.

If you want more you have to pay more, it's as simple as that.

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35195542)

I agree its totally inflexible.

Originally Posted by richard1960 (Post 35195543)

What would you like to see on the tv service that would make it more flexible for you as a customer Denphone.? Bearing in mind i think TV XL is excellent value for money in its current form even though i do not watch the MTV channels its all part of the greater package to suit ALL cstomers .:)

Originally Posted by richard1960 (Post 35195543)

What would you like to see on the tv service that would make it more flexible for you as a customer Denphone.? Bearing in mind i think TV XL is excellent value for money in its current form even though i do not watch the MTV channels its all part of the greater package to suit ALL cstomers .:)

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35195545)

They should have a XXL package which could include extra hd and sd channels as a option for customers to pay a little bit extra.

Originally Posted by alwaysabear (Post 35195544)

TV XL is good value for money, but I would like to be able to add ESPNA HD just like, people pay extra for Sky Sports 1 & 2 in HD.

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35195545)

They should have a XXL package which could include extra hd and sd channels as a option for customers to pay a little bit extra.

Originally Posted by yorkshireborn (Post 35195561)

virgin advertise HD as free this gets extra customers to take up virgins offer if it was to start charging for HD then they would get less.

i for one would leave virgin and go to sky if im being charged for HD then ill go with a company that offer a lot more channels in HD.

Originally Posted by richard1960 (Post 35195568)

What if virgin were to carry the same amount of HD they do now on TV XL,but added quite a few more to a new pack for a small charge maybe £5 extra,so current suscribers would not lose out but could if they wanted to take the offer up to pay a bit extra for a lot more HD,just a thought.

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35195571)

Good idea.

Originally Posted by richard1960 (Post 35195576)

Hi yes it does make total sense to me to offer extra if people are willing to pay for it,and there are enough that are willing to take more HD.:)

Originally Posted by passingbat (Post 35195582)

What extra channels are people suggesting go in this XXL pack?

Originally Posted by richard1960 (Post 35195568)

What if virgin were to carry the same amount of HD they do now on TV XL,but added quite a few more to a new pack for a small charge maybe £5 extra,so current subscribers would not lose out but could if they wanted to take the offer up to pay a bit extra for a lot more HD,just a thought.

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35195584)

There is at leat 20 to 30 channels virgin could add to create a new pack, just look at Media Boys threads on Coming soon.

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35195584)

There is at leat 20 to 30 channels virgin could add to create a new pack, just look at Media Boys threads on Coming soon.

Originally Posted by Chad (Post 35195585)

It's a good idea in principle however I can't see Virgin ever going down that road. What happens if Virgin sign deals to secure all of these extra HD channels however the new £5 extra HD package isn't a success? Who then has to pay to cover the costs of securing these channels? I'll end up that prices go up across the board to make sure Virgin don't make a loss. Also if you want all HD that Virgin has to offer, you'll have to pay £13.00 per month which I understand would make it the most expensive HD package in the UK, Europe and possibly the world. Even then you still wouldn't have all the channels that SKY offer.

SKY use the tagline "Believe in better".

Virgin would have to use "Pay more for less".

The points raised in recent posts have pretty much been covered in the following thread all ready:

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/11...l-package.html

Originally Posted by passingbat (Post 35195587)

I was asking what specific channels the people advocating this would put in the XXL pack?

When ITV2, 3, 4 and Universal HD, Sky Arts come, where do they go; XL or XXL? Thet are all non premium channels.

Originally Posted by pep4uk (Post 35195657)

hi can anyone help me please
im trying to find out if virgin will be showing the masters in 3d and if there will be a charge for it
thankyou pep x ;)

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35195241)

I've always said it Sky strengthening makes VM up their game and vice versa so in the end it benefits the customers of both platforms , sure VM aren't perfect but neither are Sky.

Originally Posted by greeninferno (Post 35196086)

Virgin are charging something like £4 less than sky for something like 20 HD channels less.

Virgin are at it.

Originally Posted by greeninferno (Post 35196086)

Virgin are charging something like £4 less than sky for something like 20 HD channels less.

Virgin are at it.

Originally Posted by richard1960 (Post 35196115)

Thats not true HD is included in the XL tv pack at no extra charge so no HD charge there then

Virgin do charge £7 for HD on sky movies and sky sports 1/2 HD because sky impose this on them so vm have no choice but to pass the cost on.

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35196227)

True but VM do charge a HD activation fee so it's not completely free in year 1.

Originally Posted by richard1960 (Post 35196230)

When i got my v+ box i got charged £75 for the box itself and no activation fee, i think now vm do not charge for the v+ boxes but instead label it up as an activation for HD although i cold be wrong,as they charge an HD fee on the VHD box also.

Which would not make it completely free in year one but very much so after that on the XL pack.

Its far to say though the activation fee is very small compared to the £120(old price pre vat rise) you would pay sky in year one.

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35196234)

Yes it's 49.95.

Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35196233)

Ginx TV will not launch in March.

Ginx TV Blogs has posted that Ginx TV will not launch on Virgin Media in March after all.

http://ginx.tv/blogs/sarah/ginx-laun...-new-countries

Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35196233)

Ginx TV will not launch in March.

Ginx TV Blogs has posted that Ginx TV will not launch on Virgin Media in March after all.

http://ginx.tv/blogs/sarah/ginx-laun...-new-countries

Originally Posted by Henkesghost (Post 35196270)

Virgin in non channel launch shocker:D