What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

I am just wondering what features you would like to see from Virgin Media and hopefully if any of the top dogs read this post might spark some ideas?

So come on lets hear you ideas?

No Flaming or fan boys please

Re: What features do think Virgin Media should implement?
 

To be honest the only feature I can think off right now is if virgin got sky 1 back :D

Re: What features do think Virgin Media should implement?
 

Well from the stories I have heard it looking for next year if all goes to plan but thats just rumours atm

Re: What features do think Virgin Media should implement?
 

I suppose my patients can last till then if true :D

Re: What features do think Virgin Media should implement?
 

I'd like to be able to queue up a number of VOD shows to run one after the other without you having to select another then start, then view.

I'd also very, very much like to have back the ability to move all undesirable/unsubscribed channels to the bottom of the list so I can quick-guide from BBC1 right through to the last channel I want/can view without going through all the other pallaver like the music channels, movie channels, sport etc - like we used to be able to do on the NTL network.

Re: What features do think Virgin Media should implement?
 

Unlimited downloads

Re: What features do think Virgin Media should implement?
 

This would be great:cool:

Re: What features do think Virgin Media should implement?
 

I never through of that, I would love that as a feature, esp the VOD feature, as I do use VOD rather alot

---------- Post added at 14:13 ---------- Previous post was at 14:12 ----------

In a way you do as your not capped to certain amount of GB you can download before you cant use connection anymore (hehehe I had to say that to sound like a VM bod)

Re: What features do think Virgin Media should implement?
 

Came to me last night while on matchstick-eyed, new baby nightshift watching Red Dwarf Series 3.
I couldn't get to the remote right away and that incessant message about Filmflex was going on and on and on and on... :mad:

Re: What features do think Virgin Media should implement?
 

Ditto music on demand:)

Can't you set Favourites to effictively achieve that?

Re: What features do think Virgin Media should implement?
 

Yes, but I seldom use anything but the quick guide, having being spoiled by it being so good that way on the NTL platform.

And yes, the music too!

Re: What features do think Virgin Media should implement?
 

I'd like to be able to connect to my stb remotely, via a phone or the internet to set recordings, reminders etc.

Oh, and I want the "Guide" button to actually bring up the TV Guide and not just the "Now and next" thing - my "TV" button does that.

Re: What features do think Virgin Media should implement?
 

My guide button does bring up the TV guide. Now and next is by pressing TV.
Obviously different remote control I guess.

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

The phone answered by CS before you fall asleep.
Option to remove the music while on hold.
Ditch of the non-DD charge.
Televised execution of the woman who does the phone messages.
That is all ;)

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

I bit more transparency in how they deal with technical issues i.e passing the buck and blaming your pc, and no scripts.
Open and honest about, if your new and want to sign up, they will check say "but the area is oversubscribed" if it is, if not fine and dandy :)

Can't say if i want anything changed on the Tv side as i dropped that back in feb, but even then i was a tad miffed at the number of breaks in programmes, especially since i was paying more for that than my TV fee.

I would honestly suggest thay stopped 50meg, until the oversubscription in areas has been sorted out, so average jo can get what they pay for.

I can see the point in stopping the non DD charge, it penalises quite a number of people.

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

I'd like to see a better upload ratio, even if it's just for the business accounts, 1Mb on 20Mb or 700Kb on 10Mb isn't really upto business standards

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

I forgot that one cheers Kymmy. I do send a good deal of files to other firms, but on my own time, Cutting that time in half would be a great advantage. It would also keep Virgin in line with their non cable competitors.

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

How about the STB guide only showing channels that you actually get! Its annoying that Im on TV M and i can see whats on the channels i dont get - its a waste of download time imho.

If that couldn't happen - then Kryo's idea of moving non-subscribed channels to the bottom of the guide would be the next best thing.

Also the more-transparency thing would be good - but I can see why they wouldn't want to do that (loss of customers)

My upload/download is fine even on 2mb cable i can use xbox live with no problems thats my most intensive web app

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

As I said before VM wont offer higher uploads for 2 main reasons 1. It means they would actually have to spend money on the crippled network and 2. they dont have enough demand accroding to them anyways

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

If you have a business account they do speeds from 2Mb to 1Gb symmetrical

http://www.ntltelewestbusiness.com/i...34c&version=-1

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

This is something I've mentioned before but a better means to handle V+ recordings.

At the very least to be able to tag recordings then delete them all in one go.

Also
To put a hash on programmes so you don't record the same episode multiple times. It sometimes seems to do this, but not always.

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

apart from the things mentioned, the ability to remove the pin protection on the sky movie channels (and any others that force require it)

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

I'd like to see itv catch up and demand 5

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

If VM bid on a share in ITV then I can see OD having ITV on it

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

As much old BBC content from their archives (60's 70's 80's and 90's) as possible including full series, even if it means an extra charge of say £5 a month for access. In other words, TVChoiceOD XL.

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

I think the BBC Trust decided against this.

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

I'd like to see VM sever whatever ties they have with a certain Spyware Company.

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

E-mails that let you know you have been STM'd and I'd like to to able to que music on demand also ITV and channel 5 OD

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

A better upload ratio across all tiers would be wonderful.

The 2Mbit service has a ratio better than 10:1, to preserve this ratio across the other tiers would be ideal, IE 1Mbit upload on 10Mbit and 2Mbit upload on 20Mbit.

More would be better, of course, but that'll do for now :)

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

I think that archive is destined for the kangaroo service when it becomes available.

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

Move to a better encryption for the TV service to stop boxed being chipped :)

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

havent they just hit lots and lots of chipped boxes offline

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

They cannot afford to do so just yet.

Though, boxes aint chipped :p:

---------- Post added at 22:31 ---------- Previous post was at 22:31 ----------

No, they now do a key roll 2-3times/day.

Proper boxes have no problem with this, they just auto update to the new keys.

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

Another one here for a weekly e-mail, saying how much you have downloaded or bandwidth used. A lot better for us with familys and kids having a second connection for either lappy or PS3.

Better spam filtering on their virgin.net mail accounts.

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

I dont see any point in this as there are no monthly caps.

And my router provides how much I have downloaded

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

There is speed caps however and limits you have to stay within.

Thus, it is needed.

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

I still do not see the need for e-mails stating how much you have downloaded as there is no set monthly limit unless you know otherwise?

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

there is if your on virgin.net ADSL. Since ADSL are on a week by week capping basis, not daily.

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

Oh right didn't know about the ADSL side I haven't had ADSL for over a year. I can't see why all ADSL ISP's dont provide usage info

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

Also, wouldn't that cause even more congestion if they emailed everyone, for example, who was about to be traffic shaped?

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

Well maybe a optin option within you online account

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

Why only ADSL ISP's. and even why provide the info?
A lot of ADSL providers haven't got any limits to watch out for.

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

Sky have limits on some of there packages
BT do as well
Plus net do
and that's just to name a few most of ADSL companies have limits

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

theres far to many options and features VM need to get off the ground but heres a few.

you really Have to look and think far BIGGER and longer market place/share in all this, RIGHT NOW.

as with everything IT, this years market has moved on far past even what was available 3 years ago but the antiquated liberate middleware is still with us unfortunately.

dump the liberate firmware/middleware and backend and replace it with something/anything that can do the job for at least the next 5 years+, the tiny rebol 3 TCP:ip/UDP scripting can fill that need for major long term expandability far better than any current STB firmware/middleware and at a far better price too.

dump the antiquated TW forced V+ mpeg2 only STB and replace it with a real future proof MPeg2,AVC and even VC1 capable chipset STB with loads of ram and HD space if you like.

also,rather than buy off the shelf STB SOC based kit for the long term, they could even look into commissioning a real network wide DS3 based STB that has much improved expandability, and a include the must have seperate 3D chipset so as to play a major roll in future services.

its a simple fact that your average generic mobile phone has far more power,memory and 2D/3D chip than any VM STB today, hell the VM STBs dont even have a real 2D chip never mind a 3D chip to do simple Multi picture in picture video overlay that comes so easy for the chips below.

the Cell or its new offspring the "spursengine" are a perfect long term choice for STB inclusion, as its made for OEM to include them into the new DVB TVs and DVB STBs etc, its even inside the new laptops and PC-E cards now, so MORE than good enough for any long term Virgin Media mass market STB that could blow away anything sky have or are likely to manufacture (remember they have their own STB company now).

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=9cn6KFnzSXo

http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/20/t...process-video/

http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/03/l...ng-pci-e-card/

stick that along side a PPC based dual CPU chipset SOC such as the "E600" chipset and a wireless 11n chipset http://www.dailywireless.org/2008/10...4x4-on-a-chip/ and a gigabit router chip and 4 ports on there with 512Meg of ram and your pritty close to all you might need for the long term future after adding the usual Docsis tuners,internal hardrives,external ports and whatnot.

moving on, VM need to just sack the person resonsable for the TW forced accounting database that doesnt allow for more than a single Cable modem on your account for those people that have a fully provisioned and powered internal CM inside the STB and want to use it as a simple second broadband connection,perhaps slower 4Mbit/512kbit but more than good enough for most people.

while VM are piddling about with the old rebadged 11g routers to end users, and doing a very bad job of at that , the ISP infrastructure and related kit world is moving on ,the US cable companys have signed up to, and are working to incorporate wireless directly into their cable infrastructures with WiMax, and offering that to their end users.

and even the Uks BT with its Ethernet services 21CN Rethink http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=165691

knows that those that own the future wireless backhaul owns the massive customer base and its massive profits and services thats just around the corner.

BT and T-Mobile UK seem to be in the leader position right now, virgin mobile are finally making some microscopic and half assed moves based on these other peoples deals but its no were near enough as they just dont get it it seems, and VM with its Uk wide core cable network isnt even in the race.


why do i want the US based Vigin Media executives to wake up and get started in this UK WiMax/11n race ?, because i want all these things above and far more ASAP , but with only one runner theres no race and no prospect of getting anything we want to pay for...

WiMax is directly Docsis Based in much of its infrastucture and networking, and so VM are and were in the perfect position to take massive advantage of it with less outlay , but BT will pass them by very soon ,its simple survival, and ntl/tw let their massive advantage pass them by, and now it looks like VM are going to do the same old executive stance and wait rather than lead the Uk markets, once again....

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

If some customers really want those awful sky channels back then what I think Virgin Media should do is this:

New TV package: XXL: (extra extra large) it would have all the channels which XL package has but would have all the Sky basic channels too.

New Broadband package: XXL(Extra extra large) this would be the new 50MB speed package

New Phone package: XXL(Extra extra large) this would have the same features as XL phone (Unlimited calls to 01,02 and 03 numbers) but would offer all calling fetures,Talk Mobile and Talk International at no additional cost. And a free text messaging allowance for those with text enabled phones.

They could then introduce a new bundle, which could offer:

All the XL TV channels
Sky Basic Channels
Sky Movies and Sky sports
50MB Broadband
Unlimited calls to landlines
Talk Mobile
Talk International
TV choice on demand
Catch up TV
Music on Demand
Free V+ box OR Free wireless router
All Calling features

Cost: £110 per month

Thats virtually perfect for a family or house share

Otherwise they could offer the XXL TV pakcage individual.

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

It would be feasible for VM to inject a message onto a customer's browsing informing them that they have just reached FUP. That'd be quite useful. 'You have reached the FUP limit, and from 5:49PM to 10:49PM will have a maximum speed of 5Mbit/s downstream and 192kbit/s upstream.'

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

1)- A searchable, customisable EPG on the website, similar to Digiguide
2)- A better EPG on the telly, or at least get the old NTL one back
3)- Caller ID on my landline

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

Some more HD channels wouldn't go a miss!

Also Iam surprised they haven't done something to get rid of landlines fr those on broadband and given a good mobile deal instead?

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

Landlines are still going strong mate so it wouldnt be worth it in money sense for them to do it, all VM customers can have the £10 a month sim offer

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

well they can if they pass the seperate credit check :angel:, several people did pass fine for Virgin Media but didnt for the Virgin Mobile version.....

and theres still no sign of any cheaper 3G broadband USB2 3G dongle+mobile data packages for VMedia customers to take as a fully VM customer incentive over a non VM customer.

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

have a look at sky tvlisting site it has excately what oyu want ;) shame virgin cant do it, btw when i say what you want i mean virgin listings with virgin epg numbers

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

I'd like VM to support Linux as it's got a reasonable market share.

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

If you are a Linux nerd do you really want a Virgin Tech telling you how to navigate your O/S.

Vote here:D

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

No, I don't want a tech telling me how to navigate, what I meant was that I wished they'd offer support, for instance this morning I got a free wireless router from them, and the software is for windows PCs, surely they can ask what O/S does the customer use and then send out the correct software. Also I'm no nerd, lol

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

Yes, Virginmedia should aim to be Linux-friendly, Mac-friendly, Netbook friendly.

Maybe not necessarily "full support", but have the required settings and options available, rather than depend 100% on "insert our installer CD".

To "support" any system wher the user knows where to put the settings, requires that those settings be clearly available, easy to find, rather than an afterthought for those cranks who don't want to use setup.

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

Symetrical connections.

When VM can push speeds like this (my france connection) then i'll take all the bad things i say about VM back...:p:

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

I have a V+ box and regularly record one off programs manually.

Unfortunately, I record so much that I might not get to the programme for a week or so by which time I have forgotten the name of the programme.

Just wondered if it was possible to have a feature which allows you to rename the programme to its correct name.

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

1) High Definition EPG. Even widescreen would be an improvement.
2) Search feature for on demand. The iPlayer one is so bad I don't use it at all on VMs platform and scroll through the virgin interface instead. Queing music would be good too.
3) Quicker and more importantly more consistent turn around times for addition to vod. More consistency on vod full stop.

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

A couple of things really, firstly, more high definition channels. Just BBC HD really isn't competitive with Sky. So basically, anyone who buys a HD telly should dump VM for sky. Especially when there's ITV HD and CH4 HD available for free on freesat (and that's just the free channels).

Additionally, the people manning the technical support line should be qualified engineers. I don't know about you but I'm fed up with the same script over and over, asking the same stupid questions, whatever the fault. And somehow it always ends up being my PC's fault.

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

The best feature they could implement is getting rid of the indian call centres and getting the tech support back over here so that :
1) we can understand the person who is supposed to be helping (accents too strong)
2) we can be sure they are using proper technology (some of them use wireless handsets that fade out)
3)they will have better trained people instead of being treated to cheap labour that hasnt a technical clue
4) so that you can be sure VM will take action if their staff dont come up to scratch

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

a reliable internet service would be nice.

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

I don't think you'd get too many arguments over this good suggestion darkbeing, also I'd add one more thing to your list...HD.
If you sort this out VM then in my opinion you'll be streets ahead of Sky, until this happens all those who stay with VMTV will be playing catch-up.

Re: What features do think Virgin Media should implement?
 

all praise to sky 1, stargate

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

HD tv channels not just on demand. This is sadly lacking and is one area where Sky are streets ahead.

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

1. The ability to rearrange the channels

2. Live Now and Next updates

3. Reduced bandwidth throttling so that past 11pm it is switched off. Currently if you hit the max upload/download just before 9pm, you are throttled until 2am in the morning. Which is a bit unfair.

4. An information page that allows you to see when your throttling started and proof you have indeed hit your limit.

5. VM servers that mirror the iPlayer content and are outside of the bandwidth caps (being on the same network will limit the costs to VM)

6. Tech Support that actually know what they are on about. (I had one person fail to understand that 5% packet loss constantly is unacceptable and that she would not see packet loss on a test of only 10 packets - she also claimed she could not do the test more than once... anyway, that rant is for another section, but you get the idea)

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitalt...-channels.html
Virgin 'to add' linear HD channels

Friday, December 12 2008, 16:41 GMT
By James Welsh
....
Berkett said that a "plan to add linear high definition channels" had been developed but did not elaborate on timescales or precise channels.
....
Speculation that Virgin plans to add further television services to its lineup - of both high definition and standard definition broadcasts - recently increased after a report on the Digital Spy forums suggested that ITV HD was testing on the platform.
....
"

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

Until the last update on the standard TV STB's, you could set a reminder, put the box in standby, and it would then spring into life at the appropriate time. If I do this now the channel number appears, but there is no output from the scarts or rf. It would be nice if this facility was restored, as I have to leave the box on all day if I want to record something.

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

In the "Planned Series" section it would be useful if, when you select a series link, the details of the originating programme are displayed so that you know what day and time the link refers to.

This already happens in the "Planned Programmes" section and is useful for making clearer which programme day and time it refers to.

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

Simply using the TIVO-HD software in the V+ box.

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

I was under the impression that the video output scart connection was live even when the box is in standby, for this very reason.

Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong though, I no longer record off my standard V box...

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

interdepartmental continuity, improved customer services and tech support, no overseas support, reliability, low latency. Notification when capped or throttled, decent uploads

pay cableforum staff for this site

that will do for starters :)

Re: What features do you think Virgin Media should implement?
 

It used to be in NTL days, but not any more. As reminders don't bring the box out of standby either, you have to leave it on now.