Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

SOURCE:digitalspy.co.uk

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Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

So, C4HD, ITV HD, Discovery HD and History HD then?

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

No actual content streams mentioned as far as I can see.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

Not bad, however I would like the Sky HD channels

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

yh, are there any plans for sky sports HD?

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

From what Virgin have said they cant get sky sports hd until sky release them

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

Sadly, l think we are going to have the same problem about Sky HD channels, like before, we still have a problem over the RED button and text problems, so the thought of Sky giving us HD channels, l doubt that very much.

We will have the same crap HD channels, that no one will watch, on VM. Sorry it is the same old story, VM build up the subs's hope, and then crush them.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

I wish they would let us know what channels they are going to be, i am sick of waiting

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

We've waited this long... a few more weeks isn't much, but I know what you mean... would be nice to know. :)

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

Well according to a post on the VM twitter page some HD channels will be announced soon.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

Gawd i hope it's soon! Though it is sad that we're all waiting so eager beaver, adding hd channels should just be happening all the time, one by one, over the course..

Do/could sky block other companies, like VM, from adding HD channels? So when they get hd versions of (say) History or FX will they block others from broadcasting these? Confused! How can they get away with that?

Heyhoo wait and see what happens now!

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

Well it really quotes it as "in due course" which could be anytime really.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

I would like HD channels but tbh I dont mind aslong as the picturs good.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

lack of HD content is the only thing that lets virgin down for me, i'm happy with everything else

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

I do have sky HD with sky sports HD, these are the best highest quality. I join sky HD because VM will not offer me any sky HD channels nor no HD on vbox plus which it a let down really.

I watch football, cricket and Lost season 5 in a brilliant HD picture in 1080i on my 52" plasma HD ready tv with sky+ HD box.

I don't blame sky for not letting all HD channels to VM the same goes for ITV1 HD will not let sky have it.

If you want sky HD, then why on earth getting a sky+ HD box as it only £49 (but £29) at tesco retail and get 1 month free HD subscription.

Sky also told me at present they already had 31 HD channels but plan to increase to 59 by end of 2009.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

TV drama series such as Lost are transmitted in 720p, not 1080p. Regardless of the resolution of your TV set, you will only get movies and major sporting events in full 1080-HD.

As to the quantity of the channels, this is the usual, age-old argument with a new twist. Sky has always marketed itself on the sheer quantity of channels on its EPG, regardless of the quality of them. Now it's doing the same with HD. Crap is still crap, no matter how many pixels it has.

You may well have Sky Arts HD on your set, but unless you ever watched Sky Arts in SD, what benefit is that to you?

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

Do you know, back in the late 80s, I had four channels to watch, and on some occassions, I could find nothing I wanted to watch on any of them. Now, having Cable (although the same applies to Sky, according to friends), I have over 100 channels. Still get times when there is nothing on I want to watch.

Another way to look at it is this: How many of those 59 channels would actually carry anything you want to watch. As I said, I have access to over a 100, and watch mainly the terrestrial channels, and watch Sky 1, Living, E/More 4 and Scifi. What I am saying is that it's all very well boasting of how many channels they are going to offer, but how many are likely to be interesting?

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

I agree with you. That's my experience. I do usually find something from the ondemand section that I can watch now. That's why I find that are far more innovative advance than HD.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

I whole-heartedly agree. We now have more choice of what not to watch. Some programmes are interesting, but not, as in the case of Sky 1, 2 & 3 where the same programme is repeated ad-nauseam through the week.

And this past weekend, there was so much I wanted to see, I watch the free DVD with the Mail during the week.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

General agreement here - for me HD is a nice to have (even though I have the kit)

V+ and VoD (iPlayer, ITV player, etc) is my priority over HD

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

I like vod a great deal. I like HD a great deal. I'm sick of it being an either/or. Both please :). May the HD channels come streaming in, even ones I don't watch for people with different tastes.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

I suppose u are right there.

I agree that bbci player, itv player are pretty good over internet or vod on the v+ if u have no time to watch it on TV but can watch it later or choose what ever u want to watch it. I am disappointed one thing is Sky will not bring bbci player or itv player on the sky+ box or sky+ HD box because sky had their own sky player or sky anytime via the box which it bit crap and cost money. Sky player (to watch live you must have multiroom) and that's a big con.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

It's not so much that Sky won't add BBC iPlayer, as Sky can't add BBC iPlayer. iPlayer is a Video-on-demand service, and it requires bandwidth in both directions in order to get it into the set-top box. Virgin can do VOD because its cable network can lend internet-like functionality to its TV service. Later this year Freesat will add the iPlayer because they have insisted that all Freesat boxes have an ethernet connection, allowing the box to use the internet to demand and receive content. Sky boxes receive content via the dish but can only send data via a dial-up narrowband link on your home phone line.

This is why Virgin is concentrating on VOD - it's something it can do, that Sky can't do. And VOD-HD is a more compelling proposition than linear HD, which is what Sky is offering.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

Sky could offer VOD - all those Sky+ boxes have an ethernet port on them. Deliver it over ADSL. But they can't because not everyone who takes Sky TV wants broadband along with it.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

Yes, Sky+ boxes have e-net, but what proportion of Sky's customer base has a Sky+ box? Has Sky even done any of the development work that would be necessary to activate the port and make use of it?

Freesat has specified a working ethernet connection from day one, so all Freesat boxes, whether HD or SD, with or without PVR, will be able to run the iPlayer when it's launched later this year. Virgin Media of course is able to do iPlayer and similar VOD services by the very nature of its network. Sky on the other hand is out on a limb.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

Look how quickly they upgraded all boxes from analogue to digital - they could do much the same for all those with a "normal" Sky box.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

I would like to know whether it is possible to get VOD on the ethernet port on sky+. If it is possible at all it would be quite interesting as there are over 3 million sky+ boxes out there and it would be a service to a significant number of people even if no one gets upgraded. If Sky can't it'll be something great for freesat.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

Different times - the change from analogue to digital brought with it a massive new selling opportunity with all the additional interactive content that became available. Financially, it was worth Sky's investment to do that. They also had fewer subscribers, so fewer boxes to dish out (if you'll pardon the pun) to get customers upgraded. These days we are also talking about dual-tuner boxes with PVRs in them, and most likely HD as well. Probably more expensive than the basic digiboxes were, even back in the day.

Technically it must be possible, the question is whether Sky is developing anything at present. I'm sure they have someone doing lab tests and development, but whether they have anything anywhere near ready to market is debatable.

To drag this back on topic, Sky and VM have taken completely different tacks in the their approach to providing HD content. Sky has the raw cash available to snap up exclusive channels and to launch its own (even if most of them don't actually carry very much HD), VM has the platform to provide it in a targeted way to customers (i.e. VOD), also bypassing Sky's exclusivity in some circumstances because they are buying for a different platform.

VM has made much of VOD and clearly sees it as the way to push HD. Unfortunately for them, within about nine months they will no longer be able to claim they are the only place you can see the iPlayer on your TV because the Freesat launch of this service has been in the planning since before Freesat itself even launched.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

You would need the customer to have a min bandwidth of say 2-3mb/s

The UK average is only 3.6mb/s that would leave only 600-1600kb/s free for average Joe.

This is one of the main reasons BT want to deploy FTTC but they are waiting for Ofcom to give them the go ahead for exclusivity so they can offer TV via phone line etc… And no other provider can leech off there investment. (fair in my eyes if BT are footing the £1.5bn bill)

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

Really?

http://www.sky.com/Assets/PDF/StaticFiles/3554610.pdf
http://www.nevilleaerials.co.uk/BSKYB.htm
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volum...rear-panel.jpg
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s....php?p=7386676
http://www.avforums.com/forums/sky-s...ts-layout.html

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

Sorry should read Sky+HD

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2009/02/38.jpg

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

I spoke to someone on the Ask before you buy option yesterday and here is the details I was able to garner:

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2009/03/85.jpg

Make of it what you will.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

hmmm i find the people on that chat thing are more clueless then the call centres and as soon as you mention your a customer they want rid of you

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

Well i got sick of waiting and downgraded my box to free channels and now i have sky+HD with VOD from my V+

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

I don't know what the fuss is with HD channels. I don't miss them had v+ since it came out with a Sony bravia 1080 HD TV. Yes there is a difference but the picture is good anyways, and there is no way i would pay sky rip off subscriptions just for HD channels. The v+ box is much better than sky one in my opinion and been countless times i have recorded more than one channel plus all the catch up TV and music.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

I just phone up out of interest to asked if there where any more hd channels being added , soon the young lady i spoke to said there where
a few going to be added next month, so i said will it be more than 2 she yes, but could not name them

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

Sorry, i do not see the point of sky selling them to virgin. That is the main point of their HD package, they are the only providers (of good content). Plus with their major promotion of these channels recently it seems to be strange for them to offer these channels unless they subsidised the cost of selling the boxes cheaply by selling the channels to virgin.

Just another point, do you think we would have to pay a sub for these channels, or do you think they would be included already?

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

Am I alone in not seeing this demand for HD? The quality of the up-scaled picture from the V+ is not much different to the HD quality

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

I think that any channels of HD, would have to go through Sky, as they would probabely hold the monoply on these?

I do think it is about time, that VM added HD, it is getting on my wick, waiting for them.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

No you're not alone. HD isn't that important to me at all. If and when it arrives on VM I'll watch any free ones but I won't be subscribing to any you pay for. The slight improvement in quality of some programmes (particulalry nature) doesn't warrant me paying an extra tenner or more per month for it.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

You do have a point there,the V+ upscaling is excellent but true HD is noticeably better,I agree tho, not that much better to warrant an extra £10 a month. Think I'd only be really tempted by $ky sports HD, guess I'll have a long wait tho!

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

Good points - I'm guessing, but I'd imagine the main interest most VM subscribers would have regarding HD programming would be the sports & movies - in my opinion it will be a cold day in hell when Sky allow access to that content ...

Until then the upscaled picture from the V+ box seems to be adequate, I can't, as someone who doesn't pay the extra subscription for even the SD Sky sports & movies, see what all the fuss is about, otherwise - especially when, if I really want to see an HD version of a program I can download it & watch on my PC - often before it is screened on Sky1, etc ;)

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

The reason i'm hoping HD channels come along soon is for the 5.1 surround quality as well as the picture. The sound quality on the BBC HD channel is far superior to any of the other channels on V+.

Just out of interset i've noticed for some time now that Discovery HD is listed on the tv guide on the virginmedia homepage

http://tvguide.virginmedia.com/guide...e=30&x=57&y=13

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

Thanks for the information. I want to get Sky HD but I will look into Virgin before making my decision.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

Interesting - just visited that page and I can't see that on the listing?

H

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

Its was the otherday i saw it

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

Sky1 HD is good, but not so good they need to add it twice :D

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

Perhaps if your LCD tv is smaller than around 37" ?
We've 42 here and others have even bigger, so HD would be a benefit :)

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

My LCD is 26" and I can clearly see the difference between upscaled and HD. I know people who have bigger tvs and on theirs it is screaming in your face at 120dB obvious. Upscaling is good, but it's not HD.

Just a few days left for Mr Burkett's promise. Or 31st of March or the middle of April or 30th April depending on how you want to measure it. Tick tock :mad:.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

I know it is a lot to ask, but just be patient. VM do have HD plans to add channels and also VOD HD content, but will only announce details when the deals are done and officially confirmed.

There is no point in saying a certain channel is coming to HD soon until they have it properly set in stone so to speak, just in case something goes wrong.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

Yes I understand that. I'm one of the few people easily placated i.e. with stuff that is coming anyway ITV HD and C4 HD. I did find it quite interesting MediaBoy thinks VM are talking to Setanta that would be fantastic news for late 2009 or 2010 and would make a ot of people happy. Things like that and other providers like MTV, A&E and Discovery could take months of hard work to pen. I'll also be very chuffed when iPlayer goes HD, although I'm not really expecting that till say Q4 2009.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

Everyone should know by now that VM tend to only officially announce something just before it actually happens.

A lot of MediaBoys info comes from other sites and a lot of it is just rumors.

Even us staff only hear about channel launches and other release just before they happen as its the company policy and also to prevent leaks.

But there is real HD stuff happening over the next few months.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

Staff get told on the day normally lol.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

I know. I am staff, lol.

Sometimes a day before:D

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

Interesting article on DigitalSpy

Source: DigitalSpy.co.uk

Read more here

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

Have to say i am quite happy to wait another few months for hd unless its free content, i will not pay extra personally,as i consider myself to be paying enough for tv at the mo :) and am quite happy myself with a upscaled v+ picture.

I just wonder exactly if vm got paid for hd channels how many would actually be prepared to pay? i understand the uptake of premium channels is not that great would hd be any diferent i wonder.?

However itv hd and channel 4 hd would be a start to add to the bc hd channel,now itv hd is starting to appear (although manually tuned) on the new sky epg vm should be able to get it also would have thought,and as i understand channel 4 hd was offered to vm at the start. Interesting to hear offical reasons for the non uptake.:cool:

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

For me it would depend on how many channels we are talking about and how much money they are talking about. If Sky have 31 and they charge £10 (I know you still pay £10 if you don't get the movies and sports) then if Virgin have 4-5 encripted HD channels then it should around £2 extra.

BBC HD, ITV HD and C4 HD should be free.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

Yes defiantely agree with the point you have made,£10 would be ourageous for a handfull of channels,if say vm got 4-5 mainly non sky ones i would think!( no chance of sky selling/ sports movies to vm now or in the near future imo, as they are the real subscription drivers especially the sport)then a £2-3 charge would seem about right,and the uptake may well be more, and of course the uptake of v+ boxes may improve i think its a great piece of kit but the uptake of that i think is not too great.

Of course channel 4 and itv as you have stated shoud be free.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

I think we have to look at what VM and Sky offer.

The two platforms re very different and one (VM)is suited to VOD, Broadband, telephony ll of which are two way communication and (S*y) via satellite is one way. They have different strengths and weaknesses.

For me HD is important BUT I am not going to pay Mr Murdoch and for me the best thing about the V+ box is VOD and BBC iPlayer PLUS the fact that it has three tuners.

I also have 20Mb broadband that usually reaches 18-19Mbps download speed(or more than 90%) whereas ADSL (inc Sky) can do 3-4Mbps at best.

So although I am miffed that I have little HD content, V+ plus real broadband is the killer for me and when more HD channels are added, that will be great.

Satellite broadcasting's one main technical benefit is that it can reach 100% of the population. In all other aspects of a modern communication system... it sucks.

One final thought regarding BT: their drive for Fibre To The Home(FTTH)? Would it be best served by them buying the current FTTH service provider VirginMedia (OfCom notwithstanding).

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

As I understand it, that's 3 tuners via one cable. With Sky, you need a multi-LNB and a separate wire per tuner. Less wires to be confused with. :)

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

For me, id be happy to wait for HD channels i actually would watch. Namely Sky Sports HD

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

+1, although I doubt Virgin would actually be able to negotiate for them. I just hope they surprise me, as that would actually make me take up their sports subscription, mostly for the NASCAR in glorious HD! The US know how to do it - DirecTV advertise the fact they have over 170 channels in HD, a fair few regional variants, but the key entertainment and sports ones are all now filmed and broadcast in HD. I downloaded the 2009 Daytona 500 in HD, just to see what the fuss was about, and I can see why - 720p or 1080i, sports looks good!

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

In my view unless they are put on the rate card along with the present sports movie channels,you will have retired before sky sells sky sports HD to vm.

That is the major weapon sky use in its tv advantage over vm,and are very unlikey to sell at anything approaching a reasonable cost. I believe at the time of the basics issue vm asked about sky sports HD think they got a very negative answer.:(

I take sky sports for the cricket,and will i am sure will have to be happy with upscaled sd via v+ for many years yet,which to me is no problem.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

A recent (animated!) discussion with a lady from VM customer services who was responding to an email I sent threatning to go to Sky if HD wasn't forthcoming told me that there was going to be more HD content sometime this year but as negociations were stiil ongoing she was unwilling to give me a date! I left her with the thought that I would be off to Sky after the summer..... Her reaction to that was one of resignation, what does that tell me?!

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

It was time for her lunch break! :D

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

The day VM get a lot of HD channels, is the day a pink elephant lands in my garden on the main flight path to Heathrow.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

Blatant lies and/or misinformation.

Neil Burkett stated in mid December 2008 that within 3 months there would be more HD content and/or HD channels on VM's TV platform. I left Sky (with HD) at the end of December last year to come to VM based on this promise of more HD and now feel cheated.

I should have found and joined this forum before I switched, I would have seen the level of trust between VM and its customers with regards to VM's promises of new HD content and realised that these promises are all just a sop to stop people leaving and either joining or re-joining Sky:mad:

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

Maybe an email to Mr Burkett himself?

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

I spoke CS yesterday (I was kicking up a fuss about about an email mail I'd just received telling me "As one of there most loved customers:romance:" They were going to take 50p off my discount and charge me £1.25 for having printed bills, Oh how love hurts.)
Any way the lady I spoke to told me that there would be more HD channels by the end of May at no extra charge. I could'nt see if she had her fingers crossed though.

Any way I got £3.50 off my non DD.
Made me a bit better!

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

I do feel that this thread should be in the Humour section or should there be a history section for Coming soon promises :)







.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

Seriouly i woulnt hold your breath many people have and have vanished .....me bein so close to quitting virgin and going to sky...the only thing stopping me is the fact you can record 2 progs at once and VOD its really good also the catch up.
As far as i know you can only record 1 prog on sky...and the vod isnt that good.:(

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

You can record 2 programmes at once with sky HD+ and watch a recorded programme at the same time

Did i mention you also get 32 HD channels?

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

Apparently ive been told that the only way you can record 2 progs at once is by watching one of them while recording the other one...whats the point in that.:(

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

This is the key issue for me even with the lack of HD content on VM. It is a regular occurrence for me to be recording 2 programmes while watching another separate live programme, especially when you have a family with different interests.

This is particularly common during the 9 to 10pm period I find and I even have to use the +1 channels at times as even 3 tuners is not enough for me to recording everything my family want to look at.

I could not survive without this V+ facility to record/watch 3 different channels at the same time as it would end up resulting in a few battles in my household!!

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

I think this is the whole crux of the matter.

Yes, I / everyone wants more HD channels but I for one, find the value of 2 recordings (plus watching one) and not to mention the invaluable VOD far outweighs the 'missing' HD channels.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

Have to agree with your post,for me also vod far outweighs the missing HD channels i use the vod nearly everyday,whilst i would welcome more HD content i would not be willing to pay an extra sub for it myself personally as i an happy with the v+ upscaling.

If the extra HD content was included with tv XL pack then that would be different,channel four HD and the itv HD channel to quote two obvious examples.

Did i not see a statement made in december last year however, where neil berkett stated that until vm could get its hands on premium content ie sky sports/movies HD,it was a waste of time investing heavily in HD content.

Although that still does not explain why the free channel four HD is still not available.:erm:

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

I'm the opposite. I have watched VOD maybe 2 or 3 times over all the years it's been running, but now watch HD content almost exclusively. Of course I have little chocie of HD on Virgin so watch what I can on BBC HD and get the rest from blu-ray, game consoles, and other sources. I'll be buying an Apple TV sometime (when my Virgin broadband actually works at a decent speed) and getting lots of HD content there.

I'm all in favour of the idea of VOD, it's the same as Apple TV's service in principle afterall, but I find the lack of content on Virgin's VOD service a total deal killer. It's almost all in SD, and even if I was prepared to watch SD (which I'm not), even then the selection is just abysmal. Personal taste obviously. As an example though, where are the latest seasons of 24, Lost, Fringe, House, Heroes, Mad Men and countless others on VOD? They're not even there in SD, let alone HD.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

VOD is a lot more complicated as Virgin have to go to the programme makers in the US to agree rights for VOD broadcast, its not as simple as asking Sky if we can transmit them.

Same goes for getting HD stuff on VOD although I know they are working on it and currently Sopranos Season 1 is now available in HD VOD.

Over the next few months there will be more content in HD appearing both channels and VOD.

Also the reason for most stuff being SD is that the majority of customers don't have V+ boxes and HD sets.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

How long are we talking the next few months for channels and vod?.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

If Sky can negotiate the rights in a timely fashion, then so can Virgin. And Sopranos season 1, how old is that exactly? So we should be seeing Mad Men season 2 in aproximately 5 years time?

Content is king, it goes without saying. It's pointless building a platform without content, and Virgin sadly, have done just that. The difference between Apple's offering and Virgin's is quite hilarious, and Apple have also matched the content with a modern (ish) piece of delivery hardware.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

I would prefer VOD to HD anytime, soon HD will out as date as 3D tv is the next big thing but VOD will be around longer if there is more programs added as well as more catch up. Also at the moment a decent HD tv is a lot of money. So i will carry on enjoying VOD as be the time i can afford to get a HD tv it will proberley be out of date and 3D tv will be here.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

3D TV doesn't even work properly yet, and for it to work at all broadcasters have to film things in 3D. You can count the number of films in 3D so far on the fingers of a few hands, but by comparison just about every film ever made is in HD.

And as for an HDTV costing a lot... seriously? You can pick up passable 1080p TVs in the big supermarkets for under £500. The days of HDTVs costing a lot are long, long gone. TVs are cheaper now than ever before.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

I think by the time HD channels will be here, Niel Berkett will be retiring.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

I agree with the earlier posters - TV Catchup in particular is far more use than HD - and in any case, the picture is upscaled for V+ users on Standard transmissions.

So often you turn the television on, and there's nothing to watch - but you remember seeing something in the past week which might have been worth seeing but never recorded it.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

Instead of watching the latest films / documentarys / music/ cartoons etc. on the 32 CHANNELS OF HD YOU GET ON SKY.

Is that what you mean?.:dunce:

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

More news on HD from Virgin Media (Exclusive from Digital Spy!)

Source: DigitalSpy.co.uk

Click Me!

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

No the programmes are the same whether in HD or standard definition.
Id' rather have better quality programming - there are a few good quality programmes, but for various reasons (I'm out, they're late, or clash with another programme) and Catch Up is far more use.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

There is absolutely no reason why VM customers should have to choose between catch-up and linear HD channels, there is room for both on the network even more so when VM finally turn off the analogue signal.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

Unfortunately it's not Virgin that decide the channel content, but the channel owners. Daytime tv chat shows will be just as horrendous in HD as in SD.

At least TV Catch up enables you to watch something more to your liking - when you want.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

It is important for us, as consumers, and VM as a business to have more HD as it is this year's "must have".

However there is no doubt that catch up and VOD are great tools and are not really possible via satellite.

Like AndyCambs. I am a happy Virgin media customer and so glad I resisted the temptation to rush to broadband while cable broadband was slowly rolled out.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

I don't disagree, but don't forget with HD will come HD programing on VOD, even better to watch the programs you want in HD.
As regards daytime chat shows in HD I wasn't aware there were any, what I'd like to see are channels like Nat-Geo-HD and Discovery-HD these are the sort of programs I'd be interested in seeing in HD.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

VM have a duty to there customers, to bring the best in entertainment ie HD and catch up etc.
If VM cannot provide this, then they are failing the customer, it is no good them saying that we will not supply this, l didn't go in for VM HD box for nothing, and waste my money, on something, l am not going to get, that is false advertising.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

Good luck ;)

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

The way I see it, companies are almost queueing up to broadcast exclusively in HD on Sky's platform. If Virgin then want those HD channels on cable, even though they've already got them in SD on cable, they have to go through Sky because of the "exclusive" clause in every one of those contracts the broadcasters signed with Sky. Virgin should be pushing for more HD capacity on their network, but until analogue is switched off and the HD programme transmission (or even all programme transmission) moved to H.264 (and related to this, the TV side of things moved to DOCSIS 2.0 or 3.0, they can't have a hope in the frozen wastelands of Beelzebub's homeworld to remotely match Sky's capacity for HD.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

This looks familiar. Oh yeah.

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/34697213-post1.html

First post of this thread from 15-12-2008:

Between his repeated anti-net neutrality, pro-behavioural advertising ranting and somewhat premature announcement of HD Channels he is living up to his surname somewhat.

---------- Post added at 23:41 ---------- Previous post was at 23:38 ----------

Without analogue Virgin can easily accomodate the required channels in most areas, no need to go H.264 or all-IPTV which is a bloody long way off anyway. In areas where they can't accomodate it all they might have to *shock horror* overbuild the in the field HFC.

Sorry to Virgin Media for my swearing there :)

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

To be honest, l am getting up with this whole business, It always seems that ' Sky ' have the paramount control over everything, WHY? Can't VM go in and get these channels from the companies themself.

I believe that VM do have the space for HD Channels, BUT several months ago, Niell Berkett, himself said that they are going to concentrate on VOD demand, then on HD, now if that doesn't say something, l don't know what does.

We have to have a company running the cable network, that won't lie to the customer, and l think VM are, I have read on this forum, where customers are going over to Sky, as they are fed up, with the constant stream coming from VM, that ' VM will have HD in several months'. Just to rub salt in the wounds, Discovery Wild is now HD on Sky.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

The worrying thing is, did you notice that the 'four linear high definition channels' Mr Burkett mentioned late last year has now become 'three or four linear HD channels'?

In another three months, do you think this might become 'two or three'....?

Maybe they will be changing their well known catch phrase to 'disappearing soon' as all the promises reduce to totally nothing.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

for me atm prefer VOD to the HD channels. I have said it once Ive said it a million of times VOD is the way things are going and Sky are pooing themselves with it. When Virgin get there finger out of the hole regarding HD it will become very interesting. The problem with Virgins TV is that they are one generation behind in some aspects. When virgin / ntl rolled out the V+ box Sky where pushing HD boxes.

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

As l have said before, when a pink elephant flies past my house and is preparing to land, that is when l will believe VM will have HD channels on there network.

I for one feels conned by the fact, l bought one of there so called V+ boxes, with the impression, that HD channels were immenent, so we paid for a box, and we still waiting. The odd thing is Sky are now offering HD boxes at £49.99, l wish l had gone over.:)

Re: Virgin Media to add more HD channels
 

Sky are not pooing themselves. Why do you think they bought that ISP? Because they wanted to provide broadband for customers? Well, partly. It would also main that they have a ready supply of potential viewers for On Demand. Which, having a broadband network that covers more of the UK than Virgin's cable network (Virgin do not offer VOD via ADSL), they could implement as easily as Virgin have. All they need is STBs with active Ethernet connections (such as Sky HD), the right software and head end servers (which they could buy like VM have done).