Virgin high definition content
 

Dear group....I am soon to move home I am contemplating moving to a Virgin cabled area mainly for the broadband speed...One thing I would like to know is....is it worth while me getting a full high definition television....in other words what high definition content does Virgin have?....would Ibe better served by Sky?many thanks to the group.Barrie g4yjs

Re: Virgin high definition content
 

Virgin have currently 1 HD Channel (That is BBC HD) and Sky have about 33 HD channels, however Virgin does have things like 4od, ITV and BBC iPlayer so if you don't mind waiting for HD channels and prefer TV on Demand then Virgin it is, but if it's HD content you want more then Sky is the logical choice however their ADSL speeds will always be 'upto' and no matter if they say 16mbps, you may only get 8 as it depends on how far away you live from the exchange.

Re: Virgin high definition content
 

No is the quick answer.

Sky have 32 official HD channels (which rather unfairly includes the box office service) and have 2 launching imminently - Nat Geo Wild and Animal Planet. Sky also have a superior catch up HD service, 'cos virgin still haven't got one yet.

Virgin have BBC HD, filmflex and various VOD HD content such as BBC stuff like Cranford and 5 episodes of Planet Earth and from other channels a page or two such as The History Channel's The Universe (6 episodes) through to a few episodes of The Sopranos.

So that's
30 v 1
2 box office channels v filmflex
Sky anytime HD v nothing from cable
nothing v <100hrs TV Choice VOD
More HD channels definitely launching v "coming soon" and a string of lies and broken promises

Virgin will be getting more HD content but while they've spent time "thinking" about it Sky have already added/adding another 5 HD channels in that time period.

Re: Virgin high definition content
 

WOW that what I call a speedy respone......many thanks for the answers.......I have just re read the web site for the apartment I am contemplating moving into and it apppers that it has already been pre installed with multimedia cabling for audi/computer and Sky+already catered for so that will be my logical choice...once again many thanks Barrie g4yjs.

Re: Virgin high definition content
 

They have at least 20-30 hours worth HD material last time i checked, granted it still mince to sky offering but it more than nothing

Re: Virgin high definition content
 

I said less than 100 hours, which is the quoted figure. This obviously compares very well to Sky's big fat 0 in that department, but then again if it's catch up content you want Sky is ahead (shockingly) on that as they have a barebones anytime HD offering whereas we're still waiting for (a) iPlayer HD (b) this C4 HD stuff (c) ITV HD content (probably not likely to include any catch up). I don't think my comparisons are unfair as I compare both linear HD channels, other HD services such as movies and both types of HD vod - catch up or archived.

Virgin Media obviously wins hands down and several trips round the block if we're talking SD VOD.

Re: Virgin high definition content
 

It's a lot more than nothing, especially considering how much of Sky's 'HD' content is actually just upscaled SD on channels nobody watches anyway.

Sky certainly has more, but I do dispair when this debate constantly degenerates to a numbers game. Crap is still crap, no matter how big the heap.

Had I the choice, I'd be opting for Virgin any day, as I am more likely to find HD material I actually want to watch on the VOD service than on most of the dodgy channels Sky has rushed into service just so the gullible muppets can brag about how much more they have.

---------- Post added at 15:32 ---------- Previous post was at 15:29 ----------

This is delivered via a PC. Most people do not want to watch TV at their desk, they want to watch it in their living room (and they don't have a PC media centre set up to allow this, either).

It's just another aspect of Sky's blunt marketing strategy, which is meant to convince people they're the best bet because of the amount of stuff they do without paying much attention to how useful it actually is.

Re: Virgin high definition content
 

That's not what I was referring to at all. Sky Anytime does have HD material on there. I regard this as a limited catch up HD service. Granted it's only any good if you have movies on Sky HD as that's what a lot of the content is and some of other stuff is total garbage like Bio HD or occasionally more useful C4 HD stuff and Sky1 HD stuff but it is a catch up service of sorts in HD, however limited. Virgin does not have such a service at all at present. As soon as iPlayer brings it's HD offerings (any whatsoever) for catch up for 7 days it'll slingshot past Sky. I'm waiting for that day to come. I think this is a fair comparison just like I think comparing filmflex with the 2 box office channels and comparing VMs HD tv choice/more to sky's which is <100hrs v 0.

I know sky like to say they are reinventing the wheel and virgin and their predecessors don't like to blow their trumpet/keep quiet/bad communication on good services they offer but virgin really do lack a catch up on demand in HD section. When it does launch I expect it'll be wildly popular.

Re: Virgin high definition content
 

I hear what you're saying, but you're comparing a service delivered via a PC with Virgin's TV service. IMO that makes the comparison invalid as they are different distribution platforms.

Re: Virgin high definition content
 

I'm not mentioning that PC Sky Player or whatever it's called service at all (which I'm not impressed by)I'm talking about the push vod to the Sky+ HD box variant that comes off the transponders sharing with some of the other HD channels overnight. Yes push VOD isn't the same thing and virgin (and freesat) will probably always win out in that one vs sky and freeview but it's still catch up. In SD the anytime tv service is completely pants in comparison to VMs VOD. Catch up HD is an oversight by Virgin. Sky have an absolutely minimum HD service on there so could claim victory on that one (not that they do seem very interesting in that, they seem more interested in advertising multiroom and the sky player through the PC or saying they have more than 30HD channels).

Re: Virgin high definition content
 

Aha, gotcha now :tu:

Re: Virgin high definition content
 

Couldn't disagree more, Virgin since the rebrand have become experts at blowing sunshine up their own behinds, total opposite from the ntl days of mushroom treatment.

---------- Post added at 16:13 ---------- Previous post was at 16:12 ----------

Nice generalisation of all the people who took Sky HD there Chris. I think you'd be in the massive minority opting for VMTV over Sky if the decision involves HD in any way, shape or form though.

Re: Virgin high definition content
 

It is a generalisation, however what else have I to go on? The only argument that ever seems to be advanced on here for Sky+HD is the quantity. That, in my view, is a very poor argument.

Re: Virgin high definition content
 

Most HD VOD has cobwebs on it - surely they will be pensioning some of those programs off soon?

H

Re: Virgin high definition content
 

Skys anytime service whether its hd or sd is downright pitiful to say the least.

Re: Virgin high definition content
 

The only thing Anytime does is rob you of half of your HDD space. :mad:

Such a shame as this is the only gripe I have with Sky's TV service. If only they would make it so when you switch off Anytime you got your HDD space back.

Re: Virgin high definition content
 

Indeed. 1 HD channel on VM vs 30+ on Sky, there's no comparision between the two. Sky outright will on HD and always will.

It's not just an argument over quantity though.

Sky show all the new Hollwood films in HD. Premier League in HD. Rugby, Cricket and other sports in HD. New US shows such as Lost, 24 and Battlestar Galactica in HD. New documentaties in HD. New arts shows in HD. Concerts in HD. News (soon) will be in HD.

Not what I would call crap by any definition of the term, unless you happen not to like all that stuff, then fair enough.:)

Re: Virgin high definition content
 

As others have said there really is no comparison between Virgin's virtually non existent HD offering, and Sky's mediocre but rapidly growing offering.

There are however, some other paths to HD you might wish to consider. Top of the pile is the Apple TV, which now has many HD movies and a growing range of HD TV series. It's a bandwidth hungry beast of course, which makes it not the best idea for Virgin's crippled, heavily capped broadband...

Re: Virgin high definition content
 

Dear group........just come back to check up answers.WOW didnt expect to start ww3 hi.Thanks very much for all replies....reading between the lines and inputting what I am looking for.The virgin is obviousley the route to go for broadband(which is my primary interest)is higher speed and the house I am now looking at is already cabled,also it appears that Virgins high def channels can onlly improve......and as stated they have VOD services.So I am going for Virgin many thanks again for all your help.cheers and best wishes Barrie g4yjs.

Re: Virgin high definition content
 

You picked a very emotive topic for your first post g4yjsbarrie, nice one.:)

Also welcome to the forum, and keep on posting.:welcome:

Re: Virgin high definition content
 

I think it should also be noted that your basic Virgin M TV package with 1 HD channel, will cost a lot less monthly then the Sky HD equivalent. So, if you want more HD channels, you will end up paying more for it. That's really the only reason I haven't changed to Sky HD. Of course Freesat is another option.

Re: Virgin high definition content
 

Hi. I'm new to forums so not sure I'm doing the right thing here. I'm about to by a new TV and face the classic 'HD ready or Full (1080) HD debate. The price differnce is quite a bit. I've gota Virgin box already and I know it has limited HD content but do I need to get the full HD TV to be able to view this? I'm also thinking that I'll want to hold on to this TV for a while so is full HD more future proof do you you think. Any help anyone can give me would be great!

Thanks
Andy

Re: Virgin high definition content
 

iirc The V+ box can handle 720p and 1080i and you set what resolution you want it to display at in the boxes options so any HD tv will be fine.

Re: Virgin high definition content
 

I would definately shop around as 1080p HD TV's are dropping in price all the time. I recently saw a 40" Samsung for under £500 in a supermarket so I would imagine looking around online would be cheaper.

It depends on your budget I guess but I would go for a 1080p if you intend to keep it a while.

Also, blu ray players are well under £100 already and that would show off your 1080p TV no end :)

Re: Virgin high definition content
 

I bought a Sony 37" Full HD 100Hz for under £600 last week from a supermarket (and I think this offer is still on), so there are definitely bargains to be had at the moment.

Re: Virgin high definition content
 

Do you mind telling me which supermarket had this deal? I'm about to buy my first HD tv, having had a V+ box since they came out(!) and a 37" 1080 100 Hz is exactly what I'm after.

Cheers,

Will

Re: Virgin high definition content
 

Sainsbury's have them.

Re: Virgin high definition content
 

I have upgraded from a 32" 720p set to a 1080p 100Hz set. Wow, I must say I really noticed a difference:D. I think some of the early LCD's had pretty poor contrast and now the latest 100Hz 1080p sets simply blow the older technology out of the water IMO.

PERSONALLY I would avoid the bottom end of the market. Supermarket own brand stuff etc. I believe that these products are using the older generation panels. My advice set a budget shop around and make sure you visit a dealer where you can compare sets using a controlled source.

Regards,

M

Re: Virgin high definition content
 

Sainsbury's it was. As i've posted elsewhere, the HD content looks great but some of the SD content (especially 'studio bound') is not so good.