When exactly are Virgin putting on more HD channels?
 

I think im going to change to Sky if more channels are not put on by the end of the month, dont think there is any point paying for such few channels (most of them poor except for espn)

Re: When exactly are Virgin putting on more HD channels?
 

I thought HD was all hype?

Re: When exactly are Virgin putting on more HD channels?
 

So Virgin start adding channels and you complain? Bloody hell. They're not going to add like 20 at once. Give them a chance. Two years ago they were saying HD wasn't important to them, atleast now they're adding channels.

Re: When exactly are Virgin putting on more HD channels?
 

with all these recent threads popping up have you just got a job at sky or are you just bored?

Just leave then, infact just so you cant accuse me of not being helpful, I know sky have been offereing to pay the remainder of peoples contracts if they switch from VM to sky. Personally I prefer VM but all the best

Re: When exactly are Virgin putting on more HD channels?
 

I think its depression :rant:

Re: When exactly are Virgin putting on more HD channels?
 

Why are you starting all these pointless threads, why not start a new one in the next couple of mins, VHS v HD battle for the future?

Re: When exactly are Virgin putting on more HD channels?
 

hey dont quote me before i've corrected my spelling :D

---------- Post added at 23:58 ---------- Previous post was at 23:57 ----------

If VM dont offer some VHS quality movies by the end of the month, I'm off to sky :)

Re: When exactly are Virgin putting on more HD channels?
 

The quality of those 230 lines rock, who needs HD. I tell you the future is VHS and rental shops

Re: When exactly are Virgin putting on more HD channels?
 

I wondered when the 'change to Sky' phrase would come up - all I can say is please hurry up & do it then post in their forums, rather than here - agendas are so boring & I'm really not interested.

- just to add this is an independent forum, intended to offer help & advice - 'threats' to switch providers mean nothing on here. Opinions are always welcome, of course, but 'I'm going to switch to Sky unless Virgin give me a new house & a BMW', type posts will only attract amusement & occasionally derision (within the T&Cs, of course..)

Re: When exactly are Virgin putting on more HD channels?
 

If you really feel that the choice of channels Sky offer is worth paying £10 extra per month as opposed to free with Virginmedia XL then go to Sky.

Below is a comparison of HD on Sky and Virginmedia.

The channels which Sky don't own that Virginmedia currently don't have is only 6 and none are really that popular.

Available on both Sky HD and Virginmedia HD

Channel 4 HD
BBC HD
ITV 1 HD
SyFy HD
E4 HD
MTVN HD
Eurosport HD
Discovery HD
National Geographic HD
FX HD
ESPN HD (included in Virginmedia XL package but premium channel with Sky HD)

Exclusive to Virginmedia HD

Living HD
Film Four HD (starting Summer 2010)
Filmflex HD (On demand pay per view ... 42 HD movies available 08/05/2010)
Picturebox HD (£5 per month ... 21 movies in HD available 08/05/2010)
Cathup TV in HD and On Demand HD

Sky HD only

Sky News HD
Sky 1 HD
Sky Arts 1 HD
Sky Arts 2 HD
Sky Real Lives HD
History HD
National Geography Wild D
Crime HD
Bio HD
Rush HD
Luxe TV


SKY Premium HD channels

Sky Premier HD
Sky Screen 1 HD
Sky Screen 2 HD
Sky Comedy HD
Sky Action HD
Sky Family HD
Sky Drama HD
Sky SciFi/Horror HD
Sky Modern Greats
Sky Indie HD
MGM HD
Disney Cine HD
Sky Box Office HD1 (pay per view movie channel)
Sky Box Office HD2 (pay per view movie channel)
Sky Sports HD 1
Sky Sports HD 2
Sky Sports HD 3
Sky Sports HD 3

Re: When exactly are Virgin putting on more HD channels?
 

A few points:

Firstly your list of HD channels available on VM is incorrect, as some, such as Sci-Fi, Discovery, E4, and Eurosport are only available to some VM areas, not all. Maybe that will change this year, maybe not. I'm not holding my breath.

Obviously this is a little subjective, but Living HD is total sewage. Sorry, but it just is. Any channel which devotes much of it's time to so called 'psychics' and 'ghost hunters' is a total joke. It's pathetic and VM should either radically change it's line-up, or bin it. That it's watched by an apparently reasonable amount of people does not make it a quality channel. Lots of people read 'The Daily Mail' and that's about as intellectually stimulating as toilet paper.

Sky One HD is obviously Sky's jewel in the crown and the biggest, most obvious hole in VM's line-up. They have many of the big US drama imports exclusively. VM need to fix this problem soon.

Personally I find VM's HD line-up to be pretty weak, and while the addition of Discovery HD, History HD, and Sky One HD would be nice, I think the larger problem is the lack of BBC One, Two, and Four in HD. BBC HD merely shows a scattershot selection of BBC programming, and I'd like to see the BBC fully embrace HD this year. Not VM's fault obviously, just a geneneral grumble about the poor state of HD in this country, even on Sky HD.

Re: When exactly are Virgin putting on more HD channels?
 

I am sorry but Living HD is a great channel, ok the picture quality is crap compared to other HD channels, but they offer some great US content espcially one of my favourites like Supernatural. Its funny how Living is described by you as a "which devotes much of it's time to so called 'psychics' and 'ghost hunters' is a total joke" but don't mention any of the US shows.

Where as you mention Sky One has a load of great US shows but you fail to mention, the constant repeats of the Simpsons and Road Wars.

Re: When exactly are Virgin putting on more HD channels?
 

Bye Bye

Re: When exactly are Virgin putting on more HD channels?
 

Has the new network/analogue switch off really freed up the capacity to allow 20-30 HD channels. I only ask as a number of +1 channels were dropped when the new channel line up began but it could be completely unrelated.

Anyway I am not so much bothered about the number of channels but more the quality.

Re: When exactly are Virgin putting on more HD channels?
 

whats the matter, you cant take criticism?
maybe i am with the wrong company, you are proving this in every response you make.

Re: When exactly are Virgin putting on more HD channels?
 

Yes it is very subjective isn't it. To say that living is sewage and suggest that there is something wrong with the people who watch it and then call Sky 1 a jewel is hilarious. Since Sky 1 returned to cable I have watched one film on it and that's all.

As for the areas not getting their full quota of HD, yes that is unfortunate, but why exaggerate and suggest it probably wont be sorted by year end?
You must know when VM have said it will be completed and with new areas being converted every week have you any evidence that their claim is wildly optimistic? My area hasn't been done yet so I would be interested to know what your evidence is. I'm Northants what area are you?

Re: When exactly are Virgin putting on more HD channels?
 

No. More than that. :)

That may have been for contractual reasons. Also bear in mind the SD channels (apart from Cartoonito) were launched in non-NG areas too.

Re: When exactly are Virgin putting on more HD channels?
 

Thanks for the reply, that is good news.

Re: When exactly are Virgin putting on more HD channels?
 

SKY are advertising for new poo stirrers. They are charged with the difficult task of getting people's backs up on neutral forums. All they ask is you make a daft threat to leave because you can, repeat age old questions about ethernet and USB ports and generally..... well I could go on. In doing this hopefully you leave VM quickly, join SKY and get back under your bridge, where the goats and sheep will be along shortly to follow you.

Apologies if all this sounds rude but I went out last night, now have a hangover and didn't really expect to see trolls this early in the day.

Right I'm off to the pub to see my beloved tricky trees.

May you all have happy times.

Re: When exactly are Virgin putting on more HD channels?
 

:clap:

Re: When exactly are Virgin putting on more HD channels?
 

I'm no fan of Murdoch, I despise the man and all he stands for, so it pains me to praise Sky One. However praise it I must, as it's line up of Lost, 24, Fringe, and House is simply one of the best around. I'm sure it shows a whole truck load of tabloid slime as well, but I'm obviously never going to watch that.

Living TV seems to pride itself on serving the bizarre tastes of fans of the supernatural and other nonsense. If they presented these shows as fiction, then fine, but they don't. Selling fiction as facts is morally bankrupt to say the least. It's what I would expect from something with the Murdoch name on it, not Virgin.

As for all areas getting the new HD channels soon, maybe I'll be surprised and Virgin will keep their word. Think back though, think of the years of total incompetance and disinterest in HD. I think I have plenty of reasons to remain sceptical. Also fresh in my memory is the totally bungled 50mbit roll out. I had to endure 6 months of basically broken internet access, where my connection was simply off far more than it was on, and many (20+) engineer visits where they would be able to get me back online for a day or two at most until something broke at the headend again. Incompetance seems to be VM's speciality.

Re: When exactly are Virgin putting on more HD channels?
 

The Line up is pretty strong, and the VM line up list is correct.

Annoying as it is - the difference in technology used between the 3 original providers means that VM has to upgrade every single headend to provide the service.

Everyone WILL get all the HD line up by July.

Re: When exactly are Virgin putting on more HD channels?
 

Personally I'm not a fan of either channel. They both have a few American imports and loads of tabloid rubbish. Also Sky 1 had programmes with Derek Acorah trying to contact Michael Jackson so I still fail to see why Living is excrement and Sky one is a jewel or why there is something wrong with people who watch Living but it is OK to watch Sky 1. The fact that you think a few American imports and loads of tabloid rubbish makes the channel a jewel suggests you are no more discerning a viewer than those you choose to look down your nose at.

Neither have you presented any evidence that the NGTV roll out will be overdue by many months in spite of all the evidence to the contrary.

Re: When exactly are Virgin putting on more HD channels?
 

The rollout is going well and looks likely to finish in the first week of June.

That one finished early too.

What problems did you have with it? You didn't post anything here (unlike your problems with 20Mbps)

Re: When exactly are Virgin putting on more HD channels?
 

You can argue that Sky 1 is good, but in my experience, the shows you list (and the Simpsons sometimes) are the only shows that Sky has that are any good. And, TBH, Lost has been dragging since halfway through season 2 and the only reason I am still watching it is in the vain hope they might actually explain some of the storyline before it ends.

Re: When exactly are Virgin putting on more HD channels?
 

The Simpsons are in HD now and would be good to see that way on Sky1. It also would have been fun to watch 24 in HD, it's very drab and blurry on the SD version, but it looks like we'll miss out there. Now I'm hoping we get Sky1 HD in time for Terry Prachett's "Going Postal"!

Sky1 seems more like a general entertainment channel whereas Living I think is skewed slightly towards the female demographic. It could be a valuable addition to Sky's lineup for that reason. My wife watches Criminal Minds etc on it, and I hope nobody on here is insulting my wife!

Of course it's childish to say that any channel is crap, you have to realise that your opinion isn't the only one that counts.

Re: When exactly are Virgin putting on more HD channels?
 

Cool. Will do, and will you be there too, or do i have to seek an invitation?

---------- Post added at 21:16 ---------- Previous post was at 21:10 ----------

But did i say it was? I speak my opinion i get called a troll, i critique and i get called a sky employee. Funny, how to critique an (in all honesty) a average company with terrible customer service (which now i know why, most of the employees come on here, keyboard and all, to type away those who "diss virgin") you get a flurry of cheap insults and lame remarks, just for stating your own opinion.
Hell even a bit of feed back, "Give me, a paying customer, more channels Virgin! (or else im leaving)" and with that the virgin customer service employees come out in force to tell you "f-off to Sky then, TROLL!".
Totally pitiful if you ask me. A few usb ports, a decent set top box and HD channels worth watching, is that so much to ask? Sky it is then.

Re: When exactly are Virgin putting on more HD channels?
 

Which VM staff have said that? I can't see any staff in this thread saying that? :confused:

Re: When exactly are Virgin putting on more HD channels?
 

I'm not a cable employee Cognoni and I haven't criticised your posts. What I would say though is that although I would agree that it would be good if VM enabled the USB port, the ports on Sky boxes are not enabled either. The other thing is that there seems to be an inconsistency in your posts. You say on the one hand that HD is overrated but on the other hand that you will leave if you don't get more HD channels, just when VM are adding more. Could it be that is why other forum members are irritated and not because they are VM employees? Anyway if you think you will get better VFM with Sky then of course you should move.

Re: When exactly are Virgin putting on more HD channels?
 

generally i say something in the lien that if yout hink sky is so great then go but i aint even said a word and ic ant see any vm staff saying anything to them

Re: When exactly are Virgin putting on more HD channels?
 

How do you know that?

Re: When exactly are Virgin putting on more HD channels?
 

Think some people want to grow up,Shouldn`t be calling the the VM staff who come on here.Its thanks to them(and of course mediaboy) we get our views across and also try to inform us of what is going on to the best of there knowledge.As for HD Channels i remember having a TV Drive and BBC HD and a trial version of ITVHD and having to pay £10per month,Look were we are now 12 channels soon be 13(film4)and all included.I confess i have critized VM in the passed but credit were credit due they are coming up with the goods now and if it takes longer to get a channel due to VM trying to get the right deal to include with no added charge then i will wait lol I dont think you are a troll more like a muppet !!!!!!!!
Your last name isnt Murdoch by any chance lol

Re: When exactly are Virgin putting on more HD channels?
 

@cogoni

I am not and never have been employed by Virginmedia or any previous cable company. I was an early adopter of the V+ HD service when all we had was BBC HD and a few bits of Ondemand. I simply stated that the positive points of staying with Virginmedia compared to going with Sky for your HD programming but it appears that you are a Sky fanboy and no matter what Virginmedia do there will be no pleasing you. My main reason for staying with Virginmedia was for their broadband speeds which unfortunately is not available to most of the population over the BT network along with needing an additional HD box in another room. With Virginmedia I didn't have to pay the extortionate prices which Sky charges for a second HD box. I am glad I stayed with Virginmedia and waited as we are now getting a fantastic HD lineup and being honest I don't care if we never get Sky HD movies as I much prefer the quality on BluRay and I have no interest in receiving Luxe HD. All the Sky Sports HD channels would be good but will eventually come as more people switch to HD with Virginmedia, it does not make financial sense for Sky to not provide this service to so many people and the financial implications will make them available.

What amazes me most about your post is that you continually harp on about the USB port on the back of the V+ and ethernet port not working, well the reason why the USB port is not activated to copy to external disk is due to copyright and piracy, Sky don't activate this port either. As for the ethernet port a long time ago customers once used there cable boxes as the modem for their internet but Virginmedia now supply separate modems, unlike other companies Virginmedia don't need to utilise the ethernet port for OnDemand via the internet as it is available on the box via cable.

The Only reason I would ever move to Sky would be if I moved and was no longer in a cable area but hopefully in time Virginmedia will begin expanding it's cable network and it will be available to more homes.

As for Living HD and the quality of it's shows, then as you have said you are a fan of US shows, what about Criminal Minds, CSI, Ghost Whisperer, Supernatural, Drop Dead Diva, Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice which are all top US shows.

Re: When exactly are Virgin putting on more HD channels?
 

To be honest its not all down to Virgin Media that we haven't got a full HD channel line up, its because of a lack of co-operation from certain broadcasters such as BskyB.

To be honest Ofcom should enforce a condition that stops companies like Virgin Media and Sky broadcasting there own channels as we the customers just loose out.

Re: When exactly are Virgin putting on more HD channels?
 

Just to clear things up Cogoni, I am also not nor ever have been VM staff. I maintain the comment of troll (definition - a troll is someone who posts inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum, chat room or blog, with the primary intent of provoking other users into a desired emotional response)

The questions you asked over the last few days, have all been answered previously at some sort of level on this forum and could have been found using the search facility. As for get more HD channels or I'm leaving, it would have been better posted on here http://community.virginmedia.com

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/11...n-to-vm-v.html - usb discussion

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/10...w-samsung.html - And another one

Re: When exactly are Virgin putting on more HD channels?
 

I havent noticed you criticizing me :confused: I've no idea why you'd think I'd be bothered if you leave or not. I dont see why a post from myself, some random bloke on a forum, would "prove" you are with the wrong company unless you also think I work for VM :confused:

For the record I dont work for them and nor am I a VM fanboy, Ive had ongoing problems with them but I still prefer them to sky but each to their own. Judging from your posts you wont be happy no matter what provider you're with but I wish you luck.

Re: When exactly are Virgin putting on more HD channels?
 

Please let's put these current irrelevant threads from Cogoni to bed. I come on this site to find out information about solving VM related issues such as picture quality and find out about new services coming online.

Re: When exactly are Virgin putting on more HD channels?
 

Well said, I think all genuine users of this site would be better off just ignoring these baiting comments.
I come here for advice and information from those in the know and I have found them all very helpful.

Re: When exactly are Virgin putting on more HD channels?
 

Obviously I wasn't on the 50mbit service during the roll out as it wasn't available. I was initially on 20mbit, then I downgraded to 10mbit, then I downgraded to 2mbit. As my speed was often around 200kbit I couldn't see any point in paying for a higher tier. I was incredibly close to cancelling and calling Bee, but in the end Virgin managed to fix things just before I pulled the plug. It took months though, many month, and despite paying virtually nothing for my cable (due them giving me discounts due to having no service for so long) I still felt robbed.

At least my current CATV set-up is alive during the roll out, proving they have at least learnt something from past mistakes. Of course I have no clue if they've even touched my area yet, so for all I know the worst may be yet to come. Perhaps it's best they just leave it as is.