Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

Hi

I got Virgin Media only yesterday...TV - L, BB - XXL & Phone XL.

Virgin V+ HD Box

When the engineer showed me the V+ HD box, I asked was it new as it clearly looked old & a bit dirty. I left it at that but didn't think for one minute that it was new. I spent a few hours setting everything up. Focused on setting my broadband up first.

Last night settled down to try out the TV. The first thing I noticed was how slow it was compared to my BT Vision box. It hangs when navigating through the menus & is very unresponsive.

I've had a closer look at the box & not only is it not new..it actually looks really dated..& not like the photo on the web site. OK...so I have the Scientific Atlanta box. Not happy about it as it looks like it's been around for years & the Samsung box came out in March 2009!

1) Can I get this changed straight away as it's so slow..& not what I thought I was buying?

2) What are the key differences between the Scientific Atlanta & Samsung? Should I request the Samsung?

Interested to know also if any other new customers have received this old box on a recent new install.

Thanks in advance.

Re: Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

I recieved it when i upgraded to V+ started getting annoyed at it so phoned up and got a samsung.

Re: Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

You have 28 days to cancel so use that to complain about the box and the state you received it in, call Retentions tomorrow on 150 and choose the option "Thinking of leaving us" as going to the faults line will probably end up with you going around in circles.

Re: Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

You don't own the box, you rent it. You've received a refurbished box, that's all I've been given for a week now. If you do get another visit you may get another sa box, and even a call out fee instead if your after a comfort swap

The sa has more connections at the back including rf output, but the samsung is faster and better looking.

Re: Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

Should a refurbished box look dirty though? does not sound like one that has been to any factory, I have the SA and I actually prefer it to the Samsung.

Re: Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

No, refurb boxes should look in good condition, not dirty.

Re: Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

SA Box is rubbish. Agree with Chris its slow as anything. Virgin should supply Samsung boxes to new customers as a rule.

Re: Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

They should supply them to everyone, I've still got 4 in my van I can't get rid of

Re: Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

I have had my SA box for over 2.5 years and prefer it to the Samsung as it does what I need and I have no issues with its speed.

Re: Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

If my box gets dusty I give it a wipe, if it was a dirty samsung would you be calling up? :)

Re: Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

Got to agree the SA boxes suck big time.

Re: Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

The SA box imo had a slightly better image quality but was way louder and slow.

Re: Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

See, I'm worried now. My new install is this coming Saturday (4th). Should I tell the installation guy I want a new Samsung? Can I do that? Do I have to accept what he gives me?

Re: Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

I have had my s/a v+ box for nearly 3 years now the picture is brilliant and the box itself is about the same size as my DVD recorder so no issues there,in fact i think my s/a box all in black looks quite smart sometimes its a little slow but i can live with that.Thought there had been some issues also with the samsung box i heard? so as always the grass may not always be greener,well not until TiVo comes along that is.;)

Re: Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

I he/she has it on the van, then it's fine to ask. If they don't then it's up to you if you want him/her to continue with the install.

Re: Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

As I said above I have no issues with my SA it is quiet and not particulary slow, but one thing SA's have never done is gone to STOP and need replacing within weeks of install.

Re: Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

Live with it for now then get a TIVO box that's what I'm doing.

Re: Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

Personally i would not worry the picture quality on a s/a box is fantastic and the box imo is not noisy at all at least my one is not! i think it looks good and its certainly not worth cancelling an install for .:)

Re: Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

I agree. Certainly not worth cancelling for. I'm having a V+ HD box installed. Will that make any difference as to the box I'm supplied with? i.e Samsung or SA box?

Re: Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

No V+HD box could be either both do the job ie give you access to the content,as i said i am pleased with my S/A box and i am sure you will be happy with either box,if not there is always the 28 day money back guarantee.:)

Re: Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

Nope its whatever the engineer has on the van.

Re: Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

I have a SA V+ box, and actually prefer it to any Samsung box, the reason being I connect mine to my Dell 24Inch TFT Monitor via the component connection as the DVI connection is busy being used by my PC. (No HDMI on this monitor)

The Samsung has no component output soo im told.

Re: Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

Hi all

Thanks very much for your feedback.

By looking at your posts it seems I may as well stick with the SA box. Just annoying being told it's new. I haven't got off to the best start with VM so that's why I was I was a bit irritated by the engineers misinformation/lie.

By the sound of it the SA box seems to be a better performer & I may as well swap the boxes at a later date for the TIVO box.


Extras on installation: Another warning to new VM customers waiting for an install.

Two days before the install I requested to have TV, BB & Phone in one room, & to run an extra extension for the phone line in another room. I was categorically told this would be free. One day before the install called through again to confirm the order.

I think you know where this is going!

When the engineer turned up, we went over the job & he said he was only doing a standard install. After speaking to 4 customer service centres at Virgin Media I was given the "we don't have a record of this, you will have to pay our standard charges" to get the additional room installed at a later date £99 (engineer call out) + £25 (extra phone extension line)!!!

The regional engineer team leader (who I spoke to twice) was the most helpful. In the end it was resolved, however, only after I threatened to cancel & repeated numerous times when I had ordered the extras etc etc.

Installation Extras:

If you want to order any extras, I recommend that you.

1) Call in advance as early as possible (biggest excuse I got was that because I only ordered the extras two days before it had not reached the engineers...of course...not my problem was the reply)

2) Get the name of the call centre agent & the office they are based at.

3) Double check by calling them to confirm again (although this did not work for me)...but again request the name of the agent & the office.


Latest speed test 50Mb product:

32Mb (down), 1.6Mb (up) Yet to get above this for down.


Thanks for your help.

Re: Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

I have had 3 boxes in the last 15 month, they give you whatever they have on the van, had 2 SA boxes but now currently have a samsung, I dont want to lose it, faster than my two SA boxes and gives out a better picture too.

Re: Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

All the information i have seen on both D/S and on here seems to suggest that the S/A picture is slightly better then the samsung guess it depends on what set up you have,also i have seen plenty of posts on a couple of forums where people have had problems with samsung boxes.Also the SA box has more component outputs.

Re: Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

What do you mean by set up? If you using a component or HDMI connection?

Re: Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

By set up i mean the quality of the tv set the box is connected to as well as a lot of posts i have seen on other forums say the picture quality on the S/A box is better then that of the samsung using the HDMI connection.

Again probably all subjective.

Re: Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

I can't see how the tv set it's connected to how that would make a difference to the picture quality. Cause obviously it's going to look better on a Sony TV compared to say an Asda's own make TV.

Re: Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

There you go you have answered your own question a S/A connected to a sony will give a better picture quality then say a samsung connected to a asda tv and vice versa in all probability.

So the tv you buy also has a big influence on your percieved picture quality,as well as the box used be it a S/A or a samsung v+ all very subjective,as opinions always will be.

Re: Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

I'll ignore what you said then about the TV cause that doesn't really apply in this thread, thats for another conversation.

I've heard that the SA box has a better up scaler than the Samsung but I've never had a Samsung box or seen one in action so couldn't comment myself. I'd imagine though that when the TIVO box launches that will have the best PQ being newer tech etc, but might not be the case. The Samsung is newer than the SA.

Re: Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

True, the general consensus is the S/A does have a better upscaler then the samsung V+,but the samsung is more responsive.

One would hope the TiVo will be better then both of the previous models regarding PQ as most of the reports i have seen rave about it, but we will have to wait and see one thing is for sure virgin are investing in the tv service and that is a very good sign as it shows it is still very important to them,and as consumers we will benefit.:)

Re: Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

Yep lets hope we get it all with the TIVO good PQ and good performance all round.

Re: Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

When I went on to V+ I was given a Scientific Atlanta box and the consensus is that it's pretty good. The only problem is with these boxes is that they're a wee bit too sensitive when it comes to fluctuations in signal level, I.e. they have the tendency to look at the incoming signal and if there's any deviations over a short period of time then the box assumes there's a problem and promptly re-boots.

The likelihood of this increases when you're recording and watching a programme in HD at the same time - irritating to say the least especially when your recording is cut into two portions with the loss in between.

Changing the box would probably fix this issue, however the Samsung boxes don't have an RF output - something that I use (on the SA box) to divert the signal so I can watch TV in my bedroom, in addition, I've a load of stuff recorded that I don't want to lose. One of these "learn to live with it" scenarios.

Sigh................!

Si thee :Sprint:

Re: Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

I used to have the S/A box and i hated it, it was slow at changing channels and the menu with horrible slow, got it changed to the Samsung, although only after complaining as they wouldn't change it to start with, tried to tell me i just need to switch off the mains power each night, so what happens if i want to record programs over night then lol, love the Samsung as it's much faster

Re: Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

Found this guide produced by VM its called V+ STB Comparison Document thought it might br usefull.
http://www.slideshare.net/Jasmeet_18...0-presentation

Re: Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

Dirty boxes,

I was an early adopter of the V+ SA box, it was new and after however many years, it still looks new.

Had a Viewsonic monitor break after 15 months, 3 replacements, all referbs. All were in very poor condition. The last one looked like it had lived in a bin for its life. What the hell do people do with their boxes? Why are they so cruddy looking?

After the viewsonic experience, I will not accept a poor looking box. After all looks are important to everyone too!

OP: It's too late to change it now, but next time just refuse. You're the customer. Take a photo and email to CS and tell the installer to leave.

In the end I complained (to viewsonic corporate in the UK instead of the usual CS dept in poland) that the 3rd viewsonic was broken (it was) and the condition was unacceptable = received a brand new replacement.

Re: Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

Just out of interest will the new Tivo box have component output like the SA box?

If not then that is going to be inconvienent for me and my setup, till i get my new TV :)

*edit*

No it doesnt just look on VM site.

Re: Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

Any indicator on price yet?

---------- Post added at 18:59 ---------- Previous post was at 18:58 ----------

Or box spec?

Re: Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

£239 inc. install. According to The Register:

http://www.reghardware.com/2010/12/0...in_media_tivo/

Re: Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

Well that fits in with all the earlier posts saying £199 for the box and £40 for installation.;)

Re: Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

We were told that they are not going to do any deals thats the price if you want it no discounts :)

Re: Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

You have discovered, just like I DID, That the SA box is a piece of [Mod Edit] by comparison with the Samsung. Having done some background research, I knew this before signing up - so I got Virgin to agree to supply a Samsung box. HOWEVER when the engineers arrived they only had the SA box. Against my better judgement, I decided to give it a go - and now, having fulfilled my obligation, I have told them to come and get it - I bought a Panasonic twin satellite recorder which runs rings around the Virgin box - and for free.

I CAN understand why Virgin need 2 different suppliers - to guarantee supply - but they SHOULD have similar specs. I KNOW the Samsung box is better, and MUCH quicker - as my son had one. Virging have lost my custom for their TV services because of this.

Re: Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

There's TiVo now so doesn't matter

Re: Virgin V+ Box: Scientific Atlanta on New Install
 

Seems odd to bump a thread from a year ago to have a moan, but to each their own...