Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

I was just wondering if the reason we have not seen any new HD channels recently is due to lack of spare capacity in the VM system?
We have also seen a number companies swapping out channels suggesting a lack of capacity.

Re: Does Virgin media have apare capacity?
 

It's rumoured on a few forums as well. We will never know the truth.

Re: Does Virgin media have apare capacity?
 

But a few channels have been closed recently Bravo, Virgin etc etc.

Re: Does Virgin media have apare capacity?
 

There are no capacity issues.

p.s don't flame me about channel launches! lol

Re: Does Virgin media have apare capacity?
 

One reason (like MTV and the owners of Pop and True Entertainment) might feel the need to swap channels rather than add is that maybe it is simply prohibitively expensive for some channels to lauch on Virgin, who knows. Maybe it is down to capacity although we have all read that is supposedly no longer an issue.

There must be some logical reason why so many FTA channels don't appear, an extra 4m customers would surely be a boon for anyone.

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

With VM working on the on demand network to make more space and also with NEIL BERKETT saying that they hope to have 80 HD channels in the next 3 years i do not think that there is a problem with capacity ( this is just my view )

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

Sky Sports Red button seems to be causing them problems though, were still waiting for it.

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

Nothing to do with capacity. That's a software issue. Sky have to develop the software with VM.

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

Probably doesnt mean much as its probably different systems but...

Cable networks in the US carry 100 an 100's of tv channels so I would imagine VM have lots of capacity.

Why doesnt VM merge with a massive US cable network? Then again I spose the debt issuse may stop that.

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

Erm, most of the fledgling UK Cable companies were started by US Cable Companies (Nynex, Jones Cable, CableTel, PacBel, United Cable, SBC/Cox Comms, etc etc).

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

They will be unable to do so due to the licensing of the shows and also i do not think that if they were able to the debt would stop them due to they would be able to get it all sorted, as if they wewre able to show the same channels on VM in america and vice versa it would be a win - win situation.

Re: Does Virgin media have apare capacity?
 

That was a decision taken by SKY not Virginmedia though.:)

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

All of whom pulled out of the UK...

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

Yup - because it was a money pit....;)

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

Aren't we moving to a switched video system soon anyway?
There will be hardly any capacity issues then as only the watched channels will be streamed rather than the whole lot being streamed.

Correct me if I am wrong :)

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

Some areas (mostly ex-Telewest, 550MHz) are quite busy but most are fine for now.

No idea if/when VM are going to deploy SDV. It's been around for a while but they have as yet chosen not to avail themselves of it on the edge despite upgrades to core TV distribution network.

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

It could be , there was an issue in 2008 , they upgraded the network but have since added more than 25 HD channels , so maybe capacity is tight again.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitalt...eo-for-hd.html

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

The upgrade consisted of switching off analogue channels, there was no upgrade as such.

I am unsure of the bit rate VM are using for HD, I would imagine they are only getting 2 or maybe 3 HD channels into the space of each analogue channel due to using 64QAM and MPEG-2.

The areas that are constrained will be sorted through when upstream uplift and 100Mbps deployments are complete - the uplift will take all areas currently stuck at 550MHz up to at least 750 and the 100Mbps service requires 256QAM channels so downstream laser loading issues will be sorted there as well to permit DTV multiplexes to go to 256QAM along with the EuroDOCSIS 3 downstreams.

EDIT: To give an idea of the bit rates required Sky use MPEG-4, more efficient than the MPEG-2 which VM use, and Sky Sports hits 16-17Mbps average wtih peaks at around 21Mbps during some events. Not going to get that and too much else into a 38Mbps multiplex.

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

So to sum up there still could be capacity issues LOL.

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

In isolated areas the network will be a bit on the full side, sure. It's not an issue longer term.

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

So is Berketts 80 HD channels within 3 years realistically possible ?

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

Sure.

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

Would VM benefit from switching to Mpeg 4 and would it be easy to implement.

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

Does he have some sort of a crystal ball?

To be honest (happy to be corrected as always) I have not even read Sky make such a prediction (they did predict 50 and delivered) and they are well on their way to 80 anyway.

Over 50 more HD channels seems fanciful, especially with their pricing structure. I'd settle for Sky Arts HD for now and if that's anything to go by (7 months and counting) I think there's more chance of porky flying than us getting 80 HD channels in three years. He said that 3 months ago I think, none have launched on VM since so it's 2 years 9 months to go for 51 HD channel launches, nah!

I hope i'm wrong though.

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

Depends if any of the set top boxes currently in use support the codec?

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

To be fair Mersey70 I think ignition meant from a capacity point of view.

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

The only (HD) ones that don't are the Scientific Atlanta TVDrive/V+ boxes. Get them off the grid and moving to MPEG-4 would be very sensible.

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

Mersey70 they would have to add about 17 a year to have 80 in 3 years.

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

A different HD codec would be a welcome addition. Although whilst they are trying to pull sales in on Tivo I can't see them making the change just yet, whether it's technically possible or not. If those on V+ are having problems with space and recording HD, a larger capacity Tivo box would be a logical upgrade.

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

muppetman11 they said over 7 months ago we were getting Sky Arts HD, where is it?

It is a load of rubbish in my opinion, exactly how would they pay for 51 more HD channels given their chosen pricing structure?

Look at the latest thing with CSC Media closing POP on VM so they can get True Entertainment onto the network, even giants like Viacom prefer to swap out channels rather than launch new channels. Pop is still on Freesat today.

There must be a reason for this, maybe it is capacity or (as I possibly think) it could be prohibitively expensive for some broadcasters to get onto cable (possibly because of the 'free HD thng) so lets hope the extra 51 HD channels are rich enough to launch. Why wouldn't a FTA broadcaster want another 4m or so customers?

But regarding the 29 HD channels on VM let's be very clear, of them:-

12 attract a HD surcharge (Sky HD)
5 are FTA/FTV HD channels (by that I mean they are subscription free on Freeview or Sky)

Maybe 17 HD channels will launch on 1 April to help meet Mr Berkett's Mystic Meg predictions but i'd love to know how they are going to be funded, 2 or even 1 will do for me personally which is a bit more realistic as things stand.

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

I wasn't saying you were wrong in fact I agree with all your points , I was just merely stating thats what would have to happen.

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

I know mate, we seem of like mind on this.

It's just bullish nonsense to me from Mr Berkett (who I like a lot actually).

Like I said earlier (and very happy to be corrected on it) I have not personally even read Sky make such a prediction.

I personally think there will be somewhat of a plateau of brand new HD channel launches now even on Sky given the networks and so many of Sky's HD channels have already launched.

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

Sky will add a lot more this year , VM just frustrate you from time to time. Look at TIVO , it seems a great product , however its only as good as the content you have to watch on it.

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

I agree about Tivo if that's what appeals to you but you are dead right, you can only watch what's available which in VM's defence is a good offer anyway it was just the very, very bold 80 HD channel prediction I was picking up on.

Let's see what happens 1 April, if nothing launches the prediction will seem even more fanciful than it does now (to me anyway).

Like I said Sky Arts HD will do for me personally now but if it dosen't appear by April I would have to assume it's been shelved.

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

Not interested in Sky Arts but for your sake I hope it turns up, im all for choice.

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

That's what it's all about, choice.

But VM announced it was launching way back last July it's not as if it's just on my wishlist.

I have high hopes it will launch before April though.

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

Yes and no respectively, most of the STBs don't support it.

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

Thanks for all the interesting replies, looks like this year will tell us one way or the other. Hopefully, there is spare capacity and VM will be able to full fill our wishes for more HD channels.

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

10Mb broadband for every TiVo (soon to be 20mb)
20Mb broadband upgraded to 30Mb
100Mb broadband rolling out
200Mb coming soon

That doesn't strike me as a company short of bandwidth.

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

Certainly dosen't, it could be a company using such bandwidth primarily for more lucrative broadband services though.

With my business head on I don't blame them either.

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

The 550mhz networks are being changed VM are spending huge amounts of money on the network side .It is a big job amplifiers passives tap plates need changing .Qam 256 on the tv side is also being rolled out so is a bigger upstream (thank god ):D.The problem is VM is made up from different cable companies all had there own way of doing things The network here can go up to 850mhz but we only use up to 747 mhz .

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

So basically now there are capacity issues.

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

It depends where you live a 550mhz network is going to be more busy than a 750mhz network .The big plan is to make all the networks the same hence the 550mhz are being upgraded .VM dont have areas where you can not get certain channels because of this they have manged to squeeze them in :)

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

Very interesting, thanks for that.

It explains a lot really, I agree it would be better to get the whole network upgraded so everyone enjoys the same channel line up but I guess it looks like we are going to be waiting a while for a deluge of HD channels.

Never mind, for one reason or another I thought as much anyway.

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

I'm in Wigan Ex Telwest which is that on ?

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

sorry i have not got a clue as some ex telewest areas differ as do some ex ntl :)

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

Ok thanks.

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

.


What I find amazing is that they expect 1 billion views of VOD / Catchup this year on top of the broadband and linear over the system.

Add to that the extra usage from more HD channels, more HD on VOD and Tivo using its BB connection etc and they can't be short of bandwidth.

It must help a lot that they switched to IPTV by upgrading to a single headend with new routers etc from Cisco.

Add to that the bandwidth freed up by switching to Docssis 3 and closing analogue and they must have plenty to spare.......

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

Certainly doesn't sound like it , if there squeezing channels in.

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

All TV Channels are broadcasting in all areas of Virgin Media.

Only RTE Radio and WRN Radio is not broadcasting in all areas of Virgin TV - Just old Telewest areas.

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

So we won't be getting 17 channels in April to help meet Mr Berkett's claim of 80 HD channels in 2 years 9 months.

What a shocker!

1 or 2 would be nice though but it's looking unlikely.

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

I agree, the phrase "squeezing in channels" does not sound good, one can only conclude capacity is an issue in some areas.

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

Looking at the frequencies here (my TV has a cable tuner) there are a couple of the 48 streams in use (the whole country has 48 I think) that only carry 1 HD channel, I think I read they can carry two so maybe there is still space for a few channels.

Here's hoping!

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

I'm guessing areas in the upload upgrade list shown as 'being planned' are on the 550MHz network?

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

My area has had the broadband upload speeds upgraded I now get 30 mbps down 3 mbps up. Don't know whether this is linked.

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

Part of Wirral (where I live) has been upgraded to faster upload speeds but I am not due to get it here until August.

The whole of Wirral is part of the ex-CWC Manchester network though.

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

I am not due for upgrade until August. BT have just announced that this area( South Essex) is to be one of the first to get 40mb in a few months, VM will have real competition for BB around here then.

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

Parts of my area (Wirral) are getting enabled for BT Infinity in March too but not right here just yet.

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

No dates for infinity here yet.

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

Just to add to Neds post. This is about future proofing the network and upgrading some of the older architecture.

It's not about VM having bandwith issues, we got loads when we closed analogue.

I'm actually involved in the project, but can't comment any further regarding the specifics as it's business sensitive.

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

The only areas here getting BT Infinity in March are some of those that are not covered by VM.

Re: Does Virgin media have spare capacity?
 

Forget to mention the additional streams for Sky Red Button as well.