Virgin v Sky TV
 

I keep reading about people leaving Virgin and going to Sky, supposedly for their superior program content, i have the VIP 100 package with Virgin and think that the channels on offer more than meet my demands and that of my family, we would love to have Atlantic and all of the sports channels in HD, but apart from that i cannot see what else i would like that Sky have and Virgin don't! lets face it there are many many channels on both formats that probably no one ever watches very often, personally i'd dump all of those +1 channels, and quite a few others, and concentrate on more quality programming albeit with far less channels to view if thats possible.
So come on all you Sky people and people considering moving from Virgin, what is that much better on Sky than it is on Virgin?

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

The TV side of a package is the least important to me so can't comment on the channels and content, except to say im happy with all the HD channels available.

Didn't have a Tivo before but my old VM tv box was a bit laggy when navigating the menu's. Find the Sky box smoother in that respect. I guess tivo has all the same remote recording via phone and all that kind of stuff too.

Once my phone is unrooted i'll be using the Sky Go live tv/on demand android app quite a bit. VM really need to get their android version out to customers.

Oh and I havn't heard a fan kick in on the Sky+HD box yet like the virgin one did. Minor niggle though.

Was worried about the 1080i on Sky compared to 1080p on VM but now it is installed there really doesn't seem to be any noticeable difference.

In general I couldn't say if VM or Sky TV is better.

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

This is pretty much my view. Atlantic would be a great addition but we already have lots of content to view (currently have 3 series we are going to watch in the new year). All the channels we regularly record from are HD so we aren't missing out in that way. The main reasons I wouldn't leave VM are that I love the TiVo box and I feel I have enough content already.

VM is 1080i too ;-)

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

I moved for more channel variation, SKY's dedicated 3D channel plus their wide range of HD channels.

Another important factor is the oppertunity to access new channels from launch. 99% of the time when a new SD or HD channel launches in the UK, it's available on SKY from day 1. It can take Virgin years to get these new channels, or sometimes not at all.

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

Oh, could have sworn I saw in the settings menu of the tv box a 1080p setting.

Thought I would add that I only moved from vm to sky tv as I was moving my broadband due to packet loss/jitter problems and it made sense to move all my packages. One bill and cheaper. The extra speed and tv channels is just an extra bonus I didn't require.

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

I think that setting just de-interlaced which your TV would have done anyway. The source signal would be 1080i.

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

But thats what i'm saying mate, i can't see where people have the time to watch so much TV anyway, i certainly can't, and it's all very well saying " for more channel variation" there's loads of variation on Virgin also!
Plus the only HD channels that i really miss are the ones on Sky Sports 3 & 4, how many other HD channels do Sky have more than Virgin?

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

True, but for people who like US drama, Atlantic is definitely a desireable channel.

I don't know much about football, but I guess not having access to Atlantic is similar to not having access to watch your favourite team, and people say, "well, there are plenty of other teams you could watch instead"; that just doesn't cut it if you're a fan of a specific team.

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

I wouldn't go that far, but agree that Atlantic would be most welcome in our household, as for the other channels, well i'm not convinced that they would be good enough to make me switch to Sky.

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

I have both, and if I had to pick one it would be Virgin, mainly because they seem to have focused on keeping the quality, watchable channels and filtering out all the junk. That's me nit-picking though, once Sky bring out their TiVo killer they'll both be on a similar level.

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

I suppose it comes down to how many people live in your household, their age group and what they enjoy watching. I don't have hours and hours to spare to watch TV continually myself but throw in a wife and a couple of kids and the TV in the living room is almost never off!

For me personally I value 3D and HD TV. Virgin currently have 37 HD channels. SKY currently have 65 with Film4 HD and More 4 HD launching in the next few months.

Every channel that is on Virgin can be found on SKY. SKY offer around 200 more channels than Virgin. I agree quantity doesn't beat quality however variety is the spice of life, especially when your trying to cater for 3 or 4 peoples preferences and tastes living under your roof.

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

Think you will find your LG tv does a very good job at making up the 3D look with 2D > 3D conversation. Have watched a few things that way and well impressed.

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

The in laws have bought me a 3D Blu-Ray for my Christmas with the Avengers 3D and the original Star Wars trilogy in Blu-Ray format. I'm really looking forward to trying Empire Strikes Back converted to 3D, especially the opening scenes on Hoth.

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

Well most of my viewing on VM is on FX(soon to be Fox) Watch and Alibi as well as Channel 5.I also watch some Discovery ,History as well. However I rarely watch any of the sky channels these days.
So to be honest I don't think I would see much point in moving to Sky TV.

When I first went digital back in the late 80s I did have Sky Movies and Sports but we found that he wasn't home enough to watch the sports and I got bored of the films because we only got 2 new films a month which were then part of the package for ever..with the result that eventually I had seen every film more than twice.

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

I do get the fact that a lot of people would like Atlantic, but that doesn't mean there isn't ANY quality US drama on Virgin-but you perhaps have to hunt around the channels a bit more to find it. At least you did until TiVo arrived to do it for you. I'd barely looked at TCM, for example, but am thoroughly enjoying Hell on Wheels, and I personally don't think there's anything better than The Walking Dead on FX. Chuck in Elementary on Sky One hd and then the fact that in My Shows I've got brand new American Office, several Daily Shows to catch up on as well as the entire last season of 24 that I've still not watched AND Dan Snow still has to walk me through two Battle Castles etc et c. I agree, I really don't have time to sit through all the things I actually want to watch as it is.

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

Spot on Andy, I feel the same too.. we have loads of series's of stuff to watch, some going back 12 months ago (2 full seasons of Homelands for example).

There is plenty out there, use thumbs alot...

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

Oh yeah, Homeland, and Southland as well. The list goes on...

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

Personally I have no loyalty to any Service Provider (TV,Gas,Electric etc,etc),in this day and age with the transparency that is provided by Internet searches and comparison web sites the customer is king,if I sign up for any service then IMO it is up to that provider to offer me the service/product/content etc required to keep me as a customer!,if not, then I will take my custom to one that will.In that vein I now have Sky HD with multi-room,BT phone line and BT Infinity broadband,I will review each of my services when the offers I have have expired and if I find a better service elsewhere I will not hesitate to move to that provider,IMO there is no use whinging and moaning about what one provider is or is not delivering just do a bit of research and move your services to one that does deliver what you want,I don't believe Virgin,Sky,BT etc take much notice of forum web sites but will start to take notice if they loose customers and therefore revenue.....just my opinion,but hey,isn't that what these type's of forums are about!;)

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

Fun viewing ahead :tu:

Being a star wars film it will be converted to 3D in a decent way. I have found most normal films that do a 3D convert instead of actually doing it all 3D from the start, are rarely any better than the tv's own on the fly 3D conversion.

Building on what Maggie said, the main thing I watch is wildlife documentaries so having Sky gives me a few more in HD.

Just found an end of October list of channel differences, not sure how valid it still is: http://www.cable.co.uk/guides/sky-tv...a-tv-channels/

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

I get quite a lot of HD channels..trouble is recording them means I use up my V+HDD space far quicker.Each HD recording is worth double the space.

So I save them for when I'm actually watching the show.:)

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

That's a really interesting link because I actually thought the difference would have been bigger than that.

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

Main reason I subscribe to Sky is superior range of HD channels which is important to me with 3 TV's 42" or greater.

Yes recording it now , in HD as well :)

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

Had the same thought when I first looked at that page. Then realised you could expand all the sections below and all the differences become clearer.

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

I'm only two episodes in, but it's really good so far.

---------- Post added at 10:33 ---------- Previous post was at 10:32 ----------

I knew to expand the sections. Still don't think the difference is as big as I was expecting, certainly not in entertainment or factual. Lifestyle, maybe.

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

Actually HD shows take up four times the space of an SD version. V+ total recording space is the equivalent of 80 hours SD or 20 hours HD. Extra recording space is one of the massive pluses of Tivo over the V+. It's a shame that VM don't use mp4 as Sky do, as that increases recording capacity even further. But it's legacy boxes such as V+ that are preventing that from happening.

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

I thought the difference was pretty big.

Sky have:

8 more entertainment channels
10 more lifestyle channels
6 more movie channels
6 more sports channels
5 more factual channels
9 more kids channels
16 more music channels
21 more shopping channels
7 more news channels
48 more international channels
4 more gaming channels
7 more specialist channels
33 more +1 channels

In total that's 174 channels. I'm not suggesting they are all quality channels, far from it, however if Virgin announced they would add all of these channels what do you think the general reply would be from Virgin customers? A massive yes please or no thanks as their mostly niche channels? I'm guessing the Coming Soon thread would go into melt down.

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

I read the list from the stand point of not being overly fussed about hd or +1s,which I recognise means I'll view it differently to you. However, what I saw was an entertainment section with really only one obvious omission. In terms of actual content then I stand by what I said - I thought the difference would have been bigger than it apparently is. Your own list makes it clear that the bulk of the difference is made up of lifestyle, shopping and international channels with the link showing that hd and +1s accounting for a large chunk of what's left. As is often said on here, each to their own, and they're not for me.

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

"Wow, did you see that pig that just flew by?" :D

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

Or "What do you mean my box only has enough memory to show 2 hours of this larger EPG each day?" from non-TiVo users*



*In reference to the reduced EPG that cam in as a result of the Olympic channels

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

There is no question that if the number of channels, both SD and HD is your main priority, then Sky is the place to be.

But it is worth looking at the channels that Sky has, that VM doesn't have, that personally apply to you as an individual. I did that a little while ago and was surprised how little I was missing in terms of content (one channel) and HD (around two, if I remember correctly).

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

Maybe they have already added some channels but they start after midnight so you can't see them :rofl:

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

Oh, how I miss the V+ box freezing up at midnight for around an hour :D

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

That's not up to date.

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

Some say the quality of channels matters over quantity but again it comes down to what you said, its how the channels apply to your own needs. 10 more shopping channels will probably be useless to most but to some....that is heaven.

---------- Post added at 13:38 ---------- Previous post was at 13:34 ----------

oops:

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

Friend of mine left Sky costing him too much. They have just rang him up and offered him 75% off for 12 months with all channels and gave him £50 credit to offset the first two months. I asked him twice to make sure I heard him right. Deal only for recently left customers.

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

For me it's:

Sky Atlantic HD
Universal Channel HD
ITV2 HD
ITV3 HD
ITV4 HD
Food Network
MGM HD
Sony Movie Channel
TCM HD
Sky Sports 3 HD
Sky Sports 4 HD
Sky Sports News HD
British Eurosport 2 HD
ESPN America HD
Animal Planet HD
Nat Geo Wild HD
History HD
Crime & Investigation Network HD
MTV HD
MTV Classic
Sky News HD
Fox News Channel
SKY 3D
Primetime
Premier Sports – I’ll need to subscribe to this separately

The wife likes The Style Network, watches it at her grans all the time. The wife would also enjoy a few of the music channels. The kids would probably watch some of the kids channels too. So in my household about 30 or so channels Virgin don't currently carry would be valued.

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

Don't forget you might have to add BoxNation and ESPN as they are extra's so that could be another £22 on top Chad,

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

I prefer Sky for the TV. Has alot more content and i am watching stuff i never watched before. The fact Sky has more HD channels is great. I much prefer the look and feel of the STB than VM's Tivo as well.

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

Thats quite a few quality channels that VM don`t have.

Never thought for a minute that we were missing out on so much.

Thanks Chad for the heads up.

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

Have to admit that sitting down and using the Sky box some more today, it will change the way I watch tv. Only used on demand a few times on VM as it just felt clumsy and slow moving around menus (didn't have a tivo) so would rather download the same episode and use my network media player to play it. With the Sky box its all so fast and smoother so a pleasure to use. 1.5TB of storage is plenty of space too.

Just seen the entire game of thrones series in HD in the on demand section so looking forward to watching some of them back to back.

The back catalogue seems huge. How big is the VM on demand in comparison? How do the paid movies and stuff compare between both providers?

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

Well each to our own but being unbiased VM have the best overall package.

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

Just corrected that for you ;)

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

I had VM Tivo and the VOD layout was alot better than V+HD. I think the On Demand content is alot better layed out and quicker to access than Tivo. Its also good that you cna download the content to the STB and watch at a later time even if the content is removed from On Demand not long after

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

While Sky does have quite a big VOD service VM have a bigger VOD Libriary that is best of all the providers in its scope.

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

You beat me to it :)

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

Your grammar serves you well master.;)

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

Figured the tivo would be better than the V+ box, wish I had got to try it at least once.

I think the downloaded file makes the fast forward/rewind and everything work a bit more responsive/smoother over the streaming too. Just had a thought...could you unplug the Sky box and take it somewhere else without a satellite and watch the downloaded stuff still? As its downloaded I would have thought it was possible in theory unless its blocked with no sat attached?

---------- Post added at 15:50 ---------- Previous post was at 15:45 ----------

Is that based on the fact that VM have been providing VOD longer so have had longer to build up a library, or based on how much is available at any one time?

As I didn't use it often I can't be sure but having a quick look today, it seems Sky have a lot more HD VOD than I remember seeing on VM. I was on M+ with virgin so maybe that made a difference too.

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

I can't say for sure, but I'm pretty sure there is still more content on demand with Virgin TV xl, but a. Sky have certainly put the effort in to try and make a dent in that and b. as with the channels what's important is quality, not quantity.

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

How much bloody more is my bill going up by. :rolleyes:

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

:D Yeah got to agree, Virgins recent price hike to channel launch ratio hasn't been great.

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

True in one way with not many channels arriving but remember Sky have put their prices up several times as well.

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

I have both.

Had Sky a week - the box is like night and day to the 1TB TiVO upstairs - that thing is SO SLOW. The Sky I find is laid out more logically and the remote was clearly designed by someone who understands the bottom of a remote should be frikkin flat!

The channels on Virgin are more logically laid out, Sky well frankly they are all over the place. The first supplier who can make all SD channels retune to the HD automatically would be well in the lead in my book as the other half keeps watching stuff in SD not realising there is a HD channel out there.

I miss the third tuner on my lounge box, we have it on the TiVo upstairs recording all chick related programming (there will be no kardashians on my Sky box lol).

The channel ranges was all about the HD, I was getting really fed up of virgin dropping channels instead of adding them, the price increase was the final straw.

It doesn't help when you pay the same for Sky Sports on virgin as you do on sky with a whole heap less in HD.

Now it comes to apps, sorry but Sky have Virgin licked in this category, the TV guide and the relate app wipe the floor with the Virgin TV guide. They really need to sort that out, its so painful to use the TV guide.

The TV anywhere app I have tried to use, but given the TiVO isn't wired up tot he router I cant get the full benefit of it.

On the subject of apps, only one other app worth mentioning. Sky. Go.

I cant fault the Internet service from Virgin, really can't, but virgin really are on a slippery slope with TV - TiVO is ok, but slow, on demand is ok, but too little in HD for my liking.

At the end of the day if you're paying premium service prices HD should be pretty much standard...

I won't deny, the next big worry I have is BT Sports, as a rugby fan they have the full Aviva season next year, this is a really big problem - I'm hoping Sky get the deal instead of Virgin if I am brutally honest...

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

BT Sports will be on both unless BT are even worse at running a sports channel than they are at treating their telephone customers!

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

that's down to sky not VM as sky is with holding the channels even though VM customers are paying for them grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr @sky

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

Yep, well aware

Of course its down to Sky, but it ALSO down to Virgin.

They did the sums, they offered up the money and they paid what they were willing to pay.

Virgin are too tight, they don't pay enough and they think that the customers will respect them and still buy into them.

Sky have their limits, clearly after being outbidded by BT.

Virgin have too much debt which they are trying to repay, but the problem is they are doing that at the expense off the product freshness, and thats the true problem for Virgin. Its all going quite moldy.

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

Last time I had Sky, was a few years ago, hated the loss of signal every time the wind changed direction, been with virgin for a few years now, the TiVo I was all for getting my hands on one when they first came out {think I paid £149 but not 100% sure} after a few months the novelty had worn off with me, and now I DON'T use it to its full potential {my fault, not Virgins} but if i'm honest, I expected a lot more from it, after all at the time it was bigged up as the box to end all boxes.

At the moment I am seriously considering switching back to Sky, not because of the tv content as in HD v's SD, or this BB is faster than that BB, but because {in my eyes} Virgin would not know customer loyalty if it walked up and bit them on the a**e.

Every little thing you get from virgin, only ever seems to come about AFTER you threaten to leave, probably the same with every other company mind, Wouldn't it be nice if, just once, Virgin phoned you up and said "Hey Mr loyal customer, have you heard about this great deal that we are offering all NEW CUSTOMERS, how would you like a bit of that" instead we are forced to try and negotiate every year.

To be honest, with using the mobile more and more {better contracts that I DIDNT have to haggle for} the landline is becoming extinct, better online choice for tv and movies and my tv is being used less and less, soon with mobile phone companies offering 4g internet speeds, my home BB will probably become extinct.

Should imagine in a few years BOTH Virgin and Sky are going to have to come up with another carrot for the masses

{small rant over}

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

Was thinking this just today. I know some HD channels don't have the same content as the SD counterpart but it can't be that hard to do a quick check if it does, then use the HD version instead. Also an option to hide the SD channels from the guide if it has a HD alternative.

Its a shame the channel numbers can't be changed as I wouldn't mind the option to show the HD channel under the normal channel in the guide. Was browsing through the SD channel list and saw something good and knew it the channel was in HD, but I had to go back to another menu to choose it. Not sure i'll ever remember all the channel numbers :P

There has to be another way beside heavily customising your favourites.

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

I customised my favorites on Sky already - nothing but HD channels :D

Re: Virgin v Sky TV
 

Sky is years ahead as a tv provider and will allways be as there prioty is tv content,VM have given up and now gonna squeeze as much money out of people who want more content before they leave