VOD - Corrupted Picture / Sound
 

Hi All,
My first time posting here, so thanks in advance for any help!

I've recently moved from Sky to Virgin Media (long story, not worthy of mention).

Anyway, since having 2 Virgin Media HD boxes installed and a standard settop box, I've had constant VOD issues.

It's not that I cannot receive the programs, it's more to do with them being unwatchable. The picture has massive areas of corruption/pixelation and screeching sound.

This happens on all the set-top boxes, so I can rule out a faulty box. I've tried powering off all the boxes and testing them one at a time too.

The picture corruption only occurs in the evenings or weekends (presumably peak periods). This has proved difficult to demonstrate as when the engineer calls (offpeak times for viewing) the VOD service is fine.

I actually ended up filming the results and recording the time when VOD corrupts, but that didn't help the engineers either. On a sidenote, I do not have any regular television issues with the set top boxes (all regular TV is fine, no corruption).

I've had 4 engineer calls so far since late August/September through to December. This has resulted in a what I believe the engineers called a balance test, signal test and review of all errors reported on my set top boxes. The last thing the engineers have tried is a new cable to the house and a check of the head box in our street? (apologies if I've not described the technical details above accurately).

Sadly all the above has not improved the scenario.

I need to call them out yet again as I'm pretty fed up with not being able to enjoy this service, but I really don't want to be fobbed off with a "it'll work itself out eventually, or be patient it's a free service" response. The issue has been there since install (so near on 4 months).

I have the XL package with Sky Sports/Movies and 20mb BB.
My area is PO9 (Hampshire).

The HD boxes are the normal Virgin Media HD set-top boxes (not the new slimmer Samsung ones).

Apologies for my somewhat sprawling post, but if anyone has any ideas on what may be causing this (or has experience of this issue) if only something to suggest to the engineers when he comes back, it will be most appreciated.

Many Thanks, Tony.

Re: VOD - Corrupted Picture / Sound
 

This is likely to be an intermittent local interference problem, possibly caused by one of your neighbours having the cable connected directly into their TV to pick up the analogue channels :nono:. You only get the problem when their TV is on.

Sometimes VM techs will make evening visits to investigate problems like this (which are all too common). Keep asking until you get a result.

ps. Welcome to the forum!

Re: VOD - Corrupted Picture / Sound
 

Spiderplant, Thanks!

I'll run that past the engineer :)

On a side note, I see that VM are ceasing most (if not all analogue transmissions) early this year in my area.

When this happens (and if my issue is related to this problem) would that potentially rule this suggestion out/fix it?

Many thanks!

Re: VOD - Corrupted Picture / Sound
 

Analogue was turned off in your area in September. But someone may have left the cable connected to their TV and will still introduce interference, even though they can't use the analogue signal any more.

Re: VOD - Corrupted Picture / Sound
 

Although there's not many houses in my street, most of the occupants are 80+ so there's a good probability someone may have! :)

On a side note, I tried VOD again today (lunchtime) and the witnessed the same issues, so fingers crossed I may be able to demonstrate the problem 'live' to the engineer this Thursday :)