HD : Are these five channels encrypted on VM?

[RichardCoulter]

BBC1 HD

BBC2 HD

ITV HD

C4 HD

C5 HD*

* Been told that it's possible that this differs according to franchise area.

I don't have the correct box at the moment to check for myself, so would be grateful if anybody could take their card out and see if the picture remains.

Cheers.

[RobboEdin]

Why is the answer to this question important to you as all Virgin Media customers have appropriate equipment to decrypt any encrypted channel?

[BenMcr]

And of course, removing a Smartcard from TiVo (if there even is one) won't do anything, due to the internal subscription authentication.

[OLD BOY]

I really don't understand why this question has been raised. Does it really matter?

[denphone]

Not to me it don't.

[RichardCoulter]

Originally Posted by BenMcr

And of course, removing a Smartcard from TiVo (if there even is one) won't do anything, due to the internal subscription authentication.

Didn't realise this happened with the TiVo.

I need this information in connection with some research that i'm doing.

Is anybody able to help? I guess it will have to be a non TiVo customer, unless Ben can find out.

[RobboEdin]

Some research? On who's behalf and for what purpose?

[RichardCoulter]

I wish to know if these particular channels are broadcast FTA or encrypted.

I suspect that they are, because up to press, PSB HD variants are not classed as PSB channels, so VM would be allowed to scramble them, but I want to find out for sure. This is expected to change when the law is changed in preparation for the switch off of the SD PSB variants by 2020.

Is there anybody out there with a non TiVo box that can help?

[Mr K]

OK, I was bored, so I removed my card from my VHD box and t̶h̶e̶ ̶u̶n̶i̶v̶e̶r̶s̶e̶ ̶i̶m̶p̶l̶o̶d̶e̶d̶ no HD channels.

However there was access to the SD channels 1-5 plus a handful of other channels - Pick, S4C, BBC/Sky News.

[RichardCoulter]

Originally Posted by Mr K

OK, I was bored, so I removed my card from my VHD box and t̶h̶e̶ ̶u̶n̶i̶v̶e̶r̶s̶e̶ ̶i̶m̶p̶l̶o̶d̶e̶d̶ no HD channels.

However there was access to the SD channels 1-5 plus a handful of other channels - Pick, S4C, BBC/Sky News.

Many thanks for going to the trouble of doing that, it's as I expected, so I'm glad it's confirmed.

Channel 5 HD looks to be going FTA shortly, but it looks like the VM policy is to encrypt the PSB HD variants.

It appears unlikely, therefore, that even if/when Channel 5 HD goes FTA on satellite and Freeview, that it will become FTA on VM until the law is changed (VM aren't allowed to encrypt any channels with PSB status as a condition of their franchises).

[RobboEdin]

I'm really unclear as to why you think this is an issue for Virgin Media customers.

Channel 5 HD is available to all Virgin Media customers, including those with the 'free' TV M.

It matters not that it is encrypted because all Virgin Media customers have equipment to decrypt it.

[RichardCoulter]

Originally Posted by RobboEdin

I'm really unclear as to why you think this is an issue for Virgin Media customers.

Channel 5 HD is available to all Virgin Media customers, including those with the 'free' TV M.

It matters not that it is encrypted because all Virgin Media customers have equipment to decrypt it.

You're right, it isn't an issue for VM customers because, as you say, we get it anyway from the lowest package upwards. Non subscribers have to make do with the SD versions.

I wonder if VM pay anything for having the C5 HD variant, as, until very recently, Sky were subsidising the channel eg by letting it sit on one of their satellite transponders.

[Kymmy]

As VM is a closed system (in other words you need a supplied set top box and a viewing card) then I personally don't see the point of this query. Unlike freesat/freeview and even sky where you don't need a dedicated connection to the system due to them being EM signals radiated through the open air which means that anyone with the right equipment will receive FTA signals. It wouldn't surprise me if all TV shows were encrypted on the VM network.

[RobboEdin]

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

You're right, it isn't an issue for VM customers because, as you say, we get it anyway from the lowest package upwards. Non subscribers have to make do with the SD versions.

I wonder if VM pay anything for having the C5 HD variant, as, until very recently, Sky were subsidising the channel eg by letting it sit on one of their satellite transponders.

Sorry!!!

Who are these non-subscribers?

You seem to be supporting those who steal Virgin Media services.

They have no right to any channels from a non-subscribed Virgin Media connection.

Virgin Media - please encrypt all channels.

[Mr K]

Have to admit I was surprised that some channels remained after taking my card out. Can see now why some ex-customers retain their boxes and they crop up on ebay.