Virgin to use DVB-C2?

virginruinedntl · 12-06-2011, 17:08

Hi, just found out that DVB-C2 which allows 30% extra bandwidth was finalised last year and sony have a prototype tv ready, is virgin considering adding DVB-C2 support to their V+, V HD and Tivo boxes anytime soon to futureproof them for whenever virgin bites the bullet and upgrades to DVB-C2?

jb66 · 12-06-2011, 18:43

The problem is the old pace boxes wont be able to handle it, this would mean a huge mass swapout to samsung 2110s or newer

virginruinedntl · 12-06-2011, 18:56

i think you might be meaning mpeg4 as no virgin boxes use DVB-C2 tuners not even the new tivo box.

I was just wondering if their v hd, v+ and tivo boxes were going to be re-released with dvb-c2 tuners in the near future.

Stuart · 12-06-2011, 19:09

As far as I know, it's not just a case of issuing new boxes with the changed tuners. They would need to change every box on the network (in much the same way they are currently doing for analogue). The cost involved in doing this, together with the fact it will only give a 30% increase in available bandwidth would, I suspect, mean that VM are extremely unlikely to implement DVB-C2.

virginruinedntl · 12-06-2011, 19:26

no, i don't mean replace every box i mean just issue new boxes with dvb-c2 tuners to new customers and give them to customers when their boxes go faulty. That way you upgrading all customers to dvb-c2 boxes in a few years time will cost less as a large portion of your users will have capable boxes.

Digital Fanatic · 12-06-2011, 19:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by virginruinedntl

no, i don't mean replace every box i mean just issue new boxes with dvb-c2 tuners to new customers and give them to customers when their boxes go faulty. That way you upgrading all customers to dvb-c2 boxes in a few years time will cost less as a large portion of your users will have capable boxes.

it would take a very long time and a newer tech could be available by then.

muppetman11 · 12-06-2011, 19:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by virginruinedntl

no, i don't mean replace every box i mean just issue new boxes with dvb-c2 tuners to new customers and give them to customers when their boxes go faulty. That way you upgrading all customers to dvb-c2 boxes in a few years time will cost less as a large portion of your users will have capable boxes.

It will never happen , they want everyone on TIVO within the next few years so why not stop supplying the V+ PVR as an option to new customers and just have the two TIVO options , maybe that's to logical.

Stuart · 12-06-2011, 19:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by virginruinedntl

no, i don't mean replace every box i mean just issue new boxes with dvb-c2 tuners to new customers and give them to customers when their boxes go faulty. That way you upgrading all customers to dvb-c2 boxes in a few years time will cost less as a large portion of your users will have capable boxes.

Bear in mind that VM have not long stopped sending out Pace boxes, and are still sending out refurbished Scientific Atlanta TV Drives.

spiderplant · 12-06-2011, 20:02

DVB-C2 wouldn't just require new STBs. The entire broadcast system would need replacing.

VM did this only last year (the NGTV project) which gives enough capacity for years to come. There is no need to do it all over again.

13-06-2011, 12:54

This is suited more to European countries who use DVB-C as we do DVB-T, so their equivalent of Freeview can have more HD channels. If Virgin were ever near to capacity all they have to do is terminate contracts for the lesser channels instead of spending millions of pounds on this.

TheDon · 13-06-2011, 13:47

There's far cheaper ways for VM to solve any bandwidth issues, switching to mpeg4 for one (which would only require replacement of the SA V+) and switching to switched digital video.

They really have no need to look at dvb-c2 for a long time.

virginruinedntl · 13-06-2011, 14:31

yeah, i wasn't meaning in the short term as it would cost a bomb but in the long term it would be in virgin's interest to get dvb-c2 tuners in boxes asap.

DaMac · 13-06-2011, 16:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by muppetman11

It will never happen , they want everyone on TIVO within the next few years so why not stop supplying the V+ PVR as an option to new customers and just have the two TIVO options , maybe that's to logical.

Yeah i've never understood why Virgin are leting people move their old V+ boxes to different rooms free upon purchase of TiVo when virgin are ultimatley gonna do away with the V+

Why not tell them it aint poss, replace existing V+ with TiVo and offer them a free V HD box as part of TiVo purchase / install.

devilincarnate · 13-06-2011, 16:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaMac

Yeah i've never understood why Virgin are leting people move their old V+ boxes to different rooms free upon purchase of TiVo when virgin are ultimatley gonna do away with the V+

Why not tell them it aint poss, replace existing V+ with TiVo and offer them a free V HD box as part of TiVo purchase / install.

Yes this is very true and I had not thought of this

But now you have mentioned it, It all makes no sense at all

spiderplant · 13-06-2011, 19:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaMac

Why not tell them it aint poss, replace existing V+ with TiVo and offer them a free V HD box as part of TiVo purchase / install.

Would that be a free V HD box plucked from the magic everlasting STB tree? Or one that VM have to pay for?

Quote:

Originally Posted by devilincarnate

Yes this is very true and I had not thought of this

But now you have mentioned it, It all makes no sense at all

It keeps users happy because they can keep their recordings, and avoids scrapping what are often very new boxes. There's a good few years left in the V+ yet.