V+ vs SKY+

[don_1]

Whats the difference between the V+ and Sky+ boxes?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of both the boxes?

Thanks

[Mick Fisher]

Sky+ works well but is only SD.

V+ works but and is capable of HD if VM had any of any note. Reports indicate the V+ is operationally slow and quite buggy. Seems to require frequent reboots and reformats.

[*sloman*]

Originally Posted by Mick Fisher

Sky+ works well but is only SD.

V+ works but and is capable of HD if VM had any of any note. Reports indicate the V+ is operationally slow and quite buggy. Seems to require frequent reboots and reformats.

Slow!!! Slow is not the word, i could say the Chinese alphabet backwards quicker then my V+ changes channels sometimes.

I wish i never had V+ and kept Sky. i know when the 12m contact ends i will be going back to Sky.

My V+ works fine, and is not particularly slow changing channels.

[djmagnifique]

Sky+ only records 1 channel while watching another, V+ records 2 channels.
Sky+ changes channel faster (V+ does take a couple of seconds to change channel but it's not as slow as otheres make out).
On V+ +1 channels (eg, dave+1, watch+1) are listed after the orignal channel (eg, dave is channel 128, dave+1 is channel 129), this is not the case on sky.
V+ channel guide is easier to read and also keeps the feed from the channel you were watching on screen in a mini view in the top right corner, sky doesn't (which I find annoying).
Virgin doesn't have all the 100's of shopping/gaming/gambling/pointless channels that Sky has (can only be a good thing)
V+ has about twice the recording capacity of a sky+ box (unless recording HD programs)

These are my own personal opinions from what I have experienced of both platforms (I have V+, the in-laws have sky+)

Hope this helps

[lemarsh]

Had Sky+ for about 3 years, before changing to V+ late last year.

Most of the 'features' have been mentioned. The V+ is slower, but as said, not that slow (although sometimes it can take 5 or 6 seconds to change channels, which at the times seem like ages).

My biggest reason for V+ is that Virgin own the box - if it fails, you get a replacement. If the Sky+ box fails (which mine was beginning to on a regular basis - failed recordings etc) you have to pay for a new one.

Also, although not '+' related, the cost for me is lower with Virgin (XL, L Broadband & telephone = £36) than the equivalent with Sky/BT. Setanta being free is a bonus.

Overall, much prefer V+ - just hope they sort out some more HD channels (plus Sky giving them the Red Button on Sky Sports would mean I would take that up as well).

[demented]

The v+ is a much better product imho.

In the v+s favour
The upscaling on the v+ does not compare to the no upscaling on sky+
watch 1 record 2 v watch 2 and see the sky+ get all confused and schedule clashes all the time.
Vod v anytime which is a joke in SD. Vod is much better it's just a shame the vod menus are so slow.
Mini guide on cable far superior to sky's very poor one.
V+ more stable than sky+ box. Fewer failed recordings, fewer wiping of HD.

Channel change faster on sky+ is about the only thing in Sky+s favour.
EPG on sky is overall faster than on cable.
You can upgrade the HD to something more suitable.

[oliver1948uk]

Reports indicate the V+ is operationally slow and quite buggy. Seems to require frequent reboots and reformats.

I have had V+ used constantly for about 18 months. Never needed a reformat. Rarely needed a reboot. Never noticed it being 'buggy'. Always recorded everything it has been asked to record. Upscaled SD picture superb and (at the risk of starting the debate again), some well transmitted SD programmes look better than other not so well transmitted BBC HD programmes. Great to be able to record two progammes while watching another.

[demented]

Where the v+ is unstable is the updates after midnight. Other than that it rarely throws a wobbly other than going a bit unstable using vod menus but this rarely properly crashes it requiring a reboot, it normally recovers eventually. Compared to my old Pace box it is extremely stable. I think overall the SA box I had was more stable and handled vod menus better but it wasn't the lighting quick box that in comparison that others seem to make out. The other day I timed on a stopwatch how long it took to get into music on demand to play a particular track awkwardly placed in the middle and it took 3 minutes 40 seconds. This was very disappointing but was mostly down to some of the menus depressions taking 15 seconds to load a new page whereas most of the time it's 3-4 seconds. If you play a better placed programme or music videos it's less than a minute.

I've never needed to reformat my v+.

[Ignitionnet]

Originally Posted by don_1

Whats the difference between the V+ and Sky+ boxes?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of both the boxes?

Thanks

It may be worth comparing V+ and SkyHD - comparing V+ and Sky+ is perhaps not comparing like for like.

[don_1]

Originally Posted by Broadbandings

It may be worth comparing V+ and SkyHD - comparing V+ and Sky+ is perhaps not comparing like for like.

V+ is also better than SKY HD?

Whats the difference here?

Thanks

[demented]

A similar comparison.

Sky+ HD is 320Gb hard drive, half of this is used for anytime. When it first launched it was a joke but anytime HD is kind of all right now if you subscribe to full board on sky.

Sky still only has those 2 tuners, so same clashes. Sky+ HD box is very good for both content (29 proper HD channels + anytime HD + 2 box office channels) and the codecs are much better than those used on BBC HD so on most channels recording HD doesn't take up an outrageous amount of space.

The EPG on Sky+ HD is only in SD so looks pants (so does virgin's) but people have been waiting a very long time for the HD EPG and it will be here soon.

The only downside of the Sky+ HD box is the SD picture is not especially pleasant. Virgin upscales very well SD, it just sucks to have only 1 HD channel that isn't even a full channel until March.

[don_1]

Originally Posted by demented

A similar comparison.

Sky+ HD is 320Gb hard drive, half of this is used for anytime. When it first launched it was a joke but anytime HD is kind of all right now if you subscribe to full board on sky.

Sky still only has those 2 tuners, so same clashes. Sky+ HD box is very good for both content (29 proper HD channels + anytime HD + 2 box office channels) and the codecs are much better than those used on BBC HD so on most channels recording HD doesn't take up an outrageous amount of space.

The EPG on Sky+ HD is only in SD so looks pants (so does virgin's) but people have been waiting a very long time for the HD EPG and it will be here soon.

The only downside of the Sky+ HD box is the SD picture is not especially pleasant. Virgin upscales very well SD, it just sucks to have only 1 HD channel that isn't even a full channel until March.

Thankyou 'demented', you gave me some good info their. I now need to decide whether to go for v+ or sky+ HD.

[kirk1690]

Originally Posted by don_1

Whats the difference between the V+ and Sky+ boxes?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of both the boxes?

Thanks

I have had both and vplus is better by a mile .

[hedgie]

Originally Posted by don_1

Whats the difference between the V+ and Sky+ boxes?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of both the boxes?

Thanks

I have had V+ for over a year with no signficant problems, the odd spontaneous reboot but nothing to worry about. I think keeping it cool is the key, dont keep it in a glass fronted cabinet it needs air circulation.

The functionality and ease of use is good, I dont have a problem with EPG or Channel change time, but then again I have never had Sky+.

VOD is quick and the now "integrated" BBC iPlayer is superb.

I beleive that the V+ is also better when copying recorded content to a DVD recorder, on V+ you can set it up to export, press the button and away you go with all normal viewing and recording facilites, Sky+, I beleive, forces you to watch the programme you are copying. Maybe someone with Sky+ can verify for me.....I may be wrong

Also installation is simpler ! You dont need a phone line plugged into it or multiple cables from the dish.