Awful picture quanlity on V+ - Page 2

spankysmagicpian · 12-03-2007, 08:33

I know, I told them that. I mentioned that the majority of channels were more then fine - even G2 etc but they still insisted sending a bloke out for some reason <clueless>. They did say no one had reported any problems.

nashy · 12-03-2007, 08:54

My PQ seems to be awful ever since Ive had my V+ box and using the HDMI cable.

Before I started using HDMI, scart didnt seem as bad as HDMI is on non-HD channels.
Really pixelated!!!

HDMI though on BBC HD was quality may I add

mattyt · 12-03-2007, 11:34

Had my box fitted last week and the picture is superb. The upscaled SD is very very good, HD is awesome.

I'm ex NTL and you shouldn't go to sky because of picture quality, there must be something wrong with your setup. Cable picture is better than Sky.

alexcopeland · 12-03-2007, 11:44

I have had the V+ box and service since Dec '06 and haven't noticed the picture quality decrease. I use a monster HDMI cable and have a Samsung LCD HDTV. I live in an Ex-NTL area for the record. It is possible that some channels are of better quality than others and I would say that all the BBC channels tend to be of the highest quality in my opinion.

I would recommend that people with a newer HDTV refer the the users manual for adjusting the image it displays. For example the Samsung LCD HDTV I own has digital picture enhancements which can also improve the picture quality known as DNIe. Some HDTV may also use Digital Noise Reduction and Dynamic Contract controls.

neo10 · 12-03-2007, 12:08

I had mine installed on the 17th Feb & the quality was awesome, then about 2 weeks later I got the problems (pixelated, juttering). So I find it hard to believe it's my V+ box, it must be their end. I don't care much about losing a few channels, but I not going to put up with c**p picture quality for ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£85.

rdhw · 12-03-2007, 14:54

There are many possible factors affecting picture quality:

1. if it's just some channels affected, then it's not your V+ box at fault.

2. different channels are transmitted on different multiplexes on different frequencies on the cable. Sub-standard signal levels might affect some frequencies more than others. This needs an engineer visit to check signal levels across the whole cable spectrum.

3. some channels are transmitted at lower bit-rates, and hence greater compression, than others. This will lead to greater perceived pixellation on movement. The "1970/80s repeats" channels are all pretty low bit-rate, while the big five terrestrial channels are all of higher quality. BBC News is of lower quality than BBC1 or BBC2, and this is very evident in MPEG artifacts around the graphics text.

4. Connection via HDMI, with its higher detail quality, can reveal more clearly poor picture quality in the original digital signal, where connection via SCART, with a redundant analogue conversion, might have smoothed over the rough edges somewhat.

5. it is unlikely that the VM picture quality is better or worse in principle than the Sky picture quality, as the VM digital feed for many channels comes from Sky. There might of course be individual Sky customers with poor satellite reception, and inidvidual VM customers with poor cable reception, but the picture quality from good reception on either system should be near indistinguishable.

6. the video signal processing undertaken by some consumer TVs can be counter-productive. For instance, I have found it better, on a Pioneer plasma screen, to disable all noise reduction and other video processing, such as PureCinema or whatever they call it.

neo10 · 12-03-2007, 16:51

Breaking News Everyone!!
Just got in touch with Virgin & was determined not to put the phone down until I got this issue resolved. After being passed from one person to another & being put on hold I finally spoke to a guy who was very helpful. He checked it out & told me that they are aware of the problem, which is affecting Sky Sports 1, ITV 1, Channel 4, Channel 5 & a few others. He said that it will be resolved on the 14th March, no need to do any reboot & by 1.00pm picture quality should be back to normal. Fingers crossed eh!!

austin · 12-03-2007, 16:53

well if thats true which i hope it is then it will be a waste of time for the enigineer to come out tomorrow lol
we shall see!

spankysmagicpian · 12-03-2007, 18:40

Neo10 - is that just for your box or everyone? Isn't this the date of the new software?

** Anyway, might have guessed it, the engineer came as I was coming home fomr work and my wife dealt with him. Apparently he went to the green cab, checked the wiring outside, messed with the V+ Box, changed a few settings and rebooted. He did say the promblem was called 'Mpegging' (no S*** Sherlock) and he had done the best he could and couldn't get it any better.

I was a bit miffed as I had this thread printed out to show him and forgot to bring it upstairs before I left this morning

For the record -

downstairs we have a 32" WS Toshiba CRT with V+ Box
Upstairs we have a 28" 4:3 JVC with Samsung 2100

Just checked both and to me the V+ Box picture is just as bad while the Samsung is perfect. So... either the V+ box is awful at decoding the extra compressed channels or the Samsung is a top piece of kit.

He also mentioned that we were sitting too close to the screen which made the picture quality noticable. Also Sky would be better quality as they broadcast in HD - even my wife knew that -

1) we haven't got an HD TV
2) we never had an HD Sky box

I'm really stuffed now - No way am I back to Sky so it's either hope they can sort it out or <sniff> get rid. I really don't know whether to ring them back up or hang fire until the 14th as Neo mentioned.

**Hugh** · 12-03-2007, 18:56

I've got a V+ box linked to 32" WS Toshiba CRT (100hz) - no pixellation or reduced picture quality.

Leeds, ex-NTL Bromley (I believe).

rdhw · 12-03-2007, 19:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by spankysmagicpian

downstairs we have a 32" WS Toshiba CRT with V+ Box
Upstairs we have a 28" 4:3 JVC with Samsung 2100

Just checked both and to me the V+ Box picture is just as bad while the Samsung is perfect. So... either the V+ box is awful at decoding the extra compressed channels or the Samsung is a top piece of kit.

In that case, clearly your V+ box is faulty - get it exchanged. The V+ quality should look as good as or better than the Samsung.

neo10 · 12-03-2007, 19:55

spankysmagicpian - No, it's not just for my box, he said it would be for everyone. I have 42" Samsung and at first the picture quality was really crisp, it's only the last couple of weeks it's gone downhill. I suggest waiting until the 14th to see if it improves, then if not, give them hell like I will. Good luck mate!!

spankysmagicpian · 12-03-2007, 21:28

Cheers Fella - I will

Stan the Man · 12-03-2007, 22:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by nashy

My PQ seems to be awful ever since Ive had my V+ box and using the HDMI cable.

Before I started using HDMI, scart didnt seem as bad as HDMI is on non-HD channels.
Really pixelated!!!

HDMI though on BBC HD was quality may I add

Yeah just to say that's my experience as well. Planet Eareth on HD was brilliant

Cheers Nashy

---------- Post added at 23:53 ---------- Previous post was at 23:51 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by neo10

Breaking News Everyone!!
Just got in touch with Virgin & was determined not to put the phone down until I got this issue resolved. After being passed from one person to another & being put on hold I finally spoke to a guy who was very helpful. He checked it out & told me that they are aware of the problem, which is affecting Sky Sports 1, ITV 1, Channel 4, Channel 5 & a few others. He said that it will be resolved on the 14th March, no need to do any reboot & by 1.00pm picture quality should be back to normal. Fingers crossed eh!!

Thanks neo......we watch and wait

Stan

spankysmagicpian · 14-03-2007, 14:12

Well neo10 - how did it go... if it did at all?