General Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2014) Vol. 2 - Page 76

blue666666 · 29-05-2014, 19:18

Today, 18:56 #1295
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There seems to be a bit of cynicism in another place as to the accuracy of my post regarding Virgin squeezing 4 HD channels into a multiplex, as opposed to 3 previously. Someone has suggested Virgin have been doing this since "2011" and cited a poll indicating that channels are scoring highly in quality as perceived by the viewer.

Well... I got bored and decided to check it out in closer detail. Now, a poll that predates BBC3/4, BT Sport 1 and 2 HD among other channels that have launched since shouldn't really be the benchmark in my view. It is questionable if the channels cited as being squeezed in actually shared with another 3 back then.

Of the multiplexes carrying HD channels in my area 50 per cent have 3 HD channels, and 2 only have 2 HD channels (one of which is mixed with SD local variant of BBC/ITV). I would contest that 4 channels per multiplex is not the norm, and would not have been when the poll was conducted.

Edit: I should point out I'm not hinting that Virgin have capacity issues in the medium/longer term. I have posted endlessly in the past about this that Virgin (well, actually it predates that name) would use analogue shutdown, 256 QAM and then could switch to MPEG4. It'd be easy to convert say, HD premiums and swap out old SA V+ boxes for affected customers in favour of Samsung V+ (if they still have any) or Tivos. Then move onto all HD channels and effectively double the amount of HD capacity on the platform.

The V+HD, Samsung V+ and TiVo all support MPEG4.

DaMac · 29-05-2014, 19:22

It must be possible for them to do a box swap, Sky are currently refusing to allow Premium HD channels to work on their old Thompson HD boxes, anybody who complains is offered a new box if they sign a 12 month contract, bring on the mpeg4 i say.

RichardCoulter · 29-05-2014, 19:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by dilli-theclaw

QVC were until relatively recently going to launch in HD.

Has their plan to go HD been scrapped?

dilli-theclaw · 29-05-2014, 19:33

We'll I did read that a month or so ago. If I come across the link I will post it.

Dave42 · 29-05-2014, 19:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by denphone

l think OB is getting his hopes up too much.

he is Den only way we get HBO is getting SA and no chance of that

dilli-theclaw · 29-05-2014, 19:37

Edit have a look in the wiki page -'but I think it was on twitter I saw it say they have no plans (any more) to launch in HD

I seem to recall they'd done all their equipment to do it as well.

blue666666 · 29-05-2014, 20:04

how much stuff is mpeg2 or mpeg4 on virgin (i have a Tivo is all mpeg4 or it also mpeg2 ?)

DaMac · 29-05-2014, 20:25

None of your tv channels will be mpeg4 I think only sky hd on demand stuff is.

essjay · 29-05-2014, 20:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue666666

how much stuff is mpeg2 or mpeg4 on virgin (i have a Tivo is all mpeg4 or it also mpeg2 ?)

All broadcast is mpeg2, VOD sky movies HD and sports are mpeg4 (tivo only)

blue666666 · 29-05-2014, 20:27

ok demac so sky live channels HD are in mpeg2

---------- Post added at 21:27 ---------- Previous post was at 21:26 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by essjay

All broadcast is mpeg2, VOD sky movies HD and sports are mpeg4 (tivo only)

thanks for infor

Media Boy UK · 30-05-2014, 10:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue666666

After yesterday reports of sports HD coming sooner,has any heard anything from their sources

I only got confirmed channel numbers for Sky Sports HD Channels and also what is moving to make way for them to launch.

I have also seen an launch date but that may move base on Wednesday rumour.

martin201002 · 30-05-2014, 10:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Media Boy

I only got confirmed channel numbers for Sky Sports HD Channels and also what is moving to make way for them to launch.

I have also seen an launch date but that may move base on Wednesday rumour.

Any chance you could let us know the channel numbers and the rumored launch?

Media Boy UK · 30-05-2014, 10:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by martin201002

Any chance you could let us know the channel numbers and the rumored launch?

Sorry I cant as of time of posting.

martin201002 · 30-05-2014, 10:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Media Boy

Sorry I cant that time of posting.

Okay, fair enough

blue666666 · 30-05-2014, 11:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Media Boy

I only got confirmed channel numbers for Sky Sports HD Channels and also what is moving to make way for them to launch.

I have also seen an launch date but that may move base on Wednesday rumour.

Do still think virgin will move the channel around and have place holders and at a later date launch the channels?