As Promised, back to give comparison between sky HD and Virgin HD boxes

[Saneboy13]

Originally Posted by RealDiamond

He's also forgot to mention that some of the HD channels show the same dam content as the non HD channel. just up scaled as the programme isn't in a HD source. and hes also paying twice for that show.

Hes not used the RED button yet as its available on all channels that what to use it, including Sky Sports Extra, Sky movies HD (Vigin realy, realy, need this but as they rejected Sky one and Sky one HD it looks unlikely Virgin will get the red button functions) he's also missed the Green button out but then he's a new user.

Yes its -£300 quid for the box but then he's not renting it, like virgin users do. he can always sell it after 12/24 months if he needs to when Sky HD V2 is released. ( yes its on the way )

Hes still a new user so doesn,t have the legal download off the net access yet that other Sky users have. But that does required Higher levels of PC use as its just like other on demand internet content thats crippled by Windows media DRM.

Ummm..don't mean to sound rude or anything, but where did you get this information from regarding the "All powerful RED button"?

The actual facts of the Red button situation as far as VM goes, is that Sky "Refused", yes you read it right, they "Refused" to allow VM to have this facility.

So to bring up the mystical red button into this debate is totally and utterly irrelevant

[RealDiamond]

Ok sorry i got it wrong then.

[Saneboy13]

Originally Posted by RealDiamond

Ok sorry i got it wrong but when i used the red button on the ex-telewest box in the city of Exeter it worked for Everthing but the movies and sport. when did Sky cut the red button off then from cable.

They didn't cut off the Red button from Cable. They have never allowed cable to have the Red button facility on Sky Sports or the Movies.

What facility did the Red button work on in Exeter for you?

Oh, the OP also failed to mention that when you do use the Mystical Red Button on Sky, you get charged for it i.e if you want to use fan cam or change cam position on a game of footy, then your Sky box uses your phone line to dial in and allow you to use this function

[12noon]

I haven't had Sky for years, but the thing i used to remember about it was that the weather caused problems sometimes. That might not be the case anymore what with HD i don't know, but it might be worth adding.

[Graham M]

Originally Posted by 12noon

I haven't had Sky for years, but the thing i used to remember about it was that the weather caused problems sometimes. That might not be the case anymore what with HD i don't know, but it might be worth adding.

LoL of course it will affect HD, HD requires more bandwidth and if it affected regular digital programming, it will quite likely hit HD even harder

Originally Posted by Saneboy13

They didn't cut off the Red button from Cable. They have never allowed cable to have the Red button facility on Sky Sports or the Movies.

What facility did the Red button work on in Exeter for you?

Oh, the OP also failed to mention that when you do use the Mystical Red Button on Sky, you get charged for it i.e if you want to use fan cam or change cam position on a game of footy, then your Sky box uses your phone line to dial in and allow you to use this function

You don't pay for changing camera's etc!!!!!

You only pay to play things like interactive games etc.

Pressing red to bring up extra screens on Sky Sports or Sky News does not require a phone line even.

---------- Post added at 18:48 ---------- Previous post was at 18:44 ----------

Originally Posted by Zeph

LoL of course it will affect HD, HD requires more bandwidth and if it affected regular digital programming, it will quite likely hit HD even harder

The HD services use DVB S2 which has as good or better signal resilience as the normal modulation method. BBC HD continues to use DVB S and no-one is complaining more about it than other channels.

[bikerjoe]

Hi again

Loads of good banter my friends.

Wont change what I think..as it's up too each of us too decide what we like best..That's what I like Choice...Virgin removed some of our choice...so I chose too leave them.

All I need in a TV is the best picture possible..Thats why I changed my Sony Triniton widescreen for LCD..(not going into lCD Via Plasma)...LCD gived HD and it's worth every penny.

I dont need on demand anything...I dont live 24 hours for a TV...I'd rather be out there on my Honda Fireblade, enjoying a ride out...

Yet when I have TV on I want choice..Sky one is in My opuinion (not everyones) the best chanel for what I like...Stargate old and new..After that its the Doc and Graph channels and sky has them on HD..Virgin dosent.

I'm 57 and was 3 before my parents got a TV...1952. I can still remmber it..12 inch screen and a magnifying glass in front too make it look bigger.

Then there was colour...then 625 lines and now HD...

They will always improve...Sky will have the lead sometimes and Virgin others..Depending on what the indevidual wants.

I have more choice with sky and after being with Cable for many years..(sky before cable) I can say...Sky is right for me at present..Who's too say if that will be the same in 12 months.

I had too make a decision before the end of March, or be stuck with Virgin..(let of contract deal)

So enjoy what you have..because whatever you think is best...is !! just dont say if it different too what you have..Truth is best..

Look back later too see what's what..

[bikerjoe]

Last night...back too my programs again on Sky one... Stargate and Battlestart G..Tonight Stargate Atlantis...plus viewed some of the older stargates and others..On top of that was able too record Life on Mars and view after Battlestar G finished..

I feel I have TV back in my control again..Virgin took that away. I will comment that Virgins Remote is more user friendly than Sky's but that could be down too getting used too skys system.

As far as the on demand..which ever you decide too watch...Channels showing old programs...like UK Gold Bravo etc,etc already show old programs (maybe not what was show during the last week) Yet not that different from..EG- 119 and on demand catch up etc. Because that's all those new Virgin Channels are doing...showing repeats.

Virgin how just invented a new-old channel...Nothing new there...


Sky Engineer told me, they have been told that they will have too take on extra overtime...plus he said he's going too loads of ex Virgin customers and changing them too the basic Sky box..On top of reading what other members have wrote in different threads about Virgin lay offs...Make you think Virgin shot themselves in the foot.

I'm glad I made the dicision too change too sky...Could have gone with there standard box but whats the point in havibng a HD ready TV and not using it

Suns shinning...So out on my Honda Fireblade today

Joe

[Graham M]

Originally Posted by Creative

The HD services use DVB S2 which has as good or better signal resilience as the normal modulation method. BBC HD continues to use DVB S and no-one is complaining more about it than other channels.

That's probably because we don't tend to see Hurricanesque weather in this country every day Satellite tends to cut out in stormy weather, nothing can be done about that.

[Tod]

It's like the loans advert. The world is all grey and dark, misery everywhere.

Then......

Along comes Sky, my life becomes colourful and happy, everything is put right, the birds start to sing again, the trees seem greener.

Amazing what a difference Sky One makes to peoples lives!

[bikerjoe]

Thats right Todd

Why couldnt Virgin see that Sky One is the channel everyone wants.

Bikes out of the garage..leathers going on now and away I go on my Bike..Open raods and Sunny sky..

Real sky not airways sky..

Take Care all

Joe

[AndyCambs]

Originally Posted by Tod

It's like the loans advert. The world is all grey and dark, misery everywhere.

Then......

Along comes Sky, my life becomes colourful and happy, everything is put right, the birds start to sing again, the trees seem greener.

Amazing what a difference Sky One makes to peoples lives!

And it's repeated as often...

[NTLVictim]

When the VM packs came out I was sorely tempted (already having cable in for the BB), but then I remembered the quality difference, downtime and piccy freeze.
Going by Joe's posts the problems still are there in part, which is a pity, Murdoch needs valid competition.
I personally wouldn't miss sky one or all the shopping channels etc, so for me it comes back to plain old reliability and cost, as it will for most punters.

Shame, though, here's hoping it all shakes out....SOON!

Originally Posted by Zeph

That's probably because we don't tend to see Hurricanesque weather in this country every day Satellite tends to cut out in stormy weather, nothing can be done about that.

Its more snow or rain which impact the rf signal, 22,000 miles up (admittedly only part of it affected by weather) and 22,000 miles back gives plenty of room for problems!
The DVB S2 sysmbol rate and FEC have been specifically chosen so that customers do not have to replace the minidishes they already have when getting HD. The rain fade margin for HD transponders is as good or better than SD.

[hughesdecorator]

Here we go again,

Another Sky one fan goes to Sky, o.k. ,big deal.
I used to wath Battlestar , no longer there now , so what, get a life please.
If all you want is to watch Sky one , what about the rest of the normal channels , is there nothing you want to watch??????????
I have a Panasonic plasma , with the V+.
I have seen clients sky set ups with a variety of LCD and plasma screens with the sky hd box.
To be honest I think virgins hd is better although the ampount of content available is sadly lacking at the moment, and thats the point is at the moment ,stuff will come through eventually. I'm not impatient ,I can wait........
I also cannot see a lot of difference with the standard signals between the two although the upscaling by the V+ box does make a noticible difference compared to the freeview digital signal.
I have NEVER had a problem with the old NTL now Virgin on phones , broadband, and tele, evrything works and has done for a LONG time. Maybe its down to areas , reading posts on here it certainly seems that way.
Go back to sky but why bother moaning on here , its horses for courses,
I know a lot of people who are more than happy with Virgin and NO I don't work for them I'm a plain old decorator who knows what he likes , expects good service for my money and gets it with Virgin