V+ Virgin only seem to be offering V+HD

andycoleman · 07-04-2011, 14:56

Hi,

I phoned Virgin Media yesterday to enquire about the cost of getting their broadband service and at the same time asked if I could also get V+ as it seems to be a free upgrade. Problem seems to be that they only offer a V+HD box and as my TV is not HD is an extra I do not need.

The lady seemed to think the V+HD box would work fine with my SD TV but then mentioned that I would have to pay the HD activation charge. Is there a way to get a standard V+ box?

Thanks
Andy

The Yank · 07-04-2011, 15:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by andycoleman

Hi,

I phoned Virgin Media yesterday to enquire about the cost of getting their broadband service and at the same time asked if I could also get V+ as it seems to be a free upgrade. Problem seems to be that they only offer a V+HD box and as my TV is not HD is an extra I do not need.

The lady seemed to think the V+HD box would work fine with my SD TV but then mentioned that I would have to pay the HD activation charge. Is there a way to get a standard V+ box?

Thanks
Andy

there is no such thing Andy

Digital Fanatic · 07-04-2011, 15:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by andycoleman

Hi,

I phoned Virgin Media yesterday to enquire about the cost of getting their broadband service and at the same time asked if I could also get V+ as it seems to be a free upgrade. Problem seems to be that they only offer a V+HD box and as my TV is not HD is an extra I do not need.

The lady seemed to think the V+HD box would work fine with my SD TV but then mentioned that I would have to pay the HD activation charge. Is there a way to get a standard V+ box?

Thanks
Andy

The V+ charge includes HD, so they can't be split. We don't supply non HD ready V+'s and never have.

Stuart · 07-04-2011, 15:33

And they work fine on SD sets. Even do a good job of downscaling the HD channels.

andycoleman · 08-04-2011, 10:59

OK, if there never has been a V+ non HD box then fine. But I am not realy happy at having to pay a Â£50 HD activation fee when I do not have a HD tv.

Thanks
Andy

Digital Fanatic · 08-04-2011, 11:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by andycoleman

OK, if there never has been a V+ non HD box then fine. But I am not realy happy at having to pay a Â£50 HD activation fee when I do not have a HD tv.

Thanks
Andy

I think you are getting this all wrong... the V+HD box has a Â£49 activation fee, regardless. HD is included in that fee, otherwise the box would be Â£98

andycoleman · 08-04-2011, 13:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digital Fanatic

I think you are getting this all wrong... the V+HD box has a Â£49 activation fee, regardless. HD is included in that fee, otherwise the box would be Â£98

I don't think I am getting it wrong. I just went to the virgin media website again and selected the broadband, tv and phone bundle. under Add your extras I see a V+HD box. The description under it says

Pause, rewind and record live TV and watch programmes in crystal clear HD. There is a one-off HD activation fee of Â£49.95 for your first V+ HD Box, and Â£99.95 for each additional V+ HD Box.

Thats seems to say to me that the charge is to activate HD and would be applicable if I had a normal V HD box too.

Chad · 08-04-2011, 13:49

I'm a bit cofussed with this myself. The site does state:

"There is a one-off HD activation fee of Â£49.95 for the first V+ HD Box and Â£99.95 for each additional V+ HD box."

So what fees would you have to pay if you don't want HD activated? Surely Virgin offer a HD ready version of the V+ box. They offer a HD ready version of the V HD box with no HD activation fee, and a HD activated version for Â£49.00.

I'd be pretty hacked off having to pay a HD activation fee if I didn't have a HD TV.

Digital Fanatic · 08-04-2011, 14:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad

I'm a bit cofussed with this myself. The site does state:

"There is a one-off HD activation fee of Â£49.95 for the first V+ HD Box and Â£99.95 for each additional V+ HD box."

So what fees would you have to pay if you don't want HD activated? Surely Virgin offer a HD ready version of the V+ box. They offer a HD ready version of the V HD box with no HD activation fee, and a HD activated version for Â£49.00.

I'd be pretty hacked off having to pay a HD activation fee if I didn't have a HD TV.

That would make the box free though... and why should it be?

You can't seperate the HD fee from V+HD box as it includes the recording capabilities too for that fee.

It's poorly worded on the website and should say it's for the box rather than HD.

Chad · 08-04-2011, 14:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digital Fanatic

That would make the box free though... and why should it be?

You can't seperate the HD fee from V+HD box as it includes the recording capabilities too for that fee.

It's poorly worded on the website and should say it's for the box rather than HD.

Totally agree. The wording on the website could be much better. I wonder if this type of thing has put other customers off in the past. Whilst HD is very popular, there are still many households without HD TV's.

I've got V+ Andy, it's great. Once you get it, you'll never be able to live without it. I paid Â£150.00 activation fee about 3 years ago. It's still worth every penny

PeteLockwood · 09-04-2011, 18:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digital Fanatic

That would make the box free though... and why should it be?

because it is not owned by the customer ?

jb66 · 09-04-2011, 18:51

ok a Â£49 HD fee or a Â£49 V+ fee. Word it how you like!

Joedm45 · 09-04-2011, 18:58

To add to the confusion, why is it more or less twice the price for an additional V+?

Surely the 'HD activation' procedure does not take twice as long for another box?

Poorly worded again....

jb66 · 09-04-2011, 19:17

The first one is discounted.

Digital Fanatic · 09-04-2011, 19:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeteLockwood

because it is not owned by the customer ?

and?