General : Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2015)

[telegramsam]

Originally Posted by heero_yuy

You're obviously very lucky to have a high signal strength, the fact remains that the standard is totally obsolete and much higher quality audio could be achieved in the available bandwidth with modern codecs.

Prepare to throw your DAB receiver in the trash when the current transmissions are abandoned.

Yeah I find signal is very much `hit and miss` and sometimes `stored` station have moved or gone!

[nodrogd]

Originally Posted by heero_yuy

You're obviously very lucky to have a high signal strength, the fact remains that the standard is totally obsolete and much higher quality audio could be achieved in the available bandwidth with modern codecs.

Prepare to throw your DAB receiver in the trash when the current transmissions are abandoned.

OFCOM appear to have got cold feet on that one as well. They could have gone for the bid that was offering the new technology on the new Digital 2 mux (which I thought was one of the reasons for offering it). But instead they plump for the existing encumbant of the Digital 1 mux that "may" offer one AC+ channel within the new mux. Theres confidence for you.

[harry_hitch]

Originally Posted by heero_yuy

You're obviously very lucky to have a high signal strength, the fact remains that the standard is totally obsolete and much higher quality audio could be achieved in the available bandwidth with modern codecs.

Prepare to throw your DAB receiver in the trash when the current transmissions are abandoned.

Cheers for the reply, as I say my technical knowledge is rubbish.

I guess I should be very grateful then. I would be lost without me radio. For some reason, I simply can't listen to the radio through the telly.

If you don't mind me asking, do you know if the potential future DAB+ technology is in jeopardy too? I only ask as the radio is DAB+ ready.

Originally Posted by heero_yuy

You're obviously very lucky to have a high signal strength, the fact remains that the standard is totally obsolete and much higher quality audio could be achieved in the available bandwidth with modern codecs.

Largely obsolete because the broadcasters have spent years arguing about who should fund what rather than getting on with building a network with full coverage. Over time they have crammed in more and more services, reducing quality to do DAB on the cheap.

Do you really think that DAB+ will bring higher quality audio? It could, just as higher quality audio is possible with basic DAB. It's far more likely that DAB+ will result in even more poor quality streams at even lower bitrates made possible by the improves codecs. The public don't seem to mind, research shows that they prefer quantity and increased choice to high quality audio.

This problem isn't unique to DAB. Broadcasters will save on bandwidth costs by using low bitrate streams on all platforms and on the internet.

Prepare to throw your DAB receiver in the trash when the current transmissions are abandoned.

DAB and DAB+ can co-exist, so nothing needs to be thrown in the trash. Basic legacy DAB equipment simply won't receive DAB+ radio stations. With the rate of progress we are used to in the UK don't expect a rapid migration to DAB+, it could take decades.

[staffs lad 64]

Originally Posted by vincerooney

is now tv on a ps4 by any chance??? if so do i get any delightful free offers?? for all those asking (hundreds i imagine) my name is vincerooney on psn. feel free to add me. if you have gta ill take you on my boat and we can discuss bt europe and the future of the xl package at sea.

ooh argh!

yes vince now tv is on ps4 and xbox one,the sky app is on ps4 too,but not on xbox one and by what ive heard never will be

[heero_yuy]

Originally Posted by jj20x

This problem isn't unique to DAB. Broadcasters will save on bandwidth costs by using low bitrate streams on all platforms and on the internet.

That's a truism, HD channels are showing many ugly compression artifacts as the bit rates are reduced to try and cram more in. 4k / UHD will be even worse, fine for static images but it all falls apart the moment something moves and as for panning shots....

People do seem to prefer quantity over quality, just look at the continual requests for more and more obscure channels in this thread most of which just repeat content that's already been shown on other channels. You could quite usefully halve or even quarter the number of channels and condense the output but that is not what people seem to want.

[Media Boy UK]

Originally Posted by mhatter67

Any info on BBC 1 regional news going to be in HD?

No new BBC channels launches until after the BBC what going to happen with the BBC Tax - the television licence fee after 2016.

---------- Post added at 09:59 ---------- Previous post was at 09:58 ----------

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

All UK targetted UCB TV and radio channels are no longer broadcasting on any platform.

The only way to continue watching or listening to the UK service of UCB is via this link:

www.ucb.co.uk/player

Thanks for info.

[Media Boy UK]

July List update - July 3rd update.

Keep up-to-date on the latest news on upcoming channel launches and other important events across all platforms of Virgin TV.

NOTE: I DO NOT WORK FOR VIRGIN MEDIA SO ALL THE INFORMATION ON THIS LIST IS STILL SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Colours on my list are as followed:

Media Boy = New Info just added.
Media Boy = Virgin Media News and links.
Media Boy = Local TV news, other Media news/Things.

=== Coming up on Virgin's Digital TV ===
=== Freeviews on Virgin Media ===
Jun. 10th. Premier Sports is having an freeview to all XL Customers on Virgin Channel 551 right now until August 10th 2015.

=== Soon ===
-That's Solent will soon launch in Southampton and surrounding areas.

=== July ===
13th. Virgin Media to close BBC Red Button 2 this month on Virgin Channel 992.
13th. Virgin Media to close BBC Red Button 3 this month on Virgin Channel 993.
13th. Virgin Media to close BBC Red Button 4 this month on Virgin Channel 994.
13th. Virgin Media to close BBC Red Button 5 this month on Virgin Channel 995.
13th. Virgin Media to close BBC Red Button 6 this month on Virgin Channel 996.
13th. Virgin Media to close BBC Red Button HD this month on Virgin Channel 990.

=== August ===
No News...

=== September ===
1st. Sky Sports to rebrand Sky Sports Ashes as Sky Sports 2 today on Virgin Channel 503.
1st. Sky Sports to rebrand Sky Sports Ashes HD as Sky Sports 2 HD today on Virgin Channel 513.

=== October ===
No News...

=== November ===
No News...

=== December ===
No News...

=== By 2016 ===
-Sky Movies to rebrand Sky Movies tbc1 as Sky Movies Aliens on Virgin Channel 4??.
-Sky Movies to rebrand Sky Movies Sky Movies Aliens as Sky Movies tbc1 on Virgin Channel 4??.
-Sky Movies to rebrand Sky Movies tbc1 HD as Sky Movies Aliens HD on Virgin Channel 4??.
-Sky Movies to rebrand Sky Movies Aliens HD as Sky Movies tbc1 HD on Virgin Channel 4??.
-Sky Movies to rebrand Sky Movies tbc2 as Sky Movies Gangsters on Virgin Channel 4??.
-Sky Movies to rebrand Sky Movies Gangsters as Sky Movies tbc2 on Virgin Channel 4??.
-Sky Movies to rebrand Sky Movies tbc2 HD as Sky Movies Gangsters HD on Virgin Channel 4??.
-Sky Movies to rebrand Sky Movies Gangsters HD as Sky Movies tbc2 HD on Virgin Channel 4??.

=== January 2016 ===
-The BBC may close BBC Three on Virgin Media subject to final approved by the BBC Trust.
-The BBC may close BBC Three HD on Virgin Media subject to final approved by the BBC Trust.
-The BBC may add two extra hours per day to CBBC and CBBC HD on Virgin Media subject to final approved by the BBC Trust.

=== February 2016 ===
No News...

=== March 2016 ===
No News...

=== April 2016 ===
No News...

=== May 2016 ===
No News...

=== June 2016 ===
No News...

=== July 2016 ===
No News...

=== August 2016 ===
No News...

=== September 2016 ===
No News...

=== October 2016 ===
No News...

=== November 2016 ===
No News...

=== December 2016 ===
No News...

=== Local TV on Virgin Media ===
-All the following Local TV broadcasters may launch by 2016 on Virgin Channel 159:

-YourTV Manchester
-YourTV Blackpool & Preston
-Cambridge Presents
-That’s Basingstoke
-That’s Surrey
-That’s Reading
-That’s Salisbury
-That's Oxford

=== Unknown dates ===
-The BBC hope to launch English regional variants of its existing BBC One HD service as well as Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland editions of BBC Two HD - but still need to be approved by the BBC Trust.

=== Channels ONLY in UPC Ireland areas ===
List last updated on June 2nd 2015.

ONLY TV CHANNELS THAT ONLY BROADCAST IN THE UK ON OTHER NETWORKS WILL APPEAR ON THIS PART OF THE LIST.

ALSO THE FOLLOWING LIST OF CHANNELS IS CURRENTLY BROADCASTING ON UPC IRELAND BUT NOT ON VIRGIN MEDIA:

Documentaries:
-History HD
-CI HD

Lifestyle:
-Fashion TV

Music:
-MTV Classic

Kids:
-Disney Channel HD

Specialist:
-EWTN

Radio:
-UCB Ireland

Channels only in UPC Ireland areas.

FOR LATEST NEWS ON UPC IRELAND SEE: http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/11...iscussion.html

©copyright 2015 Media Boy 2006 - 2015. An ''Keep it real and free'' Production.

==== Virgin Media's Deals with broadcasters ===
Full list now at: http://mediaboyblog.blogspot.co.uk/p...adcasters.html

This part of list has now moved to my blog - follow link.

=== What is Media Boy on about??? ===
Here is what I mean when I post the following on Cable Forum:

Virgin Sources - means just that.
'Do Not Post' order - means an Virgin insider has given me some info on things that set to happen but has told me not to reveal it right now.

=== Media Boy Extra info: ===
Liberty Global - http://www.lgi.com/
Media Boy Blog - For all things Virgin TV - http://mediaboyblog.blogspot.com/
Follow Virgin Media on ''twitter'' here - http://twitter.com/virginmedia
See Nialli's blog on Virgin Media High Definition & TiVo Services here - http://vmhd.blogspot.com/

=== Ask Media Boy ===
Last updated May 8th 2015.

Q: WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INFORMATION ABOUT VIRGIN MEDIA FROM?
A: Media Boy HQ gets all info from Virgin Media viewers, some Virgin Media workers (I called them Virgin Sources) and Web Sites (NOTE: When I used web sites I will post an link to that web site).

Q: WHY HAVE YOU ADDED 'ONLY IN UPC IRELAND AREAS' WHEN THIS THREAD IS FOR VIRGIN MEDIA?
A: Virgin Media and UPC Ireland are now both own by Liberty Global.

Q: WHY AM I NOT GETTING ''DISNEY CHANNEL HD'' FOR?
A: Disney Channel HD is only broadcasting in UPC Ireland areas right now.

==== See you later ===
List last updated on July 3rd 2015.

Next update: TBC.

A) If Virgin Media are set to launch more than TWO channels (TV or Radio) in Virgin TV areas.
B) If Virgin Media are set to move more than TWO channels (TV or Radio) about in Virgin TV areas.
C) If Virgin Media are set to close or repackage more then TWO channels (TV or Radio) in Virgin TV areas.

©copyright 2015 Media Boy 2006 - 2015. An ''Keep it real and free'' Production.

[Ultimate.Conj]

Hi MB,

=== January 2016 ===
-The BBC may close BBC Three on Virgin Media subject to final approved by the BBC Trust.
-The BBC may close BBC Three HD on Virgin Media subject to final approved by the BBC Trust.


I think this is now a definite decision, is it not?

[denphone]

Yes sadly its going to be happening.

[Media Boy UK]

Originally Posted by Ultimate.Conj

Hi MB,

=== January 2016 ===
-The BBC may close BBC Three on Virgin Media subject to final approved by the BBC Trust.
-The BBC may close BBC Three HD on Virgin Media subject to final approved by the BBC Trust.


I think this is now a definite decision, is it not?

Originally Posted by denphone

Yes sadly its going to be happening.

The BBC Trust has provisionally said "Yes" to the closure of the BBC Three TV channel but A further consultation will take place ahead of the BBC Trust publishing its final conclusions in the autumn.

http://www.a516digital.com/2015/06/b...-services.html

Info thanks to a516digital.

[denphone]

Well the further consultation is a total waste of time as nothing is going to change the decision.

[theone2k10]

Originally Posted by Media Boy

The BBC Trust has provisionally said "Yes" to the closure of the BBC Three TV channel but A further consultation will take place ahead of the BBC Trust publishing its final conclusions in the autumn.

http://www.a516digital.com/2015/06/b...-services.html

Info thanks to a516digital.

Iplayer now offers live streaming of bbc channels on youview app, i wouldn't be surprised if this happens on vms iplayer app very soon if it hasn't already.

[vincerooney]

i dont understand the whole bbc 3 plan? its going online so will be a 24/7 channel streaming on the internet producing tv shows? How does that save money?

Plus bbc 4 is another version of bbc 2. bbc 3 is a youth channel. I have no idea why bbc 4 wasnt axed. plus itll look horrible on the tv guide...bbc 1, bbc 2, bbc 4....

[passingbat]

Originally Posted by vincerooney

Plus bbc 4 is another version of bbc 2.

Erm... not really.


If one channel had to go online, it made sense for it to be the youth orientated channel, as, so were told, younger people tend to use the internet more for accessing content.

It's a big shame that it had to happen though.