Virgin Media to add more HD channels - Page 6

26-03-2009, 09:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by spankysmagicpian

I think this is the whole crux of the matter.

Yes, I / everyone wants more HD channels but I for one, find the value of 2 recordings (plus watching one) and not to mention the invaluable VOD far outweighs the 'missing' HD channels.

Have to agree with your post,for me also vod far outweighs the missing HD channels i use the vod nearly everyday,whilst i would welcome more HD content i would not be willing to pay an extra sub for it myself personally as i an happy with the v+ upscaling.

If the extra HD content was included with tv XL pack then that would be different,channel four HD and the itv HD channel to quote two obvious examples.

Did i not see a statement made in december last year however, where neil berkett stated that until vm could get its hands on premium content ie sky sports/movies HD,it was a waste of time investing heavily in HD content.

Although that still does not explain why the free channel four HD is still not available.

moroboshi · 28-03-2009, 08:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard1960

Have to agree with your post,for me also vod far outweighs the missing HD channels i use the vod nearly everyday,whilst i would welcome more HD content i would not be willing to pay an extra sub for it myself personally as i an happy with the v+ upscaling.

I'm the opposite. I have watched VOD maybe 2 or 3 times over all the years it's been running, but now watch HD content almost exclusively. Of course I have little chocie of HD on Virgin so watch what I can on BBC HD and get the rest from blu-ray, game consoles, and other sources. I'll be buying an Apple TV sometime (when my Virgin broadband actually works at a decent speed) and getting lots of HD content there.

I'm all in favour of the idea of VOD, it's the same as Apple TV's service in principle afterall, but I find the lack of content on Virgin's VOD service a total deal killer. It's almost all in SD, and even if I was prepared to watch SD (which I'm not), even then the selection is just abysmal. Personal taste obviously. As an example though, where are the latest seasons of 24, Lost, Fringe, House, Heroes, Mad Men and countless others on VOD? They're not even there in SD, let alone HD.

Stephen · 28-03-2009, 12:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by moroboshi

I'm the opposite. I have watched VOD maybe 2 or 3 times over all the years it's been running, but now watch HD content almost exclusively. Of course I have little chocie of HD on Virgin so watch what I can on BBC HD and get the rest from blu-ray, game consoles, and other sources. I'll be buying an Apple TV sometime (when my Virgin broadband actually works at a decent speed) and getting lots of HD content there.

I'm all in favour of the idea of VOD, it's the same as Apple TV's service in principle afterall, but I find the lack of content on Virgin's VOD service a total deal killer. It's almost all in SD, and even if I was prepared to watch SD (which I'm not), even then the selection is just abysmal. Personal taste obviously. As an example though, where are the latest seasons of 24, Lost, Fringe, House, Heroes, Mad Men and countless others on VOD? They're not even there in SD, let alone HD.

VOD is a lot more complicated as Virgin have to go to the programme makers in the US to agree rights for VOD broadcast, its not as simple as asking Sky if we can transmit them.

Same goes for getting HD stuff on VOD although I know they are working on it and currently Sopranos Season 1 is now available in HD VOD.

Over the next few months there will be more content in HD appearing both channels and VOD.

Also the reason for most stuff being SD is that the majority of customers don't have V+ boxes and HD sets.

gadge · 28-03-2009, 15:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen

VOD is a lot more complicated as Virgin have to go to the programme makers in the US to agree rights for VOD broadcast, its not as simple as asking Sky if we can transmit them.

Same goes for getting HD stuff on VOD although I know they are working on it and currently Sopranos Season 1 is now available in HD VOD.

Over the next few months there will be more content in HD appearing both channels and VOD.

Also the reason for most stuff being SD is that the majority of customers don't have V+ boxes and HD sets.

How long are we talking the next few months for channels and vod?.

moroboshi · 28-03-2009, 15:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen

VOD is a lot more complicated as Virgin have to go to the programme makers in the US to agree rights for VOD broadcast, its not as simple as asking Sky if we can transmit them.

Same goes for getting HD stuff on VOD although I know they are working on it and currently Sopranos Season 1 is now available in HD VOD.

Over the next few months there will be more content in HD appearing both channels and VOD.

Also the reason for most stuff being SD is that the majority of customers don't have V+ boxes and HD sets.

If Sky can negotiate the rights in a timely fashion, then so can Virgin. And Sopranos season 1, how old is that exactly? So we should be seeing Mad Men season 2 in aproximately 5 years time?

Content is king, it goes without saying. It's pointless building a platform without content, and Virgin sadly, have done just that. The difference between Apple's offering and Virgin's is quite hilarious, and Apple have also matched the content with a modern (ish) piece of delivery hardware.

Pster72 · 28-03-2009, 18:48

I would prefer VOD to HD anytime, soon HD will out as date as 3D tv is the next big thing but VOD will be around longer if there is more programs added as well as more catch up. Also at the moment a decent HD tv is a lot of money. So i will carry on enjoying VOD as be the time i can afford to get a HD tv it will proberley be out of date and 3D tv will be here.

moroboshi · 28-03-2009, 18:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pster72

I would prefer VOD to HD anytime, soon HD will out as date as 3D tv is the next big thing but VOD will be around longer if there is more programs added as well as more catch up. Also at the moment a decent HD tv is a lot of money. So i will carry on enjoying VOD as be the time i can afford to get a HD tv it will proberley be out of date and 3D tv will be here.

3D TV doesn't even work properly yet, and for it to work at all broadcasters have to film things in 3D. You can count the number of films in 3D so far on the fingers of a few hands, but by comparison just about every film ever made is in HD.

And as for an HDTV costing a lot... seriously? You can pick up passable 1080p TVs in the big supermarkets for under Â£500. The days of HDTVs costing a lot are long, long gone. TVs are cheaper now than ever before.

Arthurgray50@blu · 28-03-2009, 22:22

I think by the time HD channels will be here, Niel Berkett will be retiring.

AndyCambs · 28-03-2009, 22:36

I agree with the earlier posters - TV Catchup in particular is far more use than HD - and in any case, the picture is upscaled for V+ users on Standard transmissions.

So often you turn the television on, and there's nothing to watch - but you remember seeing something in the past week which might have been worth seeing but never recorded it.

kkevin666 · 30-03-2009, 00:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyCambs

I agree with the earlier posters - TV Catchup in particular is far more use than HD - and in any case, the picture is upscaled for V+ users on Standard transmissions.

So often you turn the television on, and there's nothing to watch - but you remember seeing something in the past week which might have been worth seeing but never recorded it.

Instead of watching the latest films / documentarys / music/ cartoons etc. on the 32 CHANNELS OF HD YOU GET ON SKY.

Is that what you mean?.

Digital Fanatic · 01-04-2009, 18:34

More news on HD from Virgin Media (Exclusive from Digital Spy!)

Quote:

Up to four more linear high definition channels will launch on Virgin Media's digital cable service over the next few months, Digital Spy was told today.

In an exclusive update on the cable operator's plans for high definition, a spokesperson revealed that "advanced discussions" are underway with "a number of content providers... aiming to launch three to four linear HD channels over the next few months".

Source: DigitalSpy.co.uk

Click Me!

AndyCambs · 01-04-2009, 19:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkevin666

Instead of watching the latest films / documentarys / music/ cartoons etc. on the 32 CHANNELS OF HD YOU GET ON SKY.

Is that what you mean?.

No the programmes are the same whether in HD or standard definition.
Id' rather have better quality programming - there are a few good quality programmes, but for various reasons (I'm out, they're late, or clash with another programme) and Catch Up is far more use.

frogstamper · 01-04-2009, 20:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyCambs

No the programmes are the same whether in HD or standard definition.
Id' rather have better quality programming - there are a few good quality programmes, but for various reasons (I'm out, they're late, or clash with another programme) and Catch Up is far more use.

There is absolutely no reason why VM customers should have to choose between catch-up and linear HD channels, there is room for both on the network even more so when VM finally turn off the analogue signal.

AndyCambs · 03-04-2009, 04:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by frogstamper

There is absolutely no reason why VM customers should have to choose between catch-up and linear HD channels, there is room for both on the network even more so when VM finally turn off the analogue signal.

Unfortunately it's not Virgin that decide the channel content, but the channel owners. Daytime tv chat shows will be just as horrendous in HD as in SD.

At least TV Catch up enables you to watch something more to your liking - when you want.

chienmort · 03-04-2009, 10:56

It is important for us, as consumers, and VM as a business to have more HD as it is this year's "must have".

However there is no doubt that catch up and VOD are great tools and are not really possible via satellite.

Like AndyCambs. I am a happy Virgin media customer and so glad I resisted the temptation to rush to broadband while cable broadband was slowly rolled out.