Virgin Media (UK)

[Blu_Ray_UK2007]

I've been with NTL as I call it for as long as I can remember.. back when it was Cable & Wirless.

I was happy to find out that Virgin Media had took over NTL, and hoped they would fix alot of bug's with the Digital TV service.

Anyway, I'd like to know what other customers opinions of the new service are?

I got the V+ box, as it wouldnt cost me any extra and provided me with HD output and a PVR.

The lack of HD channels is a let down considering Sky has.. Sky One HD, Sky Sports HD, Sky Movies HD.. just to name a few.

I'm happy with the BBC HD picture when football is on.. but apart from that there's not alot that intrests me.

The box it's self can be noisy but has never failed me until last night when it just rebooted in the middle of an on demand recording.

Anyone have any news on new HD channels to come to Virgin?
Seem's like Sky customers get the best HD viewing.. at a cost.

[Shin-Ra]

I'm just glad I'll be getting upgraded to 20Mbit DL, 768Kbit UL next month. Wonder if the 'fair usage' cap will increase too..

Got Sky+ for tv at the moment and not prepared to pay extra for the amount of HD content being broadcast and the horrid looking Adidas-styled box.

[Maximus]

Wait it out, let Virgin get their house in order then judge. Virgin have an incredibly strong brand, so once they start using that to their advantage a lot of the content providers (Disney/MGM/Sony/Universal/Warner of course Fox not included) will be more than willing to do deals with them rather than BSkyB/Newscorp as they are part of the competition where Virgin Media are not.

Virgin are said to be putting a bid together for live Premiership rights joint with the BBC in the next round of licensing, so if that is a big factor then I would watch the current matched down the pub and wait for Virgin to sort it.

The HD offering is scant to say the least, but again this is just a matter of waiting, you should know that Satellite delivery is never going to be as good as Cable, the bandwidth just isn't there. Telewest have got more than enough bandwidth to each house for 50+ HD channels and countless SD channels, all it requires is an upgrade of the digibox and a minor upgrade at Telewest's end.

Also you can't beat Cabled broadband at the moment, they are testing 100mbit plus apparently, so that implies they are going to roll out DOCSIS3+ equipment some time in the near future, compared to BT's new VDSL network it will be similar but that is not slated for completion until 2009/10.