Virgin Media V+ service

[ChrisB]

Just pondering switching from Sky + to the Virgin alternative and wondered if anybody who is using the Virgin option or seen it could advise how they think it compares.

I have a Full HD LCD TV for it and can get a pretty decent deal on the service as i am a long standing Virgin phone and Broadband customer

I have had Sky Plus for a long time and i love it but i am getting box crashes and lockups again and getting ready to go thru all the usual cancelling of subscription to get a new box FOC.

If the Virgin system sounds good i am willing to give it a try.

Cheers

[Edders]

I have V+ works very well and you can record two programs whilst watching a third.

But theres a severe lack of HD channels as in theres only one!!!!


Edders

[ChrisB]

Cheers,i like the idea of having a third record or view option compared to Skys 2 available.

I am not too bothered at this time about the lack of HD channels as its mainly the PVR features i am after.

[terryk2000]

I use the Virgin Media Plus service and can honestly say I am totally pleased with it...specially now as they are showing Sky 1,2 and 3 again! the catch up tv is cool too as well as being able to record multi channels at once as already mentioned..i give it the thumbs up :)

[ChrisB]

Sounds good,how reliable has it been as in the way of failed program recordings or general crashing both of which Sky + is prone to?

[Edders]

mines doesnt crash that often nothing to worry about

only thing with failed records is when theres overlap as I have it set to record 3 or 5 mins before the program starts which sometimes means its not a happy bunny but it does tell you in advance of clashes ect.. but it doesnt happen very often


Edders

[ChrisB]

Thanks chaps:cheers2:

[Tim Procter]

[quote=Edders;194983]But theres a severe lack of HD channels as in theres only one!!!![/quote]


Wow.!!!

I didnt know that Mike.:(



[B]Chris.[/B]

For some reason (maybe the firware) our Sky HD box has been locking up lately FYI.

Have to power the box down and restart and all works well again.:)

[machasm]

If you're not interested in HD and can get a good deal on the Virgin package then go ahead.
I chose sky because I wanted the HD material available with that. As more content becomes HD will you not want it then?
Ade

[machasm]

[quote=busterboy;194997]Wow.!!!

I didnt know that Mike.:(



[B]Chris.[/B]

For some reason (maybe the firware) our Sky HD box has been locking up lately FYI.

Have to power the box down and restart and all works well again.:)[/quote]

You can force the box to do an update by holding down the backup button whilst plugging the box into the mains.
You need to hold it for about 10 - 15 secs until a screen appears telling you the update is running.

[Smoothound]

Have to say I've been tempted but not got a HD TV here.

My biggest gripe with Virgin is picture quality which is in my eyes bloody crap, I get far too much "blocking" for me to pay any more than I do for a premium service :(

[Smoothound]

[quote=busterboy;194997]Wow.!!!

I didnt know that Mike.:(



[B]Chris.[/B]

For some reason (maybe the firware) our Sky HD box has been locking up lately FYI.

Have to power the box down and restart and all works well again.:)[/quote]

My mate has had Sky+ for about a year and he is on his 6th box and says they are on last chance saloon now ;)

[Tim Procter]

[quote=machasm;194999]You can force the box to do an update by holding down the backup button whilst plugging the box into the mains.
You need to hold it for about 10 - 15 secs until a screen appears telling you the update is running.[/quote]




Thanks for that useful tip Adrian, Will be doing that later mate.:cheers2:

[Kwickkwack]

[quote=machasm;194999]You can force the box to do an update by holding down the backup button whilst plugging the box into the mains.
You need to hold it for about 10 - 15 secs until a screen appears telling you the update is running.[/quote]

Does this apply to an ordinary Sky+ box, i have been getting a few hangups with ours lately and even if we delete all the programmes from the planner it still only shows about 50% available
Oh yes and does the phone have to be connected to do the update
Cheers guys

[machasm]

I have had Sky HD now for a little over a year.
The box has had a glitch or 2 along the way with not powering the second LNB occassionaly and once or twice has locked up completely.
On the whole though it has been quite good and I have not had to change it for another one since new.