VM HD channels

Sonynut · 06-03-2008, 12:42

Right, have had my V+ box for 2 weeks now and after a few teathing troubles and completly happy with the way it works.

The only trouble now is that i have managed to watch all of the half decent HD stuf on demand and am getting bored with the BBC HD channels aparant lack of interesting programmes (i mean last of the summer wine!).

Looking at the channel line up over on SKY HD, its a little bit embarrasing over here on cable, So when are VM going to drag themselves into this new High Definition era and give us some more channels, does anyone know or did I just take the easy option and stick with the wrong provider.

ShadowTD · 06-03-2008, 12:58

Sorry to sound like a bit of a broken record, but did you bother to read the FAQ's or even do a bit of a search on this topic? There's plenty of information out there.

And no, there are no more HD channels at the moment. No concrete evidence about anything 'coming soon'.

Sonynut · 06-03-2008, 14:36

Didn't sound like a broken record to me, have never spoken to you before.

The point i was trying to make was that VM just seem to be sitting on there very limited HD content at the moment and they dont seem to be making any progress for there existing customers, I know we don't pay a monthly fee for V+ (if you have XL package) but i would be prepared to pay one if it meant we could get more HD channels.

I just wish that they would give out a bit more information about possible moves, but all we get is deadly silence.

WHISTLED · 06-03-2008, 14:40

Planning on more HD on demand content rather than standard platform

ShadowTD · 06-03-2008, 15:31

Sorry - I meant generally. VM don't seem to consider HD important to their strategy at the moment - as far as I'm aware there haven't been *any* announcements about HD content since NTL:TW became VM.

Gordon B · 06-03-2008, 15:48

You may, or may not know that the V+ box only works with Mpeg2 files for HD. All Sky HD channels work with Mpeg4. Virgin are bringing out a new box sometime this year which will be Mpeg4 capable and that will be ready for C4 HD and ITV HD. There are pictures of it on the internet, I will try to post the link so you can have a look, but your present box is not "of this age" to receive what we all want.

Sonynut · 06-03-2008, 15:51

So the V+ box i paid to be installed is basiclly old technology and will to be replaced, i do hope VM do not expect us existing V+ users to pay for it to be installed again, if they do i will be switching over to Sky HD.

Gordon B · 06-03-2008, 16:19

No, I suspect it will be a replacement.

I have found this link

http://vmhd.blogspot.com/2008/03/new...velopment.html

gc10360 · 06-03-2008, 17:17

I emailed The VM Team this week about HD content and they replied saying that HD will become more of a focus later this year. Maybe there is something planned we don't know about, after all this really is the only way forward now. I also really pity anyone who believes that the upscaled SD channels on the V+ box are nearly as good as HD. This is simply not true and anyone who states this is either losing their sight or just delusional. ( or has not seen what real HD looks like.)

Sonynut · 07-03-2008, 07:51

Totally agree with you there, I read somewhere on this forum that even SD channels get upsaclled to 1080i and are much better quality, well i can't see it, I mean compared to BBC HD and the other on demand HD stuff the SD output is, how can i put it, CRAP.

I think VM have no intention of adding any new HD channels, thats why we dont pay a monthly subscription and thats the reason why they have knocked the installation down to £75. Sky are leading the way with HD and VM dont seem to care, its such a shame, but hey thats the Virgin way.

**Stephen** · 07-03-2008, 08:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordon B

You may, or may not know that the V+ box only works with Mpeg2 files for HD. All Sky HD channels work with Mpeg4. Virgin are bringing out a new box sometime this year which will be Mpeg4 capable and that will be ready for C4 HD and ITV HD. There are pictures of it on the internet, I will try to post the link so you can have a look, but your present box is not "of this age" to receive what we all want.

The new box that will posibly be out later in the year is still going to be based on MPEG2, and will be similar to the current box just made by a different company. for example Samsung.

Its not the Virgin are ignoring HD, but simply that Sky do own the rights to broadcast most of the current ones so its harder for Virgin to get them. Right now they are trying to get more On Demand HD stuff as they think non linear broadcasting is the way forward.

Sonynut · 07-03-2008, 09:01

Well I think WM are making a mistake if they think On Demand HD stuff is the way forward, its only going to appeal to someone if they like the shows that are on.

I'm sure if we all had the choice between On demand or more dedicated HD channels I think the latter would win, its just another cop out by VM, they just wont spend money to deliver a decent service.

**Stephen** · 07-03-2008, 09:57

Its not as easy as just adding the channels. They need to agree carriage rights and sign contracts with other companies. If it was easy I am sure we would have all the HD channels available on Sky right now. With the dispute over the basic Sky channels I am sure its going to be more difficult than it should be.

Where as it will be a lot easier to get the rights to broadcast seperate series of programmes on the HD on Demand as they will be done through the programme makers.

ShadowTD · 07-03-2008, 10:02

MPEG2 is fine for HD on cable. An earlier post indicated that VM have invested in a few MPEG4 -> MPEG2 transcoders for the headends. This would indicate an investment in future HD channels. But at the moment, it doesn't seem to be a priority.

@GC10360: I'm afraid we've been hearing 'Coming Soon' since Telewest launched the TV Drive.

nialli · 09-03-2008, 09:50

It's all well and good saying HD on cable will be delivered via On Demand, but the HD content I've currently got available to me has been slashed. The BBC's programming has been stuck on the same tired list for months whilst seasons of Lost, Criminal Minds, Night Stalker and Day Break have all disappeared, not to be replaced. Even worse, there are currently NO Filmflex HD films available in my region now. What's going on???
Here's the updated list for SE London this morning:

BBC (Home - 6 - 2 - 1)
Ant Attack
The Blue Planet: Introduction
The Blue Planet: Frozen Seas
The Blue Planet: Coasts
The Blue Planet: Coral Seas
The Blue Planet: Frozen Seas
The Blue Planet: Open Oceans
The Blue Planet: Seasonal Seas
The Blue Planet: The Deep
The Blue Planet: Tidal Seas
Desert Lions
Diana - Last Days of a Princess
Great Natural Wonders of the World
Hannibal
Hotel Babylon Season Two episodes 2 - 8
The Innocence Project 1-8 except episode 4
Planet Earth: episodes 1-5
The Quatermass Experiment
Rick Stein and the Japanese Ambassador
Superstorm 1-3
Supervolcano 1-2

Filmflex HD (all £4 unless mentioned)
None

TV Choice On Demand (Home - 5 - 9 - 1)
Dog Fight 2 episodes
Engineering An Empire 3 episodes
Ghost Whisperer Season One 1 - 22
Mega Movers 2 episodes
Lost Season Two 1 - 23
Lost Season Three 1 - 23

Personally, I don't mind HD via On Demand as I timeshift most stuff I watch on the V+, and the V+ can only store around 20 hours of HD. What's more, recording two HD streams or using Delay TV with HD is flakey and sends the box into panic (similar problems reported on SkyHD). On Demand, especially if it's free, makes sense to me.