Coming soon to Virgin Media 2008.

[frogstamper]

Originally Posted by moroboshi

I'm currently deciding between V+ and Sky HD so I'm particularly interested in HD channels. I see people talking about C4 HD coming "soon", but soon can be very open ended. What kind of time frame have C4 and Virgin given? Are we talking a few weeks? A few months? A few years?

They really need to sort themselves out with linear HD. Looking at the Sky HD line-up Virgin's paltry one HD channel does look rather feeble, but then Sky's installation charge is rather comical, and the thought of helping to fund the Murdoch machine is enough to put me offf.

I am thinking along the same lines, on the whole I'm happy enough with the service VM provide, but after buying a new HD television obviously I want to use it. As you say moroboshi VMs HD line up meager to say the least especially compared to Sky's what, 15 HD channels, but if I knew VM were going to have ITV-HD, C4-HD and C5-HD in the near future Id be more than happy to get the V+ box and sign up for another year. Like yourself I have no desire to put my cash in the "devils" pocket.
If VM sort out their HD products then once again they become a very attractive alternative to Sky.

[moroboshi]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

VM are keeping very tight lipped about it, which either indicates that they are embarrassed about the poor offering or are going to bring us a big surprise at some point in the future!

My personal view is that we will get all the terrestrials in HD and there will be more HD choice on VOD. This would give people real choice between paid for linear HD channels with Sky or HD programming free of charge with VM (apart from films).

Personally, I hope for more, but I'm not that optimistic. I hope that someone with some good inside knowledge can offer us some reassurance on this forum.

Having watched Planet Earth on blu-ray I'd love to see more factual programming in high-def. Planet Earth is still one of the most stunning displays of HD I've seen, right up there with recent BD movies such as No Country for Old Men. Hopefully Virgin will add National Geographic HD, Discovery HD, and History HD sooner rather than later.

[TV Boy]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

It's interesting to read of all the new channels that may arrive on VM this year. Does this mean that rumours of bandwidth shortages and the like are all wrong or are VM doing something about these problems?

Does anyone know?

It would be particularly good to get ITV HD, Channel 4 HD and Five HD this year and others would be nice too!

Virgin Media work from April to March so next month the guys who work on the bandwidth will be adding more.

How will they do this?

1. Add new bandwidth.
or 2. Closed down 'Old Cable' - doing this can add upto 7 new Digital Channels for ONE 'Old Cable' channel.

[Andrewcrawford23]

DMAX +1 <-- defionately isnt comig any time son

Other news
Virgin are rumoured to be set to sell they Virgin Television Channels ( Living and Bravo and so on ). <--- uktv arm only is gettign considered just now

[TV Boy]

Originally Posted by Andrewcrawford23

DMAX +1 <-- defionately isnt comig any time son

Other news
Virgin are rumoured to be set to sell they Virgin Television Channels ( Living and Bravo and so on ). <--- uktv arm only is gettign considered just now

Ok thanks I will fix it for next update.

[frogstamper]

Originally Posted by TV Boy

Virgin Media work from April to March so next month the guys who work on the bandwidth will be adding more.

How will they do this?

1. Add new bandwidth.
or 2. Closed down 'Old Cable' - doing this can add upto 7 new Digital Channels for ONE 'Old Cable' channel.

I read a thread on Digital Spy the other day saying that VM were going to up grade the remaining areas of Southampton that are still on analogue to digital, and also parts of Milton Keynes. Maybe this is the prelude to finally turning off the analogue signal, if as you say TV Boy you get up to 7 digital channels for 1 analogue this would give VM plenty of scope for improvement. Lets hope this happens soon.

[mertle]

Originally Posted by TV Boy

Virgin Media work from April to March so next month the guys who work on the bandwidth will be adding more.

How will they do this?

1. Add new bandwidth.
or 2. Closed down 'Old Cable' - doing this can add upto 7 new Digital Channels for ONE 'Old Cable' channel.

TV Boy thanks for the all the work and info you bring.

I have some insight that it this maybe the upgrade to DVB-C2.

Its now been rubber stamped and finalised standards by the DVB.

With all european cable operators including VM are commited to upgrading to the form factor then this could be when upgrades start.

http://www.dvb.org/(RoxenUserID=bf85...vbc2/index.xml

http://www.dvb.org/(RoxenUserID=bf85...ies_DVB-C2.pdf


Very good reaf for those who want to see our future.

[TV Boy]

I was think today 'How many more Radio may we get when Virgin sign new deal with they owners?'

Virgin have so far signed deal with - GCap & Global Radio.

BBC Radio
BBC Radio 4 LW^
BBC Radio Scotland*
BBC Radio Wales*
BBC Radio Ulster*
BBC Radio nan Gàidheal*
BBC Radio Cymru*

GMG Radio
Real Radio (Digital)^ ( Scotland only )
Century Radio

Bauer Radio
The Hits Radio*
Smash Hits*
Kiss 100 London*
Heat
Magic 105.4 FM*
Q*
MOJO
Kerrang Radio*

Other Radio may get
WRN Europe^
UCB UK^
UCB Bible
UCB Talk
UCB Inspiration
RTÉ R1 Extra
RTÉ Radio 1^
RTÉ 2fm
RTÉ Lyric FM
RTE Raidió na Gaeltachta

* = On Ex-ntl right now,
^ = On Ex-Telewest right now.

NOTE: GMG Radio also own Smooth Radio.

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by TV Boy

Virgin Media work from April to March so next month the guys who work on the bandwidth will be adding more.

How will they do this?

1. Add new bandwidth.
or 2. Closed down 'Old Cable' - doing this can add upto 7 new Digital Channels for ONE 'Old Cable' channel.

Thanks, TV Boy, but I'm confused!

1. You mean they can just add new bandwidth, just like that? Did they not add enough to cope with developments last April? And why wait until April?

2. As far as 'old cable' is concerned, I assume you mean 'analogue' and my understanding is that the remainder of the analogue system will be converted to digital by the end of the year. Is this what you meant?

Last question TV Boy - do you think VM will add more than the terrestrial HD channels to the system? This is so important because VM's profitability is dependent on new subscribers and new subscribers with their HD-ready tellys are going to opt for Sky with the digital switchover if VM don't offer more HD. This will put us even further behind and VM still won't have enough money to develop cable to its full potential.

[TV Boy]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Thanks, TV Boy, but I'm confused!

1. You mean they can just add new bandwidth, just like that? Did they not add enough to cope with developments last April? And why wait until April?

The money that the workers work with is from every April. They used that money to keep the network going on the day to day basics.

2. As far as 'old cable' is concerned, I assume you mean 'analogue' and my understanding is that the remainder of the analogue system will be converted to digital by the end of the year. Is this what you meant?

Yes is this - I call Analogue old cable and as far as I know Virgin hope to have anyone Digital by 2009.

Last question TV Boy - do you think VM will add more than the terrestrial HD channels to the system? This is so important because VM's profitability is dependent on new subscribers and new subscribers with their HD-ready tellys are going to opt for Sky with the digital switchover if VM don't offer more HD. This will put us even further behind and VM still won't have enough money to develop cable to its full potential.

Channel 4 HD is on it may it just when will it come. Virgin are also rumoured to be in talks with ITV and Five over they HD channels.

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by TV Boy

The money that the workers work with is from every April. They used that money to keep the network going on the day to day basics.



Yes is this - I call Analogue old cable and as far as I know Virgin hope to have anyone Digital by 2009.



Channel 4 HD is on it may it just when will it come. Virgin are also rumoured to be in talks with ITV and Five over they HD channels.

So at the end of the day, is there a bandwidth problem on VM or was all the speculation just that?

[TV Boy]

I was told some months ago was Virgin was having some bandwidth problem but only on the Ex-ntl side

---------- Post added at 21:37 ---------- Previous post was at 21:35 ----------

And they cant add any new channel due to this as Virgin wants everyone to have them added the same time.

[grabbi]

Originally Posted by mertle

TV Boy thanks for the all the work and info you bring.

I have some insight that it this maybe the upgrade to DVB-C2.

Its now been rubber stamped and finalised standards by the DVB.

With all european cable operators including VM are commited to upgrading to the form factor then this could be when upgrades start.

http://www.dvb.org/(RoxenUserID=bf85...vbc2/index.xml

http://www.dvb.org/(RoxenUserID=bf85...ies_DVB-C2.pdf


Very good reaf for those who want to see our future.

I think we were talking about this a few weeks back.

In a Newsletter, it has VM in the same context as DVB-C2, and the fact its been given the Green light, is massive news.

If anyone hasnt read those articles, please, do. They are fascinating, and quite exciting, given the future of Technology as a whole.

---------- Post added at 00:31 ---------- Previous post was at 00:08 ----------

EDIT: here is a link to the PDF (Youll need Adobe PDF Reader, or my personal Recommendation of Foxit Reader, to read this file)

http://www.cableeurope.eu/uploads/do...lenews_nr2.pdf

---------- Post added at 00:33 ---------- Previous post was at 00:31 ----------

Originally Posted by TV Boy

Yes is this - I call Analogue old cable and as far as I know Virgin hope to have anyone Digital by 2009.

Is that the same for Broadband services also, or are they just doing TV?

---------- Post added at 00:35 ---------- Previous post was at 00:33 ----------

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

So at the end of the day, is there a bandwidth problem on VM or was all the speculation just that?

This is a rumor given as an excuse for the lack of various different services and channels on Virgin Media.

I have heard that Analogue is costing them so much bandwidth, that this is why we dont get much at the moment.

It has been in the pipeline that this would be completely shut down to free up space, however I was unaware that VM were making Analogue areas "Digital".

In which case, the sooner they shut that off, the better.

[windy]

It all sounds a bit complicated to me..but if i get the jist of it MORE channels BRING IT ON..yeah..

[mertle]

Originally Posted by grabbi

I think we were talking about this a few weeks back.

In a Newsletter, it has VM in the same context as DVB-C2, and the fact its been given the Green light, is massive news.

If anyone hasnt read those articles, please, do. They are fascinating, and quite exciting, given the future of Technology as a whole.

---------- Post added at 00:31 ---------- Previous post was at 00:08 ----------

EDIT: here is a link to the PDF (Youll need Adobe PDF Reader, or my personal Recommendation of Foxit Reader, to read this file)

www.cableeurope.eu/uploads/documents/pub-38_en-cablenews_nr2.pdf

---------- Post added at 00:33 ---------- Previous post was at 00:31 ----------




Is that the same for Broadband services also, or are they just doing TV?

---------- Post added at 00:35 ---------- Previous post was at 00:33 ----------



This is a rumor given as an excuse for the lack of various different services and channels on Virgin Media.

I have heard that Analogue is costing them so much bandwidth, that this is why we dont get much at the moment.

It has been in the pipeline that this would be completely shut down to free up space, however I was unaware that VM were making Analogue areas "Digital".

In which case, the sooner they shut that off, the better.

So true Grabbi was very good discusion it was. Some even doubted DVB-c2 was even in existence.

Like Grabbi said its worth reading even if some of the it is very technical what is planned especially the PDF file

which breaks down the HD TV and that the networks are being optimised
Hybrid Fibre Coax (HFC) networks. That it will be future proofed to 10-12 years to improve VOD, interactive and the HDTV role out.

Although whether the system will be capable of beyond current HD standards I would assume it can with the future proofing. although no direct figures are mentioned on specs apart from yours grabbi.

In the future we could be seeing 6-7 years 4k resolutions in HD tvs as norm. Japan have roadmap of 2011 for broadcasting that level of HD.