How many V+ models available?

LeCoop · 18-07-2008, 21:19

I had problems recently with internet service; finally fixed, but as always, customer services ask 'is there anything else we can help with'?'

'Yes, actually', I said; 'I have a Telewest TV drive that vibrates annoyingly & makes rumbling sounds at random'.

To cut a long story short, Virgin said I could have it replaced with a brand new Virgin+ box, much quieter than the old design from Telewest.

True to form, engineer turns up late when i've gone out and calls when only my son is at home.

I get back and find that he has installed the same noisy piece of crap (made by Scientific Atlanta), except that it's sprayed black and says Virgin on the front.

I am now forced by Virgin to place a call to their sales team tomorrow, cuz they've all gone home for the day and no-one else can make a decision.

Before I ask them to reinstate my old silver box, which at least didn't look so unsightly, can anyone tell me if Virgin market an alternative V+ box made by any other manufacturer?

Cheers

LeCoop

weesteev · 18-07-2008, 21:35

The only box supplied now is the newer generation V+ (black). the TV Drove (silver) models have not been in circulation for over a year now. The newer boxes are classed as a better build quality after the manufacturing was shifted from Mexico to Hungary, software updates have also improved the quality of the newer V+ boxes over the standard TV drive models.

Hope this helps

demented · 18-07-2008, 21:41

Wait 6 months/a year/whatever it is until the newer ones come out and then ask for a new one?

Nedkelly · 18-07-2008, 21:44

Good luck trying to get your silverone back as they are changed to black when they go back

spiderplant · 18-07-2008, 22:09

Search the forum and you'll find plenty of tips for making them quieter. As others have said, you're unlikely to be able to get a silver one back.

homealone · 18-07-2008, 22:15

How old is your son?

- if he is under 18 the installer should have refused to enter the premises ??

Our V+ box is black, but not very noisy - all the V+ boxes currently in use are made by Scientific Atlanta, as far as I know.

LeCoop · 20-07-2008, 09:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by weesteev

The only box supplied now is the newer generation V+ (black). the TV Drove (silver) models have not been in circulation for over a year now. The newer boxes are classed as a better build quality after the manufacturing was shifted from Mexico to Hungary, software updates have also improved the quality of the newer V+ boxes over the standard TV drive models.

Hope this helps

I checked my 'new' black-box and found that it was manufactured in Mexico, so it probably is just a respray of the old noisy box. How long since they switched production? ...are they keeping the Hungarian boxes for brand-new customers and using the Mexican boxes for repair swaps?

piggy · 20-07-2008, 17:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeCoop

I had problems recently with internet service; finally fixed, but as always, customer services ask 'is there anything else we can help with'?'

'Yes, actually', I said; 'I have a Telewest TV drive that vibrates annoyingly & makes rumbling sounds at random'.

To cut a long story short, Virgin said I could have it replaced with a brand new Virgin+ box, much quieter than the old design from Telewest.

True to form, engineer turns up late when i've gone out and calls when only my son is at home.

I get back and find that he has installed the same noisy piece of crap (made by Scientific Atlanta), except that it's sprayed black and says Virgin on the front.

I am now forced by Virgin to place a call to their sales team tomorrow, cuz they've all gone home for the day and no-one else can make a decision.

Before I ask them to reinstate my old silver box, which at least didn't look so unsightly, can anyone tell me if Virgin market an alternative V+ box made by any other manufacturer?

Cheers

LeCoop

virgin only do one make of v+ but if you think its noisey and crap why bother with another???

LeCoop · 20-07-2008, 20:39

Simple; because Virgin said there was a newer box and this thread has confirmed that latest build from Hungary is much better than previous Virgin/Telewest efforts constructed in Mexico.

Nedkelly · 20-07-2008, 21:00

New boxes come from Mexico and Hungrey i have not seen many recon Boxes . I had new boxes on my van from both countries

Freesat-Box · 21-07-2008, 14:49

There is a difference between the black and the silver boxes internally. They are both made by Scientific Atlanta, however, as far as I can remember then black ones are better built in that the connectors at the back have stronger connections to the internal board than the silver ones(this is why some silver ones have problems with HDMI cables).

In Tech Support they'll advise you to try and put foam or rubber underneath the feet, as some people place their boxes on things like glass shelves, and because the box has solid feet and might not sit properly on the shelf, the box will therefore make a noise.

piggy · 21-07-2008, 20:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeCoop

Simple; because Virgin said there was a newer box and this thread has confirmed that latest build from Hungary is much better than previous Virgin/Telewest efforts constructed in Mexico.

the public will see no difference whatsoever no matter where the stb is made

---------- Post added at 20:12 ---------- Previous post was at 20:09 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by homealone

How old is your son?

- if he is under 18 the installer should have refused to enter the premises ??

Our V+ box is black, but not very noisy - all the V+ boxes currently in use are made by Scientific Atlanta, as far as I know.

the age is sixteen not 18, if you think about it when you can get married at 16 and have your own place it could make things awkward to always ask your mum to attend

homealone · 21-07-2008, 21:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by piggy

the age is sixteen not 18, if you think about it when you can get married at 16 and have your own place it could make things awkward to always ask your mum to attend

It is very off topic, but I understood an 'adult' must be present during the installation & you are not an adult in the eyes of the law until aged 18?

The married at 16 (In English law) is possible only with parents consent.

http://www.connexions-direct.com/ind...etailedArticle

- I'm happy to be wrong, regarding the installation, though

Down the Pub · 21-07-2008, 22:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freesat-Box

There is a difference between the black and the silver boxes internally. They are both made by Scientific Atlanta, however, as far as I can remember then black ones are better built in that the connectors at the back have stronger connections to the internal board than the silver ones(this is why some silver ones have problems with HDMI cables).

In Tech Support they'll advise you to try and put foam or rubber underneath the feet, as some people place their boxes on things like glass shelves, and because the box has solid feet and might not sit properly on the shelf, the box will therefore make a noise.

maybe the reason mine has gone belly, tried 2 cables and both are the same. the picture just goes in and out, the sound is usually there but the picture is hit and miss - it has been fine for the last year that i've had it, it's fine via scart but hdmi is borked now.

so better get a call in.

Andrewcrawford23 · 21-07-2008, 22:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by homealone

It is very off topic, but I understood an 'adult' must be present during the installation & you are not an adult in the eyes of the law until aged 18?

The married at 16 (In English law) is possible only with parents consent.

http://www.connexions-direct.com/ind...etailedArticle

- I'm happy to be wrong, regarding the installation, though

Not in scotland you dnt so does that mean virgin can apply one rules for scotland and another for england