Will V+ blow me away?

Robbie G · 18-03-2010, 09:58

Hi all

Currently debating whether or not to get a V+ box installed in our house. We have a 42" LG plasma (PQ42000, so HD ready) and I'm umming and ahhing about whether to purchase the V+ box for the HD aspect (mainly for BBC HD as we're only on the M TV package) and the PVR features.

Last night we were watching Masterchef when her mum called and she missed half the program, so I have no doubt that the PVR aspect will add value, but my main question is: how blown away will I be by the quality of the HD feed, or will it just be pretty good whilst making SD look poor?

Thanks for anything you can offer in helping me to make the right decision!

roger skillin · 18-03-2010, 10:37

Well my folks have an HD tv and they have a standard box connected via Scart and i commented on how the picture didn't look very good, well last week i got them the V+ box and couldn't believe the difference in just having the box connected via HDMI and that is just the standard channels, as for the HD channels, quite honestly i can't see what all the fuss is about as the picture quality doesn't look much different to me but you should get it not just you the quality of the satndard channels but the recording aspect is brilliant, being able to record 2 channels and watch a third at the same time is awesome

**Rob** · 18-03-2010, 10:43

The V+ will upscale all standard definition stuff, so there is often a difference in quality even for those. Of course upscalling is an electronic best guess of the missing bits to fill in so it's not as perfect as true HD. HD on the V+ is only at 1080i, not 1080p, but that I beleive is similar to most HD systems such as Sky.

On my 37" Phillips LCD I beleive the picture quality is great, but I see a further slight improvement if I'm playing stuff from a good Blu-ray disc. Even so my TV is limited to 1080i.

It's the PVR function of the V+ that I'd never let go now. The true ability to have series link recordings, record two things at any one time, whilst watching a third program with that able to be time slipped. If you are a couch potato (possibly not if you only have "M"), a PVR is ideal.

Peter_ · 18-03-2010, 11:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robbie G

Hi all

Currently debating whether or not to get a V+ box installed in our house. We have a 42" LG plasma (PQ42000, so HD ready) and I'm umming and ahhing about whether to purchase the V+ box for the HD aspect (mainly for BBC HD as we're only on the M TV package) and the PVR features.

Last night we were watching Masterchef when her mum called and she missed half the program, so I have no doubt that the PVR aspect will add value, but my main question is: how blown away will I be by the quality of the HD feed, or will it just be pretty good whilst making SD look poor?

Thanks for anything you can offer in helping me to make the right decision!

I have the 50" version of your TV and the V+ with HDMI is brilliant and well worth upgrading to plus you can pause live TV and record 2 channels while watching a third.

hedgie · 20-03-2010, 10:03

Not all HD is born equal. Some of the BBC on demand stuff is truly amazing. Blue Planet etc. Some of the other stuff, especially Living HD seems less so. ESPN HD can be pretty good as well.

Its up to you, how good is your eyesight ? HD is better but everyone has a different perception of quality.

As for the V+, I have one of the early SA boxes and so far "touch wood" it has been very reliable and quiet.

Moldova is right (as usual) the added functionality is brilliant, sounds sad but I could not imagine being without it now.

Joedm45 · 21-03-2010, 20:54

Go for it is what I say, you will not be disappointed.

I got my V+ a couple of years ago purely for the recording seeing as they only had BBC HD at the time and even that was a part time channel and have never looked back.

The plus box, whether it be V+, Sky+, Freeview+ etc truly has got to be the most revolutionary entertainment device of the last 15 years

oliver1948uk · 21-03-2010, 21:40

As others have said, the V+ (when connected by HDMI) is worth it for the excellent upscaling of standard definition, making HD in my opinion desirable but something of an anti-climax. Add to that the supremely easy and reliable recording functions and you have a first class product.

I have the old V+ box and it has proved very reliable (though slow to react - but you get used to it) with only the occasional need to reboot.

If you have an HD TV it is the obvious choice even without HD (which does not blow me away)

Rone · 22-03-2010, 11:20

I would'nt say blow away, but the recording side of things is just so easy its got to be worth having.

SlackDad · 22-03-2010, 14:53

I think it depends on what you're used to. As others have said the V+ box up-scales SD pictures so the difference between them and HD is not as marked as what it could be. This may result in people thinking the HD pictures are not all that impressive.

However I remember when I first viewed some stuff in HD and was blown away with the detail. As I'm used to a good quality picture now I don't get quite the same 'wow' factor as I have done in the past but I really notice the difference when I watch a SD picture around other people's who don't have the V+ box or have an LCD TV connected via Scart.

Again as others have said once you have the PVR function that the V+ brings you won't be able to imagine TV without it.

Definitely go for it in my book...

Robbie G · 24-03-2010, 11:04

Thanks guys, I'm going to go for it but I'd be grateful if you could answer a couple of questions:

- I currently have phono outputting from my V box to my Hi-Fi - I understand that I can no longer do this from a V+ box as the Samsung version does not have phono jacks. Could I output the sound over SCART with phono adaptor, or is the SCART disabled when HDMI is connected?
- What should I have the V+ box set to in terms of resolution? Just to repeat, I have a 720p / HD Ready TV.

Many thanks

.

**Stuart** · 24-03-2010, 11:06

The TV Scart is disabled. The VCR scart is not.

Robbie G · 24-03-2010, 11:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuart C

The TV Scart is disabled. The VCR scart is not.

That then is my answer, VCR SCART --> phono adaptor --> Hi-Fi. At least until I get a decent cinema system, though with kids on the way the wife is putting the kibosh on that at the moment!