I will update the faq, honest!
@Allanmedwards: This is complete cods. The optical out on V+ works perfectly. If it's loose check that the optical plug is oriented correctly. Maybe you've got a duff V+ box. If they give you any twadlle that 'it's not supported' then point them to
http://allyours.virginmedia.com/html...plus/hdtv.html where it SPECIFICALLY states Dolby Digital.