Dad in a muddle over alternatives to Virgin Media TV

kitkat · 04-10-2008, 02:29

Hello everyone,

I'm having a little trouble picking which service to buy with enough cartoons to keep the lad quiet!

On Friday morning Virgin Media installed the TV M package. My main problem is that with my 16:9 LCD TV, the built in freeview is very snappy, i've really been spoilt there.

Virgin installed an SA 4200DVB, I understand these are some of the better machines but i still find the silly thing very sluggish! The whole system seems dated, and it is quite frustrating to use.

Another big problem is that my freeview will take a 4:3 program and zoom in to the picture, making it widescreen and just cropping a bit off the top and bottom of the image. From my own efforts and searching these wonderful forums

I have found that the 4200 is unable to do this.

Just imagine trying to explain to a boy why Rupert the bear seems to be constantly having an adventure at nightime!

I have gathered from Virgin that if I upgrade to their XL TV package I will not receive a new set top box. I was wondering if someone could tell me how a V+ box would perform compared to the more basic 4200 if I chose to upgrade?

Also, Sky TV is looking very appealing with getting the lad the Kids Mix and me the Variety mix for Â£18 a month, but with a Â£60 installation charge. Could someone tell me how fast and reliable the basic Sky box is in the Birmingham area please?

Could someone tell me if the Sky service supports 'smart' screen/zooming in on the 4:3 program to make a widescreen picture?

It would be a shame to lose Virgin's on demand services with the XL package but judging on the performance of their M TV package, it isn't worth the hassle.

If anyone could give me some input on what to do I'd be really grateful! Thanks everyone.

Pia · 04-10-2008, 09:48

Sky is fast and reliable, until it rains

Sorry, i'm no help

chickendippers · 04-10-2008, 13:18

In the settings menu on the set top box I would advise you set it to the 16:9 ratio, then set your TV to auto adjust (most widescreens have this function) so the picture will fill the screen regardless of which ratio it is broadcast in.

There aren't many kids channels in the M TV package, you can add TV Choice which has a significant catalogue of on-demand kids programming for Â£7/month, or upgrade to XL TV where it is included (and you'd get more channels).

The Sky EPG is faster than Virgin Media, but the lack of on demand programming really is the main sticking point for me.

kitkat · 04-10-2008, 13:47

Thanks for the reply you two.

chickendippers, good job you got me to check the screen settings on the TV when it is tuned onto Virgin TV. It turned out that unlike my freeview (and I think also my older game consoles) the screen wasn't automatically set to 'Auto' rather, the TV was displaying programs in their broadcasted ratios.

I think I will upgrade to the XL package, it is just a shame there is no chance of getting a faster set top box. Thanks again!

Does anyone know, roughly, how my SA 4200DVB would perform against a standard sky box? In terms of things like channel changing etc?

Pia don't worry about it! i'll make sure i stop the rain when i want to watch TV.

on in an hour! · 04-10-2008, 13:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by kitkat

Thanks for the reply you two.

chickendippers, good job you got me to check the screen settings on the TV when it is tuned onto Virgin TV. It turned out that unlike my freeview (and I think also my older game consoles) the screen wasn't automatically set to 'Auto' rather, the TV was displaying programs in their broadcasted ratios.

I think I will upgrade to the XL package, it is just a shame there is no chance of getting a faster set top box. Thanks again!

Does anyone know, roughly, how my SA 4200DVB would perform against a standard sky box? In terms of things like channel changing etc?

Pia don't worry about it! i'll make sure i stop the rain when i want to watch TV.

we have newer samsung 2110's in the NW and im pretty sure most VM areas are now using them,they are quick and responsive,does the box look new to you or is it a refurb??

kitkat · 04-10-2008, 14:03

In all honesty, i'm not sure if it is new or a refurb. Lifting it up, I see it was made in 2006 - this makes me think it was a refurb because who would have brand new machines sitting in storage for two years?

Fatec · 04-10-2008, 14:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pia

Sky is fast and reliable, until it rains

Sorry, i'm no help

You're right, you are of no help.

A properly aligned dish will not not go off or stutter with rain.

A properly aligned dish will be fine unless you get a real heavy storm, even though it's still better than VM

kitkat · 04-10-2008, 14:36

Whilst Sky seems tempting, now i've got the widescreen issue fixed, having XL Virgin TV and on demand cartoons seems like the best thing to buy.

What i'd say to people getting Virgin TV is the equipment doesn't seem anywhere near as fast as a good freeview box, which is such a shame.

on in an hour! · 04-10-2008, 18:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by kitkat

Whilst Sky seems tempting, now i've got the widescreen issue fixed, having XL Virgin TV and on demand cartoons seems like the best thing to buy.

What i'd say to people getting Virgin TV is the equipment doesn't seem anywhere near as fast as a good freeview box, which is such a shame.

ring up kitkat,if it was me attending a service call at yours and i had some sammys on i would give you one,it saves me a repeat fault, if i come and b*****it you youd be back on the phone which is quite understandable,our NTL version of the 4000 set top makes V+ look flippin fast!!

kitkat · 05-10-2008, 16:38

Thanks very much for the info! Who do you think I should contact about getting a new box?

Could you tell me how old your sammy is please? or maybe when they started coming out? I can't find much on them

The SA 4200DVB that I have seems to be made in 2006 but i'm pretty sure they date back to 2004.

On a lighter note, I watched some missed TV using the catchup service, its brilliant when it gets going!

chickendippers · 06-10-2008, 14:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by kitkat

Thanks very much for the info! Who do you think I should contact about getting a new box?

Unless your current one is broken you won't get a new one. Although if you ring up cancellations and say that the speed of your box is forcing you to move to Sky they may send you a new one.

kitkat · 12-10-2008, 16:05

I've been away on business and couldn't find my thread. Just wanted to say thanks to everyone that helped, and that I am considering sending a letter asking for a new virgin set top box.

feel free to close/delete this whenever, I just wanted to tie up loose ends.

joglynne · 12-10-2008, 16:10

Here you go kitkat.

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/64...gin-media.html

Let us know how you go on.

kitkat · 12-10-2008, 18:00

thanks very much joglynne

tell me, i'm new to this forum stuff, how does one find a thread that isn't listed on any pages? I think I may be using the search feature badly.

**Rob M** · 12-10-2008, 18:07

Search > Advanced Forum Search > Search by Username

I'll merge these posts with your original thread