Sky or Virgin Media...? UPDATE!!!

[CustardTart]

Afternoon everyone!

We currently have Sky+ but have just bought a new TV and my menfolk are desperate to upgrade to HD for the football. However, I've been looking into the Virgin Media packages and wondered if anyone on here used their TV service? If so, is the quality good?? And does anyone know if they offer the Sky Sports HD channels???

I have tried researching this but some of the info is just techno-twaddle to my uneducated brain so all responses welcome...

 

[Claire L]

Virgin channels, doesn't look like they have any Sky Sports channels other than the news.

Claire

 

[Boss Hogg]

I think it's movies only on Virgin that are in HD, in the same way the Sky has 7 or so channels.

Got to say that Sky Sports in HD is superb - get it by next weekend and the Superbowl's on in HD too!

 

[Goofyish]

At the moment Virgin only have BBC HD plus a few movies and re-runs of older BBC HD programs on the 'On Demand' service. TV on demand service is free if you get the XL TV package, but you still have to pay for HD movies on demand (around £4.95+ each!).

There is a rumour that Virgin will soon get ITV Player and then will have access to some ITV HD content. Eventually I would imagine that ITV HD channel will also be available (currently only available on Freesat).

Some sporting events are avialable as HD on the BBC (6 nations Rugby for example, but only the UK based games).

No Sky HD channels (movies or sports) are available on Virgin (yet?).

The Virgin V+ box as well as giving you HD also has 3 tuners (one more than the Sky+ box), so you can record 2 channels and watch a third

I have also read reviews that say the SD up-scaling from the V+ box is better than from the Sky box - but can't confirm this.

 

[PoppyAnna]

I have Virgin media - TV, telephone and broadband. Although it's not a comprehensive HD service yet I can't compliment the service enough. When friends (locally) regularly lose their [Sky] broadband, I've never lost service.
The current V+ box has the ability to record two channels and watch another which Sky+ doesn't. It also has 80hrs as standard and I think standard Sky+ is about half that. The on demand service is fantastic
Do remember that Virgin were in massive legal ranglings with Sky and their regular channels have only recently returned to Virgin. Perhaps sport and movies will follow. Virgin are currenty improving the V+ box to a Samsung provided unit which gets fantastic early reviews.

 

[tennisfan]

My cousin has Sky HD, It is a clearer picture but personally I would wait until more channels went HD.

Virgin has Sky Sports but it is dearer through them then Sky, well it was when we were looking at swapping over.

 

[Boss Hogg]

Currently watching the Bath vs Toulouse Rugby game in HD and the detail is superb, you can see every slight puddle and raindrop on the pitch

 

[CustardTart]

Thanks for your help!

I decided to upgrade to Sky HD as they reduced the price of the box on Monday which kinda made up my mind for me... So we're having it installed next Thursday afternoon - can't wait...

 

[wickesy]

Thanks for your help!

I decided to upgrade to Sky HD as they reduced the price of the box on Monday which kinda made up my mind for me... So we're having it installed next Thursday afternoon - can't wait...

Great news Karen, you won't regret it. I paid a bit more than £49 for my HD box.

 

[wicket2005]

Our Sky+ box has conveniently died today so I have registered for an upgrade to a new HD box, been after one of these for ages. Now just have to persuade the hubbie that it would be nice to upgrade the tv now to a 50 inch one.

 

[Minniespal]

Thanks for your help!

I decided to upgrade to Sky HD as they reduced the price of the box on Monday which kinda made up my mind for me... So we're having it installed next Thursday afternoon - can't wait...

Enjoy Karen and co

We love ours

 

[natalielongstaff]

Thanks for your help!

I decided to upgrade to Sky HD as they reduced the price of the box on Monday which kinda made up my mind for me... So we're having it installed next Thursday afternoon - can't wait...

you will wonder how you managed without it ! its worth the money for series link alone imo

 

[CustardTart]

Great news Karen, you won't regret it. I paid a bit more than £49 for my HD box.

It's a great price at the mo, David and their website is so user-friendly - I didn't have to speak to soul to order or arrange installation...

Our Sky+ box has conveniently died today so I have registered for an upgrade to a new HD box, been after one of these for ages. Now just have to persuade the hubbie that it would be nice to upgrade the tv now to a 50 inch one.

Wow!!! 50 inches!!! My friend has one and it looks great... However, we've just replaced our old 43" with a 40" as I thought the previous TV dominated the living room too much - I'm such a baby...

Enjoy Karen and co

We love ours

Can't wait now - just hope the footie looks pin sharp for my boys or I'll never hear the end of it...

you will wonder how you managed without it ! its worth the money for series link alone imo

Oh I'm a HUGE fan of the series link thing already, Nat! The extra bonus here is that my son, Matty will be getting the old Sky+ box in his room so he can record/series link all the progs he likes to his hearts content without clogging up my box...

 

[Minniespal]

wait now - just hope the footie looks pin sharp for my boys or I'll never hear the end of it...

Karen ~ I don't think the boys will be disappointed.

without clogging up my box... :happytv

Love your thinking. We use our old Sky+ as a back-up for DH and his programmes. You know all the important ones that he can't miss, like football, golf, football, cricket, football and table tennis

 

[CustardTart]

So I've just had the Sky HD installed and all I can say is WOW!!!

Actually, I think WOW!!! would be more appropriate!!!

The picture is beyond amazing and I really don't think my hyper-critical footie fans will be disappointed...

And I have to heap praise on the wonderful Sky engineer - what a legend! Not only did he give me loads of fab info and advice on ski resorts (I'm planning a ski trip for next December) but he also completely sorted out my new TV which had been something of a disappointment until he tinkered with the settings!!! Well worth the £30 installation fee...

 

[natalielongstaff]

Sounds like superb service from Sky

 

[wickesy]

Glad you like it Karen.

 

[tennisfan]

Great service, glad you like it

 

[CustardTart]

Watched our first HD footie match yesterday and OMG WE LOVE IT!!!!


And the Disney HD channel is fabulous too...
Best £79 I've spent in a long time...

 

[Minniespal]

Watched our first HD footie match yesterday and OMG WE LOVE IT!!!!

Glad it was worth it Karen