Virgin V+ box

[slugger]

I'm looking at upgrading my standard virgin box to the V+ so as i can watch BBC and ITV HD and record programmes, especially the world cup as i'll be out of the country for the first 2 weeks of that and probably not able to watch games where i am.

Anyone know much about them, and am i safe buying one from ebay? Virgin want £50.

 

[KeefG]

Hmmmmmmm, not sure if you should buy them off ebay as unlike Sky, Virgin keep ownership of their boxes so when you leave you're meant to give it back.

Even if you buy one off ebay you still need to get a V+ subscription activated, I'd say you're better off going to Virgin direct.

On a more positive note, they are good boxes, not as reliable as Sky's Sky+ and a bit noisier too, but the fact you can record 2 channels and watch another beats Sky's paltry watch 1 & record 1 option.

 

[StuartD]

You won't get ITV HD in Scotland due to the ongoing dispute between ITV and STV. I have Sky HD and can manually tune to ITV HD but you can't pause coppy etc as it does not appear in your programme guide. You can't do this with a V+ box so if you decide to go down the V+ route you won't see any ITV games in HD unless STV launch a channel before then

 

[RGDave]

I think I'd be tempted to go with the V+ HD box and just go through Virgin. I thought all the boxes were effectively "leased" so although it might be possible to buy a box and plug it in, it might well belong to Virgin.
How much extra would you need to pay....have you phoned them and asked about an upgrade?
I have had hard drive recording available to me for years now and it's the best thing ever. I use a freeview PVR box (Humax) and like sky + it's just great.

How's your back b.t.w. - I forgot to ask?

 

[MizunoGreyhound]

Hmmmmmmm, not sure if you should buy them off ebay as unlike Sky, Virgin keep ownership of their boxes so when you leave you're meant to give it back.

Even if you buy one off ebay you still need to get a V+ subscription activated, I'd say you're better off going to Virgin direct.

On a more positive note, they are good boxes, not as reliable as Sky's Sky+ and a bit noisier too, but the fact you can record 2 channels and watch another beats Sky's paltry watch 1 & record 1 option.

I too have a V+ box and agree with the above. Additionally, if and when anything goes wrong with your V+ box, Virgin just come and sort it or replace it as the box always belongs to them. With Sky, you either get re-con replacement if in first 12 months, or you have to repair/replace it at your own cost (unless you take out rip-off service contract )

 

[slugger]

thanks for all the advice... very helpful. i'll get on the blower to virgin over the weekend and see what the crack is. very useful info about ITV HD not being available in Scotland... i'll use that as a bargaining chip!

How's your back b.t.w. - I forgot to ask?

Cheers for asking...

It's still not the best. I had planned to head out to the course for some light chipping and putting practice, but i think i might need to leave it for another week. I went swimming (well, floating really) last night and it was very sore and stiff this morning. Went to see a very good physio the other night who told me it's still got a tear in the muscle and gave me stretches/excercises to do, and showed me how to sit and stand properly... most people would be amazed at how difficult it is to stand up properly from a sitting down position!

I feel like this golf season is slipping away from me though

 

[RGDave]

Cheers for asking...

It's still not the best. I had planned to head out to the course for some light chipping and putting practice, but i think i might need to leave it for another week. I went swimming (well, floating really) last night and it was very sore and stiff this morning. Went to see a very good physio the other night who told me it's still got a tear in the muscle and gave me stretches/excercises to do, and showed me how to sit and stand properly... most people would be amazed at how difficult it is to stand up properly from a sitting down position!

I feel like this golf season is slipping away from me though

I know what you feel about the season. If it's any consolation, I hit some full shots this week and it's not all lost (my swing) just need to work doubly hard in the next month or so.

At least we're getting our home entertainment sorted though.