HD Providers - Virgin Media
Virgin Media offers a HD service, giving you access to up to 7 HD channels and a selection of on demand programmes, including HD movie rentals (up to £4.99 each). You will need an HD ready TV, a V+ HD box - which is a digital receiver and recorder in one - and subscribe to Virgin TV.
What channels can you watch?
All customers can access BBC HD and 4HD. XL customers can also access FX, MTVN, ESPN, National Geographic Channel and Living in HD. You can also choose from a range of high definition films and programmes with Virgin Media's TV on demand service.
What equipment do you need?
You'll need an HD ready TV, HDMI cable, a V+ HD box and subscribe to one of Virgin's digital cable TV packages.
The V+ HD box
The V+ HD box allows you to watch a choice of high definition programmes on-demand and comes with the following features:
- Memory to store 80 hours of standard definition television or 20 hours of HD quality television
- Ability to pause, rewind and record live TV
- Functionality to record two programmes while watching a third
How much does Virgin Media's HD service cost?
Virgin's TV packages come in M, L and XL packages.* For the latest offers and prices, please refer to the Virgin Media website.
M: pay £150 (currently on offer at £49 until 30/9/09) for a V+ HD box to be installed and £5 a month for V+ services. The M-sized package is free when you take out an £11 a month phone line.
L: pay £150 (currently on offer at £49 until 30/9/09) for a V+ HD box to be installed and £5 a month for V+ services. The L-sized package is £10 a month when you take out an £11 a month phone line.
XL: pay £150 (currently on offer at £49 until 30/9/09) for a V+ HD box to be installed, and no monthly fee for V+ services or for access to HD channels. The XL-sized package is £21.50 a month when you take out an £11 a month phone line.
What about installation?
New customers: an engineer will install Virgin cables, phone line and the V+ HD box - just tell them where you want your cables to go.Existing customers: an engineer will switch over your Virgin TV box for a V+HD box.
Virgin Media says...
"Once you've experienced high-definition TV, going back to standard TV will be like going back to black-and-white!"1
1 http://allyours.virginmedia.com/html/dtv/vplus/hdtv.html
* All pricing and channels current and correct as of 22/09/09