Anyone on Virgin Broadband?

[Tenko]

Wizer, 1meg ?

When I first went on the internet with my Amiga 1200 back in the early 1980's I had a 14,00kb modem, and didn't know anyone else on the net so I couldn't email anyone

I'm with Virgin on the 10m package now and have just checked my speed with speedtest.net.

On the laptop (through the wireless) I got 3.57m. On the PC I got 9.79m, not bad for 10.15pm on a Sunday night. I'll run some more checks over the next few days, in the past I've found it to be at it's slowest between 5pm and 9pm.

I can say that when I do heavy downloading Virgin always restrict my speed after 1hr. It doesn't worry me because I do heavy downloading while in bed, but next time I have a go I'll check the speed when it slows down using speedtest.net.

As someone has already said, I too have problems with the TV box and occasionally have to switch it off at the mains because it loses the TV listings. Its the second box I've had in 2yrs.

Hope this helps.

 

[wizer]

The reason I ask is that our kitchen TV spurs off the lounge Sky box. You have to watch whatever is on the lounge TV, but it's convenient when cooking to have the same thing on both TVs.

Do those wireless TV senders work?

 

[Daven]

Do those wireless TV senders work?

Not too bad but get the best you can afford. It can upset the wireless network. I have to turn it off to use the laptop most of the time. Mine is the Zentrum DigiSender with a remote extender (which I don't use). If you want to call round and have a look you are welcome!

If you are thinking of going to VM have a word with others in your street to see what they think - ours is ok as we don't have many others using it in the area, but others I know have had problems where the local distribution box is overloaded!

Dave

 

[9fingers]

The reason I ask is that our kitchen TV spurs off the lounge Sky box. You have to watch whatever is on the lounge TV, but it's convenient when cooking to have the same thing on both TVs.

Do those wireless TV senders work?

Just wondering if you know that you can have BB only from VM. So you could stick with sky for your TV (or Freesat or freeview) and just take BB from VM.
I have ntl phone and BB and there is no pressure to take the tv as well.
Bob

 

[wizer]

Yep I know Bob, but it works out cheapest to have the whole lot with them. Although not being able to extend the signal to another TV might be a deal breaker. I spent a lot of time running cables under floor boards and through walls. I'll look into the wireless senders

 

[9fingers]

Yep I know Bob, but it works out cheapest to have the whole lot with them. Although not being able to extend the signal to another TV might be a deal breaker. I spent a lot of time running cables under floor boards and through walls. I'll look into the wireless senders

Ok just wanted to make sure you were aware.
Senders usually work ok over short distances. Better if you already have a cable run installed is to use a modulator (old VCR is one for free!) and send the result down the cable to your kitchen tv.

Bob

 

[wizer]

I have an old vcr. tell me more

 

[devonwoody]

you can have two tvs from virgin.
When the cable reaches your brickwork they can fit a junction box and run the cables separately to different external entrants. I shouldn't think you would get two v boxes tho.

 

[wizer]

John I'm not talking about to STB's, I want to extend just the picture from one box, not split the signal and pay for an additional box.

Some googling suggests the new V+ box does have an RF Modulator.

If anyone has a fairly recent one and can check for me...?

 

[RobertMP]

Found the connection sheet for the standard box we had before V+ and that does allow you to watch through an RF output. No aerial wire to our current box as we connect via HDMI so can't tell you if the V+ does have RF.

 

[devonwoody]

Sorry Wizer I cant get my v box out of its stand without a big furniture removal job.

Ring virgin media and request info?

 

[wizer]

thanks guys. I think I'll take the plunge.

 

[Daven]

Have a look round here

 

[Sportique]

Hey Wizer,

take a look at this site: http://www.virginmediainfo.co.uk/vplusbox.shtml

This clearly states that the Virgin V+ box has RF In and RF Out (UHF modulated output) sockets. :?

Dave

 

[RogerS]

RF gives you a pretty grotty picture though. Pity seeing as how the stuff that comes down the wire is digital.

 

[wizer]

better than nothing tho. It's only for a bit of background when peeling the spuds.

 

[9fingers]

RF gives you a pretty grotty picture though. Pity seeing as how the stuff that comes down the wire is digital.

Cobblers!

The signal down the cable is RF. Always has been and until we get optical fibre into the houses it will always be RF.

Bob

 

[9fingers]

Hey Wizer,

take a look at this site: http://www.virginmediainfo.co.uk/vplusbox.shtml

This clearly states that the Virgin V+ box has RF In and RF Out (UHF modulated output) sockets. :?

Dave

However, there are an increasing number of boxes that pass the incoming RF through and out on a second socket but for reasons of cheapness do NOT modulate the video decoded by the STB onto the outgoing carrier.
If the VM box is one of this newer breed then if will not fulfill the function that Tom is looking for.

Even the above average VM sales drone is not likely to understand this subtlety.

Bob

 

[9fingers]

I have an old vcr. tell me more

Most if not all VCRs will have an input for either composite video plus sound (two RCA phono skts or BNC if really old) or a SCART input.

Connect the set top box baseband video (scart or composite) into the VCR maybe with a splitter or via loop through SCART if you have enough sockets on stb or tv or VCR.

Configuration will depend a bit on your equipment but basically the VCR needs to get the same signal from the STB as your TV is getting.

You should then find that the VCR RF output will have this signal modulated onto the carrier. Old VCRs will have this set to channel 36 +/- a couple of channels adjusted by a screw on the back by the output socket or or newer VCRs by programme control via the remote to appear on any channel you want.
It does not sound like you are using your RF cable for any other signals so it won't matter really which RF channel it is tuned to. Just fire it up and tune your kitchen tv until you find the signal.

If you happen to get some strange interference, then change the output channel on the VCR and follow it by re-tuning the TV.

Easier to do than write down to be honest.

BTW it should work OK even with the VCR in standby

hth

Bob

 

[RogerS]

RF gives you a pretty grotty picture though. Pity seeing as how the stuff that comes down the wire is digital.

Cobblers!

The signal down the cable is RF. Always has been and until we get optical fibre into the houses it will always be RF.

Bob

Cobblers...cobblers !

There's a world of difference between what is actually modulated on the RF. In the case of what comes down the line, it's digital. In the case of the RF aerial feed it's a grotty rubbishy modulated analogue coded signal.