Virgin Media High Definition FAQ

My thanks to Shadow TD for allowing me to reprint his outstanding High Definition FAQ from AV Forums in its entirety - as succinct and accurate FAQ as you're likely to find on HD services.

A) Equipment
A.1) What do I need?
A.2) 720? 720 Wide? 1080!! What????
A.3) Connections

B) Content
B.1) Channels
B.2) On Demand
B.3) 5.1 Audio
B.4) Size

C) Costs
C.1) Monthly charges

D) The Future
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A.1) What do I need to receive High Definition programming with Virgin Media?

You need a V+ box. Like most other broadcasters, VM have decided to include HD with a PVR service. So the only way to receive HD content is with V+, VM's hard drive recorder. This box has both HDMI and component connections. The HDMI can be adapted to DVI with the relevant adaptor although be aware that DVI does not carry audio so seperate audio cables will be required either to your TV, amp or both. Component video has issues with some content (see B.2). There is no non-pvr HD STB nor are we aware of any plans for one. Obviously you also need a HD television, one with minimum 720 lines of pictures resolution and preferable HDMI, or DVI with HDCP.

A.2) 720? 720 Wide? 1080!! What????
Calm down dear, it's only a FAQ. This tells the box what type of HD signal to output. Try both 720 and 1080 to see which you think gives you a better picture - your TV and your eyes. Note that the menus may look fuzzy/rubbish on 1080 - this is an issues (not quite a bug) with V+ as it stands. The 'Wide' options are there due to the way most TV's currently handle HDMI signals - they are unable to apply any of their 'stretch' or 'stretch and crop' modes to the signal, so 4:3 programs will sit in the middle of the screen and you can't do owt about it. The 'Wide' options apply a stretch but then you end up with fat face syndrome. Experiment to find your preferred setting.

A.3) Connections
As a bit of a final 'gotcha', V+'s analogue outputs (SCART & RF) are disabled when you are using HDMI or component. So you can't use a HD TV and a distribution amp to pump the signal round your house. Sorry.

B.1) Channels
VM currently broadcast only one HD channel - BBC HD. Discussions as to whether this constitutes a proper channel are for other people. VM did also have ITV's HD channel when it was broadcasting but this has ceased. You DO NOT get anything else - no Sky Sports HD or Sky Movies HD. At the moment there have been rumours about National Geographic HD but no concrete information from VM. VM have gone on record (while still ntl:Telewest) saying that they view On Demand as the best way of delivering HD content (spot the irony in the next section).

B.2) On Demand Content
There is a smallish selection of HD content available On Demand - mostly from the BBC. There are also some HD movies available from FilmFlex although the quantity differs depending on whether you are ex-ntl or ex-Telewest. HD FilmFlex Movies and the 'Music' section are subject to HDMI content protection (HDCP) and cannot be viewed over component. They will work over DVI if your TV supports it.

B.3) 5.1 Audio
V+ feature an optical audio output. When connected to a compatible amplifier and the HDMI Audio Override option is turned on, the system is 5.1 enabled. Some BBC HD content and all FilmFlex HD movies are in 5.1. A good way to test is the BBC HD 'barker' reel which broadcasts during the day - this is always in 5.1.

B.4) Size
HD recordings take up roughly 4 times the space on the hard drive than SD recordings. The estimated recording time left bar is for SD content, so be careful when recording HD films from BBC HD.

C.1 Charges
VM do not currently charge a premium for viewing HD channels. HD movies are usually a pound more expensive than their SD counterpart. The V+ box has its own charges which are detailed elsewhere

D) The Future
There is much speculation as to additional channels and also VM's decision to use an MPEG2 stb when Sky went for MPEG4. This is an issue which causes much debate and will not be discussed here, but suffice to say there will be much more room for HD channels when analogue is switched off.