Virgin Media - analogue TV service reduction and switch off

bulbs2010

All virgin customers in mullingar were notified by post this morning the analog serrvice will be turned off on 23 april 2018

JTMan

Interesting. Is this just a local decision? What happens if you are analog-only?

bulbs2010

JTMan wrote: »

Interesting. Is this just a local decision? What happens if you are analog-only?

They will give the analog customers decoders I’d say.It Will really effect people who have the signal split and running into bedrooms.I would say other towns will follow soon they said they need the bandwidth for broadband,Siro is up and running in mullingar,maybe that’s the reason

JTMan

Perhaps this is a regional testbed to see how it goes before any national analogue switch off is decided on.

Delta2113

All Analogue will be switched off - Dublin probably last but it's all getting switched off.

JTMan

Delta2113 wrote: »

All Analogue will be switched off - Dublin probably last but it's all getting switched off.

Who confirmed this? Thanks.

L1011

Its a logical extension to make - the bandwidth is going to be needed to compete with SIRO. Easy to offer the rather poor service they do when its 360 vs 80-ish on VDSL but 360 vs 1000 isn't that easy.

Just going to have to accelerate satellite wiring here as I use the analogue extensively - my terraced house has Virgin cables under both eaves and I've (paid for, well, ages ago for one of them) feeds off both and have used it as an easier wiring option.

Delta2113

JTMan wrote: »

Who confirmed this? Thanks.

"There is a phased roll-out of the switch-off, with all areas being switched off by the end of 2019. 6 weeks’ notice will be given to each area before the switch-off happens."

-Virgin Media -evidence below.



https://www.virginmedia.ie/business/switchover/


https://www.virginmedia.ie/switchoff

JTMan

Delta2113 wrote: »

"There is a phased roll-out of the switch-off, with all areas being switched off by the end of 2019. 6 weeks’ notice will be given to each area before the switch-off happens."

-Virgin Media -evidence below.



https://www.virginmedia.ie/business/switchover/


https://www.virginmedia.ie/switchoff

Thanks. Wow. This is big news given the amount of people with old analogue connections. Surprised the media have not covered this.

Capt'n Midnight

We all knew this would happen it was only a matter of time.

The question is how many customers will they loose when when people realise they'll have to pay for the basic channels on the second TV.

€20 up front and €11 a month is €152 year one. You can get a combo box or second hand Freesat box for less.

Saorview TV + Freesat

https://www.freesat.co.uk/whats/full-channel-list/

coylemj

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

€20 up front and €11 a month is €152 year one. You can get a combo box or second hand Freesat box for less.

Plus the cost of erecting an aerial and a dish. Saorview and Freesat option may not be so clear cut, especially if you live in an apartment.

bulbs2010

I was very loyal to virgin broadband "I do not subscribe to the tv service"as I had 3 tvs upstairs running on analog,but it wont bother me now who provides my internet ,Id say loads of people kept with virgin due to the anolog service

dublinman1990

While I have used the Analog cable until I stopped using it 10 years ago. It had a very good run when my late granny used to it years ago in her house. It is still a very limited service in not providing HD picture & sound for the minority of people who still use it today. The people who use the STB for VM would probably be a little annoyed that if their boxes break down in their house from 2020 onwards; they would not be in any position to use the analog channels as a backup service up until they're given a replacement VM box. But times change after this analog service has been used in Ireland long well since the 1960's. This switchoff was inevitable after such a long stint.

Dr_Colossus

bulbs2010 wrote: »

I was very loyal to virgin broadband "I do not subscribe to the tv service"as I had 3 tvs upstairs running on analog,but it wont bother me now who provides my internet ,Id say loads of people kept with virgin due to the anolog service

+1. Letter received in the post on Fri stating the analog service in Dublin 15 will be cut from 07-May-2018.

mackersdublin

Dr_Colossus wrote: »

+1. Letter received in the post on Fri stating the analog service in Dublin 15 will be cut from 07-May-2018.

Does the letter say you will receive a Digital box for free? Or are they any charges mentioned?

Capt'n Midnight

coylemj wrote: »

Plus the cost of erecting an aerial and a dish. Saorview and Freesat option may not be so clear cut, especially if you live in an apartment.

True, it won't suit everyone.


But if you don't then a Freesat box gives you lots of free channels, including some that aren't on Virgin, with 7 day EPG and series link.

Look around, if your neighbours have satellite dishes you can get these channels for free https://freesat.co.uk/whats/full-channel-list/ in addition to what's on Saorview.

mrwish

When the analogue cable got turned off in Germany along with other European countries, they made the digital versions of the old basic analogue channels FTA, so that anyone with a recent TV (with a digital cable tuner built in, or even with a €30 set top box available in electrical stores) could carry on watching TV via the cable feed.

Obviously it’ll never happen, but surely it would be sensible for Virgin to do the same in Ireland, instead of just cutting off a feature that still gets a bit of use on second TVs.

OldMrBrennan83

This post has been deleted.

Mossy Monk

bulbs2010 wrote: »

I was very loyal to virgin broadband "I do not subscribe to the tv service"as I had 3 tvs upstairs running on analog,but it wont bother me now who provides my internet ,Id say loads of people kept with virgin due to the anolog service

I'd say you'd be amazed at how many broadband customers do not know about the free analogue channels.

Wabbit Ears

Mossy Monk wrote: »

I'd say you'd be amazed at how many broadband customers do not know about the free analogue channels.

They wern't free analog channels. There was no way to prevent broadband customers from tuning them in but it was a paid service.

dodzy

Wabbit Ears wrote: »

They wern't free analog channels. There was no way to prevent broadband customers from tuning them in but it was a paid service.

Effectively free so. Plenty of households will be affected by this, particularly older folk who VM and UPC pretty much kept in the dark for years as to what they could receive for literally no extra cash per month. For many more customers, the secondary TVs upstairs, in other rooms, etc more infrequently watched, will be screwed.

Extra sub or SAT/saorview are the only options. thankfully, I’ve an octo LNB sitting in wait. Will have to get the ladder up soon.

Cue “mick, the satellite installer”. They’ll be everywhere.

judeboy101

Only thing that kept me with them was analog signal have it split to 4 rooms. I just want the bog channels none of this digital crap.

Wabbit Ears

dodzy wrote:

Effectively free so.

Indeed. But what will happen is people like the guy who posted earlier who only have broadband with virgin will get upset at the loss of a service they weren't subscribed to. I can't see virgin going out of their way to accommodate these folk.

Trasna1

Wabbit Ears wrote: »

Indeed. But what will happen is people like the guy who posted earlier who only have broadband with virgin will get upset at the loss of a service they weren't subscribed to. I can't see virgin going out of their way to accommodate these folk.

They've no reason not to change from virgin broadband now either.

Clitheroekid

Reply tp dodzy re satellite option.Height of satellite dish depends on line of sight,I have 3 dishes mounted on a back wall each 1.5 metres from ground.It is much easier for maintenance. Unless dish has to be attached to front of residence avoid height.

Capt'n Midnight

Clitheroekid wrote: »

Reply tp dodzy re satellite option.Height of satellite dish depends on line of sight,I have 3 dishes mounted on a back wall each 1.5 metres from ground.It is much easier for maintenance. Unless dish has to be attached to front of residence avoid height.

If dish has to be attached to front make sure it's at least two drunks high

The Cush

Not sure if this has been mentioned already, https://www.virginmedia.ie/newlineup/, https://www.virginmedia.ie/business/newlineup/

The Analogue TV channel line-up is reducing to nine channels soon.



To keep watching all of your current channels, you’ll have to switch over to digital TV.

This is happening so we can improve the performance and capacity of our broadband network and is the first phase of Digital Switchover in your area. Analogue TV will be switched off completely in your area in 2019. We’ll be in touch nearer the time to tell you how this will affect you.

How do I know if I am using Virgin Media’s analogue TV?

You will have one or more TVs in your home that have a limited selection of channels and these TVs will be connected with a white cable without the use of a Digital TV box. Once you receive a communication about the switch off, if you go to BBC1 you will see a logo in the bottom left corner of the screen. You can also check channels RTE1, TV3 and BBC1 for a scrolling message two weeks before the switch off in your area.



You will have one or more TVs on your premises that have a limited selection of channels (between 11 and 20) and these TVs will be connected with a white cable without the use of a digital TV box. There will be a capital A on the bottom left corner of the screen on BBC1 for 5 weeks before the channel reduction. Also for 2 weeks before the channel reduction there will be a scrolling message on RTE1, RTE 2 and BBC1.

When will we reduce the analogue channel lineup in others areas?

There is a phased roll out of the channel reduction, with all areas being reduced by the end of 2018.

The Cush

@icdg/mods: now that this appears to be a nationwide plan, perhaps the thread title can be amended to Virgin Media Analogue TV Switch Off.

StreetLight

They mention Cartoon Network will continue to be available, but in Dublin it was never available on analogue.

icdg

Thread renamed

mackersdublin

StreetLight wrote: »

They mention Cartoon Network will continue to be available, but in Dublin it was never available on analogue.

Unless they have mistaken Nickelodeon for Cartoon Network

Wabbit Ears

Trasna1 wrote:

They've no reason not to change from virgin broadband now either.

If there is better value broadband then sure they should. But the thing is chances are the broadband package they are is the fastest and cheapest available so saying they will move is a fairly empty threat.

Mossy Monk

Wabbit Ears wrote: »

Indeed. But what will happen is people like the guy who posted earlier who only have broadband with virgin will get upset at the loss of a service they weren't subscribed to. I can't see virgin going out of their way to accommodate these folk.

If that is about me then no, I couldn't care less if analogue disappeared.

The Cush

Kilkenny analogue switch off

https://www.kilkennypeople.ie/news/home/307953/virgin-media-announce-major-digital-upgrade-for-kilkenny.html

Virgin Media has announced that Kilkenny is to receive a 'major digital upgrade' through the replacement of the city’s analogue television service with a new digital signal, bringing it in line with the rest of Europe and allowing residents to receive a wide range of digital TV services.
...
"Over the coming days, Virgin Media will be communicating our digital upgrade plans to homes and business in Kilkenny. Our award-winning services raise the bar in home entertainment, marrying the latest and smartest technology with the very best TV programs, all underpinned by our ultrafast cable network. We are very excited about the move and are looking forward to building more relationships in Kilkenny.”

For more information, visit virginmedia.ie/switchoff.

EdgeCase

It switched off in Cork City probably more than a decade ago at this stage. The cable network in Cork was unusual in so far as the analogue system was encrypted so when digital TV became the norm, they just did a box swap.

ozmo

No reduction in Dublin 15 - getting cut completely in May 2018 (about 3 weeks time)

antodeco

VM can only offer a max of 4 boxes in any single household. I've 4 boxes and 3 other analogue points. So basically I now need to decide which 3 rooms won't get TV! (Or move to IPTV for those rooms!)

EdgeCase

I'd say they'll cost themselves a lot of older customers, who'll just jump to FTA satellite.
I was surprised to hear a lot of 'auld ones' discussing it there over the last while. It'll upset a lot of customers who were only with them through sheer inertia.

bulbs2010

Wabbit Ears wrote: »

If there is better value broadband then sure they should. But the thing is chances are the broadband package they are is the fastest and cheapest available so saying they will move is a fairly empty threat.

but it might be worth trying siro now

The Cush

bulbs2010 wrote: »

All virgin customers in mullingar were notified by post this morning the analog serrvice will be turned off on 23 april 2018

Has the switch off happened yet?

winston_1

You may find that, if you have a TV with a DVB-C decoder, that some of the digital channels are free. I checked this in London and there were the main 5 UK channels available free.

The Cush

winston_1 wrote: »

You may find that, if you have a TV with a DVB-C decoder, that some of the digital channels are free. I checked this in London and there were the main 5 UK channels available free.

This was a list of channels carried unencrypted on UPC cable about 4 years ago - https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=91110196

Antenna

mackersdublin wrote: »

Unless they have mistaken Nickelodeon for Cartoon Network

And why would either channel continue to be available after the analogue channel reduction rather than BBC2? (which is not on the list), a channel likely to be watched by elderly people - who are more likely to have issues moving to digital cable service.

The Cush

Antenna wrote: »

And why would either channel continue to be available after the analogue channel reduction rather than BBC2? (which is not on the list), a channel likely to be watched by elderly people - who are more likely to have issues moving to digital cable service.

This is about encouraging analogue subscribers to move to digital and not making it convenient for them to stay on analogue.

L1011

The Cush wrote: »

This was a list of channels carried unencrypted on UPC cable about 4 years ago - https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=91110196

I've done a DVBC scan here and got RTE News Now and nothing else. However blind scans can be fairly poor.


edit: done again now using SR 6887 and 256QAM; found very little until it must have hit a NIT towards the end, but it doesn't have everything so there's probably some 64QAM or different SRs still in use. The radio stations are all clear as is RTE1 SD but that's all I've found.

patrickc

My grandmother is 92 and has this analogue in Bray, she likes her tv and can use this easily enough but otherwise isn't tech savvy.

any idea what we can set her up with to replace this that's easy to use?

thanks

dodzy

patrickc wrote: »

My grandmother is 92 and has this analogue in Bray, she likes her tv and can use this easily enough but otherwise isn't tech savvy.

any idea what we can set her up with to replace this that's easy to use?

thanks

If she’s paying for the service currently, just get them (VM) to send out a box (non horizon) with the basic plan and plug & play. Cost difference is negligible. By far the easiest way for both you and her.

ozmo

patrickc wrote: »

My grandmother is 92 and has this analogue in Bray, she likes her tv and can use this easily enough but otherwise isn't tech savvy.

I don't think VM and most people people realise how difficult the Virgin Media boxes are for the older folk - several older relatives of mine have struggled with it over the years.

The Two power on buttons on the remote was causing the tv sometimes to not switch to the correct AV source on them.


The Analog system was perfect for the very non tech savvy as there was one remote - one volume and one +- channel selector.

OfTheMarsWongs

ozmo wrote: »

I don't think VM and most people people realise how difficult the Virgin Media boxes are for the older folk - both my parents and parents in law have struggled with it over the years.

The Two power on buttons on the remote was causing the tv sometimes to not switch to the correct AV source on them.


The Analog system was perfect for the very non tech savvy as there was one remote - one volume and one +- channel selector.

+1 on this. Had a similar situation with a relative and ended up buying a brand new Tv with built in Saorview tuner. Old tv was 10+ years old and although worked fine, attaching a Saorview box would have meant two remotes and possible issues with the source button.

mrwish

patrickc wrote: »

My grandmother is 92 and has this analogue in Bray, she likes her tv and can use this easily enough but otherwise isn't tech savvy.

any idea what we can set her up with to replace this that's easy to use?

thanks

The easiest in terms of having one TV remote and one list of channels would be to get one of the newer Walker or Nordmende TVs with Saorview and satellite built-in. You’d need a dish for the UK channels and an aerial for Saorview, but the Irish and UK stations are all in one list on the TV so it’s still fairly easy.

There’s a thread about them on here -

https://www.boards.ie/b/thread/2057717391?

illumin

Are the newer digital non horizon boxes any easier to use than the old upc boxes? Wondering if I could ask virgin for an upgrade if so.