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Virgin Media HD now nearly on a par with Sky HD

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    RichardcoulterRichardcoulter Posts: 30,357
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    #52
    Iqbal_M wrote: »
    According to Sky's website this channel is no longer transmitting. So, the list of HD channels that Sky have that Virgin Media don't have is:

    Sky Atlantic HD
    Star Plus HD
    History HD
    Nat Geo Wild HD
    Sky Sports News HD
    Disney Channel HD
    Disney XD HD
    Disney Junior HD
    Universal Channel HD
    CI HD
    E! HD
    Sky News HD
    Sky Sports 3 HD
    Sky Sports 4 HD
    Sky Sports F1 HD
    MGM HD
    Russia Today HD
    Lifetime HD

    Note that Sky have Lifetime in HD but Virgin Media do not,that means that Sky have 18 HD channels that Virgin Media don't.

    I am in receipt of information that says that Sky News HD and Sky Sports News HD will be coming to VM in early 2014. Another clue is that VM have left room for Sky News HD after the addition of BBC News HD ;-)
    Ernie_C wrote: »
    No issue. They had a huge number of additional HD and SD channels for last year's Olympics.

    Yup, they are also gradually moving their channels from 64 to 256 QAM. Each channel uses about 30% less space after the changeover, meaning better quality or even more channels.

    During these tests, viewers with non standard cable equipment can view a fair few pay channels FTA.
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    Iqbal_MIqbal_M Posts: 4,092
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    #53
    Sky Atlantic HD
    Star Plus HD
    History HD
    Nat Geo Wild HD
    Sky Sports News HD
    Disney Channel HD
    Disney XD HD
    Disney Junior HD
    Universal Channel HD
    CI HD
    E! HD
    Sky News HD
    Sky Sports 3 HD
    Sky Sports 4 HD
    Sky Sports F1 HD
    MGM HD
    Russia Today HD
    Lifetime HD


    I have looked on Sky's website, and MGM HD has closed down. So, the list of HD channels that Sky have that Virgin Media do not have is:

    Sky Atlantic HD
    Star Plus HD
    History HD
    Nat Geo Wild HD
    Sky Sports News HD
    Disney Channel HD
    Disney XD HD
    Disney Junior HD
    Universal Channel HD
    CI HD
    E! HD
    Sky News HD
    Sky Sports 3 HD
    Sky Sports 4 HD
    Sky Sports F1 HD
    Russia Today HD
    Lifetime HD

    So that is 17 channels.
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    carl.waringcarl.waring Posts: 35,705
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    #54
    And, with the obvious exception of Sky Atlantic, at least we have all those in SD.
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    weetomuncherweetomuncher Posts: 306
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    #55
    carl.waring wrote: »
    And, with the obvious exception of Sky Atlantic, at least we have all those in SD.

    No RT actually. Not a big loss though as it is a Putin-kissing Russian state news channel.
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    Iqbal_MIqbal_M Posts: 4,092
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    #56
    carl.waring wrote: »
    And, with the obvious exception of Sky Atlantic, at least we have all those in SD.
    weetomuncher wrote: »
    No RT actually. Not a big loss though as it is a Putin-kissing Russian state news channel.

    Nor Star Plus for that matter.
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    richard_g_ukrichard_g_uk Posts: 1,052
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    #57
    Iqbal_M wrote: »
    Nor Star Plus for that matter.

    Its on channel 803 (subscription only).
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    carl.waringcarl.waring Posts: 35,705
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    #58
    weetomuncher wrote: »
    No RT actually. Not a big loss though as it is a Putin-kissing Russian state news channel.
    Oh, okay. No big loss though.
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    Iqbal_MIqbal_M Posts: 4,092
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    #59
    richard_g_uk wrote: »
    Its on channel 803 (subscription only).

    Oh, my bad:blush:.
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    Iqbal_MIqbal_M Posts: 4,092
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    #60
    Sky Atlantic HD
    Star Plus HD
    History HD
    Nat Geo Wild HD
    Sky Sports News HD
    Disney Channel HD
    Disney XD HD
    Disney Junior HD
    Universal Channel HD
    CI HD
    E! HD
    Sky News HD
    Sky Sports 3 HD
    Sky Sports 4 HD
    Sky Sports F1 HD
    Russia Today HD
    Lifetime HD

    We now have these channels. So here is the new list of HD channels that Sky have that Virgin Media do not:

    Sky Atlantic HD
    Star Plus HD
    History HD
    Nat Geo Wild HD
    Sky Sports News HD
    Disney Channel HD
    Disney XD HD
    Disney Junior HD
    Universal Channel HD
    CI HD
    E! HD
    Sky News HD
    Russia Today HD
    Lifetime HD

    So that is just 14 channels to go.:)
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    1andrew11andrew1 Posts: 4,088
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    #61
    Iqbal_M wrote: »
    We now have these channels. So here is the new list of HD channels that Sky have that Virgin Media do not: [snip]

    So that is just 14 channels to go.:)

    Unfortunately it remains at 17 channels as you also need to add in new channel launches. These are shown in italics below.
    BoxNation HD
    CI HD (on UPC Ireland so a future deal with VM is likely)
    Disney Channel HD (on UPC Ireland so a future deal with VM is likely)
    Disney XD HD
    Disney Junior HD
    E! HD
    History HD (on UPC Ireland so a future deal with VM is likely)
    ITV Encore HD (exclusive to Sky for about 18 months)
    Lifetime HD
    MUTV HDI
    Nat Geo Wild HD (on UPC Ireland so a future deal with VM is likely)
    Russia Today HD
    Star Plus HD
    Sky Atlantic HD (not in the near future per Sky executive)
    Sky News HD (contract signed, VM launch date TBC)
    Sky Sports News HD (contract signed, VM launch date TBC)
    Universal Channel HD

    Of the remaining 17 channels:
    - two have signed deals with VM for the future (Sky Sports News, Sky News)
    - four have deals with UPC Ireland which are likely to be extended to the UK when contracts are renewed.
    - one (ITV Encore) is a Sky exclusive for about 18 months so is highly likely to be on VM after that.
    - one is unlikely in the near future (Sky Atantic)
    - the statuses of the other channels are unknown.
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    Iqbal_MIqbal_M Posts: 4,092
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    #62
    1andrew1 wrote: »
    Unfortunately it remains at 17 channels as you also need to add in new channel launches. These are shown in italics below.
    BoxNation HD
    CI HD (on UPC Ireland so a future deal with VM is likely)
    Disney Channel HD (on UPC Ireland so a future deal with VM is likely)
    Disney XD HD
    Disney Junior HD
    E! HD
    History HD (on UPC Ireland so a future deal with VM is likely)
    ITV Encore HD (exclusive to Sky for about 18 months)
    Lifetime HD
    MUTV HDI
    Nat Geo Wild HD (on UPC Ireland so a future deal with VM is likely)
    Russia Today HD
    Star Plus HD
    Sky Atlantic HD (not in the near future per Sky executive)
    Sky News HD (contract signed, VM launch date TBC)
    Sky Sports News HD (contract signed, VM launch date TBC)
    Universal Channel HD

    Of the remaining 17 channels:
    - two have signed deals with VM for the future (Sky Sports News, Sky News)
    - four have deals with UPC Ireland which are likely to be extended to the UK when contracts are renewed.
    - one (ITV Encore) is a Sky exclusive for about 18 months so is highly likely to be on VM after that.
    - one is unlikely in the near future (Sky Atantic)
    - the statuses of the other channels are unknown.

    I wasn't aware of those channels because I have been going on what Sky's own website is saying. So the list is:

    BoxNation HD
    CI HD
    Disney Channel HD
    Disney XD HD
    Disney Junior HD
    E! HD
    History HD
    ITV Encore HD
    Lifetime HD
    MUTV HD
    Nat Geo Wild HD
    Russia Today HD
    Star Plus HD
    Sky Atlantic HD
    Sky News HD
    Sky Sports News HD
    Universal Channel HD

    17 HD channels
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    Leathertrouser2Leathertrouser2 Posts: 412
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    #63
    MGM Movies HD? You kidding me? The movie channels are shit these days. I prefer the older films with as little computer graphics as possible. Ironically most of the films I watch are not on the movie channels but the others.
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    [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 1,329
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    #64
    We won't be getting Atlantic anytime soon.
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    bottleofbestbottleofbest Posts: 8,026
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    #65
    It's only took them how many years?
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    Iqbal_MIqbal_M Posts: 4,092
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    #66
    Leathertrouser2 wrote: »
    MGM Movies HD?[1] You kidding me? The movie channels are shit these days. I prefer the older films with as little computer graphics as possible.[2] Ironically most of the films I watch are not on the movie channels but the others.[3]

    [1] That channel was shut down at the start of the year, so we now have equality with Sky when it comes to HD movie channels.

    [2] Even older films benefit from being broadcast in HD, in two ways. Firstly, we get the benefit of scaling, which improves picture quality a bit. Secondly, some of those older films have had their original film prints re-scanned to bring them up to HD standards, which improves the picture quality a lot.

    [3] True, due to their limitations movie channels can only show so many films. However, it gives we consumers more choice on how we watch films.
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    Leathertrouser2Leathertrouser2 Posts: 412
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    #67
    Iqbal_M wrote: »
    [1] That channel was shut down at the start of the year, so we now have equality with Sky when it comes to HD movie channels.

    [2] Even older films benefit from being broadcast in HD, in two ways. Firstly, we get the benefit of scaling, which improves picture quality a bit. Secondly, some of those older films have had their original film prints re-scanned to bring them up to HD standards, which improves the picture quality a lot.

    [3] True, due to their limitations movie channels can only show so many films. However, it gives we consumers more choice on how we watch films.

    Thanks Iqbal, you shouldn't have however I couldn't give a shit, I thought I made it clear about movie channels and before you start thinking clever thoughts to type. Please don't, my position still won't budge. Don't want you getting arthritis in the wrists.
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    Iqbal_MIqbal_M Posts: 4,092
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    #68
    Leathertrouser2 wrote: »
    Thanks Iqbal, you shouldn't have however I couldn't give a shit, I thought I made it clear about movie channels and before you start thinking clever thoughts to type. Please don't, my position still won't budge. Don't want you getting arthritis in the wrists.

    I was just attempting to inform you of some of the benefits of HD movie channels. I leave it up to you to take it or leave it.:)
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    1andrew11andrew1 Posts: 4,088
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    #69
    1andrew1 wrote: »
    Unfortunately it remains at 17 channels as you also need to add in new channel launches. These are shown in italics below.
    BoxNation HD
    CI HD (on UPC Ireland so a future deal with VM is likely)
    Disney Channel HD (on UPC Ireland so a future deal with VM is likely)
    Disney XD HD
    Disney Junior HD
    E! HD
    History HD (on UPC Ireland so a future deal with VM is likely)
    ITV Encore HD (exclusive to Sky for about 18 months)
    Lifetime HD
    MUTV HDI
    Nat Geo Wild HD (on UPC Ireland so a future deal with VM is likely)
    Russia Today HD
    Star Plus HD
    Sky Atlantic HD (not in the near future per Sky executive)
    Sky News HD (contract signed, VM launch date TBC)
    Sky Sports News HD (contract signed, VM launch date TBC)
    Universal Channel HD
    Iqbal_M wrote: »
    I wasn't aware of those channels because I have been going on what Sky's own website is saying. So the list is:

    BoxNation HD
    CI HD
    Disney Channel HD
    Disney XD HD
    Disney Junior HD
    E! HD
    History HD
    ITV Encore HD
    Lifetime HD
    MUTV HD
    Nat Geo Wild HD
    Russia Today HD
    Star Plus HD
    Sky Atlantic HD
    Sky News HD
    Sky Sports News HD
    Universal Channel HD

    17 HD channels

    I'm not sure what your question is as you've just re-posted my list minus the comments. :confused:
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    TK421TK421 Posts: 187
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    #70
    Channel I want to see in HD is Universal. Would like to see series 2 of Sleepy Hallow in HD when it returns.
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    carl.waringcarl.waring Posts: 35,705
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    #71
    Me too. Oh well. It'll happen if/when it happens. At least we get to see our shows :) (Rookie Blue for me.)
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    Iqbal_MIqbal_M Posts: 4,092
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    #72
    1andrew1 wrote: »
    I'm not sure what your question is as you've just re-posted my list minus the comments. :confused:

    I was just trying to make a neat and tidy list for everyone to read and if we get more HD channels in the future it means that I can easily update the list.
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    Iqbal_MIqbal_M Posts: 4,092
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    #73
    I thought I would bump this thread so that people can be updated. So, the list of HD channels that Sky have that Virgin Media don't are:

    BoxNation HD
    CI HD
    Disney Channel HD
    Disney XD HD
    Disney Junior HD
    E! HD
    History HD
    ITV Encore HD
    MUTV HD
    Russia Today HD
    Star Plus HD
    Sky Atlantic HD
    Universal Channel HD
    Boomerang HD

    14 Channels
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    RichardcoulterRichardcoulter Posts: 30,357
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    #74
    Iqbal_M wrote: »
    I thought I would bump this thread so that people can be updated. So, the list of HD channels that Sky have that Virgin Media don't are:

    BoxNation HD
    CI HD
    Disney Channel HD
    Disney XD HD
    Disney Junior HD
    E! HD
    History HD
    ITV Encore HD
    MUTV HD
    Russia Today HD
    Star Plus HD
    Sky Atlantic HD
    Universal Channel HD
    Boomerang HD

    14 Channels

    There's also LFC HD that Sky have:

    http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/173298-upgrade-to-24-hour-lfctv-in-hd-now
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    joshua_welbyjoshua_welby Posts: 9,027
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    #75
    Iqbal_M wrote: »
    I thought I would bump this thread so that people can be updated. So, the list of HD channels that Sky have that Virgin Media don't are:

    BoxNation HD
    CI HD
    Disney Channel HD
    Disney XD HD
    Disney Junior HD
    E! HD
    History HD
    ITV Encore HD
    MUTV HD
    Russia Today HD
    Star Plus HD
    Sky Atlantic HD
    Universal Channel HD
    Boomerang HD

    14 Channels
    Richardcoulter wrote: »
    There's also LFC HD that Sky have:

    http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/173298-upgrade-to-24-hour-lfctv-in-hd-now

    To update the list further here are more HD channels that Sky has and Virgin do not

    &tv HD
    Daystar HD
    AMC HD
    Chelsea FC HD

    Now it is 19 extra HD channels that Sky have and Virgin don't
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    YouViewYouView Posts: 2,368
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    #76
    It's very disappointing that when Virgin Media recently did deals with A&E Networks for H2 HD and NBC Universal for hayu that they didn't manage to aquire History HD, CI HD, E! HD and Universal Channel HD. That would have been a good chunk of them sorted.
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