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Unencrypted Virgin media channels

[Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 234
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in Virgin Media TV and Phone #1
Hi, can someone please list the channels on virgin media that are unencrypted (ones that are not on freeview HD)

Thanks!

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    NEWLINEtvNEWLINEtv Posts: 5,420
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    #2
    dij wrote: »
    Hi, can someone please list the channels on virgin media that are unencrypted (ones that are not on freeview HD)

    Thanks!

    You've lost me, a channel list can be found on the VM website.
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    c4rvc4rv Posts: 29,622
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    #3
    There are no unencrypted digital channels, AFAIK even 5 terrestrial channels are encrypted and you need an authorised STB and card.

    Good news is that any sort of VM subscription I believe comes with M TV package which is roughly equivlent to freeview plus a few things.

    Also in some areas they are still sending analogue signal down the cable so you can plug the cable into your TV and pick up basic channels.
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    yorksdaveyorksdave Posts: 3,228
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    #4
    c4rv wrote: »
    There are no unencrypted digital channels, AFAIK even 5 terrestrial channels are encrypted and you need an authorised STB and card.

    Good news is that any sort of VM subscription I believe comes with M TV package which is roughly equivlent to freeview plus a few things.

    Also in some areas they are still sending analogue signal down the cable so you can plug the cable into your TV and pick up basic channels.

    When I first had Yorkshire Cable, I could tune by Analogue TV directly to some of the cable channels
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    c4rvc4rv Posts: 29,622
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    #5
    yorksdave wrote: »
    When I first had Yorkshire Cable, I could tune by Analogue TV directly to some of the cable channels

    And in some areas you still can, though I think they guarantee getting the teresterial analogue channels, any thing else is dependant on the subscribers in that area, I did read they still have people on analogue systems ! However they are planning on switching off the analogue network to make more space for other services.

    This is a bit old but still in progress I believe.

    http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitaltv/news/a95712/virgin-begins-analogue-cable-switch-off.html
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    [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 234
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    #6
    Good stuff, thanks all!
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    [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 5,503
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    #7
    There are a number of unencrypted channels currently. Generally the terrestrial ones and a few extra. Pull the card out of your box to check the full list.

    Having said that VM do not provide a subscription free service like Freeview or free to air satellite.
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    RichardcoulterRichardcoulter Posts: 30,357
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    #8
    dij wrote: »
    Hi, can someone please list the channels on virgin media that are unencrypted (ones that are not on freeview HD)

    Thanks!

    This is the list before the introduction of Nagra 3. I believe that since the new encryption ITV2+1 ITV3+1 ITV4+1 and an extra shopping channel (Ideal World?) are now also available.

    BBC1
    BBC2
    ITV
    C4
    C5
    BBC3
    BBC4
    BBC News
    CBBC
    Cbeebies
    Price Drop TV
    All Radio Stations

    As you can see, it's less than DTT Freeview offers and there isn't much on offer that Freeview doesn't provide. It is, however, useful for some people. I have a disabled friend with no TV aerial who only uses BBC1, BBC News and radio 4, so it suits him fine.
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    TheBillyTheBilly Posts: 5,514
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    #9
    BBC Parliament is unencrypted too. :)
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    [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 234
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    #10
    Super.
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    camajcamaj Posts: 817
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    #11
    I tried this myself recently because I have a digital TV but no ariel lead but I do have a VM box and cable. I thought there must be a problem because you can get ITV2+1 but not ITV2. Seems like that's how it's supposed to be but it's a bit strange. They should at least unencrypt everything you can get on Freeview.
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    Ernie_CErnie_C Posts: 2,841
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    #12
    I'm not sure why there is any ligitimate reason to need to know the answer to this but it is easy to find out. Remove your N3 card from your Virgin Media STB and you will find out.
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    RichardcoulterRichardcoulter Posts: 30,357
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    #13
    Ernie_C wrote: »
    I'm not sure why there is any ligitimate reason to need to know the answer to this but it is easy to find out. Remove your N3 card from your Virgin Media STB and you will find out.

    Good idea, that is a simple way to check.
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