V+
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V+ (previously known as TV Drive) is a product from Virgin Media which provides Personal Video Recording (PVR) and High Definition (HD) functionality to customers who subscribe to the service. Virgin Media have taken a different approach to rival Sky's HD service, by implementing a rental scheme for the V+ Set Top Box. The customer does not pay an upfront cost for the box, and as such does not own the device. Virgin Media provide technical support for their STB free of charge if a problem occurs for the life of your contract.
TVDrive was previously only available to Telewest cable customers but on the 16 November 2006 it was made available to NTL cable customers in the Teesside and Glasgow areas. As of January 2007 NTL:Telewest have begun renting the V+/TV Drive nationwide, although the official launch date was February 2007.
The V+ set top box (STB) is based on the 8300DVB Set Top Box from Scientific Atlanta. The STB utilises two 250MiPS (Million Instructions Per Second), 32-bit RISC processors and contains one Western Digital or Maxtor 160GB Hard Disk, capable of storing up to 20 hours of HD Content or up to 80 hours of SD content. The STB has component output, 2 Scart Outputs, HDMI output, optical audio output, 2 channel analog phono outputs and an RF input and output. There is also an RJ-45/Ethernet socket for broadband Internet connectivity, a USB port and an eSATA port which may be enabled in the future for external storage.
The V+ Box has three tuners, allowing two programs to be recorded to the hard drive whilst watching a live program which can then be 'paused'. V+'s main competitor on the British market, the Sky+ box, has two tuners. The STB also supports Dolby Digital 5.1 sound although the only channel that supports this is at present is BBC HD. As with all other Digital STB's from Virgin Media, it has access to Video On Demand. This service includes chargeable film rental from filmflex and the ability to view a selection of the previous weeks TV, although content does vary between the different Virgin Media areas. The STB supports 720p and 1080i High Definition video via HDMI and Component output. Some programs may be restricted by using HDCP (High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection).
[edit] HD Content
Current HDTV content is limited to the BBC HD channel and on demand content which includes films and BBC programming, although only the former supports Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. There is currently no agreement between Virgin Media and Sky to show Sky's dedicated HD channels such as Sky One HD, and Sky Sports HD. However talks have taken place and according to Virgin Media's customer services, Sky Sports HD channels will become available at some point in March. It currently seems unlikely that any non-premium Sky HD channels will be come available in the foreseeable future, following the withdrawal of Sky's basic channels (including Sky One) from Virgin's cable medium.
ITV HD content was available up until the 30 November 2006 when ITV discontinued their trial of HD Broadcasting.
[edit] V+ Remote codes
The V+ Remote is capable of controlling the volume on televisions. The remote can be programmed with the following button press sequence:
- Press and hold the Vol + and Mute buttons for 3 to 4 seconds, until the yellow light flashes
- Enter in a 4 digit code (prefix zeros to make up to 4 digits). List of known V+ remote codes
- The light will flash and the volume up, down and mute buttons should now control the Television
