Virgin Media is able to offer a number of high definition channels based on which digital television package you sign up to from the provider.  You can read more about Virgin Media’s high definition services here.

Though there are not as many HD channels as Sky.  Virgin Media also has a large amount of HD TV channels that are available to viewers that want to watch them.  Of all of the digital TV service providers, Virgin Media probably has the second largest amount of channels and also has a large amount of HD content such as films and movies in high definition.

What channels do you get?

The number of HD channels that you get on Virgin Media depends on the digital TV package that you sign up to on Virgin Media.  TV Size: M+ and TV Size: L comes with the most basic HD channels such as BBC One, FilmFour, and ITV 1.  TV Size: XL includes the most popular HD channels including Sky 1 HD, Sky Living HD, National Geographic HD, and Discovery Channel HD.

The Virgin Media V+ HD Box

Customers that sign up to Sky Sports and Sky Movies can also get these premium channels in high definition for an additional cost, but it should be noted, that you won’t get the full range of HD channels that you would with Sky, but again it’s a good alternative if these premium channels are important to you.

What equipment do you get?

There is a wide range of equipment that you can with Virgin Media if you want to get high definition channels from Virgin Media, with two different types of set top boxes which are available.  You will be able to select any of the set top boxes with any of the digital TV packages with Virgin Media.

V HD Box

The standard V HD set top box enables you to get the full range of channels from Virgin Media along with the additional HD channels.  The V HD Box doesn’t have a PVR (Personal Video Recorder) included so you won’t be able to record, rewind and pause live TV on it, but it will have basic functionality like an EPG (Electronic Program Guide) which will allow you to diarise and plan your viewing schedule on the Virgin Media TV package that you choose.

It will also give you access to all of Virgin Media’s TV on demand catalogue which you can pay for additionally or have included depending on the TV package that you sign up to.  It’s also 3D ready so will be able to show viewers 3D content as and when Virgin Media show it.

V+ HD Box

The V+ HD box is a state of the art top of the range set top box from Virgin Media.  Not only has it won many awards from a number of technology and gadget magazines and website, it also is packed with a large amount of functionality making it brilliant for complete TV addicts.

The V+ Box will give you access to all of the HD channels that you get within your selected digital TV package from Virgin Media, and also give you the ability to pause, record and rewind live TV so you won’t miss anything ever again!  Not only does it do this, but it also allows you to record two channels whilst watching a third channel, and the V+ Box is one of the only set top boxes that currently has the functionality to do this.

Other features on the V+ HD set top box includes an EPG (Electronic program guide) so that you can plan your viewing, and it’s also 3D ready meaning that you’ll be able to watch the latest 3D TV content on Virgin Media.

You can store up to 80 hours of programming on the HD TV box, that’s more than 3 days worth of TV!

Compare all of the latest TV packages with high definition using our comparison service on Digital TV Selector or call us on 0800 840 4942 to get independent advice from an expert today!

What does it cost?

The high definition service on Virgin Media is free if you sign up to a TV package with the V HD box but you need to pay a one off activation fee which is currently £49.95, there is no additional monthly cost on your TV package.

If you want to purchase the V+ HD box with Virgin Media, there is a change to your monthly subscription depending on what TV package you buy.  This is around £5 per month extra on TV Size: M+ and TV Size: L, and free if you sign up to Virgin Media TV Size: XL.  You will also need to pay a one off £49.95 activation charge.

It’s worth noting that the equipment on Virgin Media remains their property, so if anything does go wrong with it, they should come out and replace this for you without any problems.

Channels that are available

The channels that you can get depend on the TV package you subscribe to with Virgin Media.

Compare all of the latest TV packages with high definition using our comparison service on Digital TV Selector or call us on 0800 840 4942 to get independent advice from an expert today!