Self install Virgin HD+ boxes ?

Sneaky Peaky · 9 Feb 2012 at 20:32

I just took it the bullet and swapped out all my Sky TV service to Virgin, four boxes in total.

2 of the boxes are TiVo which I have to say I'm very happy with, but the other 2 are plain V HD ones which when I ordered didn't realise don't record and are quite frankly *****. Now I could just bite the bullet and get 2 more Tivos but Virgin want an extra £6 a month and £99 to activate which seems excessive to me bearing in mind I have XL everything and 100mb broadband.

Worse still they want £89 to swap them for V+ HD ones.

So to the question, the V+ HD boxes seem to go for peanuts on certain auction sites, which is weird as I thought they were owned by Virgin but still, so can I not buy 2 of these, swap them over myself and stick the viewing cards in ?

I suspect they need pairing ? Will Virgin do this for me or will they tell me to bog off ?

Many Thanks for any help

j_walsh · 10 Feb 2012 at 18:35

They are owned by virgin your just using them while you have a virgin Media service

If you buy one i have a feeling it will not work as the mac code needs to be registered.

Willyeckerslike · 10 Feb 2012 at 20:05

If I remember correctly, a few years ago Virgin did let you buy your V+ box if you wanted. Don't know if it would work though for a self install.

turanafon · 12 Feb 2012 at 11:54

Apparently Virgin still own the boxes etc even after your year contract is up, unlike sky.
Tivo boxes are really good i was playing with them last week whilst on a course at fujitsu.

tbh they shud swap them for you especially with the pack u have.

any questions just ask as i work for Fujitsu, installing virgin cable, BB and phones.

realBabelfish · 13 Feb 2012 at 15:50

have you signed a contract yet?

they always say a year contract but i never sign mine. maybe that is your pulling power?

just say you will go to sky if they dont sort it.

Willyeckerslike - yes, i bought mine for £150 i think, when they first came out. when i swapped to tivo they wanted it back but i told them i own it. so i now use it as a 2nd box in the bedroom

Sneaky Peaky · 14 Feb 2012 at 16:56

Thanks guys. Yes, have signed, which is annoying because had I known about the shiteness of V HD would probably have gone for all Tivo.

Anyways, same question as before if anyone knows, will Virgin pair me up with a V+ HD box that I don't get from them ?