Virgin media frustrations.

[Topper]

Anyone else having lots of problems with their STB? Even before Virgin bought NTL, our TV service was pretty awful but its even worse now. Picture freezes, channels are messed up, get constant updates that dont seem to do anything. I'll have a look for some relevant forums but wondered if this was pretty much standard?

Cheers

 

[the-void]

I used to work for NTL. It sounds like you need a repull. The cable from your house to box has probably had it.

Unfortunately they (NTL) base their model of operation on the US cable company. Where they leverage their debts in a monopoly market. However, in the UK they have competition from Sky and soon the BBC, and they don't have the money to invest in the infrastructure that is needed in the competitive UK market. They only invest just enough to keep the infrastructure going.

I had reports of people with exactly the same problem as you. Time after time an engineer was sent out to do a box swap, and time after time it would not cure the problem. Your best bet is that repull I was talking about. The cables that NTL use are not the best and are prone to increasing attenuation after sitting in the ground for long periods of time.

Also the equipment that is in the cabinets are meant to sit on top of poles and not in green unventilated dark green cabinets.

Don't even get me started about the UBR problems NTL have...

 

[basmic]

Phone them up on 151, and insist on getting the problem sorted out, or you'll rip the lot out.

If you have a silver Samsung box, make sure they DO NOT give you an older, slower, and far worse black Pace box. The engineer tried to do this with me, telling me it's what they were giving out as replacements. One swift phonecall later, I have a silver Samsung box once again - this time, one that gives me the reliable, trouble-free service I would expect.

Might be worth your while looking at the Digital Spy forums, too.

 

[the-void]

also try cablehell

used to be ntlhell

 

[Topper]

Thanks for the replys guys! Its worse than I thought then I'll have a try. It is a pace box as well which is probably making things worse like you say. Can't get a hold of an rep though, always a twenty to thrty minute wait.

 

[Steeps]

don't know why you're getting huge queue's, dial 150, select 3, 3 and i'm through in 3 minutes.

went through 4 STB's myself, bad broadband and a cut off phone before they finally repulled my cable, dug up the pavement again to lay it and it's been working fine since... but i think i've just killed my second samsung box (had 2 pace before them) not receiving IR signal at all, but they're sending me a second remote for free to see if it works. good luck with it

 

[Topper]

lol trouble ahead! cheers steeps

 

[basmic]

Thanks for the replys guys! Its worse than I thought then I'll have a try. It is a pace box as well which is probably making things worse like you say. Can't get a hold of an rep though, always a twenty to thrty minute wait.

Insist you get a newer Samsung box. They're much better, much more responsive, and I've yet to come across a problem with it.

 

[Topper]

Cheers Basmic, Ill try that.

 

[Steeps]

wehey new remote arrived, and it doesn't work. time for box #5, in 10 months

 

[Psyk]

Can you get a new samsung box even if there's technically nothing wrong with your current box? I've got a pace one and I'm fed up with it. It's really unresponsive.

 

[basmic]

Can you get a new samsung box even if there's technically nothing wrong with your current box? I've got a pace one and I'm fed up with it. It's really unresponsive.

Just tell them it's crashing, your picture keeps breaking up and it's unresponsive. Also tell them you want a silver one, not a big, black, ugly thing (aka Pace box ).

Usually an engineer will come out, whip out the old box and put a new one in.

 

[PhillyDee]

I had the same problem, they replaced the box twice, came out again, and the engineer had the great idea of looking in the manhole in the street. Sure enough, the connectors were all corroded. Replaced them and it was back to a spot on picture.

 

[Dangerous]

I've got a problem with my V+ service that it wont a record series. In the recording menu the program is listing twice and I can't cancel either of them?

Any ideas how to fully reset all the recording listings?

 

[Topper]

Virgin media just made the book They are officially on my list of useless xxxxxxxx. 3 people and 25 minutes later and they still haven't got my account details or able to pass me on to a department that has them. That is pathetic. Really toying will cancelling the whole lot.