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Virgin Media chipped cable boxes
Dear Michael, it's widely advertised on the internet how to hack into, chip and program Virgin Media cable boxes.
I am extremely concerned about this practice because I personally know of at least a dozen people who are accessing cable TV by this method.
Considering that law abiding citizens are paying the full price to view this service, I am wondering what, if any, action Virgin Media is taking to revoke this illegal practice?
I would very much appreciate your comments concerning this matter, especially as I am one of the members of the public actually paying for a Virgin Media package.
Carole, via email on 06 January 2011 (Updated: Tuesday 04 January, 2011)
Our Broadband Expert says...
Dear Carole, you’re right to be concerned about this issue. A Virgin Media (www.VirginMedia.com) spokesperson said: “It is a serious offence to modify digital set-top boxes and smartcard equipment.
“Virgin Media work with police forces throughout the UK who are involved in prosecuting individuals connected with this type of TV fraud under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act.
“We have a dedicated Fraud & Investigations team who constantly monitor online chat rooms, sites such as eBay and newspaper sales columns as well as other channels, for any suspicious activity.
“Anyone with information about people supplying or using illicit equipment to receive Virgin Media TV channels can call a confidential hotline: 0808 189 0514."
Digital TV on a budget
Digital TV services are cheaper than ever before, with more channels for your money too, so there really is no reason for people to use illegal cable boxes.
Virgin Media offers “free digital TV” to any customers taking one of its phone lines for £12.24 a month. The Size M TV service comes with over 45 channels, including catch-up services for the last seven day’s TV from the BBC, Channel 4, ITV and more.
Customers can also add 20 extra channels, including Sky1, Living and Discovery for £6.50 extra a month.
Alternatively, Size L TV costs £11.25 a month if you take a Virgin Media phone line and offers 100 channels, while Size XL costs £23.50 a month and comes with 160 channels, including 46 live Barclays Premier League matches on ESPN and TV Choice On Demand offering thousands of your favourite shows and series, to watch when you want.
You can often take advantage of special offers to cut the cost of these packages though, so compare deals before signing up.
You can also currently get a V+ HD Box for just £49.95, allowing you to record, pause and rewind “live” TV and watch HD channels if you have a HD TV.
| Broadband: 30Mb + Phone: M + TV: M+ | Broadband: L + Phone: M + TV: M+ | Everyday Lite + Entertainment TV + Talk Freetime | |||
| Monthly charge | £10.00 (for 6 months) Free installation Ends soon | £20.00 | £20.00 £25 voucher Ends soon | ||
| Speed (up to) | 30Mb | 30Mb | 14Mb | ||
| Usage limit | Unlimited | Unlimited | 2GB | ||
| Contract length | 18 months | 18 months | 12 months | ||
Call Virgin Media on 0808 189 0514 | Call FREE on 0808 189 0508 | Call Sky on 0844 241 1407 | |||
| Line rental | £166.80 | £166.80 | £147.00 | ||
| Call rates | Day 8.68p Evening 8.68p Weekend Free | Day 8.68p Evening 8.68p Weekend Free | Day 7.60p Evening Free Weekend Free | ||
| TV package information |
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| Connection fee | Free | Free | Free | ||
| 1st year cost | £180.00 | £240.00 | £242.18 |
Freeview
If you want the cheapest possible option for your digital TV then a Freeview box is the perfect solution. There are no monthly payments once you’ve bought your set-top box allowing you to save up to £200 in one year. You get up to 48 channels and if you pay a bit more for your box you can also record, pause and rewind “live” TV.
The BBC has announced that it will begin transmitting HD over Freeview in December this year - so you’ll even be able to watch high definition without a subscription.
NB Best buy tables (orange background) are always current.
Examples in the text of the article (white background) are correct at time of publication.
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