What cabling to add during a refurbishment to use virgin internet and television

Question

HiWe had virgin TV, telephone and internet prior to moving out while our home was extended and refurbished. &nbsp;We will be getting the same again with Virgin when we move back in in a couple of months, but this will be starting again as we cancelled as we were well outside our minimum period. &nbsp;We are in a Virgin cable area.We want internet cabling to some rooms both upstairs and downstairs so we are not totally reliant on WiFi. &nbsp;We also want a TV in our largest spare bedroom. &nbsp;And we’ll have a TV in our lounge.Our builder has asked what types of cabling is compatible with Virgin media hardware for internet. &nbsp;Is there any special cabling required?For the TVs what do Virgin Media current TV boxes need, is it an aerial cable or do they run off a hardwired internet?Any advice anyone can give is gratefully received.ThanksCBee

Micha1978 · Answer

I think it would be helpful to clarify what the OP means by ‘internet cabling’, especially when they say "We want internet cabling to some rooms both upstairs and downstairs so we are not totally reliant on WiFi.” That would suggest they are talking about ethernet which VM won’t fit but their builders can, along with RJ45 sockets in the rooms in question.Assuming that this correct then if the OP knows where the hub will be located in the house then the builders will need to run Cat-6 ethernet cables from that location to each room. In the rooms the cables should terminate in RJ45 sockets, at the hub end the cables could just terminate in RJ45 plugs which plug straight into the VM hub, or, even better, wall sockets there with patch leads into the hub.How many connections to the rooms? The hub only has four sockets so any more would require a cheap switch also at the hub location.TV provision is a bit more problematic. As ‘newapollo’ rightly says above, the standard offering is the stream box, which connects over WiFi or the above mentioned ethernet (more reliable). The older 360 boxes, not only require a wifi or wired connection, but also a coax cable connected back to where the cable comes in to the house. Only VM can fit this cable and verify it - in this case, as stated, the best that the builders can do is to install conduit with draw strings to where the TVs will be back to the ingress point.

newapollo · Answer

Hi CBee23​&nbsp;The default TV box for VM is now the IP based Stream box which doesn't require cabling as the live TV channels are streamed. There is no hard drive on the box.&nbsp; You can have up to 6 of these boxes.Since you say you'll still be on the older DOCSIS (Fibre) network then the incoming VM coaxial cable is still able to carry both the linear broadcast TV channels &amp; the DOCSIS internet, so you can actually still order the recordable TV360 box, (one per household) but it can only be requested via sales on 0800 183 6408.If you want internet cabling to some rooms both upstairs and downstairs then you need VM's engineers (tech) to install it.&nbsp; &nbsp;If you have builders in then they can insatll any necessary conduits along with darw strings for the VM cabling .

CBee23 · Answer

Why does it have to be VM engineers? &nbsp;Our experience is that they don’t care about how it all looks and make a mess. &nbsp;We don’t want this.

japitts · Answer

Cabling upto &amp; including the individual terminal boxes (be it modems or TV boxes) all forms part of VM's network, and they use specialist triple-screened cabling to prevent interference causing noise issues - either for you or neighbours on the same network segment.Whilst there have been some particularly bad examples of external installs where third party contractors are involved, indoor installs are usually pretty good.

CBee23 · Answer

Hi, yes Ethernet sockets in some rooms, for example my office so I have a hardwired connection for my computer as I work at home mostly.If we just have the new Stream boxes that would suffice? &nbsp;Are there any disadvantages to the Stream box vs the 360 boxes? &nbsp;

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What cabling to add during a refurbishment to use virgin internet and television

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