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What do I need to watch Virgin Media 3D On Demand?
To view 3D content on your Virgin Media service you need the following equipment:
A 3D enabled TV
Any Virgin Media HD set-top box (including Cisco V HD 4585, Samsung V+ 3110 and SA V+ 8300).
An HDMI cable connected from the set-top box to the 3DTV
3D glasses which are compatible with your 3D TV.
Content that is produced in 3D
Without all of these you will not be able to watch 3D on Virgin Media TV
How do I set up my 3D TV to see 3D programmes?
Once you have made sure you have connected your 3D TV to your set top box using an HDMI cable:
Set your HD 3D TV to ‘3D mode’ (check your TV's manual).
Put on your 3D glasses, if your 3D glasses have batteries in them make sure they are turned on and working.
Now sit back and enjoy ‘seeing things differently’
Where can I find 3D On Demand content?
You can find and purchase 3D On Demand content in Movies On Demand. Press the 'Home' button on your remote, select 'Movies On Demand' then Virgin Media 3D.
How much will it cost?
3D movies start at £4.75 and prices will vary as each studio sets their own pricing. Once purchased a movie is available to watch for 48 hours as many times as you like.
How long will I be able to watch a 3D movie for?
As with all of our On Demand movies, 3D movies will be available to watch as many times as you want within 48 hours once purchased.
If I buy 3D On Demand how will this show on my bill?
This will appear on your bill in the same place as any other On Demand purchase under ‘Event Charges’.
What content is available in Virgin Media 3D On Demand?
We have just launched 3OD Content in TV Choice and our 3D movie titles continue to grow with Step Up 3D and The Hole 3D added to the line-up and Despicable Me from March 2011. We’ll be announcing more content soon.
I don’t have a 3D TV – can I watch Virgin Media 3D On Demand?
To be able to watch 3D content using your Virgin Media V+ HD or V HD set top box you do need a 3D TV, this needs to be connected to a Virgin Media HD set top box using an HDMI cable as well as the TV manufacturer’s glasses and 3D content.
Will 3D content be made available as HD or SD at the same it is made available through 3D On Demand?
All formats will be available at the same time.
Why does the EPG/User guide not display properly?
When in 3D mode, the guide cannot be displayed properly because a 3D TV will attempt to convert the 2D guide into a 3D picture, this results in a blurred image of the channel guide.
We recommend that you only switch your TV to 3D mode once you’re ready to watch 3D On Demand content.
I can see two identical pictures next to each other?
Virgin Media 3D programmes are in ‘side by side’ 3D format, two identical pictures next to each other. If you see a ‘side-by-side’ picture check that that your TV is a 3D TV and if it is that you have set it to ‘3D mode’.
If I have a 3D TV and 3D set top box why do I need 3D glasses?
3D television can receive and display 3D content but it’s the glasses that decode the image, the type of glasses you need to use depend on the type of 3D TV display you which is either passive or active.
Will games and sport be available in 3D?
Currently we will only be offering movie titles, but we are working with our providers to see what other types of content we could provide in the future.
Can I get the Sky 3HD channel?
Currently the Sky 3D channel is only available to Sky customers.
Technical Stuff
What is 3D and 3D TV?
3D (3 dimensional) is based on the way the human brain and eyes work. A person’s eyes are about 6.5 cm apart with each eye seeing a slightly different view which then generates a unique image. This single picture then allows the brain to create a sense of depth and distance which gives what is known as stereoscopic vision.
3D TV is a general term used to describe a display technology that uses the stereoscopic effect a person’s eyes use to create the illusion of depth on a television screen. This depth illusion is created by sending slightly different images of the same scene to each eye at the same time. A 3D television can receive and display 3D content in a way that can be separated out to each eye by special glasses (active or passive depending on the type of TV display used).
3D TV enables you to watch stunning programmes and bring the cinema experience into your home. Watch your favorite films and programmes up close and personal as they come out of your screen.
What type of 3D does Virgin Media use?
At Virgin Media we have chosen a 3D encoding method that is compatible with our existing “2D” TV broadcast platform. This method which has been adopted by many other broadcasters around the world takes the two (left and right eye) 3D images with 1920 x 1080 resolution, squeezes each image down to 960 x 1080 and then joins them together to form a new “side by side” image with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 that is now compatible with our existing 2D platform.
The 3D TV then recreates a full picture by expanding the side-by-side encoded images and displaying these together (polarised or passive 3D) or alternately (shutter or active 3D)
How does 3D work for humans?
Humans use binocular vision to perceive depth and we see the world in 3D. We have two eyes, approximately 2.5 inches apart and this separation causes each eye to see the world from a slightly different perspective. The brain puts these two views together and uses them to create our sense of depth and ability to gauge distance.
Is 3D a new idea?
Not really, the Stereoscope device , invented by David Brewster, for viewing photographs in 3D was around in 1844 and the first 3D movie arrived in 1915. Some might remember those great or were they terrible 1950’s 3D Horror movies. The House of Wax was the first, with a premier in 1953.
What’s new about 21st century 3D?
In the past 3D movies required a pair of ‘anaglyph’ 3D glasses with two coloured lenses, usually red/blue, to separate the images to your two eyes. The advantage of this method is was that it can be transmitted to almost any colour TV but its poor quality and the images are severely impacted by the colouration effects
Newer technology, such as the stereoscopic 3D technology uses HD pictures and full colour images to create impressive depth effects. This is the same technology used for Avatar, Alice in Wonderland and is used in 3D cinemas
