Virgin Media is trialling a deep packet inspection system that will see 40% of the ISP's network being monitored for file sharing activity. The network plans not to inform customers that they're being monitored.

The system is called CView and is being provided by a subsidiary of BAE called Deltica, which?specialises in large volume data collection and processing and usually works with intelligence agencies across the world. It'll operate at the centre of Virgin's network, and only attempt to determine the?proportion of file sharing traffic that infringes copyright.

Customers are likely to be a little uncomfortable with Virgin Media handing over their emails and web browsing habits to a weapons manufacturer, but?Virgin Media has emphasised that it just wants to measure the overall level of illegal file sharing, not keep records on individual customers.

BT's controversial Phorm advertising system used the same kind of technology, and also didn't inform or get consent from subscribers to the network. That proved to be a hot potato and was heavily criticized by privacy advocates and the internet community.

Virgin is preparing to launch a legitimate download service in partnership with Universal Music.?"Understanding how consumer behaviour is changing will be an important requirement of Virgin Media's upcoming music offering and, should they become law, the Government's legislative proposals will also require measurement of the level of copyright infringement on ISPs' networks", said Jon James, executive director of broadband at Virgin Media.

If you're a Virgin Media subscriber, are you comfortable with this level of intrusion in your web browsing? Let us know in the comments.

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Tags: Software Online Filesharing P2P Virgin Media

Virgin Media to monitor filesharers originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:51:34 +0000

TiVo, the US equivalent of Sky Plus is coming to the UK following a deal with Virgin Media announced on Tuesday.?

The news, broken during the American company's earnings results will see a "long-term, strategic partnership with Virgin Media", says?Tom Rogers, president and CEO of TiVo.

According to the two companies the deal will involve TiVo developing a converged television and broadband interactive interface to power Virgin Media's next generation, high definition set top boxes.

"TiVo will offer Virgin Media's nearly four million UK customers TiVo's advanced television software and user interface on both its traditional and DVR set-top boxes", confirmed Rogers.

Virgin Media currently anticipates its first TiVo co-branded product in 2010.

Related links:

• Link - TiVo

Tags: Home Cinema PVRs TiVo Virgin Media

TiVo heading to the UK originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:29:37 +0000

Living has launched "Liv", the UK's first online TV channel, offering "style and celebrity" programming.

Live from 2 November, the IPTV channel can be viewed at www.livingtv.co.uk as well as through its own YouTube channel and can be downloaded via a "state of the art Facebook application to enhance viewers' interactive experiences".

"Highlights" of forthcoming shows include "Celebs off Duty", comprising of showbiz news from one of the "world's leading paparazzi agencies" and Amy Winehouse's Dad Mitch interviewing celebs in his taxi.

There's also "Dress Famous Liv Famous", a makeover series hosted by a former Britain's Next Top Model contestant.

Tags: Home Cinema Living Liv IPTV Online Virgin Media Facebook

Living launches "Liv" online TV channel originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:15:16 +0000

Just over two thirds of the UK enjoy being connected at all times and in fact, feel more relaxed when hooked-up than not, a new Virgin Media report suggests.

Over a third of those surveyed said they experienced anxiety when not able to use technology to stay in touch with their family, 31% got the wobbles about not being able to work online and 27% were concerned when they could not connect with friends.

"To disconnect from technology may mean missing something we cannot afford to. Always being connected actually becomes increasingly essential for peace of mind", says psychologist Nik Simpson who has coined the? term "SOSOs", those who switch on to switch off.

74% of British households always have laptops on, that stat hits 76% as far as mobile phones go, while the the television is always on in 74% of UK homes.

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Tags: Gadgets Phones Virgin Media Hardware Survey Statistics

35% Brits are less stressed when "connected" originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:51:33 +0100

With more and more "events" from football matches to concerts happening online, and the BBC's iPlayer continually gaining popularity, making sure you have a fast internet connection from your ISP at home is going to be your number one goal if you don't want to play the buffer race game or experience stuttering playback.

With so many ISPs touting their services as the best, how do you know what really is the best one to sign up for? We sat down with Tom Leathes, director at top10-broadband.co.uk to get his opinion on who are the best performers right now.

The best ISP for video

Top choice for watching any video content on the internet is Virgin Media's XXL Cable package that runs on a fibre-optic cable and delivers a 50MB/sec connection into your home. Currently available in about 70% of the UK, there are no load sharing issues associated with ADSL (ie you get all 50MB rather than sharing it with others on your street) and the 50MB/sec speed is fast, damn fast. The catch is that you'll have to pay for it, prices start at around ?18 a month plus your phone line bring it up to around the ?30 a month marker.

A good ISP for video

If you can't get Virgin's top of the range package, Leathes suggests another, the slower Virgin Media Cable offering. It offers connections speeds of 20MB/sec and has the benefit of being available in 80% of UK homes. It won't help you, however, if you're not in a Virgin Media area at all.

A good ISP that isn't Virgin Media then, is ADSL. Decent performers, says Leathes, are BT, Be and O2 in that order, offering a range of packages that will all be fast enough to stream football, concerts and anything else for that matter into your house (read porn).

Broadband on a budget

Of course we haven't all got ?360 for a year's subscription for the best package available, but that doesn't mean you've got to suffer. Those on a budget should look at Plusnet's 8MB/sec offering. It will give you an average speed of around 3 to 4MB/sec download speeds and cost ?5.99 a month. At the moment Plusnet are also offering the first 3 months free making the first year a rather more price friendly ?53.91.

Look for triple play deals

"When looking for value, a triple play package that bundles broadband with TV and telephony will always provide the best value at whatever speed you opt for", recommends Julian Clover at Broadbandtv.com

One final tip

A word of warning though, if you are looking to stream HD, this package isn't cut out for it. For that you will need a download speed of at least 8MB/sec to be comfortable. You can do it for less of course, but you won't get the best experience.?

Tags: Software Online ISPs Virgin Media BT Be O2 Video downloads Video on demand Features

Watching video online? Which ISP should you use originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 04:06:53 +0100