BT Vision vs TUTV/Virgin BB

jamesg1234 · 22-10-2009, 22:05

Hi

I'm currently a TUTV subscriber but have become a little concerned with how erratically my box is behaving currently.

I'm also with Virgin Media for my BB. I'm supposed to be on the 10Meg BB but my average download speed is 2.05Mbps.

BT Vision seems to offer a similar kinda idea as TUTV but possibly with a wider variety of programming, albeit that I've seen some posts about having to pay for extra downloads/ on demand programs.

Although it looks attractive my concern would be transferring my BB and tel line from VM. I'd really appreciate some advice on the following:

1) Is my VM BB speed, slow, average or fast? and would you guys say it would be matched by BT's?
2) To get a similar type of speed what kind of BB package would I need from BT?
3) Does BT throttle download speed if you're online too much or its a busy time like SUnday night when VM is inexplicably slower?
4) Are the BT VOD downloads reliable i.e. are there ever missed recordings, corrupted recordings that type of thing? And do you have to pay a lot for extras?
5) Do the BT boxes crash? (like some TUTV boxes)

Overall worth changing? (and please no replies bashing TUTV and BT I'm looking at you Matterhorn/Azimo!! lol)

wwwebber · 22-10-2009, 22:21

Ok here goes - I hope this helps :-

1) If your Virgin BB is ADSL and I assume it is then it should be very similar with BT- although a 10meg product sounds like cable

2) Depends on your useage - do you download alot ?
3) Yes, if you kick the backside out of it you will be throttled. BT does suffer congestion but again it depends where you are etc. I'm not affected by either.
4) Yes, then VOD (not downloads) are very reliable they use QOS and mine hasnt missed a beat in months. Costs depends on your useage patterns & the package you have or havent subscribed to.
5) No ,mine hasnt crashed in months. They used to be a bit flakey but after a few software upgrades all is well.

I would say weigh things upfor yourself - personally I think its a very good service. Noise will be along shortly to moan about BT etc just so that you get a balanced view lol

Fire away if you have any more specific questions.

jamesg1234 · 22-10-2009, 22:28

hey wwwebber

Thanks for the quick reply!

My BB is on cable. Would that mean BT's BB is likely to be slower or is it dependent on the quality of the phoneline etc?

In terms of downloads I don't download music or films but do watch American Football/Baseball online for 3 hours a time 1x to 2x a week which apparently does count towards download usage?

I'd be looking at the Bronze package I'm really interested in getting extra's for the kids, from nick, nick jnr, boomerang that type of thing together with American dramas etc from Living, FX etc.

I also use a Mac but think there is an adaptor?

wwwebber · 22-10-2009, 22:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesg1234

hey wwwebber

Thanks for the quick reply!

My BB is on cable. Would that mean BT's BB is likely to be slower or is it dependent on the quality of the phoneline etc?

In terms of downloads I don't download music or films but do watch American Football/Baseball online for 3 hours a time 1x to 2x a week which apparently does count towards download usage?

I'd be looking at the Bronze package I'm really interested in getting extra's for the kids, from nick, nick jnr, boomerang that type of thing together with American dramas etc from Living, FX etc.

I also use a Mac but think there is an adaptor?

It depends how far you are from the exchange to be honest. Do you have a BT phone line ?.

Yes - streaming video over the net does count towards your useage but VOD via BTVision wont. Doesnt sound heavy to be honest.

Not sure what you mean by an adaptor for a MAC- do you mean a wireless adaptor ? - not sure anyway.

noise747 · 22-10-2009, 23:11

yea, BT is evil and BTvision is a waste of time, box crashes all the time and it is a waste of money.

Just did not want to disappoint wwwebber.

On a more sensible note, what is wrong with the TUTV box? I thought they was better now that the last update have been released? I know mine is fine now, not that I myself am using it at the moment, but I would soon know about it if there was a problem.

I have said plenty of time the BTV idea is a good idea, if it is worth the money then you will have to decide, have a look on their website and see if it is good value for money and they offer you what you want.

Content wise, BTV have got more than TUTV, but if it is the stuff you want is another thing.

kboxer42 · 22-10-2009, 23:35

Being honest you had best speak to BT about what speed you could expect it obviously depends where you are etc. I know that you can download up to 80 gig on option 3 broadband before they restrict your speed. The speed restriction imposed then is between 6pm and 11 pm approx but it does not affect BtVision at all. Btvision itself is very reliable these days. When I first had it about a year ago the first 2 weeks it was a nightmare but its been fine ever since. Content wise as noise said it is up to you personal choice. You do get Espn free with bronze package if football interests you. I don't know much about TUTV so can't comment or compare the 2 systems.

BT Support · 23-10-2009, 13:38

Hi jamesg1234,

If you want to drop me a PM I will be happy to check the line for you.

Cheers

Shane.

22-10-2009, 22:05	#1
jamesg1234 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 22	BT Vision vs TUTV/Virgin BB Hi I'm currently a TUTV subscriber but have become a little concerned with how erratically my box is behaving currently. I'm also with Virgin Media for my BB. I'm supposed to be on the 10Meg BB but my average download speed is 2.05Mbps. BT Vision seems to offer a similar kinda idea as TUTV but possibly with a wider variety of programming, albeit that I've seen some posts about having to pay for extra downloads/ on demand programs. Although it looks attractive my concern would be transferring my BB and tel line from VM. I'd really appreciate some advice on the following: 1) Is my VM BB speed, slow, average or fast? and would you guys say it would be matched by BT's? 2) To get a similar type of speed what kind of BB package would I need from BT? 3) Does BT throttle download speed if you're online too much or its a busy time like SUnday night when VM is inexplicably slower? 4) Are the BT VOD downloads reliable i.e. are there ever missed recordings, corrupted recordings that type of thing? And do you have to pay a lot for extras? 5) Do the BT boxes crash? (like some TUTV boxes) Overall worth changing? (and please no replies bashing TUTV and BT I'm looking at you Matterhorn/Azimo!! lol)

22-10-2009, 22:21	#2
wwwebber Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Nottingham Posts: 3,536	Ok here goes - I hope this helps :- 1) If your Virgin BB is ADSL and I assume it is then it should be very similar with BT- although a 10meg product sounds like cable 2) Depends on your useage - do you download alot ? 3) Yes, if you kick the backside out of it you will be throttled. BT does suffer congestion but again it depends where you are etc. I'm not affected by either. 4) Yes, then VOD (not downloads) are very reliable they use QOS and mine hasnt missed a beat in months. Costs depends on your useage patterns & the package you have or havent subscribed to. 5) No ,mine hasnt crashed in months. They used to be a bit flakey but after a few software upgrades all is well. I would say weigh things upfor yourself - personally I think its a very good service. Noise will be along shortly to moan about BT etc just so that you get a balanced view lol Fire away if you have any more specific questions.

22-10-2009, 22:28	#3
jamesg1234 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 22	hey wwwebber Thanks for the quick reply! My BB is on cable. Would that mean BT's BB is likely to be slower or is it dependent on the quality of the phoneline etc? In terms of downloads I don't download music or films but do watch American Football/Baseball online for 3 hours a time 1x to 2x a week which apparently does count towards download usage? I'd be looking at the Bronze package I'm really interested in getting extra's for the kids, from nick, nick jnr, boomerang that type of thing together with American dramas etc from Living, FX etc. I also use a Mac but think there is an adaptor?

22-10-2009, 22:49	#4
wwwebber Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Nottingham Posts: 3,536	Quote: Originally Posted by jamesg1234 hey wwwebber Thanks for the quick reply! My BB is on cable. Would that mean BT's BB is likely to be slower or is it dependent on the quality of the phoneline etc? In terms of downloads I don't download music or films but do watch American Football/Baseball online for 3 hours a time 1x to 2x a week which apparently does count towards download usage? I'd be looking at the Bronze package I'm really interested in getting extra's for the kids, from nick, nick jnr, boomerang that type of thing together with American dramas etc from Living, FX etc. I also use a Mac but think there is an adaptor? It depends how far you are from the exchange to be honest. Do you have a BT phone line ?. Yes - streaming video over the net does count towards your useage but VOD via BTVision wont. Doesnt sound heavy to be honest. Not sure what you mean by an adaptor for a MAC- do you mean a wireless adaptor ? - not sure anyway.

22-10-2009, 23:11	#5
noise747 Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Herefordshire Posts: 22,810	yea, BT is evil and BTvision is a waste of time, box crashes all the time and it is a waste of money. Just did not want to disappoint wwwebber. On a more sensible note, what is wrong with the TUTV box? I thought they was better now that the last update have been released? I know mine is fine now, not that I myself am using it at the moment, but I would soon know about it if there was a problem. I have said plenty of time the BTV idea is a good idea, if it is worth the money then you will have to decide, have a look on their website and see if it is good value for money and they offer you what you want. Content wise, BTV have got more than TUTV, but if it is the stuff you want is another thing.

22-10-2009, 23:35	#6
kboxer42 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 18	Being honest you had best speak to BT about what speed you could expect it obviously depends where you are etc. I know that you can download up to 80 gig on option 3 broadband before they restrict your speed. The speed restriction imposed then is between 6pm and 11 pm approx but it does not affect BtVision at all. Btvision itself is very reliable these days. When I first had it about a year ago the first 2 weeks it was a nightmare but its been fine ever since. Content wise as noise said it is up to you personal choice. You do get Espn free with bronze package if football interests you. I don't know much about TUTV so can't comment or compare the 2 systems.

23-10-2009, 13:38	#7
BT Support BT Support Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 459	Hi jamesg1234, If you want to drop me a PM I will be happy to check the line for you. Cheers Shane.

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