[jsmith99]

I'm thinking of moving from Virginmedia broadband and TV to BT. I currently have VM TV purely for GOLD and catch-up TV, as well being able to record two channels while watching a third.. My TV set is an 18 month old Sony 32inch with Freeview and HD.

I realise that the Vision box doesn't have GOLD, but to be honest I'm a bit fed up with the lack of variety on there, so I won't miss it. Apart from reading reviews, I'm finding it difficult to get information about the box's capabilities.

1. Another thread suggests there's no RF output on the box; does this mean I can't use the TV's own tuner?

2. How many different channels can I record and watch at the same time?

3. The wireless router would be in one room, the TV in another; does it need a cable between them (I've seen mention of a connection via power sockets)?

4. I've read a lot of criticism of the box...how bad is it, or is it just a case that with hundreds of thousands (?) out there, some people are going to have bad experiences?

5. The current offers include 3 or 4 free or reduced months. I currently have BT phone with free anytime calls. If I move to a broadband/TV/phone package, do BT generally get the charging right? I ask because although VM usually get it right in the end, their bills can be difficult to understand.


6. Any other comments on moving from VM to BT?

[MostynDS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsmith99

I'm thinking of moving from Virginmedia broadband and TV to BT. I currently have VM TV purely for GOLD and catch-up TV, as well being able to record two channels while watching a third.. My TV set is an 18 month old Sony 32inch with Freeview and HD.

I realise that the Vision box doesn't have GOLD, but to be honest I'm a bit fed up with the lack of variety on there, so I won't miss it. Apart from reading reviews, I'm finding it difficult to get information about the box's capabilities.

1. Another thread suggests there's no RF output on the box; does this mean I can't use the TV's own tuner?

The black box (as supplied these days) has no RF output so technically you are correct, but you can overcome this by using an RF splitter (50p) to feed both the TV and BTV box from one aerial.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsmith99

2. How many different channels can I record and watch at the same time?

The box has two tuners so you can watch 1 channel while recording another. Or if you split the RF as above, you can watch one while recording two.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsmith99

3. The wireless router would be in one room, the TV in another; does it need a cable between them (I've seen mention of a connection via power sockets)?

The connection via power sockets is available free of charge (as far as I'm aware) but only if you specifically request it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsmith99

4. I've read a lot of criticism of the box...how bad is it, or is it just a case that with hundreds of thousands (?) out there, some people are going to have bad experiences?

Difficult for me to help here. Mine was a nightmare, only worked for 9 out of my 12 months. But other peoples experiences have been more positive.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsmith99

5. The current offers include 3 or 4 free or reduced months. I currently have BT phone with free anytime calls. If I move to a broadband/TV/phone package, do BT generally get the charging right? I ask because although VM usually get it right in the end, their bills can be difficult to understand.

My only poor experience with BT billing was when I left. Generally it's easy to understand.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsmith99

6. Any other comments on moving from VM to BT?

Lol. I'm probably not the best to listen to here again. I went back to VM after my year with BT the very second I could. BUT your requirements seem somewhat different to mine so there's no reason to think it wont suit you.

[ThriceShy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MostynDS

The black box (as supplied these days) has no RF output so technically you are correct, but you can overcome this by using an RF splitter (50p) to feed both the TV and BTV box from one aerial.



The box has two tuners so you can watch 1 channel while recording another. Or if you split the RF as above, you can watch one while recording two.



The connection via power sockets is available free of charge (as far as I'm aware) but only if you specifically request it.



Difficult for me to help here. Mine was a nightmare, only worked for 9 out of my 12 months. But other peoples experiences have been more positive.



My only poor experience with BT billing was when I left. Generally it's easy to understand.



Lol. I'm probably not the best to listen to here again. I went back to VM after my year with BT the very second I could. BUT your requirements seem somewhat different to mine so there's no reason to think it wont suit you.

The powerline adapters are sent as standard to every new customer being sent a BTV box.

[drgeoff]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MostynDS

The black box (as supplied these days) has no RF output so technically you are correct, but you can overcome this by using an RF splitter (50p) to feed both the TV and BTV box from one aerial.

Wrong according to the manual downloadable via http://bt.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/13671. The black box has no RF modulator but it does have RF loop through. The necessary extra RF cable to connect the box to the TV is supplied. No need for a splitter.

[MostynDS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by drgeoff

Wrong according to the manual downloadable via http://bt.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/13671. The black box has no RF modulator but it does have RF loop through. The necessary extra RF cable to connect the box to the TV is supplied. No need for a splitter.

You're quite right. My apologies. That's 50p saved (every little helps).

[MostynDS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThriceShy

The powerline adapters are sent as standard to every new customer being sent a BTV box.

Things have changed back then. I was supplied with them automatically when I subscribed, but there has been much discussion here that it is no longer the case.

But if you can confirm that they are now supplied automatically again, all the better.

[ThriceShy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MostynDS

Things have changed back then. I was supplied with them automatically when I subscribed, but there has been much discussion here that it is no longer the case.

But if you can confirm that they are now supplied automatically again, all the better.

Well, I got signed up 3 months ago and got them then. If it has changed in that time then ignore me.

[drgeoff]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MostynDS

You're quite right. My apologies. That's 50p saved (every little helps).

In many cases the avoidance of signal loss of at least 3 or 6 dB (depending on the quality of the splitter) will be more important than the 50p .

[jsmith99]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MostynDS

The black box (as supplied these days) has no RF output so technically you are correct, but you can overcome this by using an RF splitter (50p) to feed both the TV and BTV box from one aerial.

The box has two tuners so you can watch 1 channel while recording another. Or if you split the RF as above, you can watch one while recording two.

...........

Quote:

Originally Posted by drgeoff

Wrong according to the manual downloadable via http://bt.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/13671. The black box has no RF modulator but it does have RF loop through. The necessary extra RF cable to connect the box to the TV is supplied. No need for a splitter.

Thanks for the replies, and for the manual - I've downloaded this to read later. I'd never heard of an RF loop, but on looking it up it looks to work the same as an RF output (to me anyway). I see that the manual does refer to an 'RF out' socket.

MostynDS, I'm sorry you've had problems with BT. Reading the reviews, a lot of others have as well. However, I think the same thing applies with VM - both have so many customers, there are bound to be a few problems. The test then is how quickly they sort them out.

[MostynDS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsmith99

MostynDS, I'm sorry you've had problems with BT. Reading the reviews, a lot of others have as well. However, I think the same thing applies with VM - both have so many customers, there are bound to be a few problems. The test then is how quickly they sort them out.

You're absolutely right. In my case, it took 3 months and was only solved by chance when the BT Support staff who lurk in here got involved. BTs customer services staff via telephone and eMail were in an endless loop of inactivity.

But that's just my story. I'm sure yours will be better.

[jsmith99]

Thanks MostynDS; There's no rush to make up my mind, though I'd save over £20 a month compared to VM.

One of the reasons for considering a move is the BTFON service (if that's the right name). I have a relative in the north east with neither a computer nor internet. Staying with her before Xmas I had my laptop with me (3000 wedding pics!) and found two BTFON networks I could have used.

Have you any experience of that facility? Obviously I wouldn't change purely to use that, but it's a nice add-on.

[1andrew1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsmith99

Thanks MostynDS; There's no rush to make up my mind, though I'd save over £20 a month compared to VM.

I've been thinking of taking up BT Vision but the two things I've been holding on for are:
1) BT to launch an HD box
2) To see what TalkTalk and BT's TV services will look like and how much each costs, after the launch of YouView which they are both members of.
I would anticipate BT's HD box launching when YouView launches. BT is talking about a June launch for YouView, YouView has said the service will be in place before the Olympics which start 27 July.

[MostynDS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsmith99

Thanks MostynDS; There's no rush to make up my mind, though I'd save over £20 a month compared to VM.

One of the reasons for considering a move is the BTFON service (if that's the right name). I have a relative in the north east with neither a computer nor internet. Staying with her before Xmas I had my laptop with me (3000 wedding pics!) and found two BTFON networks I could have used.

Have you any experience of that facility? Obviously I wouldn't change purely to use that, but it's a nice add-on.

No sorry. Can't help you there.

[MostynDS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

I've been thinking of taking up BT Vision but the two things I've been holding on for are:
1) BT to launch an HD box
2) To see what TalkTalk and BT's TV services will look like and how much each costs, after the launch of YouView which they are both members of.
I would anticipate BT's HD box launching when YouView launches. BT is talking about a June launch for YouView, YouView has said the service will be in place before the Olympics which start 27 July.

1) I wouldn't hold your breath.

2) What TV services? If YouView launches, they'll both be too busy coining it from the money they make from Netflix, Sky, Lovefilm and others to cross their networks to worry about anything as expensive as running a TV service.

You might be right about BT trying to flog a YouView box to it's customers. But unless it's nobbled to stop people choosing the alternative services available on it, how can BT hope to compete (as they produce no content themselves)?

I'm not sure if YouView will ever launch. It seems to have been outstripped by smartTVs and huge amounts of smartSTBs anyway, but if it does, BTs investment will be repaid by increased (chargeable - a key point in the YV specification) network traffic. I doubt they see any long term future for BTV at all.

[wwwebber]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsmith99

One of the reasons for considering a move is the BTFON service (if that's the right name). I have a relative in the north east with neither a computer nor internet. Staying with her before Xmas I had my laptop with me (3000 wedding pics!) and found two BTFON networks I could have used.

Have you any experience of that facility? Obviously I wouldn't change purely to use that, but it's a nice add-on.

Yes I do. That long with BT Openzone hotspots are very handy for such situationsas you describe. It works very well, you just need to opt into BTFON and loginto any hotspot with your username and password. I use it at my local pub on my mobile as mobile signals are rubbish in there.

Its an excellent service.

[wwwebber]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

I've been thinking of taking up BT Vision but the two things I've been holding on for are:
1) BT to launch an HD box
2) To see what TalkTalk and BT's TV services will look like and how much each costs, after the launch of YouView which they are both members of.
I would anticipate BT's HD box launching when YouView launches. BT is talking about a June launch for YouView, YouView has said the service will be in place before the Olympics which start 27 July.

I'll try and be a bit more helpful here.

1) Yes this will come this year, hopefully in the first half of this year.
2) Talk Talk doesnt have any experience of hanlding and delivering media, they also don't have any delivery agreements in place as far as I know which means BT will have a huge head start on Talk Talk. I'd guess that Talk Talk will simply deliver a Youview box and nothing else. BT should arrive with additional content such as the latest VOD HD films etc. Providers such as Netflix and Lovefilm do not provide the latest films online via your TV, STB or console.

[1andrew1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwwebber

I'll try and be a bit more helpful here.

1) Yes this will come this year, hopefully in the first half of this year.
2) Talk Talk doesnt have any experience of hanlding and delivering media, they also don't have any delivery agreements in place as far as I know which means BT will have a huge head start on Talk Talk. I'd guess that Talk Talk will simply deliver a Youview box and nothing else. BT should arrive with additional content such as the latest VOD HD films etc. Providers such as Netflix and Lovefilm do not provide the latest films online via your TV, STB or console.

Hi wwwebber, thanks for your reply,

The reason I'm holding on to see what TalkTalk do is that they inherited an IPTV service from Tiscali which pre-dated BT Vision but did not sell very well. It's closed to new susbscribers but still operates and has a good range of channels,
http://help.talktalk.co.uk/app/answe...talktalk-tv%3F

[wwwebber]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

Hi wwwebber, thanks for your reply,

The reason I'm holding on to see what TalkTalk do is that they inherited an IPTV service from Tiscali which pre-dated BT Vision but did not sell very well. It's closed to new susbscribers but still operates and has a good range of channels,
http://help.talktalk.co.uk/app/answe...talktalk-tv%3F

Yes I was aware of that but as you say its pretty much defunct. Iptv needs alot more than a shiny new stb to work. It needs infrastructure and qos. Lets see what happens.

[jsmith99]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwwebber

Yes I do. That long with BT Openzone hotspots are very handy for such situationsas you describe. It works very well, you just need to opt into BTFON and loginto any hotspot with your username and password. I use it at my local pub on my mobile as mobile signals are rubbish in there.

Its an excellent service.

Thanks, wwwebber, it's features like that which can make all the difference when you're trying to make a choice.