BT Vision - do I cancel my order?

lawtz04

Hi folks

I currently have freeview, and use BT for Broadband and my phone.

They have phoned me and quite convincingly sold me the BT Vision package to replace my freeview. I don't often get suckered into these things but it sounded pretty good and I haggled a bit.

Its not due to be installed until the 13th so I've plenty of time to cancel.

Someone has told me that because it comes through the internet it can be a bit of a pain (i didnt even know it did come through the internet - im not very techy). They said it runs slow and crashes, especially if your connections not good or if theres loads of people online.

I'm concerned now - can anyone advise? My freeview receptions okay but i use a signal amplifier to get the best picture.

Thanks
Si

penrhyn

Most of BT Vision is a freeview receiver with the addition of an internet connection to supply a selection of on demand programming. It integrates with your Home Hub via an Ethernet connection.

Wikipedia has a good article on it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bt_vision

Browntoa

I use it , very good freeview recorder , good picture , needs a minimum 2 meg connection

never used the download side of it yet for films etc

frivolous_fay

The reason we have not yet succumed to BT's very persistent badgering to buy it is that we understand it will permanently tie up part of our broadband speed. We don't need our connection any slower, thanks very much, it's not even close to 8mb as it is. We look at the PC more than the TV!

old_codger1

frivolous_fay wrote: »

The reason we have not yet succumed to BT's very persistent badgering to buy it is that we understand it will permanently tie up part of our broadband speed. We don't need our connection any slower, thanks very much, it's not even close to 8mb as it is. We look at the PC more than the TV!

My understanding is that it doesn't use the broadband at all for normal freeview TV watching... only the 'on-demand' stuff.

The problem for it as far as I can see is that if you only use it for the freeview stuff it just becomes a rather expensive broadband package and includes stuff I'll never use or just don't need. For example...

Unlimited UK* Evening & Weekend calls Unlimited UK* Evening & Weekend calls Unlimited UK* Evening & Weekend calls Broadband


Broadband option Option 1 Option 1 Option 3 Download speed Up to 8Mb Up to 8Mb Up to 8Mb Router BT Home Hub Included BT Home Hub Included BT Home Hub Included Hub phone

BT Hub Phone Included Wi-Fi minutes 250 a month 250 a month Unlimited Security Basic security Basic security Advanced security TV


Value deal Bronze value deal Gold value deal Gold value deal Viewing packs Choose two All packs included All packs included Sentanta Sports 1 FREE FREE FREE Also includes TV Pack and TV Replay

I've already got a free router with tiscali, I get cheap calls so don't need a hub phone, (I never ring anyone, anyway:)), I haven't got a mobile phone so don't use wifi mins, I don't need security because I use linux and know how to use it, I've already got a tivo so don't need replay... I might be interested in the Setanta footie I suppose but that lot comes to nearly £30 a month instead of the £12 I'm paying atm so that's £18 a month, effectively, just for setanta. Damned expensive in my book.

lawtz04

Thanks guys. I'm now slightly more confused.

I'm phoning BT tonight to talk to them about it as I havent had my confirmation email yet and it was 3 or 4 days ago.

What are the main questions I should be asking?

Ta x

djheath

Hi, the BT Vsision service is very good. It does not tie up your internet at all. It acts as a freeview box, but also alllows you to record programes, pause live tv, rewind live tv etc. just like sky+ does.

If you use the on demand service this is where it uses you internet connection to recieve the films, programmes etc on demand. the quality is excellent and well worth teh money.

The old boxes used to have a few problems with them crashing and losing settings, but that has all been fixed now. I have had no trouble with my box for the past year and wouldn't get rid of it for love nor money.

old_codger1

lawtz04 wrote: »

Thanks guys. I'm now slightly more confused.

I'm phoning BT tonight to talk to them about it as I havent had my confirmation email yet and it was 3 or 4 days ago.

What are the main questions I should be asking?

As you can get broadband and cheap calls for about £10-15 a month, (I'm paying £12,99 for Tiscali), I think you need to ask yourself if you need all the extra things on the package list with BT vision... i.e. are you going to use the wifi minutes?

http://www.productsandservices.bt.com/consumerProducts/displayTopic.do?topicId=25634

betsvigi

lawtz04 wrote: »

Thanks guys. I'm now slightly more confused.

I'm phoning BT tonight to talk to them about it as I havent had my confirmation email yet and it was 3 or 4 days ago.

What are the main questions I should be asking?

Ta x

I've had BT Vision since last November and I really like it. I was already paying £11.99 a month for Setanta and so for an extra £3 (pre VAT changes) I also get the bronze pack, sport and Picturebox, which for me is really good value. You get a pretty good PVR, TV replay and there is an extensive video on demand library with lots of things for everybody, there is never a time when I can't find something to watch. I particularly like working my way through different programme series, that I did not watch when they were originally shown.

When you watch something using VOD then it does tie up some of your bandwidth, I think it uses something like 1.5 mb for the purpose. It doesn't reduce the speed permanently though, only when you are watching a VOD programme.

I think BT will let you try it for up to 14 days and still let you cancel, bet you don't though! Don't let people who have never used it, put you off trying it.

I was a bit surprised that BT Vision doesn't get a mention in Martin's Digital TV article; perhaps it needs updating?