Sky + versus Telewest's TVDrive

theowl_2

Hi guys,

I have digital TV with Telewest, but when my contract expires in June I was planning to ditch it and use Sky+.
I love the idea of Sky+, it's apparent ability to record shows you regularly watch etc. It had always seemed a bit overpriced to me, but I was prepared to have it installed in June anyway.
...Until yesterday, when I opened the Telewest homepage and found it hyping up it's proposed 'TVDrive'. It works out cheaper than Sky+, has twice the memory and can record 2 programmes silmultaneously while you watch another one. Seems pretty good and would save me the hassle of having a dish installed.
How do you think it will compare to Sky+?
Oh, another thing, with Telewest you have to have their phone service with the digital TV, which is a negative factor for me as I wanted to reconnect to BT for cheaper calls (And possibly to start using use a non cable ISP as they have better deals). Yeah, the more I think about it, the more likely I am going to ditch all 3 services, but I'm still interested to read your opinions on TVDrive. Do you think it will respond to viewing habits as Sky+ does?
Telewest compares TVDrive to Sky+ below. First 1st figures are TVDrive, 2nd SKY+ and 3rd Sky+360...



How does TVDrive compare to Sky Plus?
We think TVDrive is great, but we know there are other good products out there too. So to help you make up your mind we've made it easy to compare features, benefits and prices.

Don't forget every Telewest digital TV package automatically gives you access to Teleport - a huge library of movies and programmes that you can access at any time and control like a DVD.

TVDrive Sky Plus Standard Sky Plus 160
PRODUCT FEATURES
How many programmes can I record at the same time as I watch another live channel? 2 1 1
Hours of standard definition recording space 80 hour 40 hours 80 hours
Hard Disk Drive Size 160 GB 80 GB 160 GB
Can I watch high definition programmes? Yes No No
PRICING
How much is the standard up-front cost of the box? No charge £89 £199
How much is the standard monthly subscription? £10 if you take our Supreme TV package.

£15 if you take our Essential or Starter TV packages. £10 for customers not taking a premium mix costing £15 -£19. £10 for customers not taking a premium mix costing £15 -£19.
How much is the standard monthly subsciption for a second standard digital box in another room when taking TVDrive/Sky Plus? £5 £10 £10


Excludes promotional offers

Free installation for new Telewest digital TV customers. If you are an existing digital TV customer you will get free installation of TVDrive when you keep your existing set top box in another room for an additional £5 a month. If you're an existing digital TV customer to swap out your existing standard box for TVDrive a £50 installation fee will apply.

Bob63

Unbiased review here: http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/03/13/telewest_tvdrive_reviewed/

cherry_snaps

Hi,

You must be mad to leave telewest fro broadband!!!!, just moved house(no telewest)ASDL and cost do not compete with telewest. I work in IT office and all the users on telewest are happy, everyone on a BT or other ASDL line is welll and truly miffed.

If you need cheaper calls try onetel or others I had to put a box in front of my telephone point but worked out ok. I do agree Telewest all in obne packages are not as cheap as they could be.

Look at ASDLguide.org and look at telewest ratings compared to ASDL provider, also not telewest do not put limits on you.

The sky + is great, i have a similar thing for free view, but I think SKY is over priced.

Note seen much on the TV drive though

hope this helps

Andy

bunking_off

cherry_snaps wrote:

Look at ASDLguide.org and look at telewest ratings compared to ASDL provider, also not telewest do not put limits on you.

...I just did, with my ISP (Nildram). Telewest beat Nildram in one category, once (reliability in August 05) : Nildram beat Telewest in 17 categories.

The frightening thing, however, is what happens to Telewest when the ntl merger/takeover goes through....ntl rate lower in every category.

You can use other telecoms providers on Telewest, but the cheapest (e.g. 1899) surcharge you for doing so when compared to a BT line.

On the original question of Sky+ versus Telewest TVDrive, there seems little to choose, other than Telewest have got first to market with an HD derivative according to The Register.

nickmack

Had no experience of the Telewest solution, so can't comment on it.

However, I've had Sky+ since it came out and now most bugs have been ironed out, it is a great system.

I can't fathom from your OP whether you currently have Sky Digital or not, but certainly deals are available for new customers (and existing if you threaten to cancel!).

voyagerweb

If you are happy with the Telewest setup, channel list and guide then i would stay with them as there is no difference.

Sky + comes with the same hard drive as TV Drive, sky however reserve half of it for upcoming projects which may well be better than the offerings of teleport.

There are also developments such as a portable media player recently mentioned, in which you will be able to download programmes from your sky+ box, but this isnt confirmed.

theowl_2

cherry_snaps wrote:

Hi,

You must be mad to leave telewest fro broadband!!!!, just moved house(no telewest)ASDL and cost do not compete with telewest. I work in IT office and all the users on telewest are happy, everyone on a BT or other ASDL line is welll and truly miffed.

If you need cheaper calls try onetel or others I had to put a box in front of my telephone point but worked out ok. I do agree Telewest all in obne packages are not as cheap as they could be.

Look at ASDLguide.org and look at telewest ratings compared to ASDL provider, also not telewest do not put limits on you.

The sky + is great, i have a similar thing for free view, but I think SKY is over priced.

Note seen much on the TV drive though

hope this helps

Andy

I must admit, Telewest broadband has been faultless since I started using it, though it is not as fast as I'd hoped (should be 4MB now, customer support assure me it is, but it's not as fast as I'd expect).
However use 1899 etc through a BT line and your calls will be much cheaper (or free). Additionally ISPs such as Tiscali or Madasafish (through BT) are far cheaper than the £25 a month (broadband) I pay Telewest, with faster speeds too.

CIS

Oh, another thing, with Telewest you have to have their phone service with the digital TV

You dont need to if you have their broadband, the TV + broadbnad is an allowable conmbination ( I have mine like that ),

Theres a lot of coverage here
http://forum.digitalspy.co.uk/board/forumdisplay.php?f=49

Also rememeber its only a new product, so there are bound to be some teething problems.

nej

I got my TVDrive installed yesterday :j So far, I'm loving it and would highly recommend it.

I'd stick with them for Broadband too. I've had basically no problems at all in 5 years with it.