Top Up TV/ESPN

derekdd83

Hi, i am considering buying 1 of those Top up tv freeview boxes as i really want the ESPN channel. Has anybody else signed up to any of the packages with Top up tv?

aHullKingstonRover

Hi,

I've been a Top Up TV subscriber for about 5 years now - in my opinion, it's a reliable service and I've recently added the newly launched ESPN sports to my viewing package - the thing to be aware of is the broadcasting hours - ESPN broadcast on DTT channel 34 from noon to 03-00hrs Monday to Friday and noon to 05-00hrs Saturday and Sunday. If you can live with that restriction (no morning programmes) then I'm sure you'll enjoy all the channel has to offer... in fairness, all the live action appears to be happening after noon anyway...

If you're not already a Top Up TV subscriber, I believe a one off £20 connection fee (covers the cost of sending you a viewing card and creating an account) is applicable to all new subscribers; however, I understand the connection fee is being waived during August provided you already have a viewing card and compatible Top Up TV receiving equipment; even though Top Up TV's programming is sent via aerial rather than satellite broadcast, you still need an appropriate means to receive ESPN; either a suitable DTR or CAM. A DTR (multiple channel receiver) is about £100 and a CAM (single channel access module) is about £25. The way to get around the connection fee charge is to purchase either of these products before you subscribe - these should come with viewing card enclosed - then subscribe to ESPN via the Top Up TV website, which asks for your viewing card number at the point of purchase and deducts the connection fee before confirming your order. However, before you buy a 'CAM' ensure that your television has the necessary slot to accomodate this piece of equipment.

Have a look at the www.digitalspy.co.uk forums (select terrestrial then Top Up TV) for impartial discussion and for technical advice have a look at www.kafkasworld.com

macman

I am also interested in subscribing to ESPN via Top Up TV. However I don't need one of their Freeview+ boxes, as I already have a CAM slot on both my Panasonic TV and Humax PVR. What does the £20 connection fee cover-does it include both the viewing card and the CAM? If it includes only the viewing card, where can I buy the CAM-and are these universal, or different for different brands of hardware?

aHullKingstonRover

Hi,

Try www.hummy.org.uk for advice on using your Humax receiver in conjunction with ESPN broadcasts - I think you should be able to receive ESPN via your Humax or Panasonic (definitely the Panasonic) - I think problems with the Humax begin if you want to receive ESPN in conjunction with other Top Up TV services - the problems that occur are something to do with obfuscation software (?) which the Humax fails to recognise.

As far as I know, the connection fee only covers the cost of sending you a viewing card - a CAM would have to be purchased seperately I believe. Judging by what I've read on other forums one of the old Setanta CAM's should suffice as the encryption system is the same...

d40eq6

The old Setanta CAMS do (I am advised) work fine for receiving ESPN. The problem is getting hold of them as all the main retailers (Argos Tesco and Amazon) got rid of their stock when Setanta went bust.

If you look you can find online suppliers and they are on ebay- you'll be paying north of thirty quid though.

I hope that ESPN start to sell them themselves soon as they really are missing a trick at the moment.