Which provider is best?

Drodough

tentonine wrote: »

Visting websites counts - downloading is any information that travels down your phone line (except BT Vision content - they count that separately).

Did the guy at BT mention whether you would be getting a TV package (such as a kids package) included for that price? Incidentally, BT Vision does not give you extra channels. Instead, you get a selection of programs to watch when you want to.

It is possible to buy a box to record TV for about £70 without having to get the BT box (so it is not worth paying a montly fee just for that feature or going with BT just for that feature).

There are three kids' channels on Freeview:
http://www.freeview.co.uk/freeview/Channels
Note that it is possible that you won't be able to pick up all Freeview channels without an aerial upgrade if the present owners haven't already done that. Freeview worked fine at my last house with an old aerial, but a few channels aren't available at the new house because they are transmitted at higher frequencies and can only be received with newer aerials (which cost about £100).

Forgot to add 'cbeebies' to my channel list. looking at the freeview list, that would meet our needs. So i think freeview is the way forward for sure as BT vision sounds nice but prob be a waste of money for the amount we'd watch. But am i right it has the latest movies? That was what excited me- years since I've been to the cinema!!

[Deleted User]

Vision does have some good movies and occasionally even before they are out on DVD, but I'm pretty sure that you have to pay for these (normally about £4 each for a 24-hour rental), even if you have a package! I have Vision and do sometimes watch movies, but I don't have a package and so there is no monthly cost when I don't use it.
BT Vision includes built-in Freeview (via the aerial) and the extra content available through the internet connection is here:
http://www.btvision.bt.com/
The vailable monthly packages are here (note that film package is only for a limited selection of older movies, not the very latest ones):
http://www.btvision.bt.com/viewing-packages/#pack_onvision

You could also consider a freesat box - you get most of the Freeview channels and a few others (including HD channels). Reception should also be better because it comes through the satellite dish. You can see what's on here:
http://www.freesat.co.uk/

Drodough

tentonine wrote: »

Vision does have some good movies and occasionally even before they are out on DVD, but I'm pretty sure that you have to pay for these (normally about £4 each for a 24-hour rental), even if you have a package! I have Vision and do sometimes watch movies, but I don't have a package and so there is no monthly cost when I don't use it.
BT Vision includes built-in Freeview (via the aerial) and the extra content available through the internet connection is here:
http://www.btvision.bt.com/
The vailable monthly packages are here (note that film package is only for a limited selection of older movies, not the very latest ones):
http://www.btvision.bt.com/viewing-packages/#pack_onvision

You could also consider a freesat box - you get most of the Freeview channels and a few others (including HD channels). Reception should also be better because it comes through the satellite dish. You can see what's on here:
http://www.freesat.co.uk/

oh wow- never even heard of that! Will check that out, too! You have been so, so helpful tentonine- and others who have posted- thank you :A

[Deleted User]

No problem - I hope you can make an informed decision now.

One last thing about movies - have you ever considered an online DVD rental service like www.lovefilm.com? The idea is that you pay a fixed montly fee from about £10 (or buy a fixed number of rentals if you prefer) and then keep the DVD for as long as you like. You send it back when you have finished and they send you another straight away (or you can have up to three disks at a time if you pay a bit extra). They have essentially every DVD ever released, including the very latest ones. I used them for years and was very pleased. They send you pre-paid envelopes for when you return the disks, so there are no additional charges.

Mark_In_Hampshire

tentonine wrote: »

I just want to point out that, although Zen are supposed to have the best service and best reliability, they also have a price to match!

Ah, but he did ask which was the best, not the cheapest

Agree with comments on the film rentals service. You get to watch what you want rather than paying a higher set monthly fee for stuff which you don't really want, and then even more to watch e.g. a film outside your subscription.

And - if you've not lived in a rural area before, you won't regret it, and you'll never move back somewhere urban. Have fun. And buy a decent torch

Drodough

Mark_In_Hampshire wrote: »

Ah, but he did ask which was the best, not the cheapest

Agree with comments on the film rentals service. You get to watch what you want rather than paying a higher set monthly fee for stuff which you don't really want, and then even more to watch e.g. a film outside your subscription.

And - if you've not lived in a rural area before, you won't regret it, and you'll never move back somewhere urban. Have fun. And buy a decent torch

Yes, I do need reliable internet due to working from home but would also like cheap-ish (want to have my cake AND eat it!)

All other advise duely noted and will definitely look into the dvd rental thing!

Incidentally, I am a 'she'

Thank you again both :A

MFWannabe

It sounds like that Sky Tv or BT vision would be a waste of money for the amount of tv that you actually watch.
You have to have Sky TV to be able to have their broadband. Their broadband is very good though and they do have an unlimited option. Packages for TV start from £18.50 per month (i think). Cost of broadband depends on your area (put your poscode in the postcode checker)

If i were you i would go with BT for the phone line though as it then stays a BT line ( a lot of companies are changing it to their line so you'll only be able to have their facilities); then shop around for the best broadband for your area; especially as you work from home

Another option for TV if you want record facility why not invest in a freeview recorder? Same facilities as Sky plus without the expense

Hope this helps and that i've not confused you even more

Drodough

FREEZ wrote: »

It sounds like that Sky Tv or BT vision would be a waste of money for the amount of tv that you actually watch.
You have to have Sky TV to be able to have their broadband. Their broadband is very good though and they do have an unlimited option. Packages for TV start from £18.50 per month (i think). Cost of broadband depends on your area (put your poscode in the postcode checker)

If i were you i would go with BT for the phone line though as it then stays a BT line ( a lot of companies are changing it to their line so you'll only be able to have their facilities); then shop around for the best broadband for your area; especially as you work from home

Another option for TV if you want record facility why not invest in a freeview recorder? Same facilities as Sky plus without the expense

Hope this helps and that i've not confused you even more

Thanks - Freeview recorder sounds good, have decided Freeview is the way forward for TV as offers all the channels we need really. I will start looking into Freeview prices on google.

Any suggestions as to the best broadband? Or does that really depend on the area? Is there any kind of checker that tells me what is best for my area? The whole broadband thing is confusing me a LOT - LLU and speeds etc, it's way more complicated than I ever realised!

I am really struggling to decide between BT or Post Office (or anyone else!) for my phone line now too- I like the fact that, as Mark_in_Hampshire advised, the Post Office do not have a tie-in whereas BT tie you in for 12 months- just gives me a bit more flexibility to move? Then again, no doubt I will be locking myself into a 12 month broadband contract anyway, so guess I wouldnt change things until after the first year anyway...

MFWannabe

Would there be a charge by the post office for putting a new line in? I believe BT are still offering free line installation until 16th Feb. Personally i don't think 12 month contract is that long; especially if you don't have to pay for installation.
Reference best broadband; it does very much depend on where you live. Have you checked samknows website for what's available in your area?
Also google which broadband and you should be able to find out whats available.

Drodough

FREEZ wrote: »

Would there be a charge by the post office for putting a new line in? I believe BT are still offering free line installation until 16th Feb. Personally i don't think 12 month contract is that long; especially if you don't have to pay for installation.
Reference best broadband; it does very much depend on where you live. Have you checked samknows website for what's available in your area?
Also google which broadband and you should be able to find out whats available.

Don't complete until after 16 Feb

But as there is a BT line already, is it not just a case of getting a new number? Will there be an installation fee? Haven't checked PO costs yet, it's on my list

Samknows seemed to say nothing was available (see earlier post) but that was to do with the LLU thingy so is that different?

Wow I am making myself sound so dumb here but all this broadband stuff is alien to me, as just always had Virgin and never looked into any of this before!