Internet TV - a way to avoid SKY?

DarlingtonHelp

Not sure which Forum this goes on!

We are getting Windows 7 and understand Internet TV can be viewed using the Windows Media Center. It can then be transmitted to TVs in house?

Any thoughts on ease, experience, any cost to get channels etc?

Had awful customer experience with Sky and want to Cancel TV and brband package and get O2 brband.

Look forward to your thoughts.

dylanuk

As far as I'm aware, all Windows Media Center can do is display what channels any other TV can display.

Normally you'd get a TV card (to put into a PC), plug your aerial (or Sky aerial) into the TV card and then you can use Windows Media Center as a PVR.

The idea is then to connect the PC to a TV - so you get a subscription-free PVR set up (like having Sky+ basically).

It is then also better to watch BBC iPlayer / 4oD - because the PC you download it on is connected to your TV.

Not sure about the transmitting to other TVs though.

macman

Putting a Freeview TV card into your PC will only get you the Freeview channels, not the subscription channels.
Assuming you no longer want subscription channels, the cheapest route is to dump Sky and use your existing dish to get Freesat-that way all you need is a Freesat box.
Bear in mind that if you already have your line LLU'd to Sky then you will have to take your line rental back to BT with a 12m contract before you can get 02 broadband (or indeed any other broadband).

DarlingtonHelp

Cheers. So does TV thru internet cost? much in the same way as Sky? Channels we need are keds stuff like Nikelodeon, Sky 1, news etc. We don't do sports or movies. Freeview box doesnt give these channels, so trying to find out if Internet TV channels that are free. If you know a good website to see what are subscription channels and what are free wud be much appreciated.

Will check out freesat to see if it offers any more than freeview.

Our landline is with BT with Sky brband ontop. O2 doing brband at £7.50 as I have their mobile. Sky £15!!