No digital tv, internet or phone- where to start??

NoreenOMS

Hi all. Really hoping someone can help...

We have been living in our flat for nearly 3 years now (rented) and haven't bothered with landline (wouldn't be used) or Internet (both have iPhones on giff gaff unlimited).
However, given that we have a 3d smart tv, we really want to start actually using this for what it was made for!!

Sky dishes are not allowed on the building and Virgin is not in our area. When we have looked at alternatives with talktalk and bt etc, it is just a mine field.

We are looking for digital tv- with the facility to watch catch up and perhaps a few extra channels like sky 1 and maybe something like netflix which I keep hearing about.

If you were starting from scratch like this; where would you start? Who offers the best deal for the sort of thing we are looking for?

VisionMan

YouView would be a good place to start.

Heres an independent comparison chart between BT and TalkTalk -

http://www.uswitch.com/tv/compare/youview/?gclid=CN6fqu3turwCFU7HtAodZSwARw

But if you want the addition of Sky channels TalkTalk is your only option. I would recommend this package, then add individual Boost channels to suit your needs -

https://sales.talktalk.co.uk/product/tv/plustv

Hope that helps.

macman

YouView will cost you an aerial and a Humax YouView box; however if you want the on-demand services then you'll need an ADSL broadband service and a working landline to supply the content. No ongoing TV cost required.

NoreenOMS

Thanks both for the replies. Vision man- talktalk is certainly looking like the most viable deal. Thou think we might start of without the add ins such as sky and see how we do?

Also considering your option mac man. Thou looks like if you don't get broadband it's pretty much just a freeview box is that right? Bit confused as to why talktalk say free you view box worth £299, when the youview website says costs £169?!

VisionMan

NoreenOMS wrote: »

Thanks both for the replies. Vision man- talktalk is certainly looking like the most viable deal. Thou think we might start of without the add ins such as sky and see how we do?

Also considering your option mac man. Thou looks like if you don't get broadband it's pretty much just a freeview box is that right? Bit confused as to why talktalk say free you view box worth £299, when the youview website says costs £169?!

Yes, without a broadband its just a Freeview box. But you won't get the full programme guide without a broadband connection or the catch up services either. So there would be no point in getting a YV box without those. As for the price, TalkTalk are just quoting the launch price. They are available far cheaper now.

macman

If you don't want catch up (though you said you did) then just get a standard Humax Freeview PVR.

teddysmum

macman wrote: »

If you don't want catch up (though you said you did) then just get a standard Humax Freeview PVR.

If you remember to pre record, you don't need catch up, anyway. The pvr will allow you to record two programmes at the same time, while watching a recording. You can also watch a third programme directly through your tv, if it has it's own Freeview (but this is without the stop/ rewind facility).

[Deleted User]

teddysmum wrote: »

If you remember to pre record, you don't need catch up, anyway.

Catch up is supposed to compliment a PVR, not replace it. Not everyone has time to set a recording for every programme they would otherwise miss. Catch Up and On Demand is useful for dipping into on a casual basis….

VisionMan

Catch up is also invaluable when a 'must watch' programme fails to record. And also when two other channels are being recorded at the same time.

NoreenOMS

Thanks everyone for the replies. Decided to go with talktalk as seems a decent enough deal. £30.50 a month , although I have paid the line rental upfront as save nearly £60 and reduces the monthly direct debit to £15.50.

Got to wait a while to see if it's all worth it- installation of the phone line won't be until March due to a backlog due to the weather! Hope I dong start paying before we actually have the services- the you view box will be delivered up to 3 says after the phone line installation. Have not had any detail in emails as to when the first payment will be taken! Sure it will all become clear in due course...