Defining what I need

bouicca21

I am about to move into a new flat (well, cross fingers it will all go ahead ok) and need to sort out a new broadband package.

Before I talk to a salesman I need to think about exactly what I need.
So here goes.

I work at home a lot so need good speeds - but we are talking email, Remote Desktop, internet databases, not gaming, or video streaming.

But I quite fancy having an internet enabled tv so I can watch catch up type stuff on the telly rather than a PC or ipad. Not too bothered about big tv bundles as so far have been quite happy with freeview.

Whatever service I get will come into the flat at the front - which is where the tv will be. My main PC will be in a back room. I also use other pcs in other rooms and would quite like to have a tv in two of the back rooms. Could either if these also be linked to the internet? Presumably wifi would not be good enough?

Currently I use power plugs to get the broadband from the router to a PC in another room. I don't want loads of messy cables so presumably I should continue to use power plugs but maybe upgrade them? Or is there a way of getting a really strong wifi signal to other rooms?

Given this sort of requirement what sort of connection should I be looking for? Cable? Fibre optic?

Would appreciate any advice. I can use a PC but really don't understand anything beyond using the software.

macman

Cable and fibre optic are to the cabinet, they don't affect the connection in and around the property.
First thing to do is an exchange search on samknows.com to see what is actually available on your exchange.
Your distribution options within the home are: ethernet, Homeplugs, or wi-fi-none of those are the concern of your ISP: their responsibility stops at the router.
If you want catch-up services, then a Humax YouView box will do the job once connected to your broadband service: usually done by Homeplugs or ethernet. Nothing you have said indicates the need for a VM cable or FTTC service, unless your ADSL options are less than about 3MBps.
Finally, you don't say what the existing service into the property is-is there a cable service or a BT based line?

JJ_Egan

Dont talk to a salesman use the internet to sign up and take your time .
>>
Given this sort of requirement what sort of connection should I be looking for? Cable? Fibre optic?

Find what you can have first
.https://www.samknows.com/broadband/broadband_checker

Heedtheadvice

I agree with the above but I would add that for what you describe are your current needs, unless you live in a rural area well away from the exchange then a cheap cable deal is probably adequate, You may need to consider download capacity more than speed given you work from home as you might be pushing 10Gb per month with work from home and any TV use which will eat up allowance as much as video streaming..

bouicca21

Oh I should have said that I'm in London, so pretty much all providers to choose from. Thanks for confirming what I thought - that whatever speed it comes in at, the efficiency of the distribution will be down to my choices.

PeteHerts

Don't forget the cash back sites because they can offer the same deals but with money back eventually................This is MSE after all lol

Ben84

bouicca21 wrote: »

But I quite fancy having an internet enabled tv so I can watch catch up type stuff on the telly rather than a PC or ipad. Not too bothered about big tv bundles as so far have been quite happy with freeview.

You don't actually need to replace your TV to enjoy smart TV features. Many boxes are available to add this. For example youview boxes can be attached to your existing set with scart or HDMI (HDMI is best for sets that support it), giving you on demand content from all the main channels, on-screen guides and program info, recording, pause and RW live tv and also the option to rent films and have them streamed to your TV. Youview doesn't need a subscription, you just buy the box once. It's really unlikely your existing set won't work with this. I'm using it with a TV set from 1982 through the scart socket.

bouicca21 wrote: »

Whatever service I get will come into the flat at the front - which is where the tv will be. My main PC will be in a back room. I also use other pcs in other rooms and would quite like to have a tv in two of the back rooms. Could either if these also be linked to the internet? Presumably wifi would not be good enough?

Wifi might work, I've had mixed results with it though for streaming content.

Alternatively, your internet over the mains adapters should also work for any internet device that can attach by cable.

You've got to experiment, but I'd try wifi first, and if that's not working out and the streaming is often pausing to buffer, explore options like cables or internet over the mains plugs. It doesn't all have to work perfectly the day you move in, provided you've got a modem and an ethernet cable, you can get up and running enough to work straight away, and figure out the TV and things later.

However, if you can get a cat5 or cat6 ethernet cable from the router to the TV/set top box, it's simple and reliable. Other options require more technical skills and aren't usually as fast.

DCFC79

What about a Now TV box for the TV catchup ?

bouicca21

Just my luck. I've checked suppliers to my new address and have discovered I am moving to what must be the only street in London that isn't cabled. So my broadband will essentially be down the phone line from a llu exchange.

Well that sort of set up served me well at my old house where I had Be. But I didn't have Remote Desktop then and I never tried connecting a tv to it. I'll happily follow suggestions given here about just getting a new freeview type box rather than a new tv, but will a phone connection be adequate?

Apparently the existing service to the flat is TalkTalk. I know nothing of their service, except that a friend took out a contract when they were first offering broadband and was only able to connect at about 2 a.m. Expansion beyond capacity, presumably.

pmartin86

What will you be using the remote desktop for? Will it be internal or external? (ie within your own network or connecting to otehr people elsewhere?) If it's "internal" then your internet speed won't matter at all, all about your internal network.

With regards to talktalk, I've been with them for about a year now and my personal experience is that they have been flawless. Excellent speed, excellent uptime.

InsideInsurance

Based on what you say you are using it for ADSL would be sufficient for your needs rather than Fibre.

The advantage of ADSL is you can connect to any of your telephone sockets, though you do get best results from the Master socket. Fibre has to be connected to the Master with a short cable to the modem and so you need to have 2 power sockets and somewhere to put the modem and router near to it. Our last two places have been fine as it was in a cupboard with power in one and by the TV in the lounge in the other. The place before them would have been terrible for Fibre as the master socket was in the hall with no power anywhere near it nor anywhere to put the modem and router.

As to how to hook things up, wifi should be fine unless you have a particularly big house or very thick stone walls. We have a slightly aged Apple TC as our router in the external corner of the lounge and still get full bars of reception up stairs in the opposite corner (though dont often need wifi when in the shower).

G, N or AC wireless standard should all be fine for your needs, we have a N based network and can stream HD movie to the TV whilst streaming music to the HiFi in the other room whilst having a VOIP phone call and browsing the net (plus whatever background tasks the computers, sky box, mobiles etc do in terms of updating software, syncing files etc)