Defining what I need

RumRat

Look for another flat in an area with better BB.
Failing that, I wouldn't use TalkTalk everyone I know who has used it, had problems and switched.
If you have sockets in the right locations, I would use Powerline adaptors rather than wifi, or a combination of both.

bod1467

TalkTalk can be fine, as long as you don't have any issues. If you DO get issues then that's when the pain starts - their customer services is appalling.

bouicca21

Well I'll want to try and set up a home network, though at the moment have totally failed to link an old XP netbook to a windows 7 desktop but I'm managing without so not too bothered about it. Remote desktop is me connecting to my pc on the office network. I still find it amazing that I can sit at home and use a desktop that is several miles away.

It's such a pity that Be has been taken over by Sky. Their customer service was excellent. My ex who is using the old Be account finds dealing with Sky extremely frustrating. Not heard good things about TalkTalk and my brother is infuriated by BT. Not a lot of providers left after that

RumRat

I know a couple of people using Plusnet that rate the CS. I know it's now owned by BT, but, they let it run independently apparently.

Ben84

bouicca21 wrote: »

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.

ADSL is fine for browsing the internet and emails. I've used it in a number of houses over the years and typically got 2-4 mbps, although allegedly it can be faster for some people who are close to their exchange. However, at these speeds, I've found streaming services like BBC iplayer can run in to problems as it's borderline on the recommended speed.

However, if that's all you can get then then that's what you'll have to get installed. Just test it out by streaming some online content from the various providers on your computer and see if it works reliably on a number of occasions. If it works on your computer, it will work for a TV and you can safely invest in a smart TV or box for your existing one. If however it doesn't work at first, you can explore options like connecting with an ethernet cable and/or switching to SD content.

As for adding a box to your TV, it's not as such a freeview box you need. Freeview is the current digital TV service delivered through your aerial. So, if your TV works right now, it's either digital already or you have a converter. What you need for streaming content is something like the youview box I mentioned before, or one of the blu ray players with apps to connect to the different online services like iplayer and 4od. Personally, for the wide selection of services it offers and the ability to display it all over a scart cable that suits my old TV, I like the youview box from humax, but something else may suit you better. What kind of set do you have and what services do you want to connect to?

Ben84

RumRat wrote: »

I know a couple of people using Plusnet that rate the CS. I know it's now owned by BT, but, they let it run independently apparently.

I used plusnet a couple of years ago and they were very good. We did need to use the customer services and they were helpful.

Zen are also excellent, and their site has a nice program that uses your telephone number and post code to look up and explain what's available. Haven't been able to test it extensively, but their predicted speed for my broadband is pretty much right where the actual average speed is, so it's right for me at least.

Virgin are worth avoiding if at all possible. Very unreliable customer service on a number of occasions and the installation quality was bad. However, I appreciate they do sometimes offer fast internet in places where nobody else does yet.