BT TV Extra Box

Chrishazle

Spoke to BT CS this morning to ask whether the £99 up front fee for an extra BTTV box could be avoided if you already happen to have a second BTTV box - and the answer was "yes you can" - with the caveat that you can only have 2 live BT boxes at one time - you'll only pay the £5pm extra box fee.

So - there are loads on Ebay for far less than £99! I've actually rigged my Youview+ box to our distribution amp via a Triax Tri Link, quality at the remote TV's is OK but not great (and the kit cost £50 including scart etc cables), so a second box at the second main TV is now an option.

JJ_Egan

i just use the BT App via a Chromecast to a second tv .(actually in a diffrent location )
Thats for BT Sports . BT TV not much on i find .

Chrishazle

I could probably do that via the app, our Nexus 7 and a Push2TV adapter we have - but I have enough problems trying to teach SWMBO how to use a TV remote, let alone that!

Trying to watch the footie tonight via the Triax from the living room to the dining room, I'm going to pay the extra £5pm for the additional BT Youview box I "Acquired" - but won't be telling them how I acquired it!

Chrishazle

Quick update - installed the second box today, hooked up to the router as well as the aerial, went to turn the footie on at 5pm on the first box, somehow it knew there was a second box connected and would not allow BT Sport 3! Disconnected the second box from the router, first box then worked perfectly, now on the phone to BT to start the Extra Box £5pm without paying the £99 up front fee.

Further update - looks like I was given bad information yesterday, just been told it has to be reported to CS manager then complaints dept, so they will be calling me within up to 5 days - but they have the record of me speaking to them 12.30 yesterday! Watch this space!!

All this makes me wonder about all the BT TV boxes for sale on Ebay etc.

Tutti

I hope you don't mind me pouncing on this thread with what could be a really silly question but it looks like you know your stuff ;-) . Anyway I've just cancelled my BT as the cost had increased significantly and the only TV we really watch is through Now TV or Netflix. I had thought I would have to buy a freeview box to still be able to access Netflix etc as we do not have a smart TV but will I still be able to use the BT box with my new provider? Please don't laugh too much at my tech savvy! Couldn't even remember how to access my old MSE forum account haha

Chrishazle

As the BT TV box takes the Freeview channels from your normal aerial and only the subscription channels from your broadband, I would imagine it will work as a Freeview receiver in the same way that a Sky box, after you cancel Sky, works as a Freesat via Sky box. Whether you'd be able to access Netflix etc. I have no idea!

Tutti

Thanks for that won't rush out and buy a new box until I try it. I have Apple TV so can always use that for Netflix anyway ��

VisionMan

Tutti wrote: »

I hope you don't mind me pouncing on this thread with what could be a really silly question but it looks like you know your stuff ;-) . Anyway I've just cancelled my BT as the cost had increased significantly and the only TV we really watch is through Now TV or Netflix. I had thought I would have to buy a freeview box to still be able to access Netflix etc as we do not have a smart TV but will I still be able to use the BT box with my new provider?

Hi,
The only service you will lose is access to BT TV. So yes, Netflix will still work.

Chrishazle

Update - had a call today from Priority Care at BT Retail, long conversation, she's activating Extrabox to see if it works (I already have the second box installed and an activated Mini Connector (powerline adapter) in place). May take up to 24 hours to activate so will see what happens.

Edit - I have a big smile on my face!! About 3 hours after the phone call, plugged the second box back into the powerline adapter so it connected to the internet, ran a software update from the Settings menu then re-tuned the box, I have all my subscription channels on the second TV, quality much better than through the Triax tri-link on the back of the Youview+ box linked to the distribution amp in the loft so well worth £5pm. BT reckoned it would not work with 2 different boxes (main one is Youview+, second one is Youview UltraHD) but it does!!