TV, broadband, phone package 14 October 2019 at 2:05PM in TV MoneySaving 9 replies 1.9K views

littleredhen

Currently pay £28.50 per month with talktalk, get unlimited phone calls (I regularly call people!) you view box and broadband.
My tv is old and not a smart tv
Wondering whether I am doing this right - I don't really understand how it all works if I am honest! My mum had an ordinary tv and bought a manhattan box to record programmes, had no internet so I am beginning to wonder why I am paying every month!
I don't have sky - I watch i player and record programmes, can anyone help me understand it better!

Neil_Jones

Your YouView box is basically a Freeview recorder box with the ability to get extra channels on top of the ones offered by Freeview.

If you stop paying for it it will, well, stop working basically, presume it will stop recording but still work as a Freeview receiver?

JJ_Egan

Recorder used to record Freeview channnels from the airial does not need broadband .

IPlayer etc needs Broadband.


You are paying Line rental to rent the Data line .+
Calls unlimited +


Broadband .


What are you using the YouView box for is it a Youview recorder.
Manhattan box is a reorder box just like Youview recorder and records Freeview channels

littleredhen

I watch tv through my you view box and record programmes too and watch i player etc on it

littleredhen

It seems like a good all in package but now wondering whether to buy a new smart tv - do I need a box to record programmes

Inner_Zone

Neil_Jones wrote: »

Your YouView box is basically a Freeview recorder box with the ability to get extra channels on top of the ones offered by Freeview.

If you stop paying for it it will, well, stop working basically, presume it will stop recording but still work as a Freeview receiver?

As long as the OP is out of contract, the Youview box will continue to be theirs and work and record Freeview channels via the aerial. If in minimum contract and terminates the ISP may ask for it back.

Inner_Zone

littleredhen wrote: »

It seems like a good all in package but now wondering whether to buy a new smart tv - do I need a box to record programmes

As above your existing box will continue to work subject to being in or out of contract.


Most Smart TV's can record to USB HDD, but usually are limited to one channel at a time so you end up watching what you are recording or have to put the TV into standby.


Your existing box also has some Smart apps available while connected to the Internet.

Bigphil1474

OP, you are better off with the Youview box and a standard TV in my opinion. You do need BB to use I-player. I got a Youview box when I was with PlusNet, and when I left, the box worked exactly the same including accessing all the same channels. All I lost was access to the extra channels I could have paid for, but didn't. That was 3 years ago and I still use it now for Netflix access and occasional recording if my VM box can't.
If your box has the apps you need, then unlikely to get any benefit from a smart TV. You could look for a BB and anytime calls package elsewhere, but you are unlikely to save much based on what you are paying. If you don't need access to BB (i.e. I-player), then you could go for a phone package only, but not going to be much cheaper either I think.

JJ_Egan

OP Manhattan box no better than a YouView recorder .
Cannot see any advantage over YV box same Freeview channels and same IPlyar type apps .


As above regarding using out of contract YV box /
I have all Freeview channels plus BBC ITV Channel 4 More Five You Tube etc via the Internet .

worried_jim

Your Youview box effectively turns your tv into a smart tv already.

£28.50 isn't too bad for bb landline and calls.