Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

Well in May this year, ntl have already stated "early 2007": http://www.cableforum.co.uk/article/...-definition-tv

Hmmm...Telewest don't offer what I would call an HD service, AFAIK it's a only couple of channels as Sky are holding on to all of theirs (Sports/Movies etc)

---------- Post added at 20:54 ---------- Previous post was at 20:45 ----------

You're referring to the 'up to 16Mb BB' I think Russ, which is only available to people whose exchanges have been unbundled (same as Bulldog/BE)

The difference is that AFAIK anyone that can get Sky BB in some flavour or another.

You may only get the 'basic' 2Mb service, but Sky ADSL is available to everyone.

If you can get ADSL, you can get Sky ADSL, you may not be able to get the 'up to16Mb' DSL from Sky, but you will be able to receive Sky BB.

Can you say the same for ntl's VOD?

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

I thought this discussion was about PVR and not HDTV

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

Let the children have their fun! ;)

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

And look just how forward thinking it is and i bet NTL are quaking in there boots to have such a new and exciting limited , traffic shaped and capped product "upto 16 meg is not capped" up against there uncapped un traffic shaped broadband.:LOL:

Sky invents again :LOL:

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

And you think ntl aren't/won't be traffic shpaing do you.....

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

tad unfair, imo, they have an admin forum, if they didn't want us to see their discussion, we wouldn't ;)

HDTV has to be part of the discussion, because, for some people I think it isn't going to be worth paying for a PVR package, if that kind of content isn't possible ???

e.g. at present there is no way any NTL/Telewest customer will get the HD sports feeds from sky - that doesn't concern me, because sport on TV is so much crepe, these days, but for some people it will be really important....

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

I have every reason to believe they will. But at the moment they are not. Just like vod is not in every region :D

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

To say that VOD doesn't count as a feature because NTL haven't finished the roll-out yet is a fairly stupid argument. You may as well say that NTL doesn't count as offering digital TV, because there are some parts of Leicester and London that are still analogue only. Or that VOD will never count as a feature because old Videotron networks don't have the return path to support it.

You know very well that cable rollouts are staggered because equipment needs to be installed in every headend, rather than just once at the headquarters. So I ask you, what's better: rolling the product out to customers as and when it's ready, or waiting however long it takes for the entire network to be ready before switching it on? If you ask me, or NTL, or pretty much everyone else, they'd go for the former.

Futhermore, I think we should have a quick look at this statement:

Basically, you won't consider Telewest's HD service adequate until they have Sky Sports HD and Sky Movies HD -- and you acknowledge that Sky are holding on to these. So you require from NTL/Telewest something they have absolutely no control over. You don't think you're perhaps setting the bar a little high?

Lastly, VOD is available everywhere the PVR is available (which means, Telewest areas). Therefore, even by your definition, it's reasonable to consider VOD as a part of the PVR package, yes? So, um, where's Sky's equivalent?

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

Did Troll-boy really say that? :Yikes:

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

:LOL:

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

Blimey - you lot could start a fight in an empty bar. Anyway thanks to your somewhat tangential feedback I think I am looking forward to seeing what NTL offer going forward by way of PVRs. Does anyone have an informed guess when this is going to happen or is it still hearsay at this stage?

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

Q4 2006-Q1 2007 as far as I know. Apparently they won't be broadcasting HD until mid 2007. :)

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

S;) ome aeras are going to have Hd soon to try :tu: As they would like to start rolling it out for xmas

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

unless NTL upgrade the Programme Guide to go beyond 3 days and add in "Record a Series" then what point is having a PVR .. given the bandwidth available down the cable ( I know some technical guru will correct me on this assumption. ) but if they dont do it its just going to be an overrated freeview clone..

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

They will do both of those things.

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

The three-day restriction is in place as older NTL boxes can't handle a full week of data. There's no reason to think the brand new PVR box won't be sufficiently powerful to handle a full week's EPG.

I agree it is frustrating though, when I first got NTL digital, it did have a week of programming (not that you could browse it easily - it took an age to load data for a week ahead). Then one mornign I switched it on and it was gone. :(

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

TBH, I don't personally think a week is enough. Tivo has it just about right (for most channels, Tivo holds up to a month's worth of data, but a minimum of two weeks).

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

I really wish they would do this in no VOD areas to give us a bit of loving.

Waltham Forrest VOD "Summer 2006" Yeah right.

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

Be fair, they still have exactly two weeks to go!
.
.
.
.
.
No I don't believe it either.:rolleyes:

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

The service tech I had out this week to look at my set top box problems said that some NTL customers may be able to get HD before Christmas and for all VOD enabled regions to be HD ready by end of Jan 07. He advised that final testing is taking place in Glasgow at Present and that certain regions had also got testers trialling it he thought there was about 100 in my area Leicestershire and that all trialists at present have to connect via the headend and not hub sites which rules me out.

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

using badger, the postcode checker that tells you if services are available in each area, its saying that in my area PVR will be available middle of jan 07, so while its not accurate to the day and can sometimes bring problems saying some areas are covered when theyre not id say that ntl are trying to get this released before or just after xmas

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

Badger tells me Jan 16th my aera .Lets hope the testing starts soon:D

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

Quick everyone start PMing NedKelly with their postcodes so he can check them for us!

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

OOPS I really was joking. Sorry

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

Won't Sky Movies HD will be irrelevent when HD movies are available over VOD? :)

Remember you can watch a VOD movie whenever you want, with Sky you have to wait for them to broadcast it (yes I know they play the same movies on multiple channels at multiple times AND you can record on Sky+, but it's still not as flexible as VOD).... So it's only really HD Sports that's the "killer app" - Anyone been to the pub lately? :D

So when ntl have a PVR and HDVOD, will SkyHD really worth it? :confused:

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

i think to be objective HD sky movies is still very good, even though a lot of the time they are repeats etc they still have the option especially when new movies come out ot broadcast in HD on there which ntl wouldnt. i think when HD VoD is available they will be pretty closely matched.

with HD sports as mentioned above, id rather go to the pub spend £15 for sky sports plus the extra £10 for HD and the cost of the box on a few pints and watch it for free than pay for it at home.

in general sky are a lot more innovative than ntl, eg sky+ and HD but im not one of those people that will happily pay more for something and live with the bugs that are in to have it first so it doesnt really bother me that much that sky users have had new technologies before me but it is down to personal preferance and i respect that.

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

You just gotta love service...................... Some of em hear a whisper and get the wrong end of the stick :( bit like some of the posters on here actually :rolleyes:

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

as regards VOD NTL are once again far to short term tunnel vision in favour of SKY, they should not forget that right now DTT DVB-T is testing my prefered end user option of "home networking including media sharing with a PC" aka IPTV.

if NTL were to finally commission an STB that had 128meg ram as standard, a good quality 3D GFX chip that has AV hardware assisted parts, a good or even high quality FPGA that can be loaded with any current or future Codec and AVC/AAC as standard, a cheap 7:1 sound chip and headers for at least 5 outputs, and a simple industry standard PCI/miniPCI and RJ45 including a large firmware with a VLC type web server interface then they would be set for just about anything that might come down the pipe and be able to refine their costs in spare parts etc, they could even put a simple laptop type trapdoor in the base so it can be user/field upgraded with extra ram etc if they wanted to make future upgrading easy and cheaper all round.

if they wanted to get more adventuous they could even as standard, put in a simple and cheap 11G+ wireless chip and detachable rubberduck wireless arial on the STB and have the first UK wide wireless IPTV capable cable STB as their bragging rights.

ditch the liberate middleware and use something, indeed anything better, QNX RTP and its Photon GUI
and other realtime options and advanced networking to name a few.

they should even open up their closed cable network to (if they must , a select few) 3rd party dvb-C USB/PCI/STB manufactureres so as to encurage inovation for the end users on the UK cable network and make a very nice profit in the process while still keeping control.

http://www.newvideobusiness.com/content/view/67/26/
"
BT is set to launch its hybrid DTT/IPTV service in the late summer but has so far only announced Philips as the supplier of set-top boxes for the service. Philips is supplying dual front-end Digital Video Recorders that can take live TV off the UK’s Freeview DTT platform and access VOD via BT’s DSL network. This latest solution appears to be aimed at ISPs who might want to use local-loop unbundling to offer rival DTT/IPTV VOD solutions."

"
The solution uses Red Bee Media’s Digital Hive technologies, which can cover content management and delivery, while Netgem will supply advanced HD-ready receive devices. Programming content will be encoded in the SMPTE VC-1 advanced codec, which is the standardised version of Microsoft’s Windows Media 9 Video. It will be protected by Windows Media Digital Rights Management 10. "

its a shame their going to use the VC-1 MS codec (its based on the old Mpeg4/ASP aka DivX/Xvid with a few bells) but perhaps they will also enable the far better Mpeg4/AVC perhaps even its lossless option from the onset, and its (AVC)far better suited than VC-1 to the lower bitrates as currently found on DVB -C/T/S(2) transmissions today.

"
The package created by these three companies will provide access to all Freeview channels, a navigation interface for downloaded video and audio content, and an Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) and Interactive Programme Guide (IPG). The system will also enable viewers to pause live TV, make local recordings and play video back in high-definition. The system will also support home networking including media sharing with a PC."

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

Any one know what version of the S/A pvr they are testing is it the 8300

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

I don't remember the model number but it is exactly the same S/A box that Telewest use.

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

Ok thanks,

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

Were can i get badger from so i can see when my are will get Pvr?

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

I believe Badger is one of NTL's internal systems, and is therefore not accessible to the public. I suspect when NTL are ready to publish dates for installation for each area, they will be published somewhere on ntlworld.com


:welcome: to the forum BTW.

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

Yeah, down in the basement, in the bottom of a locked filing cabinet ;)

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

Perhaps with a sign on it, saying "Beware of the leopard"?

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

:D:tu:

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

Ok thanks guys would one of you great ntl guys tell me when BN2 region will get Pvr?:)

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

The PVR should have launched in most areas by Jan 07

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

I think the answer to that as been posted in previous pages :)

Regarding the "Will it be better than Sky+" - I think YES

I would hope that the majority of CURRENT TiVo users will agree when I say that Sky+ is pants (Compared to TiVo). For example, why cant you tell it to record all films starring a specific actor? Why does it not build up a profile about you and record things you might like?

NTL do not have to release something too amazing to be better than Sky+ as Sky+ is not that great anyway. Its a basic PVR with a programmes guide tagged on.. nothing more.

If the design team have looked at TiVo when designing the NTL/Telewest PVR.. then it is plausible that it could be considerably BETTER than Sky+ in my opinion.

I wonder what BBC/ITV have up their sleeves for theyre Freesat launch?

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

does anyone know if its possible to upgrade the sky+ box with more memory?
the ntl one due to be launched does have more but i was wondering if sky users can upgrade thiers to match.

also has anyone seen any pics of the ntl pvr as the new sky boxes do look pretty smart

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

;) The box ntl are using is the same box telewest use .I do belive you can put in a bigger hard drive on sky +

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

This is what the Telewest TVdrive looks like and what NTL will be using as well.http://www.telewestinfo.co.uk/TVDriv...SetTopBox1.gif

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

I like the cut of that beastie's jib, and no mistake :)

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

thanks all, will definatly be getting one once its released:D

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

Correction.

The PVR SHOULD HAVE launched several years ago around the same time as sky+, but may be expected to launch in most areas by Jan 07 :D

Any news on when there'll be an official announcement of launch dates?

Thanks

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

I guess once they have finished trialing and testing the box and are confident that everything is fine with it. Maybe they will launch different areas at different times.

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

Makes sense. Then you can use the profits gained from phase 1 of the roll-out to fund phase 2 etc. Only side effect is that the customers who get it last get extremely p'd off :mis:

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

Par for the course with NTL. Released in 1 area then take 2 years to release the rest just like VOD :LOL:

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

In my area on by friends samsung cable receiver is you go in to the engineer menu in the list of channels it has some pvr epg data channels (PVR_EPG & 8300 EPG).

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

Where does one sign up to be a customer triallist ? As an experienced Tivo/NTL user, etc etc...

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

I don't know if they would have a customer trial as such. Just that one area would get it first to make sure everything is fine. Majority of trials are done by staff.

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

Plus, a customer trial may lead to too much information being leaked.

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

:redcard:
Oh well, it was worth a try....

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

i wonder..., if staff are the main trialists ,do they read this board for instance to see what the end users are saying they would like to see in the new STB or whatever is being trialed at the time?.

perhaps they also look to DS for comments
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds37281.html

if you assume they do take note and are reporting their/users findings/wishes to the hardware tech people so as to produce a major (in this case a) STB inovation that they can mass produce and easly sell to the users then someone seems to be thinking the short term gains ,rather than the long term game.......

"As such the addition of new functionality to the box, such as enabling the SATA interface, is currently taking a back seat to the focus on stability and rollout."

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

The trialists usually get given a set of tasks to carry out to make sure every conceivable scenario can be tested then report the results. Or just have to use the product as they normally would and report back any problems or errors.

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

spoke to customer service today as hubby had been on about ditching NTL and getting SKY+ and asked when we could expect their box & was told by the end of the year - I don't know if that is all areas though or just my area

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

Talking of VoD. "Summer 2006" is rapdily turning into "Winter 2006". I don't hold out much hope for a PVR.

I really do wish that NTL would reward those of us without VoD, by releasing PVR in our areas first. Would only be fair right ? I'm dreaming of course...

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

your right they should have done them all together

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

They need to stagger the activation of VOD to ensure there are no problems. They can't release the TV Drive on NTL until it has been fuly tested with the NTL EPG software which will probably take a few months.

I know NTL have taken a long time to get VOD and the PVR to everyone but I am sure you'd rather wait a little longer to ensue that it all works properly. Cause otherwise you would just moan about it being rubbish!

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

just got some info on this, not sure if its been posted before, please can someone delete it if it has

There's no one-off cost to get the box. There are a few different prices for
TVDrive, but you won't need to commit them to memory straight away, you'll
get trained on all the details before the launch.

Monthly subscription costs
* Customers taking Family Pack will pay only £10 per month for their
TVDrive subscription
* Customers on Free TV, Select Pack or Base Pack will pay £15 per
month for TVDrive
* TVDrive is not available with any analogue service

Second boxes
* Customers with a TVDrive can take a second set top box for just £5
extra per month - bargain!
* There's no option to take two TVDrive boxes on one account

New digital TV customers
* TVDrive installation is free to all new digital TV customers, this
includes:
o brand new customers installed for the first
time
o existing customers taking digital TV as a
new service
o analogue customers migrating to digital

Existing digital TV customers
* Existing digital TV customers swapping their normal STB for a
TVDrive will pay a £75 call out fee
* However, if the customer keeps their normal STB as a second service
for £5 a month, they get the TVDrive installed for free


How does TVDrive differ to On Demand?

TVDrive is a clever video recorder - it lets you record programmes that are
broadcast on your digital TV service and lets you pause and rewind live TV.

On Demand is a huge library of programmes, music videos and movies that that
can be accessed at any time simply by pressing the On Demand button on your
remote. You don't have to record anything - the programmes are available
when you are. Sky and Freeview can't offer the same service, because they
don't have a state-of-the-art cable that can deliver digital TV right into
people's homes like we have.


Will On Demand be the same with TVDrive?

No, but we think it's going to be even better. The new code (UK1) that comes
with TVDrive means that there will be some differences to the way the On
Demand service works. Eventually On Demand will change for everyone, but
for the time being you only need to know about it for TVDrive customers.

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

Sounds good so far. As i have said before if this is as good as i have been informed then i will switch to this when its available.

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

Should you have posted that info as it appears to the the staff info.

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

...less the estimated dates. :erm:

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

I assume there is minimum period of 12 months on this. Even so you'd be better off keeping your old box for the 12 months and spreading the cost whilst saving yourself £15.

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

yes it was published in a SON, i have looked through it carefully and not once does it say keep this info to yourself until further notice so i can assume the only reason they are telling us this now is because it is ready to be launched and they want customers to know about it

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

When they want customers to know about it they will advertise it. That info was meant for internal use only.

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

i have checked it didnt say for internal use only

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

Relax ... this is hardly the first leak we've had on CF. It's nice to get an exclusive once in a while. ;)

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

I am relaxed. I did actually post the expected times for release a page or so back in the thread:)

Just that amount of info was just for staff. He could have just posted the prices and left it at that.

I might even have one already ;)

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

i pretty much did post the prices, but the price does vary depending on what package your on, the only other info i mentioned was with the on demand and i dont think i was that specific with that either

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

If you have two set-top boxes already, and want to change one to the PVR - then I guess from this, it's going to cost the £75.00 call out fee.
But presumably then, there's nothing to stop me cancelling one set top box, and the next day - asking for PVR and an "additional" set top box which avoids the £75 fee, which is unpaletable?

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

On NTHell a poster (here) stated that, if one had both Sky Sports and Movies, there would be no monthly fee...if this is the case then it would really make upgrading worthwhile...

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

On the news article on cable forum, it states that you can only have one tvdrive per household.

Why is that for? If you are willing to pay an additional stb fee for it, why not?

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

Limited supplies maybe?

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

Or the fact they're supplying them FOC, unlike $ky who charge £100 a pop? :shrug:

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

You could have left out the bit mentioning the new STB software that will be with the box.

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

But like I said, if you were willing to have an additional stb fee, like you currently have anyway with a second box, why not? :shrug:

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

I was looking forward to having both my house boxes as TVDrives and was quite willing to have this at a premium price.

Guess supply of boxes is going to be a hugh concern (4 years of waiting will do that to you!!!! :) ) Where's Neil when you want the anti-ntl voice????

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

Sorry but what a load of ***** this is. We have two boxes already and nowhere else to put one if we want to change one, there is no way am I paying £75 for an engineer to come out and swap a cable around and plug the thing in! And no more than one?!?!? sod it i was waiting for this to come from NTL but this has done it now, looks like a dvd recorder is the better option. Thumbs up to NTL for thier naffness as usual :-D

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

ive only got the one stb at the mo, im planning on saying i want another one for a different room, when the engineer comes out get him to put it where it is now, keep the old one under the stairs and a couple of days later decide i dont want the extra one anymore

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

I would imagine the difference with On Demand will be the rebranding to Teleport - if that's the way things are going...

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

I agree, this is a load of crap.

As someone else pointed out, if you take Sports and or Movies with Sky, then you don't have to pay £10 a month. £10 a month indefinitely to record some programs is expensive imo.

Another £10 a month is taking the preverbial.

£15.00 Multiroom
£37.50 Family pack + Sport
£10.00 TVDrive
£62.50 Total

I can get all that for £47.00 a month with Sky

Thats on top of a whopping £35.00 for 10meg Broadband

*sighs*

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

Aye but NTL don't charge you up front for the box like sky do with their HD box.

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

Are you likely to have digital for more than three years?

Sky
£99 up front.
£0x36 = £0
£99+£0=Ãà ¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚£99

NTL
£0 up front. (whoop de f'ing doo)
£10x36=£360

and every month you have it on ntl, the price difference goes up and up and up and up.. The only way you'd be better off with NTL would be if you cancelled your contract after 9 months.

I rest my case.

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

im not really sure how the whole sky thing works, but say your box stoped working after 2 years will they come and fix it or replace it for free?
the reason i asked was my parents box packed in and i think sky wanted to charge them for a new box

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

Sky give you the box - it belongs to you. In the first 12 months breakdowns are covered by the warranty but after that it's your problem, same as if your TV broke down. I have heard of Sky 'helping' with the cost of a replacement if you suggest to their retentions dept that you're going to leave $ky because you can't afford a new box though. ;)

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

Dam good point. I had not looked at it that why. At the moment i don't pay £10.00 because i have the full package. So what you are saying is i would have to pay £10.00 a month more than i pay now for the same level of service. :Yikes:

Just looked on ebay and could get a second hand Sky+ box for £75.00 if mine broke and needed replacing.

Add to this the fact that NTL are not in my good books at the moment because i have NTL Slowband Not NTL Broadband and you can see why :-

I will not be changing over then :(

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

Thats's exactly what i'm saying.
Also, there is a charge with NTL. £75.00 to get this box because i already have 2 STBs in my house. Wonderful.

Edit: Sorry can someone also confirm how i have interpreted this article too. It says you can avoid the £75.00 charge by connecting it to a second TV in your house and by taking out an extra box charge of £5. Does that mean new people to multiroom will get multiroom for £5 while i pay £15 for multiroom with 2 old STBs??

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

I was refering to the Sky+ HD as you have to pay £299, unless they have reduced the price of it.

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

I suspect that the NTL computer will simply see your house with one TVDrive, one STB, then waive the £75 and continue charging you £5 for the second box. I think the point of the £75/free thing is to achieve a similar package to Sky. They only install for free if you're taking multiroom.

---------- Post added at 12:23 ---------- Previous post was at 12:23 ----------

The basic Sky+ box is now £99.

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

Sorry Chris if i am being thick, but what would the £5 be for? A one off fee? A monthly fee? If it's a monthly fee, is it in addition to multiroom or instead of multiroom? I guess i am just not getting that bit.

If they see i have 2 STBs already, you think they will send me a second one, waive the £75.00 charge, and collect the spare one i would then have?

I agree about the £99 though. I've been looking at Sky online and the Sky+ is as little £99 for a box you own. I don't mind paying the £75 though, it's the £10 every month forever that i object to.

Take an example over 3 years. You expect most electrical goods to last that period of time. Sky has a one off charge of £100. Then if you have sports and/or movies, you don't pay anything else. With NTL, there is potentially a £75 install fee and £360 of monthly fees for the 3 years.

Does nobody else think this doesn't make good economic sense???

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

Gruff, I'm reading between the lines here but yes, I think if you already have 2 STBs they will bring a new TVDrive, take one STB away, and bill you the £5/month for their multiroom service rather than the £75 install charge for the TVDrive. From a marketing point of view it is clear their aim is twofold - to achieve parity with $ky, which means that multiroom subscribers have to get a free install, and to try to get people to sign up for multiroom at the same time as a TVDrive. It makes no sense for people getting multiroom for the first time to pay £5/month with free install, while existing customers pay £5/month plus £75 install.

For confirmation you will have to wait until this is official and public and then ask them. But if you're worried you could always cancel the second STB and re-order it later .... ;)

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

Again I was refering to th Sky+ HD box as NTL TV Drive is HD enabled

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

Is there any technical info on this TvDrive yet? Or is it all still a secret? ;)

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

Also worth mentioning that the Sky+ HD package is £299 for the box AND £10 per month regardless of channel subscriptions so this looks good value* compared to that.

However if one has not gone down the HD route at home then as a straight Sky+ competitor this doesn't look great.

*always assuming there is sufficient HD content

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

Multiroom is only £5 per month if you have the PVR so it would be:
£05.00 Multiroom
£37.50 Family pack + Sport
£10.00 TVDrive
£52.50 Total

Which should be the same as you are paying now! :D

---------- Post added at 13:50 ---------- Previous post was at 13:44 ----------

According to:
http://www.sky.com/portal/site/skyco...ipment/skyplus

Sky charge £10 per month for Sky+ if you do not take Sports and Movies, so this is the same as NTL.

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

I would have thought that asking for a £75 fee up front would be somewhat off-putting to a lot of people. It would make more sense (to me at least) to spead that out over the 12 months of the contract period, at an additional £12 pcm - then revert to the standard pricing.

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

Why? You have to fork out at least £99 with sky up front for the +box. :shrug:

Re: Is there an NTL PVR?
 

And if you do have Sport and/or Movies... it's more expensive.

I hope my bill's multiroom is reduced down to £5 when it happens then too.

Think i will wait for something official anyway, no point getting peeved yet! Maybe they will surprise us!