Cable Forum - View Single Post

MovedGoalPosts · 12-10-2006, 15:52

You're just about right with your sketch. Don't forget that you would have a phone line too with ntl.

I'm not aware that you have to have a BT phone line for a Sky box, I just thought it was you have to have a land line, and even that can be avoided if you pay a premium and don't want multiroom.

Broadband from ntl:telewest is supplied either from a cable modem, or in some cases via a TV STB (which has a modem built in). Both of these allow you to connect a computer direct, or alternatively your choice of router (wired or wireless). Cable based broadband usually has more consitent speeds as it is not affected by distance from an exchange. ADSL boradband will be slower the further you are from the exchange. The claimed 8meg service speeds on ADSL are rarely achieved, especially if you are more than 2km from the exhange.

As a basic digital TV service ntl does quite well when compared to SKY or freeview. The NTL STB just plugs directly to the cable feed, there is no additional phone line connection. Some people have complained of "blocky" pictures or pixellation, especially with larger plasma type TV screens but I've not seen this personally. However if you want a PVR, then currently ntl cannot offer this and Sky+ is your only choice.

Ntl has recently renumbered the TV channels, to make it more logical. You can't change the channel numbers but you can set up your own favourites list so you can move up / down your own list.

12-10-2006, 15:52	#10
MovedGoalPosts Inactive Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: 127.0.0.1 Age: 62 Posts: 15,868	Re: NTL or Sky in new house??? You're just about right with your sketch. Don't forget that you would have a phone line too with ntl. I'm not aware that you have to have a BT phone line for a Sky box, I just thought it was you have to have a land line, and even that can be avoided if you pay a premium and don't want multiroom. Broadband from ntl:telewest is supplied either from a cable modem, or in some cases via a TV STB (which has a modem built in). Both of these allow you to connect a computer direct, or alternatively your choice of router (wired or wireless). Cable based broadband usually has more consitent speeds as it is not affected by distance from an exchange. ADSL boradband will be slower the further you are from the exchange. The claimed 8meg service speeds on ADSL are rarely achieved, especially if you are more than 2km from the exhange. As a basic digital TV service ntl does quite well when compared to SKY or freeview. The NTL STB just plugs directly to the cable feed, there is no additional phone line connection. Some people have complained of "blocky" pictures or pixellation, especially with larger plasma type TV screens but I've not seen this personally. However if you want a PVR, then currently ntl cannot offer this and Sky+ is your only choice. Ntl has recently renumbered the TV channels, to make it more logical. You can't change the channel numbers but you can set up your own favourites list so you can move up / down your own list.