Will BT's new Freeview/IPTV/VOD Box be a serious threat to the NTL Empire?
http://www.btvision.bt.com/
I've tried to compare the BT box against NTL's Free TV pack - I've probably made a few mistakes here and there (its been known to happen
), so feel free to correct me.
Pros of BT Vision over NTL Starter pack:- Near live Premiership footy from next season via VOD (
)
- Better interactive that actually works
- Faster software compared to NTL's CR3 (couldn't be much slower)
- Cheaper movies (up to £2.99 compared to £3.50 on Filmflex)
- 1000 movies on demand (compared to Filmflex's 500)
- 7 day EPG
- PVR built in with 160GB Hard Drive, Series Links, HDTV ready (requires V+ box on NTL at extra monthly cost).
- All VOD content uses MPEG 4, compared to MPEG 2 on NTL. This means much more recording space on the BT box compared to NTL's V+ Box (at extra cost).
- Freeview reception and BT Broaband coverage map much larger than coverage map of NTL's Cable Network.
Pros of NTL starter pack compared to BT Vision:- BT Broadband required for VOD. Not Cheap.
- BT VOD currently requires wired internet connection to PVR box - not required on NTL (until wireless link is available on BT Vision in 2007)
- BT Vision traffic is given priority on BT's Broadband network and supplied routers - but any internet issues could result in naff picture while streaming VOD content. Not an issue with NTL VOD.
- Better interactive means more red dots on your TV screen
- Much cheaper installation cost (at least until BT Vision's self install kits arrive in 2007)
- Cheaper music videos (20p compared to 29p on BT Vision)
- BBC Catch-Up available (not available on BT until 2007)
- Sky One is standard on NTL Starter Pack; MIA on BT.