For an NTL connection make sure you go for a router that is for Cable, not ADSL.
Check out this topic here where people have suggested good wireless routers to go for:
http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/sh...ad.php?t=33018
And dont worry, you are not sounding like an idiot.... We've all been there at some point trying to figure this broadband stuff out.
Welcome to the forums by the way