Digital TV Providers

BT Vision

By Becca Talbot - becca@consumerchoices.co.uk

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If you’re a BT Total Broadband customer, you could save money on your digital TV bills by subscribing to BT Vision, the television service from the telecoms giant. (Updated 23/2/10)

BT offers it’s customers a TV service through their broadband connection. This includes all the Freeview digital television channels, as well as a range of subscription and on-demand programmes available as extras. If you want to get BT Vision, sign-up for BT Total Broadband today.

What is BT Vision?

If you're already a BT customer, you could get BT Vision (www.bt.vision.co.uk), the digital TV service from the broadband giant, using your BT broadband connection. BT delivers its digital TV channels and on-demand TV to a set-top box, using your TV aerial to deliver the Freeview channels that are available in your area, and your telephone line for its on-demand TV menu.

If you want to subscribe to BT Vision, you have a choice of different viewing packs covering Music, Kids, Sport, and PictureBox Film. These are delivered via your home broadband line and won’t be affected by Freeview issues, such as atmospherics or the digital switchover. You will have to pay for these packs though.

BT Vision offers three packages; Bronze, Silver and Gold, with TV and Replay included with each one and an option of two, three or all four viewing packs depending on your tariff.

Why should I get BT Vision?

Essentially, customers with BT Vision do not have to pay a monthly subscription, so its different from other digital TV providers. You can have BT Vision as an free digital TV service offering only the Freeview channels and no monthly fees. However, for you will have to live in a Freeview area and will have to pay the full price for your Vision+ set-top box. BT’s philosophy is that “if you only watch one film this year you should only pay for one film this year,” so BT Vision works a bit like a pick ‘n’ mix TV service.

All BT customers in a Freeview area will have access to the usual Freeview channels and digital radio stations, as well as the option of only ever paying for those extras that you want, such as films, music videos and television programmes - when you want them.

Will BT Vision affect my internet?

BT Vision on-demand TV viewing doesn't count towards your broadband download usage. This means you can watch as much on-demand entertainment as you want without exceeding your broadband usage guidelines.

BT Vision broadband TV also has a separate allocation of bandwidth so that it's not affected by congestion at peak times.

What do I need for BT Vision?

You must have BT Total Broadband to get BT Vision digital TV - sign-up for BT Total Broadband online if you’re not already a customer. You will also need two standard electricity sockets, which will be used to power the wireless BT Home Hub and the BT Vision set-top box (Vision+ box). These must be located near to your TV. If you only have one electricity socket, you’ll need to buy an extension cable.

BT Vision connects to your TV using a SCART or HDMI cable (supplied by BT). You’ll also need a television aerial to connect to your Vision+ box so you can receive the Freeview digital TV and radio channels and benefit from the personal video recorder (PVR) function - with up to 80 hours of space for your favourite TV shows.

To get the Freeview channels, you’ll also need to be in a Freeview reception area. If you can’t get Freeview TV, you'll be able to use BT Vision's on-demand and interactive services, while getting regular TV channels through your TV aerial. However, you wont be able to use PVR functions, like pausing live TV and recording up to 80 hours of TV programmes.

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