Is there an NTL PVR?

Starby · 29-08-2006, 21:02

Do NTL have a PVR equivalent of Sky+ ? I' m trying to decide between buying a PVR or an HDD/DVD recorder although as I've got a DVD player already maybe it's not so crucial to go for the latter. Anyone else had this dilemma and what did you opt for in the end?

**Stuart C** · 29-08-2006, 21:10

Depends on your area. If you are in an old Telewest area, then you can get the Tvdrive now. If your in an NTL area (non telewest), then there is one coming, probably at the end of this year or early next.

to the forum, BTW.

**Stephen** · 29-08-2006, 23:52

When NTL release their PVR it will be the same hardware as the Telewest TVdrive and should be out be the ned of this year.

Starby · 30-08-2006, 11:46

thanks darthyoda - any idea about pricing and will it do exactly the same as a Sky+ box?

Neil · 30-08-2006, 11:51

@ Starby-according to your IP address you are in an original ntl area (I.E. not a Telewest area), which means that you are currently out of luck.

ntl have stated that their PVR should arrive "Early 2007", so in true ntl style it's "Coming Soon" so don't hold your breath.....

to the site tho.

Sunglasses Ron · 30-08-2006, 11:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starby

thanks darthyoda - any idea about pricing and will it do exactly the same as a Sky+ box?

NTL are trialling a PVR, the same ones as telewest's so its the "TV Drive" box. Which on paper is better than the Sky+ box!
It should be only Ã‚Â£10 per month if you have the Family Pack. Base and Select are probably going to be Ã‚Â£15 per month for the HD PVR.
At the moment with Telewest you will get free installation of TVDrive when you keep your existing set top box in another room for an additional Ã‚Â£5 a month. If you're an existing digital TV customer to swap out your existing standard box for TVDrive a Ã‚Â£75 installation fee will apply. I don't know if the same will apply when NTL launch its HD PVR.

Toto · 30-08-2006, 12:24

looking forward to this

Starby · 30-08-2006, 12:29

hmmmm thanks guys - I'm not sure I'd want a rental option but I suppose I'll just have to wait and see in what sort of timeframe this pans out. What do you guys have by way of VCR replacements these days anyway?

Sunglasses Ron · 30-08-2006, 12:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starby

hmmmm thanks guys - I'm not sure I'd want a rental option but I suppose I'll just have to wait and see in what sort of timeframe this pans out. What do you guys have by way of VCR replacements these days anyway?

Just a DVD recorder at the moment....patiently awaiting NTL's PVR though.

Renting from NTL has a lot of advantages when it comes to STB failures/repairs. If you owned a Sky HD box, once you are out of your warranty agreement its down to you to pay for repairs/replacements.

30-08-2006, 12:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarthYoda

When NTL release their PVR it will be the same hardware as the Telewest TVdrive and should be out be the ned of this year.

If its as good as the brief i had from an insider then my Sky+ will be gone as soon as the NTL box is available.

gazzae · 30-08-2006, 12:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by unlimited

If its as good as the brief i had from an insider then my Sky+ will be gone as soon as the NTL box is available.

Any clues to what it will offer?

How does it compare to the next gen Sky+ box?

Neil · 30-08-2006, 12:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by unlimited

If its as good as the brief i had from an insider then my Sky+ will be gone as soon as the NTL box is available.

That's the funniest thing I've heard ever!

An ntl DTV box that outperforms a Sky + box....

Sky have pretty got the PVR market sewn up, the Sky + box has been out for about 4 & 1/2 years now & there's no way that ntl could ever hope to market anything to even rival it, let alone out perform it.

**Stuart C** · 30-08-2006, 12:59

Neil, you are knocking something without even trying it..

The Sky + box, while nice, is not the be all and end all box. TBH, apart from the lack of a second tuner, my Tivo out performs Sky + by a considerable margin.

popper · 30-08-2006, 13:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by unlimited

If its as good as the brief i had from an insider then my Sky+ will be gone as soon as the NTL box is available.

your sky+ ,as in the old SD (Standard-Def), mpeg-2 box?, its interesting that everyone keeps forgetting to mention the ntl:TW high-def TV is using an old and outdated format instead of the far more advanced mpeg-4/AVC format that the current sky HD and several other EU places will or are useing.

---------- Post added at 13:22 ---------- Previous post was at 13:16 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuart C

Neil, you are knocking something without even trying it..

The Sky + box, while nice, is not the be all and end all box. TBH, apart from the lack of a second tuner, my Tivo out performs Sky + by a considerable margin.

stuart, does a TiVo exist that can do Mpeg-4/AVC Decoding yet?, and can you also Encode the incomeing composit signal to that format at atleast CD/DVD screen sizes?.

foreverwar · 30-08-2006, 13:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by popper

... snip .... does a TiVo exist that can do Mpeg-4/AVC Decoding yet?, and can you also Encode the incomeing composit signal to that format at atleast CD/DVD screen sizes?.

DirecTV HR20-250 is out in the US, that does Mpeg-4 - it is based on the Tivo. http://uk.gear.ign.com/articles/679/679224p1.html