Telewest release TV Drive

[Bob Cratchitt]

As mentioned last year Telewest finally launched their PVR yesterday. And trump Sky it is HD and they are showing some HD content to fill the space while we wait for the main channels to start broadcasting in HD. Rumour is that the World Cup is going to be broadcast in HD.

I have ordered mine and it should be here in 3 weeks.

Seems demand is high which is not surprising.

For anyone else interested clicky here!!

 

[Guest]

Sounds good, I hear tell Sky are introducing a new HD version of the sky+ box as well.

Trouble at the moment is, Telewest's service will never overtake Sky's until they get greater cable coverage - none of the area around here in Brentwood is cabled and it's hardly a small town.

 

[Interpol Shrimper]

Anybody know if there's a website where you can check if your TV is HD ready, I'm 99% sure mine is but I want to check.

 

[Bob Cratchitt]

Does it have a HDMI or DVI or phono connectors marked YPbPr

If so it is HD Ready, but beware Sky and Telewest are using the HDCP. Which is a copy protection system and your HD device must have it otherwise you will not be able to take the HD stream.

 

[* ORM *]

Quote[/b] (Bob Cratchitt @ Feb. 23 2006,17:04)]Does it have a HDMI or DVI or phono connectors marked YPbPr

If so it is HD Ready, but beware Sky and Telewest are using the HDCP. Which is a copy protection system and your HD device must have it otherwise you will not be able to take the HD stream.

I thought there was a rule only to post English on these forums

Serious question on Telewest. Would my limited capabilities have picked up the point correctly that you also have to subscribe to their phone service ?

 

[Mr Plow]

A display unit must meet with the following specifications to be classified as 'HD-Ready'. These are the minimum specifications:

1. Min. native resolution should be 720 physical lines in wide aspect ratio
2. Display must accept all of the following HD inputs: YPbPr1 (Component), and either DVI or HDMI
3. HD inputs should accept 1280x720 @50/60Hz (720p), and 1920x1080 @50/60Hz interlaced (1080i)
4. DVI and HDMI input must support HDCP content protection.

 

[Bob Cratchitt]

Quote[/b] (* ORM * @ Feb. 23 2006,17:55)]Serious question on Telewest. Would my limited capabilities have picked up the point correctly that you also have to subscribe to their phone service ?

You can pick and chose, from Digital TV/Telephone/Broadband

So you can have all three, two of the above or just one. It is upto you and your wallet.

 

[Mad Cyril]

Does anyone else think that £10 a month is quite steep considering you aren't getting any extra programmes?

I'll still probably upgrade though.....

 

[Westcliff Shrimper]

Quote[/b] (Mad Cyril @ Feb. 24 2006,08:43)]Does anyone else think that £10 a month is quite steep considering you aren't getting any extra programmes?

I'll still probably upgrade though.....

If you have seen Sky+, then £10 a month extra will be worth it. Sky+ is excellent, Telewest TV Drive is supposed to be better...

 

[beemamad]

Quote[/b] (* ORM * @ Feb. 23 2006,17:55)]Serious question on Telewest. Would my limited capabilities have picked up the point correctly that you also have to subscribe to their phone service ?

A salesman might tell you that you have to have a phone line as a return path for interactive services, but this is b$%%$£%t ! Unlike sky our cable does that already. Dont be taken for a mug !! ( not that a telewest salesman might try that anyway )

 

[Westcliff Shrimper]

Quote[/b] (Bob Cratchitt @ Feb. 23 2006,13:25)]I have ordered mine and it should be here in 3 weeks.  

Seems demand is high which is not surprising.

For anyone else interested clicky here!!

Thanks for that - have now ordered...

 

[Upminster Blue]

Quote[/b] (Mad Cyril @ Feb. 24 2006,08:43)]Does anyone else think that £10 a month is quite steep considering you aren't getting any extra programmes?

I'll still probably upgrade though.....

£10 a month, they're having a laugh aren't they? Sky+ is effectively free if you have one of their premium packages (eg Sky Sports).

 

[SARF]

Quote[/b] (Bob Cratchitt @ Feb. 23 2006,13:25)]Rumour is that the World Cup is going to be broadcast in HD.

They can broadcast the World Cup in 'Double Super HD Mega definition 8 Billion pixel vision' if they want.. I'll be watching it down the pub so it will still be blurred.

 

[Bob Cratchitt]

Quote[/b] (Upminster Blue @ Feb. 27 2006,01:18)]£10 a month, they're having a laugh aren't they? Sky+ is effectively free if you have one of their premium packages (eg Sky Sports).

Sky have it their own way at the moment, so they are able to say if you get a premium service you get Sky+ subscription for free. Unfortunately Telewest are not primarily a content provider and when you do subscribe to a Sky premium service on Cable then the money goes to Sky not Telewest, which means they are not able to offset the loss of £10 against the extra money they get for the premium service. Of course this will all change once the ruling comes in over monopolies on live football, and Telewest/NTL starting showing live football matches.

Anyway yes it is £10 but for a £5 extra i get multiroom which Sky charge an extra £10 for which means I am only worse £5 off however I can record 2 seperate channels at the same time and I have HD which I think is enough compensation for the £5.

 

[Upminster Blue]

Quote[/b] (Bob Cratchitt @ Feb. 27 2006,12:37)]

Quote[/b] (Upminster Blue @ Feb. 27 2006,01:18)]£10 a month, they're having a laugh aren't they?  Sky+ is effectively free if you have one of their premium packages (eg Sky Sports).

Sky have it their own way at the moment, so they are able to say if you get a premium service you get Sky+ subscription for free. Unfortunately Telewest are not primarily a content provider and when you do subscribe to a Sky premium service on Cable then the money goes to Sky not Telewest, which means they are not able to offset the loss of £10 against the extra money they get for the premium service. Of course this will all change once the ruling comes in over monopolies on live football, and Telewest/NTL starting showing live football matches.

Anyway yes it is £10 but for a £5 extra i get multiroom which Sky charge an extra £10 for which means I am only worse £5 off however I can record 2 seperate channels at the same time and I have HD which I think is enough compensation for the £5.

And it could be worse, you could be with NTL like me.

No PVR, no interactive service, crap customer support ....

I really must find the time to change.

 

[Guest]

What the hell is HD??? Does it lengthen your tackle or something?

 

[Guest]

Quote[/b] (Guest @ Mar. 01 2006,01:22)]What the hell is HD??? Does it lengthen your tackle or something?

High Definition.

Basically means the picture quality is better, and a lot sharper.