bonusbertie
Newbie
Hi Guys
First of all apologies - I have had a scan for a thread like this and I'm sure there must be more than quite a few, but I can't find one. Most threads I read, even the "newbie" ones, seem to at least work on a basic understanding of the concept (which I don't.) I am so far behind this satellite stuff and have literally NO idea what I'm talking about, so please bear with an absolute ignoramus.
I have a few questions and hope this is the right place to ask them, so here goes:
What I have right now:
- I subscribe to Virgin (the XL package) and have a 150MB broadband connection. BT Sports is included but I don't subscribe to Sky Sports. I don't have a satellite dish. I guess I pay around £600 a year for this. I live in Glasgow, Scotland with a wife how love watching some soaps and two young kids who love to watch Disney XD and Cartoonito A LOT :)
What I want:
- To get rid of Virgin TIVO and replace it with a new box that has mostly all the channels (inc BT and Sky Sports and the kids cartoon channels), at a substantially lower cost. Streaming is fine and I can live with a little buffering. I don't mind paying for a higher quality device as it essentially could be the main family viewing device and I wouldn't want extended periods without access. HD would be good if humanely possible. Something which is relatively simple in upkeep and, dare I say it, kid friendly with a nice EPG and simple interface. It would be good to be able to record stuff too. I'm not techie but I can follow simple instructions (last techie thing I did was homebrewed my Kids Wii :P) It would be good to be able to watch one show whilst recording another.
The questions, if I may:
- Am I right in thinking that what I want is something like a Sky Box / Openbox etc. Is what I want (above) what these things do?
- If so what would be the best recommendation, and an alternative, and why?
- Where can I obtain said device, is there any links to reputable sellers?
- How much would I expect to pay initially and what would any additional costs be? Would there be yearly costs also?
- How easy are they to install? Is it just the case I need to hook it up to my router and TV and off we go?
- Do any of these boxes run wireless ie could I run one up in my bedroom where there is no wired internet connection?
- I think you can record programmes onto an external USB HDD, is that the case and what format would it be in. Is the quality good and and what would a typical 30 min programme take up space wise?
- Do the boxes have necessary ports to hook up to a decent TV sound system like my current Virgin TIVO box does?
- Is buying a box and running it in conjunction with my Virgin TiVo box a good idea, before deciding to get rid of Virgin?
- Am I missing any huge negatives that I haven't thought about or mentioned?
Again, sorry if this seems very basic but, for someone who doesn't know a thing about them it would be hugely helpful and much appreciated.
From my side, if I can get these answers and push on with a purchase, I will ensure this thread is updated every step of the way with how I progress and maybe this thread will be helpful to the next "Day 1 Idiot" that logs onto this site, like me :)
I hope I've not mentioned anything untoward and, if so, mods can delete. If you think and information is best shared via PM, then please do that.
Thanks again
BB
First of all apologies - I have had a scan for a thread like this and I'm sure there must be more than quite a few, but I can't find one. Most threads I read, even the "newbie" ones, seem to at least work on a basic understanding of the concept (which I don't.) I am so far behind this satellite stuff and have literally NO idea what I'm talking about, so please bear with an absolute ignoramus.
I have a few questions and hope this is the right place to ask them, so here goes:
What I have right now:
- I subscribe to Virgin (the XL package) and have a 150MB broadband connection. BT Sports is included but I don't subscribe to Sky Sports. I don't have a satellite dish. I guess I pay around £600 a year for this. I live in Glasgow, Scotland with a wife how love watching some soaps and two young kids who love to watch Disney XD and Cartoonito A LOT :)
What I want:
- To get rid of Virgin TIVO and replace it with a new box that has mostly all the channels (inc BT and Sky Sports and the kids cartoon channels), at a substantially lower cost. Streaming is fine and I can live with a little buffering. I don't mind paying for a higher quality device as it essentially could be the main family viewing device and I wouldn't want extended periods without access. HD would be good if humanely possible. Something which is relatively simple in upkeep and, dare I say it, kid friendly with a nice EPG and simple interface. It would be good to be able to record stuff too. I'm not techie but I can follow simple instructions (last techie thing I did was homebrewed my Kids Wii :P) It would be good to be able to watch one show whilst recording another.
The questions, if I may:
- Am I right in thinking that what I want is something like a Sky Box / Openbox etc. Is what I want (above) what these things do?
- If so what would be the best recommendation, and an alternative, and why?
- Where can I obtain said device, is there any links to reputable sellers?
- How much would I expect to pay initially and what would any additional costs be? Would there be yearly costs also?
- How easy are they to install? Is it just the case I need to hook it up to my router and TV and off we go?
- Do any of these boxes run wireless ie could I run one up in my bedroom where there is no wired internet connection?
- I think you can record programmes onto an external USB HDD, is that the case and what format would it be in. Is the quality good and and what would a typical 30 min programme take up space wise?
- Do the boxes have necessary ports to hook up to a decent TV sound system like my current Virgin TIVO box does?
- Is buying a box and running it in conjunction with my Virgin TiVo box a good idea, before deciding to get rid of Virgin?
- Am I missing any huge negatives that I haven't thought about or mentioned?
Again, sorry if this seems very basic but, for someone who doesn't know a thing about them it would be hugely helpful and much appreciated.
From my side, if I can get these answers and push on with a purchase, I will ensure this thread is updated every step of the way with how I progress and maybe this thread will be helpful to the next "Day 1 Idiot" that logs onto this site, like me :)
I hope I've not mentioned anything untoward and, if so, mods can delete. If you think and information is best shared via PM, then please do that.
Thanks again
BB
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