Basic options after Eurovox - How I see it

[murphatron]

I compiled this email for my roommate after doing some research into what to do next after our Eurovox went down. I thought it might be of some use to the many out there who don't seem to know where to turn to. I've modified it here, bear in mind this is quite specific to my situation - I pay £28 a month with V*M for line rental, broadband and basic TV (freeview) and I am not in contract with them anymore. We are mainly only interested in S*ly Sports also.

Option 1. Do nothing and continue with V*M and **** TV currently costing £28 a month (no longer an option in my opinion).

Option 2. Buy a C/S box (see: Which box?) and attach it to the V*M broadband line, could have TV by the weekend for only the price of the box if we wanted – not fussed on this. There are lots of debates about whether you will get caught or not but certainly everyone is in agreement that if they want to catch you, you are definitely making it somewhat easier for them by using their broadband.

Option 3. Get a new broadband supplier (see: Which broadband supplier?) and buy the box. No guarantee that you won’t get caught here either but at least you are making an effort to cover yourself as much as possible. Other issues to consider here are the fact that a contract would need to be entered into with new BB supplier and also we would be cancelling V*M altogether in the hope that cable is kept live (usually happens), if it wasn’t however we would need to keep paying something like £12 a month to V*M just for freeview.

Option 4. Go legit with B*T Vision. This is actually worth considering – for £44 a month you will get broadband, line rental and TV including S*ly Sports 1, 2 and ES*PN. This is basically freeview plus sports (though no SS3 or SS4 which you might miss the odd game on). We would be paying £16 extra than what we do now a month for those 3 sports channels. The drawback is you have to enter a 24 month contract, though you can take it with you if you move house.

Which Box?

Starview 7 – The cheapest option (around £100). Will only last for 12 months and reports suggest it can be unreliable at times while the server updates its codes etc. Also reports of some freezing of channels and glitches.

Kryptview A780 – The dearer option (around £160). May last 12 months+. Reports that it is much more reliable than the starview with less freezing and glitches (still has its fair share of problems though apparently).

Which Broadband Supplier?

02 - £16 a month (inc. Line rental). Tied to a 12 month contract with the first 3 months free (only broadband is free so 3x £7.50). Plus £85 connection fee for them to install a new line. Must be an 02 customer to get this deal, not sure what that involves.

B*T - £27 a month (inc. Line rental). Tied to 18 month contract though you can bring it with you if you move. No connection fee.

Any more knowledgeable posters please feel free to correct or add to anything I've said here.