free channels

[madrat]

I have an old NTL cable feed into my house that my son used for there INTERNET service. when he moved out the INTERNET account was cancelled. I was just wondering if ther would be any free TV coming down the cable?

[turboman]

Yeah, you will able to get basic free service. Just like if you had a freeview box.

[madrat]

excellent, what channels are free?

[turboman]

Just like if you had freeview. So of the top of my head BBC1 2 3, ITV1 2 3 4, Channel 4, 4+1, Film 4, More 4, Channel 5, 5 US, and some other channel 5, Dave, Dave + 1, Virgin 1. There are more, few music channels, shopping etc. But I can remember them all. You'll get the on demand free stuff as well.

[madrat]

great.

I take it I need to plug in a digital cable box to get the same channels that are on freeview?

I have just experimented by plugging the virgin cable in to a TV and tunning in. I got the following.

On band 1

UKTV History
ITV2
VH1
Hallmark

On band 3

Hallmark
Cartoon network
Sky sports 2
E4
BBC News 24
Virgin 1
Disney Cinemagic
Nick
CNN
QVC

On Band U

QVC
MATV
Five
Channel 4
ITV 1
BBC2
BBC1

Now I assume these are analogue, will these be switching off when the normal TV channels go digital only?

On a question for my neighbour who has virgin digital, can he split the signal from his cable to other rooms? and is ther a limit to the number of box's he can add? would the boxes in the other rooms get just the free services or what he subscribes to. I know nothing about cable as I have always been a satellite man.

[robbo71]

When I did that once madrat, all my TV could find was Sky News. I must've been doing something wrong. Although I'm on ex TW.

[madrat]

I think it depends what UHF band your TV has. I just wonder if its worth getting a Virgin digital box to replace the freeview box in that room, and if the analogue signals from virgin will be switched off soon.

[robbo71]

Originally Posted by madrat

I think it depends what UHF band your TV has. I just wonder if its worth getting a Virgin digital box to replace the freeview box in that room, and if the analogue signals from virgin will be switched off soon.

You get Virgin TV free ( size M) if you get their telephone line, with these channels:-
_http://allyours.virginmedia.com/html/sorter/channels_sizem.html

so a free box to use ( they own it still)

Their basic phone package is £11 per month, although without a non-cable line, you have to take their broadband also.

I'm on their 3 for £30 deal with broadband, XL TV, and phone. It's less than I was paying with Sly.

[madrat]

I meant if I got a cable box off ebay.

there is no way I'm paying VM anything.

If I get anything from them I want it for free.

[robbo71]

Originally Posted by madrat

I meant if I got a cable box off ebay.

there is no way I'm paying VM anything.

If I get anything from them I want it for free.