NTL Digital is such a crap service

PK - the king

Hello.

I live in Dublin and am subscribed to the basic digital tv service from ntl. Ever since I got the service put in August, I've had nothing but trouble. 17 engineer call outs, 2 box changes... the list goes on.

I'd like to know if any other cable TV subscribers in Dublin, Galway or Waterford service area are having terrible interference and picture pixelating through their digital?

BTW. For reference, my STB is a black PACE Di4010-H (the black box with a bypass module for analogue signals on the rear) and is running v5.37 software.

celticfc

I've had ntl Digital here in Dublin since launch in Aug 2001 & have never really had a problem. I still have the same STB, card etc & it is working fine.

BTW I'm running a DI4001-NC box wityh v5.36 software.

Aquos76

How dou u find out what software you are running?

watty

I had NTL analog in Ballinteer. An aerial sitting on fence gave much better RTE (though still poor).

All the channels where totally unacceptable quality.

Most folks in Limerick I know have totally unacceptable quality analog cable. Dunno how they can bear to watch it.

celticfc

Originally posted by Leonard
How dou u find out what software you are running?

Just press the help button on the remote control & it tells you the software version.

Aquos76

I had just found out after I posted. Thanks anyway for the reply

John R

I have had ntl digital in Dublin for about 2 years, when it was installed first the picture would blank out for a second on most channels a couple of times an hour but it has improved a great deal now. Compared to sKY digital the picture is worse, more pixellation on ntl. Overall it's not bad though.
Our analogue cable is much better now since they put in a new feed when they installed digital. Upgrading the internal wiring using satellite grade cable and replacing the cheap y splitters with f-splitters and a good quality amplifier has also improved the analogue reception throughout the house.

PK - the king

Cableguy - the cable drop from the tap is 10 m length. This has been replaced twice, but no improvement. This is my set up:

Tap- ntl wall socket - 10 metres co-ax
Ntl wall socket - ntl installed splitter - 5 metres of co-ax
Splitter - stb - 1 metre co-ax

All work has been performed by NTL. They say there was a major fault in my area, but they insist they have fixed it. They haven't though, because I have a connection in my bedroom too, that goes directly to the tap, and the picture is even worse up there!!!

Cuauhtemoc

Never had any probs since i got it installed. Tho the installation took about 2 months and 4 engineer call outs. Turned out not to be their prob tho. Faulty cable in the apt block.
Only gripe is that i'm in tallaght and CANT get their cable broadband.
TV service is fine tho.

BrianD

What a silly poll. Moderator take it down!

Washout

ive had it installed since launch as well and i must say intiially there were a few problems with reception but nowadays it runs as smooth as ever...

i had problems ordering a PPV event last month but to me thats only a minor hiccup and well not worth losing much sleep over.

.would have done so if the PPV event worked as it was on at 1am

vibe666

i've had it for about 1.5 years now, and have had both ends of the spectrum.

most recently, i was getting lots of pixellation and jerky signals, and it was getting worse almost daily to the point where i couldn't watch anything.

it turned out to be that I had my video on top of the ntl box and it was covering up the air vents on top of the box. since i changed it to the ntl box is on the top with lots of free flowing air around it it's been fine 99% of the time.

if you have anything on top of the box then I'd suggest moving it so it has a clear airflow and see if that helps.

ntl still don't seem to be able to fix the double entries every few days in the epg. only a minor gripe, but you'd think they could do something about it.

BrianD

This is a ridiculous poll! The moderator should remove it!

icdg

It doesn't break any rules, to the best of my knowledge... I don't have a good reason to delete this thread. Discussing problems with the NTL service is a perfectly legitimate use of the forum.

watty

Seems balanced to me..

You can click "NTL is Super" or "NTL is Rubbish"

It ask for opinion/experience


So BrianD, what is wrong with the poll?

BrianD

Well if you are trying to have a balanced debate about the pros and cons of NTl's Digital service the title "NTL Digital is such a crap service" is inappropriate. It dosen't lead to a rational debate.

DMC

It is the proposer's opinion. Now argue in favour of it.

That's a rational debate.

John R

Originally posted by BrianD
Well if you are trying to have a balanced debate about the pros and cons of NTl's Digital service the title "NTL Digital is such a crap service" is inappropriate. It dosen't lead to a rational debate.

Is posting the same thing twice in 10 hours supposed to add weight to your argument?

Cabaal

Originally posted by BrianD
This is a ridiculous poll! The moderator should remove it!

you either work for NTL or you have a massive chip on your shoulder...

PK - the king

BrianD

By placing the title "NTL Crap Service" on my thread I was simply expressing MY opinion on the matter. I was then interested in enquring what YOUR opinion was ie. if you agree or disagree with me on the matter.

Ps. If it is such a crap poll and crap thread, why did you bother reading it all?!

All I can say, is that in my opinion, NTL is terrible. Now please argue FOR or AGAINST it - stop posting off-the-point posts on the matter of my polls. Start your own thread, if you want.

BrianD

Firstly, I don't work for NTL nor am I currently a subscriber. I think that PK worded this poll and debate very poorly. It is a leading statement that does not lead to a wide debate.

Sorry about the two postings I must have forgotten that I had originally made a post. Now, for the third time ...

PK - the king

BrianD

If you would be ever so kind as to READ my thread and poll titles please.

My THREAD is titled "NTL DIGITAL IS SUCH A CRAP SERVICE" because I have found NTL to be terrible.

MY POLL asks the question "How Do You Find NTL Digital?"
(a) Massive problems in Dublin
(b) No problems at all
(c) major problems in any area
(d) people who got it removed.

please READ the posts before jumping to abstract conclusions.

Good day to you sir.

BrianD

Yes PK reading would be a great idea. Let's review

We have a message thread with:

Poll: NTL Digital is such a crap service

One would assume that this is what the poll is about. Do you agree of disagree etc. But the actual poll question is for whatever reason is stated differently

How do you find NTL Digital?

The options are even odder:

e.g. People who have NTL Digital in Dublin ONLY who have had minor/major problems

Read the poll heading, the actual question and then each of the possible answers (options). The poll is badly worded and constructed. Why confine one option geographically to Dublin? Why not an option for people who can indicate they are not a digital subscriber. Is there not a huge difference between a "major" and a "minor" problem? Why not an option for people who are so overjoyed with NTL that they offered to help them out of their current financial situation?!? My main problem with this poll is the way it is phrased (leaving aside how confused the wording is) and it is ultimately begging those who participate to agree with the authors point of view. There is plenty to discuss in relation to digital cable so why limit the discussion?

Mossy Monk

you need to get out more

BrianD

I do get out ... ever since I decided not to renew my NTL subscription. I was fed up waiting for a "two man crew with a long ladder" to come around and install it and my new address!

Seriously though, there is much to be discussed about the various digital delivery platforms and about broadcasting in Ireland in general. I am fed up seeing posts on this board asking people to agree with some axe they have to grind with one or other of the operators in this country.

watty

I'm my own service provider operator!

A "cable distribution" system in the house that can feed up to 8 TVs (or PCs with WinTV cards etc).

Feeding this on UHF "cable"
Off Air: Four Irish TV channels, with backup alternate transmitter channels for TV3 and TG4.

Digital PC Satellite Receiver: 3 Fixed Satellites and one manual polar mount (4 way diseqc switch).

SkyDigibox: (No subscription).



Palcom DSL4 Digital Satellite: SM3D12 motorised with 18 Satellites FTA. Auxilary Welltech Analog Receiver on its IF out for Analog. Via S-VHS input or Direct via Video Sender.

Analog Nokia on 19.2E

Analog Pace on 13E.

This is a possible simulatanous 10 channels tunable on every TV set.

Of course the 6 channels that relate to Satellite Receivers can be any of
Approx per receiver
10 TV, 14 Radio
40 TV, 50 Radio
600+ TV, 500+ Radio (PC with Digital Recording)
600+ TV, 500+ Radio (Palcom)
100+ TV, 60+ Radio (Digibox)

I think I would need a Licence to extend my "cable" network to the neighbours!

However quality and availability is better than NTL or Chorus and it is cheaper than any Operator (ALL the above equipment ONCE OFF COST is less than 2 years Sky Premium service!).


There are of course TWO premium Movie Channels also (DVD player and S-VHS). I buy DVDs and VHS tapes instead of a TV pay subscription! The PC "Channel" can show time shifted FTA tv in original broadcast quality similare to Sky+ except without a subscription, or even temporarily "save" the Satellite MPEG file to DVD+RW without re-encoding (not available on Sky+) for Home DVD player.

BrianD

Now, you sound like a man who dosen't need to leave the house!

PK - the king

Right then, BrianD.

A MINOR problem: Slight flickering, jerking, picture freezing, but it is bearable.

A MAJOR problem: The picture is so bad, that that program is unwatchable, because the picture is so flickery, jerky, freezing, pixely etc.

You post back a reply with a more suitable poll title, and poll options, and let the Moderator edit the poll to such.

And I would just like to add, that although I hate NTL so much, I have to praise them in that when they said they would call out to me, they have done so.

normal queensbury rules I think when it comes to debating.
The disussion starter proposes the topic.
The house divides into speakers for or against the motion and the proposal either rises or falls.

At least thats the way it's been at any public debate held by debating societies that I have attended.

Originally posted by BrianD
I am fed up seeing posts on this board asking people to agree with some axe they have to grind with one or other of the operators in this country.

Well provide evidence to the contrary, then, thats what a debate is.
Monologs aren't debates, they are soap-boxing routines.
I've certainly backed up any position I've taken on this board with respect to Chorus.

My position regarding NTL , having been a customer of theirs also, is that they provide a good service, streets ahead of chorus, who don't even deserve the word good associated with them at all.
There are issues and plenty of them of course and the thread starter by the sounds of things is not in an area which would be a "show-house " technically for ntl digital.
They shouldn't be providing a service where the cabling infrastructure won't support it.
That only blackens their otherwise good name.

PK - the king

Nice idea cableguy!!! I might just start a separate poll on who agrees with BrianD