Ntl digital vs sky digital, what are the main differences?

Nephew

I currently have ntl digital and I'm considering switching to sky.

Does sky digital have all the terrestrial stations now or do you still have to pay ntl for the basic analogue service to get these?

If you get additional sky boxes, can you watch different stations at the same time?

Does the e30 sky 6 entertainment pack deal actually have more channels than the ntl digital go max package? I've heard people say sky digital has loads more channels but they look pretty similar to me.

If you subscribe to setanta does it come with all of their associated channels like nasn, liverpool tv etc?

Overall, which one is the better service?

Thanks

icdg

Nephew wrote: »

I currently have ntl digital and I'm considering switching to sky.

Does sky digital have all the terrestrial stations now or do you still have to pay ntl for the basic analogue service to get these?

Sky now has all the terrestrial stations except UTV. However while not forming part of the Sky package in the Republic, UTV is available free to air on satellite - you'll need to tune it in via "Other Channels" (instructions available elsewhere on this board...).

If you get additional sky boxes, can you watch different stations at the same time?

Yes. But you'll need to pay Sky more to get additional viewing cards. You'll also need extra LNBs on your dish.

Does the e30 sky 6 entertainment pack deal actually have more channels than the ntl digital go max package? I've heard people say sky digital has loads more channels but they look pretty similar to me.

Yes, Sky has more channels. The majority of the core pack is common to both NTL and Sky, however among the extra channels you'll get on Sky are Challenge, Bravo 2, Men and Motors, Trouble, TCM 2 and others of that type.

Harder to come by are channels NTL has but Sky doesn't. In this category you'll find the likes of MGM City Channel, DCTV, Buzz TV. It should also pointed out that that the digital-only BBC channels are not part of the Sky package in the Republic - as with UTV however, they are free to air on satellite and may be tuned in via "Other Channels".

If you subscribe to setanta does it come with all of their associated channels like nasn, liverpool tv etc?

Yes. It should be pointed out that Setanta Ireland is a premium channel on Sky, not basic as it is on Chorus NTL.

Overall, which one is the better service?

Thanks

Depends on what you're looking for. Overall Sky/digital satellite will give you far more channels (even if many of them are shopping channels...), interactive services, etc. On the other hand Chorus NTL has all the terrestrial channels in prominent EPG slots, all the extra BBC channels on the EPG, and doesn't require a satellite dish. It'll also give you (for now) the basic cable service which may be important for you if you've got a VCR or DVDR. Its your choice...

Nephew

Thanks for the reply.

Yes. But you'll need to pay Sky more to get additional viewing cards. You'll also need extra LNBs on your dish.

Is the price of the extra viewing card included in the monthly charge for the additional box? I think each multiroom box is e7.50 a month at the moment, normally e15, is that all I would pay so that box can view a different station to the main box or would I need an extra sky digital subscription too?


Thanks

watty

With NTL if you cancel you have nothing
With Sky you own all the gear and still get about 50 decent channels, free, legally when you cancel.

You can add non-Sky free reception satellite boxes to your dish, otherwise the Sky charge is €15 a box/card per month with all the same channels as main sub.

The quality is better on Satellite.

UPC (NTL) also supply phone and Broadband via the cable, but you don't need to subscribe to their TV to get that.

bk

Nephew wrote: »

Is the price of the extra viewing card included in the monthly charge for the additional box? I think each multiroom box is e7.50 a month at the moment, normally e15, is that all I would pay so that box can view a different station to the main box or would I need an extra sky digital subscription too?

Yes

redfacedbear

One of the main benefits of Sky over NTL is the EPG. It is incredibly easy to use in comparison to the fecky NTL one - very quick to scroll through to see what is on now or later.

The only disadvantages of the Sky EPG are the fact that you cant re-order the channels and have to wade through an amount of junk to get to the channels you might actually watch, and the fact that some channels (BBC3/4, UTV) are off the EPG altogether.

murpho999

Nephew wrote: »

Thanks for the reply.




Is the price of the extra viewing card included in the monthly charge for the additional box? I think each multiroom box is e7.50 a month at the moment, normally e15, is that all I would pay so that box can view a different station to the main box or would I need an extra sky digital subscription too?


Thanks

bk wrote: »

Yes

Just to clarify, as I found that 'yes' answer to pretty unclear as it was an open question.

If you pay €7.50 for your multiroom then that's it, you do not pay any extra subsciption charges.

redfacedbear wrote: »

One of the main benefits of Sky over NTL is the EPG. It is incredibly easy to use in comparison to the fecky NTL one - very quick to scroll through to see what is on now or later.

Don't know which EPG you have, but the new UPC 8 Day epg, is arguably better than the Sky version. Sky EPG is looking a bit stale now and needs refreshing.

redfacedbear wrote: »

The only disadvantages of the Sky EPG are the fact that you cant re-order the channels and have to wade through an amount of junk to get to the channels you might actually watch, and the fact that some channels (BBC3/4, UTV) are off the EPG altogether.

You can set your channels up in Favourites (in both UPC & Sky) so that you can scroll through channels that you pick and you can skip the rubbish. You cannot change the order though.


My advice would be to go with Sky.

Recently switched away from UPC/NTL.

Reasons: In no particular order.

UPC service breaks down regularly.
UPC's DVR is a joke compared to Sky+ system. Less user friendly, and buggy software. Sky+ just works!
Sky have interactive services, UPC don't.
Sky+ can record 2 programs at one time whilst UPC can only do 1.
Image and sound quality is much better with Sky.
Sky answer the phone!


Hope this helps.

Infoanon

I would also highlight the interactivity aspect especially if you like sport.

Formula 1 is switching to BBC this year - qualifying etc will be on the interactive service,
Same for Moto GP - 125 & 250 races are on interactive,
Same goes for Football/Tennis - theres added value on interactive which is only on the SKY service (also Freesat)

Also a minor aspect but if you are on holidays in europe you can bring your sky box and watch rte/bbc etc - there is something surreal about watching Eamonn Dunphy on RTE in the Spanish Sun !

redfacedbear

murpho999 wrote: »

Don't know which EPG you have, but the new UPC 8 Day epg, is arguably better than the Sky version. Sky EPG is looking a bit stale now and needs refreshing.

You can set your channels up in Favourites (in both UPC & Sky) so that you can scroll through channels that you pick and you can skip the rubbish. You cannot change the order though.

Sorry, didn't realise there was differing versions of the NTL epg. The only one I've seen is for people on 'squarials' in North County Dublin/South Meath and it is useless. It's only advantage over the Sky one is that it seems to bump the channels marked as favourites up to the top of the EPG (when using 'browse' function at least).

currythis

sky's e30 entertainment is far better value then ntls digital max pack.
Instead of the city channel,buzz tv and dctv(does anybody actually watch them?) you get channels like fx,watch,bravo 2,d-max and the uktv documentary and uktv food stations,interactive things like music choice and bbci aswell as sky news active,also a few decent movie channels like film4, true movies and zone horror and movies4men.
Also sky's system is easier to use and far more reliable to ntls and sky+is just brilliant
Its a vastly superior setup compared to upc/ntl!

BostonB

currythis wrote: »

sky's e30 entertainment is far better value then ntls digital max pack...

Whats e30?http://www.sky.com/portal/site/ireland/products/packages

Infoanon

BostonB wrote: »

Whats e30?http://www.sky.com/portal/site/ireland/products/packages

For Skys 6 packages its €30.50 Vs UPC inferior digital max which costs €33.50 - thats €36 per year.

Then add in Sky+ box - € 0 Cost, UPC DVR € 60 per year and you don't own the UPC box

Also note that Sky movies pack is €27 pm with Sky but € 30 pm with UPC

There is the initial outlay for installation but overall its a better deal - price and quality wise in the longer term - ie 1 year