changing to upc

annette39

hi i am changing from sky to upc i have been with sky for years and have been treated badly by them imo has anyone had recent experence with upc was looking on the threads but they all seem to be a few years old the ones i seen anyway whats the picture quilaty like is there much of a difference just nervous changing over but dont want to give sky any more of my hard earned money also have they made any improvments to the remote control i read some bad things about it too. im keeping my sky box hooked up and useing it for the free channels when my subscription is finished the upc system wont effect it will it

Ranicand

annette39 wrote: »

hi i am changing from sky to upc i have been with sky for years and have been treated badly by them imo has anyone had recent experence with upc was looking on the threads but they all seem to be a few years old the ones i seen anyway whats the picture quilaty like is there much of a difference just nervous changing over but dont want to give sky any more of my hard earned money also have they made any improvments to the remote control i read some bad things about it too. im keeping my sky box hooked up and useing it for the free channels when my subscription is finished the upc system wont effect it will it

I just changed back to Sky a couple of months ago.

The messing with the ITV channels and no HD movies pushed me back to Sky.

UPC in my experience treat their subscribers better.

I had 3 plus boxes of UPC two of which were HD for less then I pay for two HD boxes from Sky and only one of them is a plus box.

Cons with UPC the main EPG is very slow to load and there are only 13 HD channels.
Picture quality on their HD boxes is very good and their channel layout makes more sense.

UPC for TV is not bad and it is better value.

Sky you pay more but it is a better product even thought they treat people like dirt.

Have you considered Real Digital?

icdg

We get this query quite often and as I always say there are pros and cons to both and it really is what you are looking for:

With Sky:
- A far larger selection of channels
- Better EPG.
- Red button services
- Regional BBC and ITV services.
- Sky channels in HD.

With UPC
- UK terrestrials at the top of the EPG not scattered as they are on Sky.
- Setanta Ireland included in all packs and ESPN in all but the most basic pack.
- Cheaper.
- ITVs on the EPG.
- Packages including broadband and home phone ("triple play")
- Can get it in places you're not allowed get Sky (most apartments and managed estates).

dogpile

There's both Sky and UPC in the house...imo for what it's worth UPC's tv is horrible in comparison....from sound quality to picture quality to reliability, range of channels (the +1 is a great feature and Sky have literally dozens) Sky wins hands down

AlanC275

Hello! Was just wondering could anyone give me some advice.
I am currently with Eircom but I am thinking of changing to UPC.
I have two questions, firstly is there any problems when it comes to downloading movies/music ( the not so legal way ) secondly is there any problems when it comes to getting NAT Type 1 or 2 with ps3 for online gaming. Thanks

icdg

AlanC275 wrote: »

Hello! Was just wondering could anyone give me some advice.
I am currently with Eircom but I am thinking of changing to UPC.
I have two questions, firstly is there any problems when it comes to downloading movies/music ( the not so legal way )

You can't discuss anything illegal here.

smurf22

AlanC275 wrote: »

Hello! Was just wondering could anyone give me some advice.
I am currently with Eircom but I am thinking of changing to UPC.
I have two questions, firstly is there any problems when it comes to downloading movies/music ( the not so legal way ) secondly is there any problems when it comes to getting NAT Type 1 or 2 with ps3 for online gaming. Thanks

The answer to both your questions is there is no problem

AlanC275

icdg wrote: »

You can't discuss anything illegal here.

Get over it ya loser

AlanC275

smurf22 wrote: »

The answer to both your questions is there is no problem

Sound lad!

icdg

AlanC275 wrote: »

Get over it ya loser

Banned for a week.

irishproduce

Sorry to kind of hijack, I don't want to needlesly open another UPC thread.
I have never had digital TV, but going to go with UPC shortly due to their phone package aswell and the wife being fronm another country, will get free evening calls home.

My questions is will the UPC installer let me choose where in the house the connection comes in?
I am thinking of getting a smart bluray player and it needs ethernet.
Wouldn't be much point in having the UPC coming in by the hall.

Advice appreciated.

icdg

In most UPC homes the main cable point is actually beside the TV, mainly for historical reasons (it was the only service that UPC and its predecessors offered). Not sure if UPC's cable modems offer an ethernet connection though or whether its just wi-fi now - I'm with Eircom.

irishproduce

Thanks for that advice ICDG.
So they might not even have ethernet anymore? That would mean it is a waste of time buying a smart bluray player with ethernet only.

I am probably best to ring them really!
I will ring em tomorrow and see what they think.

irish

The tax man

All modems provided have ethernet ports. Most have four ports,the non wi-fi modem only has one port.

dharn

to answer op i use upc for mmds system ,i find them very good quick to respond to problems, and their technicians are always very friendly and helpful but,having said that i will be leaving them soon as i am going with freesat as upc cannot provide hi def over mmds system

skyguy19

I have the freesat, it excellent and free, if you have the funds get this, its like sky plus and its hd
https://www.richersounds.ie/asp/product.asp?ObjectID=930&Mode=0&productid=840&Results=true&keys=freesat

djimi

irishproduce wrote: »

Sorry to kind of hijack, I don't want to needlesly open another UPC thread.
I have never had digital TV, but going to go with UPC shortly due to their phone package aswell and the wife being fronm another country, will get free evening calls home.

My questions is will the UPC installer let me choose where in the house the connection comes in?
I am thinking of getting a smart bluray player and it needs ethernet.
Wouldn't be much point in having the UPC coming in by the hall.

Advice appreciated.

If it came to it you could always get them to install a second point in a different room. I have my TV in my living room and the broadband modem in my spare bedroom/office. Think its only something like a fiver to get a second point installed.

irishproduce

Thanks for the advice guys. Gonna ring em tomorrow.
Also looking at your advice onthe freeview, might go after one of them toom. Just hooknit up to a functioning satellite, right?

Nothingbetter2d

dont bother switching to UPC for TV service.

1. 90% of the channels UPC offer are available for no cost on freesat & saorview (You actually get more channels on the Freesat/Saorview combo than UPC offer)
2. the remaining 10% subscription channels aren't really worth paying the sub for IMO.

Also everytime it rains lightly or someone sneezes UPC's tv service seems to go down. Sky HD+ or even Freesat/saorview combo are by far superior services vs UPC's offering..

Nothingbetter2d

icdg wrote: »

In most UPC homes the main cable point is actually beside the TV, mainly for historical reasons (it was the only service that UPC and its predecessors offered). Not sure if UPC's cable modems offer an ethernet connection though or whether its just wi-fi now - I'm with Eircom.

you get a 4 port router with wireless meaning you can plug upto 4 computers via cable and many more wirelessly.

ask for the Thomson Router... its will cost ya a one off fee of €50 but its a million times more reliable than the cisco router and can handle downloads speeds upto 100mb/s

irishproduce

Nothingbetter2d wrote: »

you get a 4 port router with wireless meaning you can plug upto 4 computers via cable and many more wirelessly.

ask for the Thomson Router... its will cost ya a one off fee of €50 but its a million times more reliable than the cisco router and can handle downloads speeds upto 100mb/s

I will only be getting their standard broadband, I don't know, 25mb or something.
I won't be plugging stuff into it, just the smart bluray box, after that just the ipad on wifi.

Is it necessary to get the thompson?

I rang UPC by the way.
For anyone who ever searches it.
UPC can install the access point anywhere you like.
In my case, they can install it in the living room if I like.

Red Alert

I wouldn't switch to UPC if you've already got a Sky system working. Their customer service messed up two orders, and insisted that only the person who made them could change or cancel them. But they couldn't actually transfer me to that person. Then they made an upgrade to the boxes that deleted series link recordings and made the user interface slow. And the EPG is the slowest piece of software I've ever seen. We've two HD boxes and I can't wait to get rid of them.

A working Sky system can easily be used to get freesat. Have a look at the channel list on http://www.freesat.co.uk/ and see if it meets your needs.

djimi

Nothingbetter2d wrote: »

dont bother switching to UPC for TV service.

1. 90% of the channels UPC offer are available for no cost on freesat & saorview (You actually get more channels on the Freesat/Saorview combo than UPC offer)
2. the remaining 10% subscription channels aren't really worth paying the sub for IMO.

Also everytime it rains lightly or someone sneezes UPC's tv service seems to go down. Sky HD+ or even Freesat/saorview combo are by far superior services vs UPC's offering..

Theyre really not tbf. Outside of Irish and UK terrestrial channels (RTE, BBC, ITV, Channel 4 etc) there really isnt anything of worth available on free to air. If you want any of the Sky channels (1, Sports, Movies, Living etc) or channels like Comedy Central and FX then you will need to be on either UPC or Sky. Each to their own but from my experience Id say about 10% of what I watch is on a FTA channel.

To the OP (sorry, I kinda missed your question when answering my last post!) I would not change from Sky to UPC for TV if I had a choice. UPCs TV service is average at best; the equipment is awful (the box is slow and clunky and the EPG is nigh on unusable) and the selection of channels and services is very poor compared to Sky (minimal HD, no interactive, no bargaining power to secure Sky channels such as Atlantic). I also find the picture quality quite poor compared to Sky but YMMV.

I have also had some very bad experiences with UPC customer support in my time with them; mostly support staff who do not have the knowledge to assist with issues and sales staff who have a tendancy to lie about things when they dont know the answer/dont want to admit the truth. Again YMMV and I have on occasion spoken to support staff who were extemely helpful, but they are the exception rather than the rule unfortunately.

pudzy

had both , neither any good good with service calls,, sky is better tv choice wise... and menu setup... then again im in terrestial are so cant speek for cable.. but i can say guy gave my brother a box that works tru internet , he getting all channells free. once off payement.

icdg

Lets not go there shall we, or bans will be handed out.

I'm also wondering about why a thread about changing from Sky to UPC has gotten hijacked by people promoting Freesat as an option. To address one particular point made by one user, nowhere near 90% of the channels on UPC are on Freesat or Saorview. I'd guestimate it at no more then 20% but I'll do the maths if someone really wants me to.

annette39

icdg wrote: »

We get this query quite often and as I always say there are pros and cons to both and it really is what you are looking for:

With Sky:
- A far larger selection of channels
- Better EPG.
- Red button services
- Regional BBC and ITV services.
- Sky channels in HD.

With UPC
- UK terrestrials at the top of the EPG not scattered as they are on Sky.
- Setanta Ireland included in all packs and ESPN in all but the most basic pack.
- Cheaper.
- ITVs on the EPG.
- Packages including broadband and home phone ("triple play")
- Can get it in places you're not allowed get Sky (most apartments and managed estates).

unfortunatly upc can only offer tv in my area if they could do my broadband too i would change that as well. there isnt much difference in the channels because i will keep useing the skybox for the free to air channels the only channel i will loose is sky atlantic so between the 2 boxes i will have everything else i dont have HD so i wont miss that.also for less than sky were charging me for my package plus sky sports i can get the same package , sky sports and movies. plus the first 2 months of sports and movies are free so that will pay for the setup. i think im a bit happier about changing after reading your replies. sorry about the late response havnt had time to go on the computer over the christmas.

Freddie59

Nothingbetter2d wrote: »

Also everytime it rains lightly or someone sneezes UPC's tv service seems to go down.

Ranicand

Freddie59 wrote: »

UPC is not one system they run cable but they also run MMDS ex NTL and ex Chorus.



This must be what that poster was talking about.

Ranicand

As regards UPC vs Sky threads I think I can offer a fair opinion having switched a few times between the two.

UPC are the better value operator and while their phone center staff may not be on top of everything they are polite.

Sky have a take it or leave it attitude and can be very rude.
However Sky do have the better TV product but you pay for it.

UPC in an upgraded cable area in my experience is very stable and the bit rate or picture quality matches Sky.

I think people when making a choice should decide what they want to pay and what channels they want.

Right now I am with Sky for TV but I am wired up for either and I will switch and the drop of a hat I have no loyalty to either.

If UPC get Video on Demand working along with more HD they may get my business back.

Here are the two TV guides.

http://tv-guide.upc.ie/TV/

http://tv.sky.com/tv-guide

annette39

Ranicand wrote: »

UPC is not one system they run cable but they also run MMDS ex NTL and ex Chorus.



This must be what that poster was talking about.

whats mmds is that better or worse than cabel i think i seen that on the email confirming my install

Ranicand

annette39 wrote: »

whats mmds is that better or worse than cabel i think i seen that on the email confirming my install

It has less bandwidth than cable so it has less channels no HD no phone and no broadband.

If you can I would advise Sky over MMDS.

Edit MMDS explained http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multichannel_Multipoint_Distribution_Service

annette39

Ranicand wrote: »

It has less bandwidth than cable so it has less channels no HD no phone and no broadband.

If you can I would advise Sky over MMDS.

Edit MMDS explained http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multichannel_Multipoint_Distribution_Service

i dont mind that there is no hd we didnt have it with sky either we just have the ordinary box no plus no hd they have already told us they cant provide phone or broadband what is the picture like with mmds i have a soreview box in my bedroom working off of an indoor ariel surely the picture couldnt be of less quaility than that could it. i gave my 30 day notice to sky for a couple of reasons 1st when i got my landline taken out they charged me extra for my 2nd box my package with them was 33 euro +15 for the extra box which they changed to 33 for the 2nd box because of no landline. 2nd last month i decided to get sky sports for my husband i rang and asked 3 times how much a month it would be i was quoted 83 euro a month i was able to get it for 73 from upc but decided to go with sky to save the hassel of changing over well i checked my bank account and they had taken 112 euro out rang them they said because i had changed in the middle of the month i had to pay the extra which was fine so i said from now on it will be 83 euro no he said it will be 100 pounds which when changed into euro would be a lot more i just saw red i was with sky for at least 15 years there was nothing they would do to bring the price down they didnt care sorry for the long post nervous changing to a new provider but ive lost all faith in sky. if the picture is ok im happy. can anyone tell me what the picture with mmds is like i dont understand bandwith or picksels is the picture clear. thanks

Ranicand

I have never had MMDS I had UPC in an upgraded cable area and the picture quality was on par with Sky.

annette39

Ranicand wrote: »

I have never had MMDS I had UPC in an upgraded cable area and the picture quality was on par with Sky.

thanks for the quick reply im optimistic about it if i can get a good picture on my soareview box with an indoor ariel which is a made up one ie. i made it with electrical wire and an old indoor ariel im hopefull the picture with upc will be good too. plus for less than what they wanted to charge me for my package with sky i can get roughly the same from upc plus the sports and movies so heres hopeing

djimi

The picture quality depends on your TV. If you are still using a CRT TV (an old style tube telly) then the picture quality will be fine. If you are using a newer flatscreen TV (LCD/LED/Plasma) then the picture quality will be fairly awful on non-HD channels. That said, if you dont have Sky HD at the moment then you wont notice too much of a difference; I think the quality of SD channels on UPC is slightly worse than on Sky but most people dont seem to notice.

I do remember that we used to have issues with MMDS when we had it a few years ago where the picture quality would degrade in really bad weather, but thats going back a while so it might have improved.

Another potential issue with MMDS is that it depends on you being able to see the transmission tower from your house. Where I am our house could see it but some of our neighbours didnt have a clear view and had problems.

annette39

djimi wrote: »

The picture quality depends on your TV. If you are still using a CRT TV (an old style tube telly) then the picture quality will be fine. If you are using a newer flatscreen TV (LCD/LED/Plasma) then the picture quality will be fairly awful on non-HD channels. That said, if you dont have Sky HD at the moment then you wont notice too much of a difference; I think the quality of SD channels on UPC is slightly worse than on Sky but most people dont seem to notice.

I do remember that we used to have issues with MMDS when we had it a few years ago where the picture quality would degrade in really bad weather, but thats going back a while so it might have improved.

Another potential issue with MMDS is that it depends on you being able to see the transmission tower from your house. Where I am our house could see it but some of our neighbours didnt have a clear view and had problems.

hi one of our tellys is a flat sereen the other one is older and has the tube at the back dont know if you can see their mast we live on the wicklow - wexford border so dont know where to look for the mast

Kristopherus

By the way are you in an ex-Chorus area or ex_Ntl area?

annette39

Kristopherus wrote: »

By the way are you in an ex-Chorus area or ex_Ntl area?

i dont know does that make a difference

Dodge

I must be the only person who prefers the UPC EPG

Kristopherus

annette39 wrote: »

i dont know does that make a difference

It does, and for the life of me I cannot recall what it is exactly. But I do know that ex-NTL customers can use Digital + and ex-Chorus cannot. Check with the installer. He should know if he's local.

annette39

Kristopherus wrote: »

It does, and for the life of me I cannot recall what it is exactly. But I do know that ex-NTL customers can use Digital + and ex-Chorus cannot. Check with the installer. He should know if he's local.

ok thanks i'll do that

MANSFIELD

annette39 wrote: »

can anyone tell me what the picture with mmds is like i dont understand bandwith or picksels is the picture clear. thanks

Picture on my MMDS is perfect,really clear as good as sky imo, ( now i have removed a few branches of a tree that was blocking the signal to the aerial)

If MMDS is being forced to shut down their MMDS service , i think its a very bad day for customers living in the countryside because then the only alternative will be to get sky tv.

So if/when sky decide to increase their prices we will have to pay it cause we have no other choice if we want to receive pay channels.

annette39

MANSFIELD wrote: »

Picture on my MMDS is perfect,really clear as good as sky imo, ( now i have removed a few branches of a tree that was blocking the signal to the aerial)

If MMDS is being forced to shut down their MMDS service , i think its a very bad day for customers living in the countryside because then the only alternative will be to get sky tv.

So if/when sky decide to increase their prices we will have to pay it cause we have no other choice if we want to receive pay channels.

wont be able to get upc after all lad was out reception in my area no good so im stuck with sky

Antomus Prime

Hey people, this is exactly the thread I was about to start, sky treated us like shoite and they made a huge mistake one month and tried to take over €600 out of the bank the day before the mortgage was due, you can imagine my dad's reaction to that. So it was cancelled and even though they admitted it was their fault they wont reconnect us on the same price plan. So we've been without the tv for a while now. We're considering Going to upc, mainly cause I want the high speed BB, but in terms of the wiring used for the boxes.. can the upc boxes be hooked up to the cable used by the sky boxes and then just reroute it from the dish to the upc port on the wall?? Cheers for any help

Kristopherus

Well, in my case anyway, the installer used the existing $ky cables that come down the conduit as he could'nt fit another cable in the conduit. Used UPC cable to come from the aerial to conduit where he used a splitter to come down 2 conduits, as we have multiroom.

Antomus Prime

Kristopherus wrote: »

Well, in my case anyway, the installer used the existing $ky cables that come down the conduit as he could'nt fit another cable in the conduit. Used UPC cable to come from the aerial to conduit where he used a splitter to come down 2 conduits, as we have multiroom.

So in theory if we do get it installed we wont have to go lifting floors or carpets again, cause its all fairly new and I dont want that hassle lol

Kristopherus

With any luck you won't:). As you say, your gaff is fairly new and the $ky cabling should be newer still, so you should be OK.