UPC vs Sky

Dave_The_Sheep

I'm moving house, and considering a UPC bundle. Their internet seems to be the best option, but TV, it's a different story. From previous threads, here and on Reddit, people seemed to pin down the following as the problems with the service:

- Horizon UI, very bad. Apparently it's very confusing and nonsensical.
-The Horizon Box-Set can be slow and laggy.
- The combination of TV and Router in the same box can lead to a weaker signal and corners the user to have their wireless router beside the TV. Not all that convenient.

Have these improved with a year in use - have they improved the UI performance, for example?

Interested in hearing what people say.

crazyderk

Dave_The_Sheep wrote: »

I'm moving house, and considering a UPC bundle. Their internet seems to be the best option, but TV, it's a different story. From previous threads, here and on Reddit, people seemed to pin down the following as the problems with the service:

- Horizon UI, very bad. Apparently it's very confusing and nonsensical.
-The Horizon Box-Set can be slow and laggy.
- The combination of TV and Router in the same box can lead to a weaker signal and corners the user to have their wireless router beside the TV. Not all that convenient.

Have these improved with a year in use - have they improved the UI performance, for example?

Interested in hearing what people say.

I've been using Horizon since it was launched as a trial.

I had one serious issue with the broadband which caused me to call UPC and it was recommended to reset the box which was annoying as I had to set up all my recordings again.

Most of the time its ok, but I'll have 2-3 small issues a week, like no picture or no sound or freezing, all of these things are resolved with a reboot and I don't mind doing a reboot but when I have to do it 2-3 times a week and with that because its all in one, the TV/Broadband/Phone all switch off until the machine reboots which takes a minute. so my patience has gone with it now so im going to cancel the TV and keep the broadband.

the interface has gotten faster and its a lot more fluid than before but that's about it and its still not perfect.

My advice go with Sky

watty

If you don't need Sky Sports, forget pay TV. Use only Freesat + Saorview. If you do want Sky Sports, get Sky.
If you can get UPC Broadband and want Broadband, go for it. Sky have no real Broadband. They are just reselling inferior DSL.
If you want Netflix, get it via UPC.

Avoid bundles from ANYONE. They are designed to lock you in and ultimately inflexible and you paying more.

Dave_The_Sheep

Thanks lads. I asked on Reddit and Facebook and the opinion has been overwhelmingly negative. Sky it is - as I will be getting Sky Sports at some point in the future.

Digifriendly

watty wrote: »

If you don't need Sky Sports, forget pay TV. Use only Freesat + Saorview. If you do want Sky Sports, get Sky.
If you can get UPC Broadband and want Broadband, go for it. Sky have no real Broadband. They are just reselling inferior DSL.
If you want Netflix, get it via UPC.

Avoid bundles from ANYONE. They are designed to lock you in and ultimately inflexible and you paying more.

I have the Entertainment Extra package with Sky which includes Sky Sports News; Eurosport 1/2 and I'm happy with this although I don't have the other sports channels.

lertsnim

I had UPC for tv and thought it was awful. Sky is far better for pay tv.