BT Vision explained

BT Vision lets you watch what you want, when you want. With a BT Vision + box, you’ll be able to pause, rewind and record all your favourite TV shows. You never need miss your favourite programme again.

What is BT Vision?

Most homes in the UK now offer digital TV, with all regions due to have it by 2011. BT Vision is a digital TV service that gives you complete control over digital TV programming. Not only can you to control it in much the same way as a DVD or video, with the review, pause and fast forward buttons. You can also watch any programme at any time, meaning that you’re no longer beholden to TV schedules.

Better still, though, is that BT Vision also runs a great movie download service. This lets you choose from a selection of brand new movies to buy, which are downloaded to your Vision+ box via your broadband connection. And perhaps even better still, is that select movies are available to watch in glorious 3D.

How does the BT Vision+ box work?

The BT Vision + box is best described as a digital recorder. Rather like a computer it works by letting you store content on its onboard 160GB hard drive. It also lets you record up to 80 hours of live TV and pause and rewind live TV while you’re watching it.

BT’s gadget also works as a freeview set top box, so you’ll be able to take control of how you watch channels on freeview. This also means that there’s no need for a separate device in your sitting room.

Installing a Vision+ box is easy. All you have to do is connect it to your existing TV aerial to get Freeview TV. It’s then just a matter of hooking it up to your broadband line via the BT Home Hub. It really is that simple.

How much are movies to download?

HD movies are charged at £5.10 per download. TV shows, such as the best of HBO’s output, cost £1.10 per episode. This means that you need not get tied in to a lengthy subscription. Better still, you’ll be able to watch the latest movies before they hit the small screen elsewhere.

Alternatively, you can sign up for a viewing pack or a Value Pack for a small additional fee. These enable you to get unlimited on-demand content.

Can anyone get BT Vision?

In order to be able to get BT Vision, you need to ensure you fulfil these criteria:

1) You must have a BT residential phone line that provides a broadband connection speed of at least 2Mb. You can find this out by using Top10.com’s speed checker.

If you do not receive this speed, it doesn’t necessarily rule you out. You may be able to dramatically boost your speed with the Broadband Accelerator service, whereby a BT engineer will pay you a visit to maximise your connection and boost your speed.

2) If you want to control Freeview digital TV, it stands to reason that you must reside in an area where Freeview TV reception is available.

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Which programmes does BT Vision offer?

As well as all the Freeview channels and BT’s hoard of movies, concerts and quality drama, you can also sign up for Sky Sports channels. Right now, you can get Sky Sports 1 and 2, meaning that you can expect live Premier League football and a host of other crown jewels sporting events.

Yet more sports programming is available from ESPN on a subscription. Or you get it free if you choose selected Vision Single packs or Value packs.

There is no need to have a satellite dish if you want to subscribe to Sky Sports or ESPN. This is because they are transmitted to your home over Freeview.

But the best thing about BT Vision content is that you build your own package of programming. Sign up and you can choose from a host of ‘packs’, each of which is themed to ensure you only get the kind of content you want.

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