[dougp]

Just checking out the options for TV and internet prior to a move to HK, and I was wondering about broadband TV. Not something I've seen elsewhere. What's the quality like compared to cable/satellite services? If I get both broadband TV and DSL internet, do they use separate lines, or are there bandwidth implications using both?

Doug.

[Baron]

I have NOW broadband which is not too bad for choice of shows + it gives you internet through Netvigator at 100Mbps. I find it very good!

[berryplucker]

The Broadband TV runs over the DSL. The minimum you need is 3MB, but a 6MB is more solid. When you are running the TV obviously it uses a lot of the available DSL bandwidth, but you are still able to run 'net access at several hundred Kbit/s while watching TV.

The quality of the Broadband TV over 6MB is pretty much as good as cable/satellite.

(Baron's comment about the 100MB/s doesn't refer to the net access - it is simply the ethernet speed from the DSAL modem to the PC)

[sghkcn]

I don't like Broadband TV because I have to wait for each programme to buffer.

[berryplucker]

Originally Posted by sghkcn

I don't like Broadband TV because I have to wait for each programme to buffer.

Then I suggest there is a problem with your line - the switching time on my Broadband TV connection is a small fraction of a second.

[sghkcn]

oh I see, thanks.

[lazarus]

Originally Posted by berryplucker

The Broadband TV runs over the DSL. The minimum you need is 3MB, but a 6MB is more solid. When you are running the TV obviously it uses a lot of the available DSL bandwidth, but you are still able to run 'net access at several hundred Kbit/s while watching TV.

The quality of the Broadband TV over 6MB is pretty much as good as cable/satellite.

(Baron's comment about the 100MB/s doesn't refer to the net access - it is simply the ethernet speed from the DSAL modem to the PC)

The NOW! Boardband uses DSLTV technology, it's old to HK, but new for every other country. I love the BitTorrent downloads in HK, used to get 500-800K/s; now I'm in the crappie ol' UK.. stuck with 32-50k/s downloads. Worst part of it, it's blaming capped and cost ten time more! You guy in HK are so damn lucky.

[Baron]

I'm in HK and still getting 30-100kbps...i pray for 200-300kbps

[lazarus]

Originally Posted by Baron

I'm in HK and still getting 30-100kbps...i pray for 200-300kbps

What are you on? Now Boardband or Cable?
The difference in price means alot, with cable (other companies that's not PCCW or Now! BoardBand) you get one line shared with 20-50 other users... whereas with Now! Boardband you get a P2P line. If you went with the later, upgrade to 3Mbit line and you'll fly! 1Mbit line is good bit with TV on... you'll suffer.


Watch the TV, sometimes they run offers. When I was there, I managed upgrade from 1Mbit to the 3Mbit line for an additional $20.

[Baron]

Thanks heaps Lazarus, i didn't know that at all! I will be straight on the phone to them to see what i can do. So you say you were getting 3 times the DL rate that i get average (30-100kbps)?
By the way, i'm with NOW broadband (internet/tv)