Before I Sign Up for Tiscali TV, please help?

[clum111]

Hi All,

I've a few questions about Tiscali TV that I'm hoping someone like Brett can answer please.

1. I've been a Tiscali BB customer for 2 years and last October I upgraded to BB + Phone Anytime paying the £30 setup fee. At that time their TV service wasn't available, but it is now. How come do we existing customers have to pay a further £30 setup fee for the TV when new customers just pay 1 £30 setup fee for BB + Phone + TV? This is bugging me when I've been loyal to Tiscali and upgraded when new services are introduced.

2. I have my computer in my office where my router is and it is connected by the Ethernet cable for a better connection. Would the new wireless router need to be next to the set-top box and TV in the lounge, as I think On Demand TV comes through the router?

3. Tiscali has a fair usage policy, will On Demand TV come under this category for your BB monthly usage?

4. How can I get Tiscali TV on my TV in my bedroom as well?

5. Reading some posts on this forum, there are many people moaning about the picture quality being very poor. How true is this and does it depend how far the telephone exchange is from your house?

Cheers

[Dude a llama]

Cant help with the TV but be warned that cancelling anything with Tiscali isn a real nightmare! I had broadband and phone package with them for 3 years, no problems until I wanted to cancel. Telephoned and sorted everything, last payments went etc,moved out of house,Tiscali keep sending bills,threatened to cut off service that we were not even getting, threatened with court etc. After umpteen phone calls and finally puting every letter I got from them in the bin without even reading them things have gone quiet after about 4 months!

Not impressed

[SmokingMagnum]

See my answers below.

Originally Posted by clum111

Hi All,

I've a few questions about Tiscali TV that I'm hoping someone like Brett can answer please.

1. I've been a Tiscali BB customer for 2 years and last October I upgraded to BB + Phone Anytime paying the £30 setup fee. At that time their TV service wasn't available, but it is now. How come do we existing customers have to pay a further £30 setup fee for the TV when new customers just pay 1 £30 setup fee for BB + Phone + TV? This is bugging me when I've been loyal to Tiscali and upgraded when new services are introduced.

Don't know but I agree that stinks.

2. I have my computer in my office where my router is and it is connected by the Ethernet cable for a better connection. Would the new wireless router need to be next to the set-top box and TV in the lounge, as I think On Demand TV comes through the router?

The new wireless router must be connected to the box, yes. However, the connection is via Ethernet cable. Therefore, you could have a very very long Ethernet cable if you wanted to! Personally, I would ditch your current router and use wireless connectivity for your PC. Having the router next to the Tiscali box is far simpler. I don't believe you will notice much difference in BB speed.

3. Tiscali has a fair usage policy, will On Demand TV come under this category for your BB monthly usage?

Have had no problems with usage. Highly unlikely that you will exceed any 'fair usage' limit. I wouldn't worry about it.

4. How can I get Tiscali TV on my TV in my bedroom as well?

Get a Philips Video Sender or similar. This is basically a transmitter that sends the TV signal to another room. The picture quality isn't bad from one of these units and they cost about £70 for a decent one. Tiscali do not offer multiroom like Sky; you would need a second subscription if you wanted a second Tiscali box.

5. Reading some posts on this forum, there are many people moaning about the picture quality being very poor. How true is this and does it depend how far the telephone exchange is from your house?

Yes, the picture quality is poor. Not dire, but poor in comparison to Sky or other digital forms of TV. This is because the tv comes down the phone line alongside the broadband (fyi the TV always gets priority over internet, so switch off TV for faster downloads). It's never going to be world-beating pic quality until someone comes up with a super-fast phone line. This is surely just a matter of time. Until then, I doubt HD TV will be available via Tiscali. I think that being fairly close to the exchange is no bad thing - a fair point. However, this still won't stop the occasional TV glitch/stuck pixels that happens with Tiscali TV from time to time. The content is good though which makes up for the pic quality. I recommend connecting via HDMI for an improved picture over the standard RGB SCART connection.

Just don't ask about their customer service!

Cheers

[MK_Brett]

Thanks SM, that pretty well answers his questions.
As for the 1st point, I really don't know. I'm tech not a cust service person, call sales and discuss this with them.

[clum111]

Thanks Chris for that info, just deciding to go for Tiscali TV or stick to their BB and go for Sky TV.

Cheers,

Calum

[howard tiscali]

I have had tiscali TV for one evening.

TV comes via two routes - the first via normal digital TV transmissions and the second via DSL.

Quality from either source is inferior - What is disappointing is the inferior quality of normal digital transmissions through the Tiscali box.

My sony Digibox is so superior that I have unplugged the Tiscali box and plugged my Sony back in - I will be sending the box back.

Make your choice but be warned.