[dts_boy]

has anyone here got the new silver samsung ntl box? i have recently added a second ntl box and put the old one in the bedroom, at last i thought, an all silver system in the lounge (as the boss has always wanted!) the only problem is now it won't work with the red eye remote system, as used with my old ntl pace box. does anyone know of a way around this, red eye don;t support this box and i don't appreciate the suggestion of moving to sky either
(although it is becoming a more attractive solution)

[Astaroth]

I would want to know how you have managed to get one of the new silver boxes - 'her that must be obeyed' is always complaining that the NTL box doesnt match all the rest of the equipment.

My experience with NTL has been very poor on the box reliability - it took them 5 boxes to get one to work on the first day they came out to install it and that then broke down and had to be swapped after a month. After 9 months of subscription I am have the 11th box they have brought into the house - they have all been the pace 1000 model and branded Cable & Wireless with an NTL tape 1/2 stuck over the branding.

When I called the NTL customer service number (if it wasnt free phone it would have to be on my friends and family by now) I asked about the new boxes and they said they didnt know anything about them but to ask the engineer.

Engineer came 2 weeks ago and said that with all the trouble with the ancient boxes (and that i dont get the free phoneline) can I not have a new box. His response was that the boxes are only being given to the over 1mb broadband subscribers as they must have one but he hasnt been given any boxes for the last 2 months and so has had to cancel all his broadband installation jobs.

Do you have boardband with NTL? Did you kick up about something to get the silver box or was it just pure luck?

[Chris Muriel]

When I contacted NTL in November, they offered to install a separate cable modem for the broadband internet side at no extra cost, an offer I took up.
This is because NTL get fewer service problems when the broadband is via a discrete/separate cable modem, the STB doesn't need rebooting (an inconvenience for those watching TV via NTL at the time) and the Pace STBs are "running out of steam" as NTL gradually increase bandwidths.
Neither I nor NTL (south Manchester area) mentioned the newer Samsung boxes at the time.

Chris Muriel, Manchester

[dts_boy]

i was actually looking to leave ntl and go for sky. i wanted a sceond subscription and box for the bedroom, which i got for free and then they offered me a further £15/month off my total subscription costs - i have nearly all the channels, broadband and phone line. the silver box was pure luck as i didn't know at the time there was such a thing. they had installed it as the 2nd box in the bedroom but i swapped it for the older one in my lounge and bob's you uncle! never really had too many problems to complain about, the older box use to freeze up quite a lot but (and would stop the braodnand working) by doing a reboot it worked okay - as long as you don;t have to get in touch with NTL on the phone i have no real problems with them. My only wish is for a sky+ style box and service, amd obviously a box that i can control with a single remote!

[hornydragon]

I htought the new Samsung Boxes were RC6 boxes IE no need for red eye as not IrDA (like PACE 4001 boxes which are IR.......)

[kevin19470]

'Phone ntl and tell them that you are moving to Sky, and wish to terminate your contract.

They will give you what you really want i.e. silver box and a subscription reduction for the next year.

Thats what I did and thats what I got, saving me £12 per MONTH. (you do need to be out of contract or nearly out of contract though).

Hope this helps.

Kev.

[dts_boy]

hornydragon, you're a star! i tried learning the codes straight off the remote and it worked - i shall shut up moaning now