IPTV on 360 happening this year for the UK thanks to BT
It has been revealed that Microsoft and British Telecom have gotten all cosy with one another, and will, before the end of this year, announce that thanks to BT Vision, we in the UK will be able to get IPTV through our beloved 360s.
Only subscribers to BT will be able to get the IPTV service, being pushed through by BT’s (reportedly unreliable) Vision service. BT Vision is currently already available for anyone in the UK, so subscribers to that will be delighted to know that it will soon work with the 360.
Before divulging further, for our American friends, here is what BT Vision is capable of at the moment:
- You get access to Freeview Digital TV channels as standard.
- Your family can also choose from an enormous range of on demand entertainment; available whenever they want it at the touch of a button.
- You can pay per programme, with films from £1.99 or choose from one of our great value subscription packages (from only £6 a month).
- The V-box (worth £199) can record without tapes, pause and even rewind live TV.
- From just £30 in set up costs, which includes a visit from an engineer, you could be up and running.
There are also plans of a bundle, since BT will be given free-reign to buy 360s for their needs. Therefore expect to see 360s on the shelves with a full subscription to the service plastered on the front of the box.
This could become the alternative to the Xbox Live Video Marketplace that Americans have been enjoying for some time now. Whether this is the UK’s answer to that is not clear, nor is it suggested that the UK will definitely not get the XBLVM. Just don’t be too surprised if that turns out to be the case.
You’ll need to pick up the new issue of 360 Gamer for all the details (Issue 31), which goes on sale on the 23rd August. Or just check the website; whatever’s easier!
hooray hooray
I hope to god this isnt true. We’d be better off with no IPTV instead.
Anyone here using BT Vision? Is it any good - and do you need to be a BT Internet customer to receive the service (or can you use any broadband ISP)?
Interested to know more about the ins & outs of this - particularly how the service currently operates (albeit not yet on the 360) and what the viewing experience is like.
Cheers
to get BT Vision:
1. You need a BT phone line (if you’re on cable, no luck there then) (£10 a month)
2. You need to get your broadband from BT Total Broadband, the only unlimited usage package is £25 a month
3. There’s an 18 month contract to sign, even though it’s ‘free’ (to cover the cost of the v-box).
The Freeview channels in BT Vision come down your TV aerial, which isn’t IPTV really, the only IPTV within the service is on demand video which is no different to streaming.
If you’re with BT for both your broadband and phone, and don’t have Sky or Cable TV, and have an Xbox 360 it might be for you. Maybe.
/is content watching Freeview on my 360 via Media Center thankyouverymuch
“This could become the alternative to the Xbox Live Video Marketplace that Americans have been enjoying for some time now. Whether this is the UK’s answer to that is not clear, nor is it suggested that the UK will definitely not get the XBLVM. Just don’t be too surprised if that turns out to be the case.”
This better not be the case. I used BT Vision for a few months and it is awful - the selection of films are crap, and the service is just generally slow and unreliable. Add to the fact that they will be cutting out the broadband provider with the majority of users (Virgin Media) - I can’t see it to be honest, M/S would be cutting off ALOT of potential video marketplace users.
You forgot to add that it’s not HD either
you’ll find BT (Wholesale) has a lot more customers than Virgin Media, despite any speed advantages cable has.
Well this is what most people think of BT internet services in the UK: http://youtube.com/watch?v=PJvcgyIhzmI
And this was sent to me by one of their employees under the subject “Harsh but fair”!!
I would rather see a proper video marketplace like the US has. This BT service will be of no use to anyone who doesn’t have BT broadband.
Im still pleased…
I’m currently unable to use my Xbox live because my BT-Broadband won’t stay connected for more than a few minutes and it’s been like this for weeks.
The’ve shifted their callcentre to India and any attempt to complain is a bad Monty Python sketch. I have a mild Geordie accent but they can’t understand a word I’m saying, it took me twenty minutes to explain my delivery address alone.
I have absolutely no confidence in this at all.
Im on Bt Broadband and recently discovered Ive been playing my 360 for weeks using someone elses wireless internet. My wireless adapter was connected to someones belkin52g which has no security settings? Where I have a BTVoyager - I’ve since corrected it
That’s in reference to:
Its fuckin gay that Europe dos’nt get XBLVM…
What? Europe IS getting XVLVM. Read magik’s post.
ill stick with my sky hd