This topic

Extra box.

CharJ7 — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 11:12:43 GMT

Hi,

Does BT allow you to have 2 recordable boxes?

Thank you.

Re: Extra box.

Anonymous — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 13:14:24 GMT

Not currently, mostly to protect the quality of your broadband service and keep it useful as most of us still don't have FTTP.

However, if you understand that, then you can buy the Extra Box service to activate the ability to have two boxes on your line, then acquire a recordable Pro Box from eBay or CeX.

Use that box in place of the Extra Box supplied by BT.

Caveat Emptor:

Boxes are supposed to be returned to BT, you shouldn't really be able to buy a Pro Box second hand
There is nothing to say BT wouldn't block the Pro Box if they felt like it, but they don't appear to currently
You need to be comfortable you have enough headroom in your broadband connection to have multiple boxes running and be able to do other web based stuff
If you only want to use the second box to record channels using an aerial, you don't need 'Extra Box' just buy one as per above and you can access NOW and BT Sport content through apps

Re: Extra box.

Thistle1 — Sat, 17 Jun 2023 08:42:32 GMT

Thanks for the information. Is it possible to watch programmes recorded on the main pro box on a second TV in another room?

Re: Extra box.

Anonymous — Sat, 17 Jun 2023 09:21:48 GMT

Nope.

BT decided it wasn’t needed with the volume of catch up services available.

They are wrong, and so is anyone on their test panel who said it wasn’t needed. 🤣

Replicating Sky Q mini functionality would be a key benefit for driving sales of Extra Box IMHO, without it, unless you really need the additional channels delivered over WiFi in another room via an EPG, you can replicate it for very low cost with no monthly charge using apps in many cases.

I still hope that the functionality is in the box/software but just hasn’t been activated, bit like voice search/control.

Re: Extra box.

Thistle1 — Sat, 17 Jun 2023 14:29:19 GMT

Thanks once again for your answer. I need to be able to record on an Extra Box and if I cannot do that I'm afraid BT and I will be parting company. Having been with Virgin for many years I assumed that all additional boxes could record live TV and the fact that they can't was never mentioned by BT sales

Re: Extra box.

welshgit — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 16:24:40 GMT

i have extra box but only one box from bt i have an old humax 2000 works fine (due to age it does not have amazon on it ) i also have a 2100 box i got from ebay and that records bttv ok

Re: Extra box.

MadJim — Sat, 11 Nov 2023 10:57:11 GMT

Has anyone actually tried this? And/or tried using 3 boxes?

Re: Extra box.

MadJim — Sat, 11 Nov 2023 10:59:29 GMT

So you use your own tv box and it works? Did they send you a non reccord able box to? If so can you see if 3 boxes work?

Re: Extra box.

Anonymous — Sat, 11 Nov 2023 11:51:47 GMT

@MadJimwrote:
...can you see if 3 boxes work?

Currently you can use a maximum of two boxes on a BT line, which makes sense if you are on 60 Mbps FTTC like me, but is puzzling to someone lucky enough to have 150 Mbps+ FTTP/H.

This of course may well all change as we all know now that BT TV is becoming EE TV on the 6th December and that free Extra Box/Multiroom is part of the new offering.

What we don't know are any finer details at this point. They may well let you have numerous multiroom boxes in future if you have the right amount of bandwidth/subscriptions.

Re: Extra box.

MadJim — Sat, 11 Nov 2023 17:50:40 GMT

So if for example i have multiroom and get a second bt pro tv box as long as it is not blocked in theory it will still work… we dont need all caveats etc. just black and white… will another box work, non recordable box is not an option, in theory is there any reason why 3 or 4 boxes will work? If paid for second box subscription and have fibre 900 etc etc

Re: Extra box.

MadJim — Sat, 11 Nov 2023 17:52:59 GMT

So do you have 3 boxes working on your system all receive same channels? Please this is very important for me to understand

Re: Extra box.

MadJim — Sat, 11 Nov 2023 17:56:04 GMT

I k ow currently and what they state but i want to know why cant you and has anyone tried…. And i am thinking of getting 2 reccorable boxes and 1 non record for my sons bedroom, just need actual answers from people who have tested

Re: Extra box.

Weerab1983 — Sat, 11 Nov 2023 18:47:59 GMT

I would hold off if you can till the EE TV merger is complete as the multiroom system is due to change according to reports.