Add a second TV

[geedee]

Hi I currently have a TV and a BT-TV Pro Box in my lounge.  I want to set up a second TV in the bedroom but I have a couple of questions -

1) I guess I need a second TV box; they now seem to be EE-TV boxes, are there any issue with running an "old" BT-TV Pro Box and a "new "EE-TV" box?

2) is it easy to set up the new EE-TV box?

3) can I record programmes on the second box?

4) can use the second box to access recordings made on the BT -TV Pro Box box?

Thanks!!!

[Anonymous]

Hi @geedee 

1. No problems, they are the same kit underneath the hood
2. Easier than a Pro Box as it only connects via WiFi. It either works or it doesn’t 
3. No you can’t. It’s live TV, catch up and normal apps (like Netflix) only
4. Nope, they do not function like Sky Q

[SoupDragon57]

The BT/EE mini box I have supports WiFi and Ethernet. Agree with @Anonymous on the rest.

[Anonymous]

Good point @SoupDragon57 , I meant it only works over broadband and doesn’t use an aerial.

[rbz5416]

@geedee 

Given how dumb the extra boxes are I can see no reason to pay BT £10 pm for one when you could buy a Roku or Firestick to do the same job.

[geedee]

Hey thanks everyone for taking the time to answer with such helpful responses.  @rbz5416 can I ask, what is a Roku? My Panasonic TV is like 15 years old, will a Roku be compatible?

Thanks again!

[SoupDragon57]

@rbz5416 unless you want an IP feed of the Freeview channels? Agree that you can get Now TV, TNT, Eurosport from apps. It's a choice. Seems like the additional boxes are at no extra cost on EE (potentially a mini box or a branded EE Apple TV box with all their channels on the. EE TV app). One for the next contract renewal?...

[rbz5416]

@geedee 

Roku is either a "stick" that plugs directly into an HDMI port or a small box that connects with a cable. It then connects to your WiFi & delivers all the subscription channels via apps. It also has the "on demand"apps from the live broadcasters such as iPlayer, ITVX, etc. They start from around £20.

But @SoupDragon57 makes a good point if you require most of the Freeview channels to be available live rather than on demand. Note that not all channels are currently available over BT's IP service. Also a new Freeview type IP service named Freely will launch later this year.

It's correct that the extra boxes are free with EE but it remains a mystery as to whether or not you can migrate a BT broadband & TV package to EE currently due  to the (wholly predictable) way the merger has been botched.

[Anonymous]

Agree with @rbz5416, the value judgement here currently is do I want to spend £120 extra a year to access my live channels and on demand through a BT/EE interface, or am I happy to use apps on another device that could cost me as little as £40 - £50 one of cost.

Whilst you might not have a familiar EPG, you can access live streams of the majority of the channels delivered over IP by BT through the normal apps on many other devices. 

The only 2 reasons I can see for even using BT/EE these days is the ability to record streamed channels and/or the Apple TV integration. 

If they are not important to you, then as I have said before, you can replicate the rest of the service much more cheaply and flexibly.

[geedee]

@rbz5416 , @Anonymous , @SoupDragon57  thanks for all your input with this, very much appreciated. I think I'll do a search for one of those Roku's at lunchtime!

Thanks again!!