[Everything Swisscom TV -- formerly] Bluewin TV

http://de.bluewin.ch/services/index.php/bluewintv

TV over Bluewin ADSL.....looks like it's a set-top box as you pay for each extra box.

Channel list does not look compelling (to me) - German, French or Italian channels. It has Film Four (English) but this is available Free-to-air (and you know how to get that ).

Might suit somebody though......

EDIT: Channel line-up has improved dramatically and feedback is positive. Ensure you read the thread in full!

For those who use Blue Win for their broadband provider and cannot for whatever reason receive BBC over satellite, here is perhaps an answer. Blue Win TV is launched tomorrow Nov 1. More info can be found at:-

http://www.swisscom-fixnet.ch/fx/pri...nder/index.htm

The service is provided through the internet connection. As far as I see English stations include, BBC 2, BBC 3, CBBC.ITV1 ITV2 ITV 4, Film Four, CNN,BBC world, Sky news. BBC1 isn't included. There are also extra film and sport services at an extra cost.

I was totally sold until I saw no BBC One. The rest look good if you don't mind not having it, though!

BBC 1 is available as an extra subscription channel from our local cable provider. First step is to check with the local cable firm. If it is not available ask why not!!

Lob,

It is useful for me for the following reasons:-

1: Our main TV is a UK model and I cannot watch any of the German channels through the cable that comes into the house on this TV due to the the sound modulation for Switzerland being at a different frequency and not having the full UHF/VHF frequency receiving range.

This box solves this problem at a cost, since I can plug this box into the second scart socket.

2: I want to watch more French TV (live in German part of CH) to improve language skills. Blue Win TV provides this. The other solution would be mounting another dish at the satellite hotbird and have a CAM and card to access the French TV. Ourr local cable firm gives France 2 as standard, France 3 is at an additional cost but there is no TF1. Blue Win TV gives me many more french channels

For people who cannot see the Astra 2 satellite (UK free to view TV) from their appartment or who cannot mount a dish, this is a credible and simple solution. The only downer is that BBC One is not included.

"Recording: As simple as never before. Program and record emissions with push-button ease."

"Cost Control: Always a grip on costs. You can set a monthly cost limit for chargeable emissions and videos."

a cheapo video would give you similar channels (ie. allow you to use your cable tv connection).

This is only available to Bluewin ADSL people. What about Green, VTX, Hispeed,etc?

And I'd say you need a network connection from router/modem to the set-top box....might not be tidy enough for some people.

If you do get one, please do review it - quality, reliability, etc. That would be cool.

Will order a box and write a detailed report on it. On the negative side the pay to view films are only in German / French or Italian and you cannot record them.

I can't see many advantages to this over digital tv really (well apart from being able to set record times over the internet).

I know most people are not big fans of cablecom at the moment but i've just signed up.

I got a digital recorder with the basic package and Cmore movie channels free for 6 months all for only 15 francs a month.

With bluewin its gonna cost you 95 francs for the set top box and then 30 francs a month and i'm pretty sure most people who sign up will have a gripe with their adsl randomly cutting off during their favourite show etc.

Hmmmm i suppose it is a tough one to call.

Hopefully it'll give Cablecom a kick up the arse to get more UK channels sorted out.

They have every other language pack ferchristsake, except "English"

OK, reading more into it, it seems that you will get ADSL and telephone basic charge and Bluewin TV for a smidge short of 70 francs per month.

Upon reflection, if their VoD (Video on Demand) offerings are strong enough, it might take off. Certainly everyone's touting VoD as the killer-app in TV delivery.

But it's not HD - a question to ask , telandy is whether you'll need a new box for h.264/mpeg4 HD content....in theory I guess you don't "own" the box so any upgrade is at their cost...

Hey Lob. I'm not sure you are correct about that 70 franc price..

Possibly you are talking about a lower speed adsl than my own bluewin but i know that for just my telephone connection (no calls) and bluewin i pay 94francs a month all included. then you would have to add the 30 francs charge for tv and suddely you are touching on 130 francs per month.

I think it is possibly a great gimmick right now but when you can have cablecom digital with around the same amount of english channels for 15 francs......

But keep in mind you also have the cabelcom cinema option too which is just the same as bluewin video on demand.

So at least 64 francs.

The monthly sub of 29 franks for the tv offer does look attractive, commented Comparis on Tuesday. But with it you have to factor 25.25 for the Swisscom connection and the cost for the ADSL sub too (plus BAKOM, 1 franc or so). All-in-all it's at least 64 francs.

Brian - do you have Cablecom Digital [TV]?

Yeah i just signed up for the digital recorder. It hasn't arrived yet but just looking at the options and prices i'm impressed by it.

Is there something you want me to check out on it Lob?

I've made this thread for reviewing Set-Top Box solutions like this, Sky, cablecom, etc

It might be worth having the real reviews in there. I know there's a Bluewin TV300 review somewhere that I'll copy into it and I can do Sky etc - not to say anyone else should not do Sky.

Sure no problem. Once i have it all set up and working i'll post to that thread.

My friend already has his (his girlfriend wanted eastenders and he was a real sceptic to begin with) he is a big fan of it now.

They do not explain at all how the modem is connected to the box, and how close they need to be. I imagine in most places that have a wireless connection, the best place for the modem/router is not at all close to the TV.

So Lob is right, it could be messy. Also, they say you have to leave the box on all the time, no shutting it off at night or when you are away to save energy

I have just ordered it. They say that they will send me a new router and that the box is connected into this router. I am also interested to see how they do this, since we live in a large farmhouse and the PC (Kna***red old laptop) is miles away from the TV. Also digital phone signals and wireless signals do not travel well around the house.

I have installed a lot of satellite and worked as an electrician many moons ago and I guess they are banking on most installations will be straight forward, since there are conduit pipes running everywhere throughout most homes.

For the channels and the demand on the box - I do have an electronics degree, in my view for a stable system, it can only be hard wired.

I have never seen a really bad wiring job in CH at least in the last few years.

I will let you know

some aspects I think are worth commenting upon.... it's never going to work on Bluewin ADSL 150 (their 9 francs per month option). Never. Ever. Unless they give you a sneaky upgrade that is... it's never going to work [well] using wireless. Even 54Mbps kit or faster will not keep the bitrate high enough without loss to watch TV (which will be likely 4Mbps (and with sport, much more) unless they're broadcasting hugely-compressed data - then your enjoyment will suffer with quality being lower for anyone who takes a second or third box and uses them all at the same time - good luck.

Fully agree with LOb - What they will probably do is switch the ASDL TV onto dedicated broadband lines that gives them extra bandwith, but more than two boxes - beware.

This is what I received from them after placing the order:-

Bestätigungs-E-Mail (Conformation Email)

Sie erhalten in den nächsten Minuten per E-Mail eine Bestätigung Ihrer Bestellung . In the next few minutes you will receive a conformation e-mail of your order.

Bestätigungsschreiben (Conformation Letter)

Sie erhalten in den nächsten Tagen per Briefpost eine Bestätigung Ihrer Bestellung. You will receive written conformation in the post in the next couple of days.

DSL-Modem Austausch (Changing your DSL modem)

Ihr neuer Bluewin TV Service funktioniert nur mit einem neuen DSL-Modem (auch Router genannt). Sie werden deshalb ein neues Modem erhalten. In einigen Tagen wird Ihr Internet-Zugang mit Ihrem best

ehenden Modem nicht mehr funktionieren. Erst ab diesem Zeitpunkt sollten Sie dann das neue DSL-Modem installieren. Die Anleitung dazu wird dem neuen Modem beiliegen.

You new Blue Window TV service functions only with a new DSL modem, also known as a router. You will therefore receive a new modem. In the next few days your internet access with the existing modem willn’t work. From this point you should install the new modem. The instructions will accompany the new modem.

Termin Heiminstallation (Date of installation)

Sie erhalten in den nächsten Tagen einen Anruf, damit ein Termin für die Installation bei Ihnen zu Hause vereinbart werden kann.

You will receive in the next few days a call so that you can agree the installation date at your home.

Installation

Bluewin TV wird bei Ihnen zu Hause durch eine Fachperson installiert. Die Fachperson bringt alle erforderlichen Geräte und Kabel mit. Anschliessend können Sie Bluewin TV zu Hause nutzen.

A qualified person will do the installation and they will bring all necessary cable and instruments with them, Finally you can watch Blue WIn TV at home.