What is BT Vision?

BT Vision is a hybrid of digital terrestrial television (Freeview) and IPTV (digital TV delivered via an Internet connection). It features a Freeview digital decoding set-top box; the V-Box. The V-Box features a DVR (Digital Video Recorder) with 80 hours of recording capacity; dual tuners (allowing you to watch one programme whilst recording another) and a smart card reader. The V-Box also supports HDTV sets. BT Vision is available to customers who are subscribers to any of BT's Broadband options; a BT broadband connection through a BT Home Hub is required as many of the features used by BT Vision download programmes and features that are transmitted via IP.

The V-Box™ receives the existing Freeview channels, which are received through your aerial as normal. The extra pay-per-view Video On-Demand features are accessed through a BT broadband line; these include feature films, kid's shows, music videos and concert footage, and sports programmes.

A TV set that is compatible with the V-Box, a BT Broadband connection with a minimum connection speed of 2Mbps and a BT Home Hub to route the broadband transmissions to the box are necessary to make use of BT Vision.

This depends if you already have a connection to BT Broadband or not. A standard connection to BT Broadband currently costs £7.95 a month (Option 1), but as a BT Home Hub is also needed, it is worth considering BT Broadband Options 2 and 3 which are more expensive, but come with a free Home Hub. The V-Box™ in itself is free, but there is a one off connection fee of just £30. The prices for Video On-Demand programmes vary, with films starting from £1.99, TV programmes from £0.79, children's shows from £0.49 and music videos from £0.29. BT Vision also features an seven-day catch-up service, which costs £3.00 and allows you to watch a selection of the top programmes from the BBC and Channel 4 that you have missed over that period. You can also purchase the Value pack for £14 which allows you unlimited access to everything in the TV & TV replay pack, plus your choice of 2 from the Kids, Music, PictureBox Film or Standard Sports packages.

Setup Cost

Note: you'll need BT Total Broadband, which isn't included in the set-up costs. For more information, see below. * BT Vision V-box™ is free to new BT Total Broadband customers or existing BT Total Broadband customers who re-contract as per original contractual period (residential only). Customers not wishing to re-contract will be charged £199 for the V-box. Installation fee £60. Connection charge £30. In order to get BT Vision, you will need to have BT Total Broadband (with minimum line speed of 2MB). You will also need a BT Home Hub in order to use BT Vision. If you have, or sign up to BT Total Broadband option 2 or 3, you will receive this for free (unless you already have a Home Hub, in which case, this will be utilised). If you are on, or sign up to BT Total Broadband option 1, you will need to purchase the BT Home Hub at £50 over the phone or £30 online.