How BT Vision Works

Any fast broadband connection lets you get the most out of the internet on your PC, but a BT Broadband connection lets you do more. If you're into TV, music and films for example, you might be interested in the BT Vision service, which lets you watch and record Freeview TV, or pay to view films, sporting events and TV packages.

BT Vision is an optional extra for BT broadband customers. If you sign up to it you'll be sent our V-box digital TV recorder, but what's inside this natty silver box of tricks, and how does it all work?

Free as a bird

Our V-box is a hybrid TV recorder, so-called because it can show you films and TV programmes from two different sources. The first of these is Freeview TV, which you might already enjoy watching if you have a TV with a digital tuner, or a suitable set-top box. The V-box lets you view Freeview in exactly the same way as ordinary equipment, but it has an extra trick up its sleeve: it lets you record, pause, rewind and repeat live TV broadcasts.

In fact, the V-box can record two broadcasts at once, or record one while you watch another. It stores programmes on a built-in hard disk, just like you'd find in a desktop computer, with enough storage space for up to 80 hours of telly. Best of all, if you're hooked on a series but you aren't always in to watch it, just tell the V-box - it'll record every episode, making sure you never miss one.

It might sound complicated - or like you'll end up with even more remote controls that you don't know how to use. But the BT Vision remote can be set up to manage your BT Vision box and your TV and is navigated with simple, easy-to-use menus.

Broadband

BT Vision's Freeview tuner and hard-disk recorder are handy enough, but the V-box doesn't just connect to your TV aerial. It's also hooked up to a network port on your BT Home Hub or router, so it can use your BT ADSL broadband connection, too. As a result, BT Vision customers can download the latest films, sport and other programmes not available through Freeview.

You can buy these downloads in one of two ways. If you just want to see a film you missed at the cinema, or catch the big game, you can pay a one-off fee to view the programme live, or to 'rent' it - usually for 24 hours. The V-box's menu will tell you how long remains on the rental.

BT Vision also offers themed viewing packs , which group together similar events and programmes, giving you access to loads of pay-per-view content for a monthly charge. For example, the Kids Pack gives you a whole load of kids and pre-school shows, while the Music Video Pack lets you catch up on music videos and documentaries, and even belt out your own karaoke classics.

Whether you're viewing live Freeview TV, or programmes downloaded or streamed over broadband, the V-box works by saving a temporary copy of the sound and video you're watching - like a video recorder that automatically tapes the most recent 90 minutes of TV you've watched. Because you've effectively got everything you watch on a temporary tape, you can pause a live broadcast, rewind it, or fast forward back to the live transmission time whenever you want. Remember that you can also tell the V-box to record and store a permanent copy of a Freeview TV programme.

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