TV boxes: Sky+ vs. BT Vision vs. Virgin TiVo

If you are one of many people left unsatisfied by the lacklustre channels offered by Freesat and Freeview, you probably have one of the digital TV services from Sky, Virgin Media or BT - but do you have the right one?

The digital TV market has changed considerably in recent years, and there are so many different packages available, that you could be stuck paying over the odds for an outdated plan. If you are looking to upgrade or enter the market for the first time, check out our guide below.

Storage

Both Virgin and Sky now offer 1TB PVR boxes but the hours of television they claim to hold differs.

Virgin state that the TiVo box can hold up to 500 hours of standard television recordings, whereas Sky claim to be able to hold 740 hours on their box.

Unfortunately, BT Vision fares the worst in this category as it only offers up to 80 hours of standard television.

Channels

The three providers all have a standard set of channels that they offer to customers, but this can be upgraded if you opt for a pay monthly package.

Virgin TiVo offers up to 175 channels on its most expensive package but is unable to offer any of the Sky channels, presumably because due to licensing restrictions.

Sky provides its customers with the widest selection of channels: 240 non-subscription channels and hundreds more depending on the package you choose. It also offers the largest range of movie channels.

BT Vision only offers 70 Freeview channels with no option to pay for additional channels. However, if you have a pay monthly package you can watch on-demand content from the Vision range of channels.

Packages

Virgin Media's TiVo has three packages available: Medium at £9.50 per month, Large at £15.50 per month, and Xtra Large at £27.50 per month. All three packages currently come with a free 500GB TiVo box and free installation.

Sky offers four different packages: TV Extra at £25 per month, Movie Lover at £36 per month, Sports Extra at £45 per month and Sky Word at £53 per month. All of these packages also include Sky Broadband & Talk, free Sky+ box and set-up.

BT only provides two real options for customers TV Essentials which includes the standard Freeview channels, and TV Unlimited which adds on access to on demand content and ESPN; although you can add Sky Sports 1 & 2 for an extra £12.50 per month.

Features

Virgin's TiVo box really does offer more than just television.

It includes apps for Facebook, Twitter, eBay and iPlayer. Another great feature is TiVo suggestions which allows you to rate a show and receive suggestions based on your rating.

Sky offers 3D TV with compatible TVs and has the extremely useful multiroom option. Last and definitely least is BT Vision which really doesn't offer anything additional.

Availability

Virgin TiVo relies on a cable network which is being rolled out across the UK but is not available in the majority of locations, particularly rural areas.

BT Vision is only available to those who have access to the Freeview service, if you are unsure whether you area is covered visit the Freeview coverage checker .

Unlike BT and Virgin TV services Sky is delivered via satellite and covers 98% of the UK so pretty much everyone can get it. There might be slightly difficulty if you live in flats but communal dishes can often be provided.

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