Off work today to get broadband and cable TV installed. Our TV reception (analogue and Freeview) was almost unwatchable for some channels, so it’s a pleasure to finally be able to watch terrestrial TV, plus have lots more channels and one of those “catch up” features that let’s you watch programmes from the last week, plus some On Demand stuff (a series of Lost, some Doctor Who etc.) that’s included in the subscription.
In addition, I’ve now got broadband at home. Next step is to get a wireless router and a wireless card for my laptop – any recommendations for a cheap but good router that works with Virgin Media (cable broadband)? The Maplin website looked more expensive than PC World, but PC World didn’t seem to have any of the cheapest boxes in stock.
As the cable guy left, he commented that I was the quietest American he’d ever met. Hmm…
I just wi-fi’d up my place using one of these:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Netgear-WGR614UK-Wireless-Cable-Router/dp/B0000C1WO2/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/202-9007273-7167851?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1176297370&sr=8-1
Same kind of deal – no built-in modem and connects via an ethernet cable to the modem itself. Not too difficult to set up either as long as you read the manual as well as using the for-monkeys set-up utility.
Whatever you do I would recommend against getting a D-Link router. Mine just failed spectacularly, a few weeks after the manufacturer’s warranty expired. Poking around various message boards, it seems to be a common occurance. (Shame, because while it was working, it did a pretty good job.)
Netgear make good kit, although it tends to be more expensive. I’ve had some success with Mercury gear as well, although I hear some people haven’t…