Direct TV

What would be the equivalent of Direct TV in the UK and do landlords allow the systems to be put up on the buildings(as in a multi-flat situation)?  I have been spoiled by the digital sound and picture from DSS.

We have Sky here in the UK. I'm sure most landlords will let you have it installed.

www.sky.com

The bracket for a small dish is not going to result in any more holes/fixings in the buildings than for a regular UHF antenna, so I wouldn't have thought that most landlords would object.

(as in a multi-flat situation)? 

It will be easiest if you have an outside wall facing the right direction and can thus go straight through with the cable.  If you're in an apartment on the north side of the building, it will be a little more work.

Thanks for the replies.  Upon further review, I am probably going to have to forego the dish idea and choose a  hardwire option.  When the term "digital tv" is used, is it refering to the broadband cable such as Comcast here in the States?  And is DSL available with that service?

Hi!
There's a little more to it than has been discussed so far. I own a rental apartment and a deal on the particular block is that I get to own a sixth of the Freehold (6 flats in the block). You'd have though then I could 'get things' done in and around my flat - but nope I can't.

The management company wrote to tell me that I can't just stick up a Sky dish. I think it has to do something with shared/multi apartments and planning permission. However, about 18 months ago, the management company applied for the correct 'license' (if thats what they're called) and using the 'Ground rent' collected from owners/landlords have got a single Sky dish installed with the output split 6 ways to each apartment.

Different apartment blocks may have different 'requirements' however, it's best to check in the place itself or the management company. I've seen other apartment blocks similar to mine which obviously either dont have the restrictions I do or are blatantly flouting the rules as there's sky dishes all over the building (and I can see how it spoils the look of the building)

As a landlord, I'd never object to letting/getting Sky or a Dish installed for my tennants, It's just the management rules or planning dept. or whoever may have certain terms and conditions.

'Digital TV' is exactly that - television, it doesn't 'include' Broadband cable internet services. However, 'all in one packages' are appearing via various providers. NTL being the most well known of course. They are a 'Cable TV' company who now also provide Internet access and Telephony services so it's just one bill you pay. Those services are all through the 'Cable Box' you get installed.

DSL - or ADSL as it's more widely known as here is 'only' internet access provision. You 'rent' the line from BT and then choose whichever ADSL ISP you'd like to provide internet services by. This is the vast majority of connections for broadband users in the UK, the 'Cable services' although growing are have nowhere near as many subcriber numbers.

You'll need to check with the various providers into which areas are covered for 'cable services' - I live In Slough and even though it's heavily populated and has heavy potential users, Telewest more than likely not be upgrading the Fibre optics to allow for Digital services. Which is stupid if you ask me as I wanted a Cable solution! (maybe they will now they are with NTL)

Check out places like www.adslguide.org and from there I think theres a site called broadband review which will allow you to compare allsorts of ISP services Cable and ADSL

Hope this helps!

Dennis! West London UK!!

I've seen other apartment blocks similar to mine which obviously either dont have the restrictions I do or are blatantly flouting the rules as there's sky dishes all over the building

They're quite probably just ignoring the planning rules.  Many people don't even realize that satellite dishes can fall under the planning laws; of those that do, very few will go to the trouble of paying fees and making a planning application.

Notwithstanding a listed building or being in  a conservation area, as being discussed elsewhere at present, it's no big deal.  The worst that will happen is that you could be told to remove the offending item(s).  After they've been there a certain length of time (I think it's 4 years), nothing can be done about it anyway, as there's a statute of limitations on planning enforcement.

By the way, "Digital TV" can also mean digital terrestrial TV, otherwise known as DTT.  That's the digital service which is broadcast from existing TV transmitter sites and received via normal UHF TV antenna.   In a few years, it will be the only UHF terrestrial service, as analog is due to be closed down.

even though i don't live in a listed building or in a conservation zone I was asked by my neighbor to put my sky dish out back.  he asked nicely, and it didn't cost me any more to have it installed there.  everyone in my street has their sky dish out the back of their houses for aesthic reasons.

Thanks for all the information!  I will just have to take into account the options when choosing a place to live.  While I would favor an apt. building that allows dishes, I don't want to live in one that has dishes all over the front facade.  I have seen that here in the States and in UK and it's not pretty. 
I'm actually more concerned about having DSL for internet than anything.  As long as I live round the corner from a pub that will show football(soccer), I'll take whatever I can get for TV service. 
Have DVR's(TiVO) made an impact in UK?

Digital recorders are easily obtainable now.  For example, one of my latest trade catalogs lists a Samsung combination DVD/HDD recorder for £184 (plus tax). 

TiVO -- I don't think you could say it's anything like commonplace as yet, but U.K. subscriptions are available:

www.tivo.co.uk

Edit:   I should have perhaps added that the "Sky Plus" box which is an integrated satellite receiver and HDD recorder linked to the Sky EPG (Electronic Program Guide) is a more commonly used option.

www.sky.com/skyplus

does anyone have sky plus here?  thinking about getting it.  i'm liking a lot of TV these days but most shows are on past my bedtime (10pm).  if you have it do you use it?  is the 40 hours which is standard enough or do you find that you run out of space often?  basically, was it worth it?  as i'm a current sky subscriber i'm going to have to pay 160lbs for the dish & installation. 

does anyone have sky plus here?  thinking about getting it.  i'm liking a lot of TV these days but most shows are on past my bedtime (10pm).  if you have it do you use it?  is the 40 hours which is standard enough or do you find that you run out of space often?  basically, was it worth it?  as i'm a current sky subscriber i'm going to have to pay 160lbs for the dish & installation. 

Sky+ is great! We paid £100 for the Sky+ box in May 2005...not sure how many hours you can record but 40ish sounds about right. There is a higher level box (more storage) you can purchase for maybe £100 more...it really depends on the promotion (I see stands in some of the shopping centres around towne every now and then), given the fact that its summer, you may be able to find a deal. I would do a google to see what promotions you can find.

sky's charging 100 for the box + 60 for installation.  can i get a sky plus box through other retailers?

when they "install" sky plus do they have to actually come to your home?  are they changing the dish?  isn't it just a change in box?