We used to get pretty sweet perks with our old employer - free internet and almost 300 TV channels at home. But when I left the company, those perks disappeared, and we were left with a hefty bill for internet and TV. We decided to switch providers and chose Rostelecom after a few failed attempts to sign up.
It turned out our building had available ports all along, but the installers just didn't want to run the cables to our floor. A friend who worked with Rostelecom helped us out, and we finally got connected. We went with the interactive TV + unlimited internet package, which costs 200 rubles a month on promotion. It comes with 120 TV channels, speeds up to 200 Mbps, and two compact set-top boxes that we easily hid under the TV.
For comparison, here's a photo of our old IP-TV box. We're paying just 1 ruble a month for the set-top box rental. If we decide to cancel our Rostelecom service, we'll have to return the box.Check out this sleek remote control.
I have to say, the interactive TV has really grown on me. Comparing it to my previous provider's IP-TV, I'm impressed with how well it works.
The Good Stuff
First off, the TV works like a charm. The picture is crystal clear, and the channels don't freeze up on me like they used to with my old provider. I mean, I've had some pretty frustrating experiences with channel buffering, especially during the day.
The remote control is also super easy to use. It's not cluttered with a million buttons, and I was able to figure out what each one does in no time.
Now, let's talk about some minor issues.
For some reason, the device needs to be restarted every time I turn on the TV. It's only a 10-15 second wait, but it's still a bit annoying. Thankfully, this only happened when I first got the device, and now it boots up just fine without needing a restart.
The channel menu could use some work, though. It's not organized by category like my old provider's menu was, so I end up scrolling through a long list of channels to find what I'm looking for. On the other hand, I can add my favorite channels to a favorites list, which makes it easier to find them.
The remote control itself is actually pretty cool, though. It's got a fun design, and the buttons light up red when you press them. My little one loves playing with it, but it's also a bit of a concern - I've had to take it away from them a few times to prevent any, ahem, 'creative' configurations. On the bright side, you can set up parental controls and even add paid services through the device's settings. But let's just say I've had to get creative with the old battery removal trick to keep my kid from wreaking havoc on the settings.
I've had some mixed experiences with the USB flash drive feature on the back of this TV. At first, it wouldn't recognize the drive when I inserted it, but after trying again a few weeks ago, it suddenly worked! However, it's super finicky to navigate through the menu - you have to press the button just right or you'll end up at the end of the video. Still, I prefer inserting the flash drive and watching movies on the TV, it's way more convenient.
Through the menu, I managed to access my social media accounts, including my Contacts list and the last 5 news updates. Unfortunately, I was hoping to watch videos through this feature, but it's not available.
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We've only subscribed to the paid service for TV guide control, which costs around 50 rubles. It's a super useful feature - I can rewind and watch shows and movies that aired a few days ago. If I miss my favorite show or program, I can find it in the TV guide and watch it at a convenient time. And the best part is, I can skip ads by just scrolling through them! If I'm watching a show online and need to take a break, I can pause it and resume later.
I've also been using the Zabava mobile app, which lets me watch my favorite channels even when I'm not at home, as long as I have an internet connection.
I'm really happy with my digital TV from Rostelecom, and I would definitely recommend it!
Overall, I'm really impressed with the interactive TV from Rostelecom. The picture quality is top-notch, and the remote control is super easy to use. While there are a few minor issues, such as the need to restart the device and the finicky USB flash drive feature, they're not deal-breakers for me. The TV guide control feature is a lifesaver, and the Zabava mobile app is a great bonus. If you're in the market for a new TV provider, I would definitely recommend checking out Rostelecom.
One thing to note is that the set-top box rental fee is a bit steep, but it's worth it for the convenience and features that come with it. And if you decide to cancel your service, you'll need to return the box, which is a bit of a hassle. But overall, I'm really happy with my decision to switch to Rostelecom, and I think you will be too.
So, if you're looking for a reliable and feature-packed TV provider, Rostelecom is definitely worth considering. With its excellent picture quality, user-friendly remote control, and useful features like TV guide control and the Zabava mobile app, it's a great choice for anyone looking to upgrade their TV experience.
And as a bonus, the customer service from Rostelecom has been top-notch. They've been responsive and helpful whenever I've had a question or issue, which is a big plus in my book.
So, what are you waiting for? Give Rostelecom a try and see for yourself why I'm so happy with my digital TV!