I live in Nyon where the local internet/phone/TV provider is promoting what looks like a very good package which includes free phone calls and a really good range of British TV channels. But beware, the Netbook is really quite appalling - it is slow, unstable and unreliable. I wish I had stayed with Cablecom, their customer service is not brilliant but at least the freebox they offer works and offers a good range of programs.

Right now I have the cable connection going straight to a PC in my office, where I run Microsoft's Media Center to let me record as much TV as I want, and I use a Media Center Extender to watch recorded/live TV in the living room.

If I upgraded to the Netbox package (to get faster speeds) am I forced to use the Netbox device, or could I just put it on a shelf, unused, and ignore it, and continue as I am now?

Thanks,
Damian