if you go down the chipped box route, make sure the box you get is pace - it updates the firmware itself and none of this funcard business. my virgin card has been unlooped. also, make sure the box does not have talkback enabled that way the cable company cannot trace the box from the cab in street, however you will not be able to watch on demand tv. failing that, get a eurovox although they are expensive and you have to repogram the card every month...
Well that bloke stitched you up good and proper didnt he?
He had the old bill round the other night and they want to do him for illegally receiving sattelite/cable broadcasts.