I think putting the question straight to ntl is a good idea. Including the link to the Mudcat, so that they can see what you are talking about.

Then when you don't understand the answer they give, just email back asking them to explain. You need to get unto Victor Meldrew mode perhaps.

The logging in thing isn't a big deal, so long as option of coming in as GUEST greg stephens remains open (leaving aside the theoretical possibility that some other pillock might think it funny to sign on as GUEST greg stephens and say something you wouldn't want to be thought to have said); but not being able to open parts of the site is a drag. The ntl people ought to be able to sort it out - they are taking your money for providing the service.

I'd have thought there is probably some kind of default setting that can be changed. The source of the difficulty probably wouldn't be the length of the thread in itself, but that together with a relatively slow speed of loading it. So you take longer to load a thread than the TV device is set to allow.

With a computer it can be easy enough to change the setting on that. I'm sure there must be some way with a TV internet access, but it might be they have to make the adjustment somewhere else, rather than you being able to. Or maybe there is something you can do that would solve the problem. Either way it's their job to help you.

Here is the URL for their email form: http://www.ntl.com/locales/gb/en/home/ask/contact/customer.asp