LOL, I always said go for the Dreambox but nobody listened...
I will tell you why you have the EPG problem tho, because it is identical to the problem on the DBOX2 Enigma images.
Basically, NTL and Telewest do not support that "DVB Standard" for EPG transmission. Therefore, when trying to obtain the EPG, the software on the box more often than not will 'time-out', leaving you epgless. The best way to get at least some EPG is to make your signal level as HIGH AS POSSIBLE ... this will allow the EPG to be transferred just in time before the timeout period.
Its very possible to fix this problem by MODIFYING THE SOFTWARE... you will have to ask the original manufacturers to do this for you. Basically tell them that you need the EPG timeout increased to 8 seconds instead of the default value.
Liam