Most of the commentary on BT's announcement of its second quarter results focused on its BT Vision numbers - 60,000 customers - and whether this was below or on target (BT suggests it is going to meet its target, although there is dispute as to what that target really is). These debates are missing the key point, which is how much revenue BT Vision is generating. On this question the company maintains an ominous silence. The point being, of course, that you can be a "customer" of BT Vision without paying the company anything at all, beyond the basic broadband access fee. In fact, BT can be in deficit to a customer who chooses to take up the offer a free DVR (set-top box with recorder) and uses it simply to watch and record off-air Freeview. The BT Vision VOD service works perfectly well in my own experience, although the tortuous setting up of the service earlier this year might have driven many customers to cancel their order. Once BT confirmed that my line was able to support video, everything was fine, but at times it was giving very mixed messages - one day my line was adequate, the next it wasn't. Once it's up and running, choosing and watching VOD programmes is easy enough, although I haven't chosen to do so very often as they are nearly all pay-per-view. And that is the point: VOD was going to be a major revenue stream for BT, but it has not released this key information. It likewise remains silent on the question of how many of its "customers" are actually paying, and how much, for any level of subscription service. Until this vital data is released the BT Vision jury remains out.