Streamsmart Pro (streaming box for sale on Trade me)

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Peppery

919 posts

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#1663501 3-Nov-2016 22:38

sofistek:

michaelmurfy:

They're a scam - look at this thread.

Basically a $60 Android streaming box imported from Aliexpress rebadged with dodgy firmware.

That thread seems to be about a box from Streaming Boxes NZ but the OP is about a box from StreamSmart. StreamSmart do mention the other company but just in a comparison page. The Stream Smart box claims to have a one-off subscription included for premium add-ons included in the price. Two boxes, one $480, the other $650. The latter seems to have a faster processor and more memory.

So I'm not clear, are we being warned off the Streaming Boxes NZ offering, the StreamSmart offerings or both? The only other similar box I can find is this one.

Are there any recommendations for a box or solution for viewing TV programmes (in my case, this needs to include many of the NZ produced TV programmes) over the Net? I'm having trouble with my old Magic TV box and thought IPTV would be a good solution.

These things are a dime a dozen no matter what name you want to slap on it. I'd be surprised if any of the 'one off' subscription claims are true.

I'd look into something like an Apple TV (or Xbox/HTPC/Android thing) paired with a Freeview box. There's plenty of apps from TVNZ/TV3 on the App Store, plus YouTube/Netflix/etc.

sofistek

95 posts

Master Geek

#1663503 3-Nov-2016 22:53

Peppery:

These things are a dime a dozen no matter what name you want to slap on it. I'd be surprised if any of the 'one off' subscription claims are true.

I'd look into something like an Apple TV (or Xbox/HTPC/Android thing) paired with a Freeview box. There's plenty of apps from TVNZ/TV3 on the App Store, plus YouTube/Netflix/etc.

Well, the price seems so high that I guess the one-off subscription claim could be true (the company says "free" but the price looks completely out of whack with what is provided if the subscription was "free"). Apparently, you can request a demo from trained staff, in your own home, if you live in the Nelson area, so it doesn't seem like a fly-by-night operation.

I'd go for another Freeview box but on its own, as that's all we need, but we sometimes get issues with the aerial and with next door's lawn mower! So I was looking at Internet only solution as a possible option. There's a Freeview Panasonic box that looks OK about the same price as these StreamSmart devices. But the extra channels does make the latter tempting. Maybe (personally, I'm not that bothered; my wife is the main TV watcher).

martyyn

1971 posts

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#1663947 4-Nov-2016 19:15

A guy has just popped up on our local FB page selling them for $595. Dont know whether to call him out or not.

Can't stand thinking locals might be sucked in by these.

tdgeek

29746 posts

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#1663962 4-Nov-2016 20:02

martyyn:

A guy has just popped up on our local FB page selling them for $595. Dont know whether to call him out or not.

Can't stand thinking locals might be sucked in by these.

Exactly. If its expensive, it must be good

Like any scam, one hit in 1000 is good money

sofistek

95 posts

Master Geek

#1664079 5-Nov-2016 00:08

StreamSmart doesn't seem to be a scam and appears to have tens of thousands of users. It's confusing that there are two resellers in New Zealand, one in Wellington and one in Nelson. The latter even provide on-site demo sessions, so you can check it out before you buy. Not sure why they'd do that if it was a scam.

Does anyone here actually have experience of StreamSmart? Yes, it's expensive but maybe it's worth it?

Apsattv

2388 posts

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#1664169 5-Nov-2016 11:32

The scam is in the pricing.

i'm not saying its the same unit or anything

look https://www.aliexpress.com/item/vatop-Android-TV-Box-Amlogic-S802-Quad-Core-Google-Android-4-4-TV-box-4K-Android/32243101953.html?spm=2114.40010208.4.39.HUthb9

87$ u.s

Go for one of these , about $60 u.s or less T95Z Plus TV Box Amlogic S912 Octa Core

check the reviews in Youtube

As for paid iptv subs those are usually via addons which the iptv service provider supply.

sofistek

95 posts

Master Geek

#1664601 6-Nov-2016 16:09

Apsattv:

The scam is in the pricing.

i'm not saying its the same unit or anything

look https://www.aliexpress.com/item/vatop-Android-TV-Box-Amlogic-S802-Quad-Core-Google-Android-4-4-TV-box-4K-Android/32243101953.html?spm=2114.40010208.4.39.HUthb9

87$ u.s

Go for one of these , about $60 u.s or less T95Z Plus TV Box Amlogic S912 Octa Core

check the reviews in Youtube

As for paid iptv subs those are usually via addons which the iptv service provider supply.

Pay TV subs seem to be in the $12-$30 range, or more. Apparently StreamSmart includes subscriptions to at least 3 premium services, so the extra cost would easily pay for itself in a year or two. I've read many criticisms of this service but they mostly seem to come down to believing it's not legit simply because of the price, ignoring the included subscriptions, support and frequent updates. It seems to have been around for many years, which is a definite plus. I haven't decided to go with it yet but it does seem to be a reasonable option.

I've played with Kodi a little on my Linux machine but it's not easy and many streams don't seem to work (e.g. most FilmOn streams, even allowing for free versus paid subscription), with no log file that I've been able to find. So StreamSmart seems to be a reasonable alternative to another FreeviewPlus box.

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Apsattv

2388 posts

Uber Geek

#1664624 6-Nov-2016 17:50

If you're having trouble working out KODI, you might like to install a pre-made build that is already configured with various addons.

Either way you put it, the device they are selling just isn't worth the money, those dodgy IPTV service go down often, which might be why they are bundling 3? with it

driller2000

935 posts

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#1664648 6-Nov-2016 18:56

Have used Kodi for a very long time now - and every single addon that provides links eventually withers and dies - and I would bet a large sum of money that even if you are paying for a "service" - that it too will wither and die.

As others have said the box itself is cheap - so they are ripping people off big time with these offerings.

My go to addons at the moment are Exodus and Phoenix - with ZemTV being a recent good find for sport. But as noted above in 6 months time these will likely be different again - but there is no way I would pay for these - or any other addon/"service" within Kodi.

Apsattv

2388 posts

Uber Geek

#1664685 6-Nov-2016 21:11

I use these

Freedom IPTV
S.A.L.T.S (Stream all the sources)
Xem (previously called xem tv)
Exodus
Phoenix
ProjectM
Evolve
BOB
CCloud TV
U.M.P Universal media player
Live Mix
U.K Turks Playlist
UKTV Again
Vidtime
Jokers TV
Testerf4m
Playlist loader
Kodi Popcorn Time
Ice Films
Tenplay
SBS Live
Release HUB

sofistek

95 posts

Master Geek

#1664687 6-Nov-2016 21:22

OK, I'm going off StreamSmart again but it appears to have been around for several years with purchasers staying with them for that length of time. For those that have actually used it, it seems to have garnered good reviews.

However, I think it's gonna take a little longer before making a decision. Thanks for the list of add-ons.

michaelmurfy

meow
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#1664700 6-Nov-2016 21:54

Popcorn time is using torrents - blatent piracy.

Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz
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