Options to stream TVNZ OnDemand

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alisam

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#295640 11-Apr-2022 22:35

I received an email from TVNZ...

Unfortunately, from 23 May we will no longer support TVNZ OnDemand on 2014 Samsung Smart TVs running on the Orsay operating system.

We have made this decision as we can no longer ensure a reliable and positive viewing experience on these devices.

I have 2 x H6400 2014 55" Samsung TV's (identical). Not 4K.

I cannot find in the settings what the OS is, so I assume it will be Orsay.

We have increasingly been watching TVNZ OnDemand, rather than recording the programs via HDHomeRun DVR Software on Fire TV's. We do watch Live TV via the HDHomeRun.

I am guessing that to continue using TVNZ OnDemand I would need to purchase 2 streaming devices.

What are my options?

Apple TV (32 GB, HD or 4K). Looks to be the most expensive.
Xiaomi TV Box MI Box S
Xiaomi TV Stick
Dish TV Smart VU+ A7070
Dish TV SV11 Dongle

I have NZ Netflix via the Fire TV's.

I have a spare HP Probook i7 2013 Laptop (Windows 10, 8GB) and a spare MacBook Air 2013 (4GB) on which I installed Linux Mint to try out.

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Storage: Synology DS216play NAS, 2 x 6TB
Media: 3 x Amazon FireTV. Echo, Dot, Spot
TV: 2 x Samsung H6400 55" LED TV, Panasonic TH-P50G10Z 50" Plasma TV
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#2900097 12-Apr-2022 02:07

I use a Xiaomi TV Stick with an old Sony 50" and it is very good bang for buck, it's not perfect of course the Android TV UI will occasionally lag as you'd expect with a cheap stick device, hasn't bothered me much.

I also had an Mi Box S at one point but an update bricked it, so that was fun.

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#2900108 12-Apr-2022 07:45

Xbox One, Playstation, pretty much anything that can be connected to a TV will do it.

We have an Xbox in the lounge that gets used primarily just for streaming, and the spare TV has an old PC hidden behind it.

XPD / Gavin

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#2900110 12-Apr-2022 07:50

alisam:

we will no longer support TVNZ OnDemand

Taking bets for whether this actually means "we're going to actively block it"... if they're just ceasing tech support then it may continue to function for a while, but experience with tech companies is that they tend to actually block things the moment they're out of support :(

gzt

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#2900111 12-Apr-2022 08:01

Chromecast with Google TV works too.

tanivula

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#2900112 12-Apr-2022 08:02

alisam:

I have NZ Netflix via the Fire TV's.

Sideload TVNZ ondemand to the fire TV's or via Kodi (needs to be v18+ for widevine)?

Nudibranch

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#2900114 12-Apr-2022 08:05

Splurged on an AppleTV 4k (don't have a 4k TV) at Christmas and it's frustratingly good to use.

Works well to consolidate all the streaming services together and is fast and powerful. Pretty sure music streaming sounds ever so slightly better through it too.

Also, seems to play difficult files from Plex server when Chromecast buffers.

Still cast to Chromecast from Youtube app on phone though.

Not the biggest fan of Apple but they seem to have it right with the Appletv and I expect to squeeze the juice out of this for several years after it becomes 'legacy'

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Eva888

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#2900175 12-Apr-2022 08:50

I have a Dish TV Smart VU+ A7070 on my very old Panasonic in the bedroom. It was a perfect solution for post VF TV, that can download apps including Kodi from Google App Store. It comes loaded with Youtube and Netflix that also have dedicated buttons on the Bluetooth remote.

When it plays, it’s fantastic and has everything needed including local TV via aerial or satellite connection which is why I bought it and also works with internet only, however...it is glitchy, freezes for no reason and needs a power cycle to get it moving again. I am hoping that a firmware update might fix this soon, or...maybe my box is faulty? I’d be interested to hear from other owners input about theirs.

I also have an Apple TV 4th generation hooked up which works smoothly, great picture quality but has less App options from a dedicated to TV box App Store, which I did not realise when I bought it thinking that all Apple Store would be available. It does have all the available NZ streaming Apps.

The remote however is very uncomfortable, tiring and impossible for me to use so it’s relegated to the emergency use only pile. Expletives every time I pick up the small, slithery remote that is so sensitive it’s not precise and needs a very healthy thumb joint to work it Who dreams up these designs?

openmedia

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#2900182 12-Apr-2022 09:17

You could try sideloading on your firestick - see my thread on this at

https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=151&topicid=265584

Need to test the latest TVNZ apps as I'm primarily use Kodi on FireTV for both TVNZ and SkyGo

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

Handsomedan

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#2900208 12-Apr-2022 09:57

Eva888: I have a Dish TV Smart VU+ A7070 on my very old Panasonic in the bedroom. It was a perfect solution for post VF TV, that can download apps including Kodi from Google App Store. It comes loaded with Youtube and Netflix that also have dedicated buttons on the Bluetooth remote.

When it plays, it’s fantastic and has everything needed including local TV via aerial or satellite connection which is why I bought it and also works with internet only, however...it is glitchy, freezes for no reason and needs a power cycle to get it moving again. I am hoping that a firmware update might fix this soon, or...maybe my box is faulty? I’d be interested to hear from other owners input about theirs.

I also have an Apple TV 4th generation hooked up which works smoothly, great picture quality but has less App options from a dedicated to TV box App Store, which I did not realise when I bought it thinking that all Apple Store would be available. It does have all the available NZ streaming Apps.

The remote however is very uncomfortable, tiring and impossible for me to use so it’s relegated to the emergency use only pile. Expletives every time I pick up the small, slithery remote that is so sensitive it’s not precise and needs a very healthy thumb joint to work it Who dreams up these designs?

There are a number of third party remotes for ATV, but the new Apple remote is supposed to be much better than the old one.

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#2900216 12-Apr-2022 10:09

I have two smart TV’s, and I have an Apple TV 4K connected to them both. I stream Netflix, Disney+, You Tube, TVNZ on demand among others. It may be more expensive than the other devices that you mentioned, but it’s rock solid for streaming. I think that you get a 12 month subscription to Apple TV + included as well, but check first.

There is much more that you can do with it, which makes the difference in price more acceptable.

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#2900217 12-Apr-2022 10:11

gzt: Chromecast with Google TV works too.

This is my current option too. Kids and SO find it waaay easier than the xbox one + harmony remote that preceded it. Has been flawless for TVNZ on demand, Plex, Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney+.

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alisam

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#2901859 13-Apr-2022 12:05

tanivula:

alisam:

I have NZ Netflix via the Fire TV's.

Sideload TVNZ ondemand to the fire TV's or via Kodi (needs to be v18+ for widevine)?

Thanks for that.

I have never sideloaded before, but managed to install 'Downloader' and manually type in your URL you provided (bit of a mission with no keyboard attached).

It's working, but need more time to check for any reliability issues.

tanivula

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#2901874 13-Apr-2022 12:25

Sweet, keep an eye on that website (will send a PM) as he hosts all the updates.

alisam

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#2901884 13-Apr-2022 12:37

tanivula:

Sweet, keep an eye on that website (will send a PM) as he hosts all the updates.

Received the PM and I had found the web site.

Thanks

openmedia

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#2901885 13-Apr-2022 12:39

alisam:

tanivula:

Sideload TVNZ ondemand to the fire TV's or via Kodi (needs to be v18+ for widevine)?

Thanks for that.

I have never sideloaded before, but managed to install 'Downloader' and manually type in your URL you provided (bit of a mission with no keyboard attached).

It's working, but need more time to check for any reliability issues.

Please to hear it worked.

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

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