Thought it was time to do the periodic check on NZ streaming video services; are we really still that poorly served?

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Thought it was time to do the periodic check on NZ streaming video services; are we really still that poorly served?

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2385 posts

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#765509 18-Feb-2013 23:14

NZtechfreak: Quickflix looks OK, but no HD means no deal for me I'm afraid.

Its HD on the Sony Bravia. PS3 looks like crap though.

lchiu7:
Slightly OT but I used to watch Netflix on my (US) PS3. But the board died and a local guy put in a new main board but from the same generation (with SACD playback and the PS2 compatibility). But now I can't install Netflix on it. It does not show up in the Playstation Store despite putting the machine back to factory defaults, creating a US PSN account etc.

Thats strange. I have a few PS3 accounts on mine, Australia, NZ, UK and the US. I get to use the PS3 stores for whichever location.

jtbthatsme

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#765528 19-Feb-2013 02:54

I have Netflix but don't use it however I access it through the free version of tunnel bear as once your film starts streaming you can turn off tunnelbear and it will still play. I have had Quickflix from the start but hardly ever use it on either PC or Xbox.

Really need to cancel a few things I'm subscribed to I don't use as although I still obtain my tv shows through alternate to streaming methods I have huge movie collection on DVD and also my Bluray collection seems to be growing by a few each month. In fact I've added about 12 - 15 titles since Xmas and nearly added another 4 today through a Robert De Niro bluray set on Zavvi.com for 10.99 GBP.

BlueShift

1692 posts

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#765574 19-Feb-2013 08:57

Article in Stuff about NZ streaming options. Doesn't really mention SD vs HD. Does say something about a Quickflix freeview channel starting soon.

freitasm

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#765575 19-Feb-2013 09:00

My blog post about legal video downloads and streaming in New Zealand, which I keep up-to-date as I find new services.

BuzzLightyear

411 posts

Ultimate Geek

#765582 19-Feb-2013 09:07

kiwitrc:

Not missing sky at all, although I may do when the league season kicks off.
.

The only thing that keeps me on Sky, dammit.

I hope Igloo will play enough Warriors games to keep me entertained or Ill be off at the pub alot.

BuzzLightyear

411 posts

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#765587 19-Feb-2013 09:11

et me through the cancelled period, without actually missing much in the way of movies or other programs.

Quickflix is a joke and, while I would happily pay for Netflix and Hulu+, data cap constraints simply make this impractical. Not really any other options I can think of except my local video shop. I'm not really into outright piracy and loathe to start.

I think you'll be surprised how you can manage netflix content. If you're on a decent plan your data caps shouldnt be an issue. My Family constantly watch netflix and Hulu on multiple devices and the 120GB plan is ample. You can also pull down the quality of netflix streaming to manage your data.

NZtechfreak

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#765598 19-Feb-2013 09:47

freitasm: My blog post about legal video downloads and streaming in New Zealand, which I keep up-to-date as I find new services.

That was the post I checked out first of all, useful resource (even if the services aren't that useful).

Twitter: @nztechfreak
Blogs: HeadphoNZ.org

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Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

timbosan

2159 posts

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#765618 19-Feb-2013 10:25

1080p: None of the limited streaming options available stream at anything close to a decent bit rate. Some of the iTunes 720p stuff is OK but the rest is garbage.

I am interested if you mean the sources don't offer the quality, or the capacity of a users Internet connection.

If the former, I would argue that Vudu and NetFlix both offer 1080p options, although at much higher compression than a Blu-ray disk, but still very watchable.

If the latter, then that can only be solved by VDSL/Fibre/etc, plus of course decent home wiring.

Do you have a personal 'minimum quality' that you would consider a 'decent bit rate'?

steve2222

499 posts

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#765675 19-Feb-2013 11:46

Netflix US, UK and Canada together with Crackle, numerous US TV networks (catch up video), BBC & iTV and ABC (Australia) all via Uno Telly (DNS service).

Mostly use all this via apps on an iPad3 with HDMI cable to TV.

NZtechfreak

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#765682 19-Feb-2013 11:52

Was getting Netflix at 720p last night, certainly the bitrate wasn't great - scenes at night/in low light in particular showing a lot of artifact characteristic of low bitrate. Still, I found it perfectly watchable, and for the most part just fine. For the content on offer I can live with that until I am able to get a better home internet connection.

Twitter: @nztechfreak
Blogs: HeadphoNZ.org

JonnyCam

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#765687 19-Feb-2013 11:59

So, can one sign up to Netflix with a non-US credit card?

I was looking at using, and wanted to know before I got too far down the track.

BuzzLightyear

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#765715 19-Feb-2013 12:34

JonnyCam: So, can one sign up to Netflix with a non-US credit card?

I was looking at using, and wanted to know before I got too far down the track.

Takes my NZ card just fine.

steve2222

499 posts

Ultimate Geek

#765734 19-Feb-2013 13:03

BuzzLightyear:
JonnyCam: So, can one sign up to Netflix with a non-US credit card?

I was looking at using, and wanted to know before I got too far down the track.

Takes my NZ card just fine.

Would not take my NZ card so I signed up for an EntroPay virtual credit card which it accepts just fine.

When you sign up for Netflix, select a US address/postcode in a State that does not have sales tax eg Delaware or Oregon

1080p

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#765764 19-Feb-2013 13:43

timbosan:
1080p: None of the limited streaming options available stream at anything close to a decent bit rate. Some of the iTunes 720p stuff is OK but the rest is garbage.

I am interested if you mean the sources don't offer the quality, or the capacity of a users Internet connection.

If the former, I would argue that Vudu and NetFlix both offer 1080p options, although at much higher compression than a Blu-ray disk, but still very watchable.

If the latter, then that can only be solved by VDSL/Fibre/etc, plus of course decent home wiring.

Do you have a personal 'minimum quality' that you would consider a 'decent bit rate'?

I'm talking about the video stream bit rate. In general (every video source will vary) between 4-6Mbit/s for 720p live action content and between 8-12Mbit/s for 1080p is minimum to maintain a decent picture on any decent HD television set.

I have seen a lot of iTunes content (mainly 1080p) fall far below that. I haven't used Netflix or HULU much lately but the bit rate I have seen from those services is similar.

As a comparison, many 1080i HDTV streams are between 10-15Mbit/s. Granted they are not compressed for internet transport but they also normally include a decent audio track. In addition, they look terrible on a decent television set as they are.

My point is that the streaming services available currently (even the ones not available here) are a poor substitute for currently available home media. Yet they are charged at a similar rate to physical media.

Klipspringer

2385 posts

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#765770 19-Feb-2013 13:52

1080p:

My point is that the streaming services available currently (even the ones not available here) are a poor substitute for currently available home media. Yet they are charged at a similar rate to physical media.

I have yet to see the difference between Vudu HDX (1080p) and a physical blue ray disc.

Maybe I need to go for an eye check-up. The quality on both is excellent.

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