Is quitting Sky a sensible option?

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DickDastardly

227 posts

Master Geek

#152310 23-Sep-2014 12:51

Looking for a bit of advice - so please let me provide some background.....

Im currently a Sky customer and quickly realising how little I watch its "premium" content.

I have MySky with the HD ticket and Soho - No movies or Sport as sport isnt my thing and i source my movies by other means....

I am also now getting Fibre broadband so now downloading some of those Soho HD boxsets such as Broadwalk Empire/Game of Thrones/Fargo etc is now looking like a sensible possibility - hence the need to do away with Soho.

I do like the whole series link and storing things on your box - and the new generation of Freeview boxes has that functionality leading me to the conclusion to keep with the freeview channels showing what i largely watch - and use my unlimited broadband to download specific non freeview content.

Ive been having a look at some boxes as i currently use HDMI out to the TV and Optical Out to my 5.1 Amp - i would be looking for this option too...

Somthing like the Dish S7090PVR seems to have the EPG, series Link and record 2 and watch one functionality as per Sky - but also has the optical out.

Ive heard lots of things about the Magic TV - does this have Optical out? These have nice big Hard Drives so could be an option

Can anyone convince me that living without Sky is a sensible option??!!

I don't want no sugar in it - thank you very much

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#1134516 23-Sep-2014 12:56

I don't even have freeview, I use internet for everything. I have no interest in what's broadcast in NZ anyway. I use XMBC and a R.Pi by my PC.

sxz

761 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1134519 23-Sep-2014 13:09

I have never missed sky. Freeview + TiVo gives me almost more than I can possibly watch.

Just cancel sky and see how you go over summer. You might even get a deal if you want it back and have been away from sky for more than 3 months!

Glassboy

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#1134520 23-Sep-2014 13:11

Yes I got rid of it, and got Netflix. Massive saving and everyone in the house is happier.

allan

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#1134522 23-Sep-2014 13:14

You could always try Igloo if you miss Sky channels too much. Bought one for my elderly Dad and not much ongoing financial outlay, although I have to say it is extremely slow to boot. Plus no recording option apart form live pause of course.

DickDastardly

227 posts

Master Geek

#1134527 23-Sep-2014 13:19

allan: You could always try Igloo if you miss Sky channels too much. Bought one for my elderly Dad and not much ongoing financial outlay, although I have to say it is extremely slow to boot. Plus no recording option apart form live pause of course.

I must say i dont miss Sky channels that much - just a few of the Soho shows perhaps!! But they are obtainable from other sources.

Has anyone managed to get Netflix working through Apple TV?

I don't want no sugar in it - thank you very much

trig42

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#1134551 23-Sep-2014 13:30

DickDastardly:
allan: You could always try Igloo if you miss Sky channels too much. Bought one for my elderly Dad and not much ongoing financial outlay, although I have to say it is extremely slow to boot. Plus no recording option apart form live pause of course.

I must say i dont miss Sky channels that much - just a few of the Soho shows perhaps!! But they are obtainable from other sources.

Has anyone managed to get Netflix working through Apple TV?

I have Netflix through AppleTV - plenty of guides around, but it is easy. The signing up for Netflix bit is the most difficult part.
All you need to do on the AppleTV is change the DNS server settings to match those of your DNS service (I use Unotelly) and tell the AppleTV you are in the US (you do not need a US iTunes account). When it reboots, Netflix will be there.

SumnerBoy

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#1134552 23-Sep-2014 13:34

Yep, I am another that quit Sky and have no (or very few regrets). The only thing I miss is live AB games, but that is just a good excuse to head down to the pub. Aside from live rugby there is nothing else I used to watch on Sky that I can't watch on my RPi + XBMC + TVHeadend server. Love it, and means I can watch any channel on any TV around the house (after adding a $50 RPi to each TV). Plus TVHeadend has a built in programming scheduler and 'series link' functionality.

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nicnzl

172 posts

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#1134559 23-Sep-2014 13:46

I only have Sky for sport. If they ever lose the NRL, I'm gone.

MileHighKiwi

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#1134617 23-Sep-2014 15:04

We ditched Sky 3 months ago and haven't looked back. The only thing I miss is All Blacks games. As much as I love the AB's, $1200 per year is too much for the privilege.

tchart

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#1134619 23-Sep-2014 15:07

We're almost there in my house. Have weaned the kids off Cartoon Network and onto Netflix.

Now just have to convince the wife she doesnt need The Food Channel.

mattwnz

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#1134627 23-Sep-2014 15:19

If you don't watch much sport or don't mind delayed broadcasts, then I think you can live without sky.

turb

881 posts

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#1134658 23-Sep-2014 15:48

We ditched sky about a year ago and never looked back.

We have an HTPC for watching and recording Freeview, and we have Netflix via Unotelly.

As others have said, if you want to watch the rugby, either watch it in the pub with some friends, or wait an hour and watch it on Prime.

Also included via unotelly you can get BBC iPlayer content which is fantastic.

Interests: HTPC, Web App authoring.

DarthKermit

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#1134691 23-Sep-2014 16:28

timmmay: I don't even have freeview, I use internet for everything. I have no interest in what's broadcast in NZ anyway. I use XMBC and a R.Pi by my PC.

So you miss out on all those mind-rotting infomercials they fill the grave yard shift with eh?

Whatifthespacekeyhadneverbeeninvented?

xpd

Geek @ Coastguard NZ
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#1134700 23-Sep-2014 16:46

Havent had any form of TV except streaming/downloads for over a year now. Wife even watches her NRL games live.
All for hell of a lot less than Sky charges :)

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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Lostja

239 posts

Master Geek

#1134716 23-Sep-2014 17:08

When we returned to NZ from the UK I decided to go for a Netflix, Roku and Plex setup. We have Freeview which I watch occasionally (the news) but haven't missed Sky other than sports but could not justify the expense compared to the UK. One of the best things is that 6 yr old is no longer exposed to all the Cartoon Network / Disney ads and doesn't ask us anymore whether he can have this that and the other. That used to drive my insane!

So overall very happy and I found there is less watching TV just because it is turned on.

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