Is quitting Sky a sensible option?

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20177 posts

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#1134750 23-Sep-2014 17:47

One thing to note though is that if you are thinking of relying on NZ versions of on demand websites as an alternative, they are likely to start charging in the not too distant future.

richms

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#1134785 23-Sep-2014 18:46

I dont even use the local on demand websites because watching in a browser is always going to be a less than optimal experience, and the local broadcasters are too slack to get apps on antything other than samsung TV's, which are not usable if you change the region to get netflix working.

If you have a working other source for your content and are happy to not have the sports offerings then dropping sky and their excessive added charges for basic features is a no-brainer. Do it. The more people that do the more they will have to evolve out of the 90's mindset they are stuck in.

Richard rich.ms

bfginger

1271 posts

Uber Geek

#1134885 23-Sep-2014 19:44

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

Freeview from UHF and satellite are not the same as each other. The S7090 is a satellite receiver and the Magic TV is for UHF. Satellite Freeview has lower than DVD broadcast quality while Freeview UHF is slightly better than Sky HD. Unless you're in Southland you will need a satellite receiver to continue to pick up CUE TV.

If you don't want to get a HTPC for recording the Panasonic BWT840GZ at $639 is the best option for UHF and the S7090PVR is almost the only option for satellite.

Turn off overscan for the input if you have an LCD.

JimmyH

2886 posts

Uber Geek

#1134964 23-Sep-2014 21:15

You can always sleep the subscription for 2-3 months. I did that a few years ago when I was overseas. From memory you just pay $5/month and they leave the decoder etc in place, then it's just a phonecall to reactivate.

If you find you don't miss it, you can then cancel. If you decide you want it after all, it's just a phonecall to get it back.

I'm contemplating ditching it myself. I mainly have it for the movies and SoHo. I just need to wait until Minix have a more stable Netflix app for my X8-H, then Sky is likely toast. Not a bad product, but overpriced for what it is.

GJones

41 posts

Geek

#1134986 23-Sep-2014 21:18

We use Roku + Plex, Netflix, Hulu+... Keeps the missus happy, shes the TV nut.

Unfortunately we still have Sky, only because I'm a sports nut and I havent found a suitable replacement.
Although for the NRL guy, all the NRL games are free live on one of the Roku channels... if thats all thats holding you to Sky...

Lostja

239 posts

Master Geek

#1134991 23-Sep-2014 21:25

GJones: We use Roku + Plex, Netflix, Hulu+... Keeps the missus happy, shes the TV nut.

Unfortunately we still have Sky, only because I'm a sports nut and I havent found a suitable replacement.
Although for the NRL guy, all the NRL games are free live on one of the Roku channels... if thats all thats holding you to Sky...

I would be interested to know what channel on the roku has the NRL

MileHighKiwi

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#1135047 23-Sep-2014 22:36

I would be interested to know what channel on the roku has the NRL

Livestream.

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kiwitrc

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#1135131 24-Sep-2014 06:14

GJones:
Although for the NRL guy, all the NRL games are free live on one of the Roku channels... if thats all thats holding you to Sky...

Whats the quality like?

Glassboy

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#1135268 24-Sep-2014 09:23

kiwitrc:
GJones:
Although for the NRL guy, all the NRL games are free live on one of the Roku channels... if thats all thats holding you to Sky...

Whats the quality like?

From memory, better than Sky.

DickDastardly

227 posts

Master Geek

#1135288 24-Sep-2014 08:59

I can now see why Unotelly is Essential...!

I tried to browse to Netflix here in NZ to primarily see what their packages cost etc - but couldnt even get to the main screen!

Unotelly I suspect would get around this...

Frustratingly - Ive only recently changed my itunes store from the UK (where Netflix worked on my Apple TV) to the NZ store as i was closing down accounts and stuff in the UK. Now i cant access Netflix!

So Unotelly first - that will allow me to view the Netflix site?

Unotelly changes my DNS? Do i change both the DNS on my Apple TV and my IMAC??

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

kiwitrc

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#1135311 24-Sep-2014 09:58

Glassboy:
kiwitrc:
GJones:
Although for the NRL guy, all the NRL games are free live on one of the Roku channels... if thats all thats holding you to Sky...

Whats the quality like?

From memory, better than Sky.

Better than Sky HD?

SepticSceptic

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#1136401 24-Sep-2014 11:51

tchart: 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.

ChoiceTV (FTA) has plenty of Foodie programs. Think it's also available for streaming

nzconan

37 posts

Geek

#1136486 24-Sep-2014 13:23

tchart: 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.

You could always try Igloo with a $ 20 channel pack .. it includes Food TV

nzconan

37 posts

Geek

#1136498 24-Sep-2014 13:34

MileHighKiwi: 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.

There is always hope ...

"New Zealand Rugby, along with the South African and Australian rugby unions, is involved in negotiations over a new five-year agreement covering the rugby championship, super rugby, international tours and domestic provincial competitions, to replace an existing licensing agreement with Sky that expires at the end of next year."
[url]http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/10509898/Orcon-calls-for-NZRU-to-live-stream-games

trig42

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#1136536 24-Sep-2014 14:07

nzconan:
MileHighKiwi: 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.

There is always hope ...

"New Zealand Rugby, along with the South African and Australian rugby unions, is involved in negotiations over a new five-year agreement covering the rugby championship, super rugby, international tours and domestic provincial competitions, to replace an existing licensing agreement with Sky that expires at the end of next year."
[url]http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/10509898/Orcon-calls-for-NZRU-to-live-stream-games

There is hope, but not much I fear.

Sky owns all the Broadcasting equipment and cameras etc don't they? If they don't have all the rights to the most valuable sport they have, who will file the games so they can be live streamed?

If the NZRU told Sky they would begin streaming the games, or give someone else streaming rights, Sky stands to lose a huge chunk of subscribers. They use the revenue from subscriptions to pay for their broadcasts, which cannot be cheap.

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