I don't think there is any option for this other than having apps for TVNZ and Mediaworks (Three).

But should an app ever come along like Australia has where I can watch all the Freeview channels (pref in HD) through my Apple TV then I can finally get rid of my UHF antenna!

Yes. All the major Freeview channels have IPTV streams and most of the smaller players do as well but the bitrate and quality is low on a few.

There are plenty of discussions on here about using these with Kodi, but any other app capable of streaming m3u8 will work. I use NextPVR and have all NZ, Australian + a myriad of other US and UK channels that I can watch and record all from the EPG.

Kodi + Matt Huisman add-ons is the way to go!

sbiddle:

 

There are plenty of discussions on here about using these with Kodi, but any other app capable of streaming m3u8 will work. I use NextPVR and have all NZ, Australian + a myriad of other US and UK channels that I can watch and record all from the EPG.

 

That looks interesting. I have a spare USFF PC (Beebox, 2GB only, Braswell processor, Windows 10, 750GB drive) lying idle on a shelf and am thinking of using it to do something similar, esp as I want to dump Sky. 

I would be grateful for a bit more information on your setup and how well it works. In particular:

1.  I assume you need a VPN to access the Aussie channels?

2.  Will it work for other countries such as the UK?

3.  Can you record the programming stream (like you can off a tuner) so that it can be transferred to a server, and watched across the network etc?

JimmyH:

 

sbiddle:

 

There are plenty of discussions on here about using these with Kodi, but any other app capable of streaming m3u8 will work. I use NextPVR and have all NZ, Australian + a myriad of other US and UK channels that I can watch and record all from the EPG.

 

 

That looks interesting. I have a spare USFF PC (Beebox, 2GB only, Braswell processor, Windows 10, 750GB drive) lying idle on a shelf and am thinking of using it to do something similar, esp as I want to dump Sky. 

 

I would be grateful for a bit more information on your setup and how well it works. In particular:

 

1.  I assume you need a VPN to access the Aussie channels?

 

2.  Will it work for other countries such as the UK?

 

3.  Can you record the programming stream (like you can off a tuner) so that it can be transferred to a server, and watched across the network etc?

 

 

 

A VPN isn't needed to access Aussie channels. You can use a DNS service such as DNS4me or you use Kodi and Matt Huisman's feed will work.

Yes it will work for countries such as the UK. You'll obviously need to find a provider to access those streams.

NextPVR records straight to a raw .ts file so you can do anything you want with the file.

If your a Kodi person then you should read some of this thread https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=151&topicid=198716 

There are 2 main people supplying the files needs by the add-in:

APSatTv - has NZ channels plus some others.  I don't think any of them need a VPN
Matt H - has NZ channels plus a separate file for NZ + AU channels, some of which do need a VPN

I have used both, and both provide an EPG.  They have quite a different focus channel wise, but both are kept up to date, APSATTV posts in the thread above about any updates.  Matt doesn't as he is banned but he runs his own site.

With the Kodi addin they use (IPTV Simple Client) you cannot record these channels, but there is a separate add-in at https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=329991 .   I run Kodi on a Pi 3 and it works great. 

Hasselhoffia: Looks like https://www.smartvu.co.nz might be a candidate.

Looks like an interesting device for NZ. Perhaps a little steep in price (compared to the Mi Box for example) though you are getting NZ service and guarantees.

Anyway...I saw they support Freeview. So did some digging and I guess they're using this app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nz.co.dishtv.FreeviewLiveTV

I shall try sideloading that to my Mi Box tonight.

DjShadow:

 

I don't think there is any option for this other than having apps for TVNZ and Mediaworks (Three).

 

But should an app ever come along like Australia has where I can watch all the Freeview channels (pref in HD) through my Apple TV then I can finally get rid of my UHF antenna!

 

One already exists.

I use iPlayTV combined with Matt Huismann's playlist that was designed for Kodi on my ATV 4K. Works perfectly with EPG included and the 720p streams look great. 

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/iplaytv/id1072226801?mt=8

sbiddle:

 

Yes. All the major Freeview channels have IPTV streams and most of the smaller players do as well but the bitrate and quality is low on a few.

 

There are plenty of discussions on here about using these with Kodi, but any other app capable of streaming m3u8 will work. I use NextPVR and have all NZ, Australian + a myriad of other US and UK channels that I can watch and record all from the EPG.

 

Can you explain how you have done this? It is exactly what I want but I haven't been able to get anything outside of NZ to work with NextPVR. It all works with IPTV Simple Client and DNS4ME, but not with NextPVR. What is the secret?