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help understanding internet tv

  • 26-01-2014 09:48PM
    #1
    hedgewire
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2 ✭


    Hi there all. I hope someone can shed light on the enigma of internet TV boxes ( what channels can you get for free so on so forth). I've been searching the net and the company's / individuals that sell them say they do this and that but I want know do you really get the channels they market and are they free and easy to work? Are they worth it? Any response would be helpful. Thank you.


Comments

  • #2
    watty
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,461 ✭✭✭✭watty


    They get nothing you can't get on PC/Laptop and in some cases less. You need good Broadband and a huge Broadband cap and quality can be low. You can't get any Pay TV channels, and generally less regular FTA UK & Irish channels than Satellite Dish + Aerial. Quality is always lower than Satellite Dish or Aerial.

    A cheap laptop with HDMI to feed TV is more future proof (codecs, services, sites to access).


  • #3
    hedgewire
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2 ✭hedgewire


    Thank you for your very helpful and quick reply. I think I'l stay the way I am so. I do use the lap top hooked up and find it grand.
    Thanks again.


  • #4
    shortlegs
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 132 ✭✭shortlegs


    Hedgewire.

    I've recently acquired one of these "Mini-PC"s with a wireless mouse.
    What it is an Android Chip which I connect to the HDMI input of my (NOT Smart) HD TV.
    There is another cable which I connect to the USB input (of the TV, or any other device such as Saorview/ satellite box, which powers up the chip.

    I can now watch Youtube/Player without tying up my laptop - in effect I've made my TV into a kind of Smart TV.

    The brand I have is MK 809 III from a company called 4ife. Good Luck.


  • #5
    spank_inferno
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,884 ✭✭✭spank_inferno


    Is there an independent version of what UPC provide via their horizon service & what Eircom do with their TV service?

    To watch regular live & legal TV stations via IP?


  • #6
    watty
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,461 ✭✭✭✭watty


    The Horizon service isn't using the Public Internet. It's a dedicated system using their own servers and requires a UPC subscription and UPC cable. Most UPC customers can get it.

    The Eircom TV service isn't using the Public Internet. It's a dedicated system using their own servers and requires an Eircom subscription and probably less than 1km from a VDSL cabinet. Very few Eircom customers can get it.

    If you can get either Broadband service (much cheaper than the Broadband plus TV) then Saorview + Freesat will give you 92% of what Pay TV subscribers watch and no on going subscription.

    UPC also offer Netflix cheaply and at good bitrate. The average Broadband connection in Ireland is barely suitable for Netflix.


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  • #7
    Capt'n Midnight
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 96,978 Mod ✭✭✭✭Capt'n Midnight


    Internet TV's aren't secure from a hacking point of view.

    LG TV's were caught phoning home with a list of files on any USB plugged into them.

    Laptops are more flexible.


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