ADSL + Showmax + Netflix

PrinceVlad

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Hi Guys

I want to cancel my DSTV subscription. I mostly watch stuff on Catch Up and very rarely any of the channels. I want to install a 4MBps line at my house and want to subscribe on Showmax or Netflix or both. What would I need in addition to the line in order to stream content on my TV. I don't have a smart TV at this stage.

Thanks
 
I've just done what you are wanting to do, and it's not expensive either! Finally Telkom managed to sort out a 4Mb line for me and I am live.

I bought one of the android tv boxes sold on ebay - it's the M8 box and came pre-loaded with KODI, showbox, showmax and a few other applications (it's a glorified tablet without a screen) and links to your HDMI port of your TV - there is also a AV plug, but I haven't even tried that.

I also bought a separate wireless mouse for the unit, don't skimp on this because you will buy twice - I skimped and now am looking for a better reviewed one - the unit I got has a full qwerty keypad with a central mousepad, cheapie and it shows.

All in all, the M8 box cost about 450 randellas, but that was prior to Nenegate, and the mouse about 300....

And it works like a bomb, there is more out there to watch than you could ever watch....

The only thing that may take time to overcome is the mindset change from a "view what they are offering" to a "choose what you want to view" approach....
 
All you would need extra is an Apple TV. But that will help for Netflix. The ShowMax app is still coming.
The only way I know of getting ShowMax currently is through the Samsung smart tv's
 
@ Aperfectimperfection so in total how much are you paying compared to dstv?Are there local series on Netflix?
 
There are many streaming devices http://www.cnet.com/topics/media-streamers/best-media-streamers/ these work with a standard HDMI tv. I like the Roku but its a bit pricey.

-You can use a smart TV but then I recommend one with a recent version of Andriod on it which is gonna cost a lot.
-You can use a PlayStation 3 or 4 (if you have one).

Ultimately I ended up using my old PC with a HDMI graphics card so I could get the most out of Unotelly (a region unblocker with many other things to watch), stream sport from the Supersport website and you have quick access to youtube and twitch. The PC runs everything and doesn't rely on apps, outdated flashplayer and it is easy to share from one PC to another (all these things become a pain if you buy the wrong thing).
 
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PS, Showmax won't work on every "Android TV box" as it requires DRM protection (Widevine Level 1 on Android)

But, M8 seems good.
 
@ Aperfectimperfection so in total how much are you paying compared to dstv?Are there local series on Netflix?

No local stuff on Netflix but Showmax has a ****on. You can browse the catalogue as a guest and see what they have. Only when trying to play will it prompt for payment.

If your not going to use a unblocker service then Showmax is nicer on the movie side for older movies. Netflix is strong in the series department, it's movie selection sucks with alot of the good older movies on netflix dvd which costs a extra 8 dollars per month.

Use a HTPC with a lightweidght ubuntu distro if your worried about compatiblity.
 
If you think Showmax has a ***load of stuff, download KODI with the genesis1 add-on .... There's more online TV stations on there than corrupt government officials and clueless Telkom call centre operators combined.

And that's a lot.

Cost wise...

M8 box and mouse, call it a grand capitalised
4Mb Telkom line, call it 450 a month
Uncapped through Mweb, add another 300 (with showmax for a year at R99)

So 750 a month, which is more than DSTV, but I can watch what I want, when I want, and keep two data hungry teenagers off my back to buy a R29 data bundle every couple of days.

All in all, wish I had done this ages ago...
 
How can I do this for the Roku 4? NM, I see you cant.
 
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I also want to go this rout but it seems like a lot of hoops to jump through, more money to spend again and then the age old problem, can the service provider deliver what they promise.
 
If you think Showmax has a ***load of stuff, download KODI with the genesis1 add-on .... There's more online TV stations on there than corrupt government officials and clueless Telkom call centre operators combined.

And that's a lot.

Cost wise...

M8 box and mouse, call it a grand capitalised
4Mb Telkom line, call it 450 a month
Uncapped through Mweb, add another 300 (with showmax for a year at R99)

So 750 a month, which is more than DSTV, but I can watch what I want, when I want, and keep two data hungry teenagers off my back to buy a R29 data bundle every couple of days.

All in all, wish I had done this ages ago...

If you are responding to me then you didn't read what i was replying to. He was asking about local series and i said Showmax has a ****on of them. Good luck finding 7de laan on genesis.

For all the content on Genesis it's too much of a hassle to work with. I'd rather pay for a streaming service even if it has limited content and have it work properly. There's always torrents if you realy need to watch something.
 
If you are responding to me then you didn't read what i was replying to. He was asking about local series and i said Showmax has a ****on of them. Good luck finding 7de laan on genesis.

For all the content on Genesis it's too much of a hassle to work with. I'd rather pay for a streaming service even if it has limited content and have it work properly. There's always torrents if you realy need to watch something.
Genesis is dead! Its been taken down anyway as far as I can tell. Links are dead on there.
 
Genesis is dead! Its been taken down anyway as far as I can tell. Links are dead on there.

It's been resurrected. New name is Specto. I tried it out earlier and i got a nice HD stream of 1979 Alien. It started fast and didn't buffer once.
 
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