Cheaper Alternative to DSTV?

NomNom

NomNom

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I see loads of people these days say that you can stream the sport over the internet instead of using DSTV to get your sport fix. What I want to know is how much it costs to do this and how the quality is like if anyone would be able to demonstrate via a video or something that would be fantastic. Also what are the pros and cons ect and is it really worth it in the end.

Currently we have a DSTV premium account that we get a slight discount on for doing a survey now and then, I think it's about R60+- off what everyone else pays so we are paying R550 per month. Also we currently have a Webafrica 384kbps Home Uncapped account costing R279 per month.

I just phoned and pitched the idea to my dad now and he wants to know as much as possible about if of course before going ahead, the only reason we have DSTV premium is so he can watch his sport, I hardly ever watch TV anymore since I'm glued to my PC, and if I do want to watch I just grab the series off the net.

What I gather is obviously a 384kbps connection is simply not enough, would a 1mb connection be? Don't really want to get a 4mb connection since it's about R899 which kinda defeats the point then of getting rid of DSTV.

So current situation:
384kbps line: R279
DSTV: R550
=R829

What I was thinking is this:
Upgrade to Mweb 1mb uncapped: R588
Cancel DSTV
Apparently pay a R20pm fee to supersport.co.za? Although when I just went there now it says you need to be a DSTV subscriber? :wtf:
 
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First thing to check is if you have congestion. I often can't stream between 8-10 PM. It's fine before and after but that is the time I want to. It's very frustrating when it buffers.

Test it out on live.twit.tv. They have various speeds starting at 400 Kbps.
 
biometrics said:
First thing to check is if you have congestion. I often can't stream between 8-10 PM. It's fine before and after but that is the time I want to. It's very frustrating when it buffers.

Test it out on live.twit.tv. They have various speeds starting at 400 Kbps.
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But I only have a 384kbps line, so I'm pretty sure anything I test will be congested on my line :D
 
thinking of actually going the premium route and hd....but keep coming across alternative..but for now my PREGNANT wife wants full dish..getting the hd for me and the kid...but damn parting with that extra moola:mad: just got compact now...
 
Ah and btw, just use a family or friends login, no need to subscribe.
 
biometrics said:
First half ;)

Point is still you need to test it. Try it from a neighbour yhen.
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Yeah that's why I asked if anyone could possibly demonstrate the quality of what ever service they are using, no one in my area has a connection faster than 384kbps. :(

biometrics said:
Ah and btw, just use a family or friends login, no need to subscribe.
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No one I know uses online services to view sport online, they all have DSTV also.
 
You can even get the sport off a drifta and stay wth your 384kbps for downloads.
Still works out less.
 
I don't think 1mb will cut it, especially if you go uncapped.

I stream of the DSTV website and it usually uses about 70kBs at a constant rate. That is under 1 meg but its not the best quality either, if its shaped during peak hours like most uncapped its just not going to work.
 
akescpt said:
thinking of actually going the premium route and hd....but keep coming across alternative..but for now my PREGNANT wife wants full dish..getting the hd for me and the kid...but damn parting with that extra moola:mad: just got compact now...
Click to expand...
Just download Greys Anatomy.

Wifey will be too occupied to watch anything else.
They don't channel hop like we do.

:)
 
a 4/10 meg line would be ideal but like you said negates the cost/saving aspect
1 meg will do for streaming but you'll get an ok service and congestion will be a
nightmare.

I have a 4meg line and the wife streams away while i download or play games online
without any issues... ISP is also important for contention ratio.
 
you want to replace satelite tv with downloading stuff over the internet... and possibly maybe if you are lucky saving like R100? giving up the comfort of going to sit down, switching it on and watching, to hoping everything adsl wise is working and perfect speed so that whatever you are watching wont buffer while you are watching...

think of this, toptv/dstv broadcast at dvd quality their SD content. dvd's is around 6mb/s. so if you are streaming even at 1mb/s you will have 1 / 6th the quality you have now. this may be fine if you are watching the news or something but when you watch sport or an action movie you may as well buy it at the guy next to the robot on your way to work. or just read the book in your library for free

Until we have like 20mbps connections there is no comparison between dstv/toptv and downloading stuff from the internet as alternative.
 
DrYes said:
Just download Greys Anatomy.

Wifey will be too occupied to watch anything else.
They don't channel hop like we do.

:)
Click to expand...

she gets her greys fix..and now fairly legal as well..naah we spending more time at home now with the pregnancy...she is looking to be entertained..
 
akescpt said:
she gets her greys fix..and now fairly legal as well..naah we spending more time at home now with the pregnancy...she is looking to be entertained..
Click to expand...

Perhaps she was not entertained by TV a couple of months ago and now a new born is on his way.... Congrats!

Wyzak said:
Consider TopTV
Click to expand...

OP mentioned his father needs to watch sports....

NomNom said:
Ok thanks everyone, was really hoping 1mb would be good enough, owell will just stick with what we have.
Click to expand...

Seems the best option at the moment. Hopefully BW + ADSL prices will go down and DStv goes up, then we get to a point where it is cheaper to stream everything.
 
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