Considering DSTV for lack of better alternatives.

Priapus

Priapus

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As much as I hate DSTV and their monopoly in the market; I have been considering them. The reason is simple. Sports. The wife and I enjoy our sports and now that the F1 season as started, I would like to follow the race throughout the year.

I already have an Xbox One with Plex setup and running fine for all my other movies and series. I used to have Kodi; but did not like the idea of a media centre in the lounge as well as the various issues I have had with it; where as with Plex I have had no issues and it works well. The only limitation being that there needs to be an active internet connection for it to connect to a local media box (That's a limitation imposed on Plex by Microsoft, so can't fault them for that )

So, before I do the unthinkable; are there any decent alternatives, that will allow us to watch all the sports? F1, Rugby, cricket, soccer, etc? I have no problem paying for an alternative either.
 
Dan C

Dan C

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I doubt you going to get a better alternative ATM. Yes it sucks to pay so much. I only watch cricket and BBC prime.
 
supersunbird

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Tander said:
As much as I hate DSTV and their monopoly in the market; I have been considering them. The reason is simple. Sports. The wife and I enjoy our sports and now that the F1 season as started, I would like to follow the race throughout the year.

I already have an Xbox One with Plex setup and running fine for all my other movies and series. I used to have Kodi; but did not like the idea of a media centre in the lounge as well as the various issues I have had with it; where as with Plex I have had no issues and it works well. The only limitation being that there needs to be an active internet connection for it to connect to a local media box (That's a limitation imposed on Plex by Microsoft, so can't fault them for that )

So, before I do the unthinkable; are there any decent alternatives, that will allow us to watch all the sports? F1, Rugby, cricket, soccer, etc? I have no problem paying for an alternative either.
Click to expand...

Well, share the cost of the DSTV Premium with someone who cannot get uncapped internet and then you can use their DSTV Now (I think thats the name). Obviously have to check that the sports you want to watch are being streamed by DSTV on that product obviously. Added benefit it is can still work fine during the rain.
 
S

Splinter

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So for the price of one console game a month, you consider it to be unreasonable for all you get?
 
Priapus

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Dan C said:
I doubt you going to get a better alternative ATM. Yes it sucks to pay so much. I only watch cricket and BBC prime.
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Yeah, the wife also wants to watch some BBC channels; she is British and loves her soapies lol. And it does seem that there isnt a proper decent alternative. I could setup Kodi - but I have been down that road. It ends with painful dead links to channels and no proper sports coverage. :(

supersunbird said:
Well, share the cost of the DSTV Premium with someone who cannot get uncapped internet and then you can use their DSTV Now (I think thats the name). Obviously have to check that the sports you want to watch are being streamed by DSTV on that product obviously. Added benefit it is can still work fine during the rain.
Click to expand...

Whilst I don't have anyone I can do that with, you have given me an idea. I have a friend who wants to also watch sport (and his wife is an F1 fan) - they could pay something towards my costs for DSTV and they can use the DSTV Now, part of the account. :)
 
Priapus

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Splinter said:
So for the price of one console game a month, you consider it to be unreasonable for all you get?
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Firstly, don't assume I buy console games, just because I have a console. I hardly game and buy games, maybe once a year. Secondly, I consider it unreasonable to pay that amount just for sports.
 
cpu.

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Tander said:
Yeah, the wife also wants to watch some BBC channels; she is British and loves her soapies lol. And it does seem that there isnt a proper decent alternative. I could setup Kodi - but I have been down that road. It ends with painful dead links to channels and no proper sports coverage. :(



Whilst I don't have anyone I can do that with, you have given me an idea. I have a friend who wants to also watch sport (and his wife is an F1 fan) - they could pay something towards my costs for DSTV and they can use the DSTV Now, part of the account. :)
Click to expand...
I watch US and UK channels on my Android tab. Many reliable apps on Google Play, but the current best is Mobdro installed from apk.
 
Priapus

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Johnatan56 said:
Alternative you could try: Sign up with Sky and use a VPN? https://www.bestvpnprovider.com/how-to-watch-f1-skysports-outside-uk/
Click to expand...

Didn't think of that, I'll take a look. Thanks!

cpu. said:
I watch US and UK channels on my Android tab. Many reliable apps on Google Play, but the current best is Mobdro installed from apk.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info; I don't own any Android devices. Would those apps work on something I could plug into the TV and get something close to HD quality?
 
Johnatan56

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Tander said:
Thanks for the info; I don't own any Android devices. Would those apps work on something I could plug into the TV and get something close to HD quality?
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Just downloaded the APK, the quality seems good. You'd need an android tv box.
 
S

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Tander said:
Firstly, don't assume I buy console games, just because I have a console. I hardly game and buy games, maybe once a year. Secondly, I consider it unreasonable to pay that amount just for sports.
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You get far more than just sports.

Edit: and this is also because I prefer watching in HD on a big screen TV, rather than on a tablet or PC monitor.
 
Johnatan56

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satanboy said:
What do you mean by that? SD, HD or Full HD?
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Depends on the stream. My phone's 720p and I can't see any pixelation, so either equivalent/better than Dstv. (this is just over about 2 minutes of watching sky sports 1, so could be terrible at other times)

EDIT: And quality overall is probably 480p on some like Sky Sports F1. Still perfectly fine for something that's free.
 
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S

Splinter

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Johnatan56 said:
Depends on the stream. My phone's 720p and I can't see any pixelation, so either equivalent/better than Dstv. (this is just over about 2 minutes of watching sky sports 1, so could be terrible at other times)

EDIT: And quality overall is probably 480p on some like Sky Sports F1. Still perfectly fine for something that's free.
Click to expand...

You watch sport/TV on your phone?
 
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