DSTV Alternatives

lexor

lexor

Executive Member
Joined
Aug 11, 2007
Messages
5,030
Reaction score
542
Location
Cape Town
How to get rid of DSTV :Best DSTV Alternatives

Many of us are just fed up at the absurdly high prices DSTV charges us to watch Sport and "old movie repeats".

I've tried many alternatives and currently I'm using Netflix (for movies & series) , Hulu (for movies & series) & NTV ( excellent DSTV alternative incl SPORT).

Below is a list of DSTV alternatives at MUCH lower prices:

1) Netflix at R90p/m - https://signup.netflix.com/

2) Futubox at about 8 Euro p/m (3 month contract) - http://futuboxhd.com/sign-up/

3) Hulu+ at about R90 p/m - www.hulu.com

4) Sky Go Package at about R 25 pounds p/m - http://www.ukivpn.com/SkyGo/

5) NimbleTV - different packages - https://watch.nimbletv.com

6)NowTv - great DSTV alternative (incl sport) about 14.50 Euro p/m -

http://www.ntv.mx/

7) SynX TV - about $12.50 p/m - http://synx.tv/vai/#

8) Streamtvbox - £10.99 p/m - http://streamtvbox.com/site/

9) Fox - Free - http://www.fox.com/full-episodes

10) CBS - Free - http://www.cbs.com/watch/

11) ABC - Free - http://abc.go.com/

12) NBC - Free - http://www.nbc.com/video/



NOTE :

- For some of the above-mentioned sites you will require a require an DNS service in order to join.

Try :

UNO DNS - $5 p/m - http://www.unotelly.com/unodns/whatisunodns
Hola - Free pluggin for internet browsers - http://hola.org/
Slick VPN - $2 p/m - http://www.slickvpn.com/

- All these TV services require a relatively fast internet speed(mine is 4Mbps) & and data (I have an Openweb Uncapped account) in order to stream the content to your PC , media player , XBox , PS3 etc.

- Many of these services offer a free limited period "test account" or a 3 day pay option.

- I suggest that you 1st try a service out to make sure you line is fast enough to stream the content - otherwise you will have a constant loading of your program.

- Just be careful - some pay sites is either a scam or illegal !

- Happy Watching - remember Google is your friend !

UPDATE :

Altech Node http://www.altechnode.co.za/

Your complete entertainment and smart home experience

Get your Node for only R1 999 incl VAT including a free installation* voucher.

The monthly Node subscription of R299 includes:

Video on Demand with 700 hours of premium entertainment and sports content
Smart TV Functionality with full internet access
Home Monitoring of security and electrical devices.


MTN Frontrow https://mtnfrontrow.discoverdigital.co.za/#/home

MTN launched its streaming video service called FrontRow on 29 December 2014, offering subscribers a wide range of TV series and movies.

MTN FrontRow subscribers can stream the content via a web browser, or use an Android app. MTN said that an iOS app is in the pipeline.
MTN is currently offering a launch special at R179 a month for an “all you can watch” service, or R399 a month with 10GB of streaming data.

Vidi https://www.vidi.co.za/default.aspx

Welcome To VIDI. SA’s first Video On Demand service where you can watch TV Shows and Movies over the internet on any device.
1st month subscription free! Only R149 pm thereafter.
Subscribe to hours of amazing TV and awesome movies.
No contracts, no tie ins no hassles. Its Entertainment made easy.
AND
You can also rent the latest blockbuster movies hot off the big screen from R15-R27.
 
Last edited:
I have maintained for the longest time that, at this stage, very little can touch DStv for the money, even of you take the R695 Premium with HD package. It is a pity, actually.

Since 1 January I have tried to get away from DStv as much as I can. I downgraded to DStv Compact (R275) and so far I am not missing much. Here are my setup with costs.
Once-off's:
TP-Link ADSL Router = R600
PS3 = +/-R3500
Minix Neo X7 Android Media Player = Between R1400 and R4000, depending where you buy it from. I paid R1350 on eBay delivered from Hong Kong.

Monthlies:
Telkom Line = R157
2Meg ADSL from Afrihost = R149
2Meg ADSL Account from Connection = R99 (promo)
UnoDNS = R40-R46 (Exchange-rate dependent)
Netflix = R80-R90 (Exchange-rate dependent)

Total Monthly Cost = R541 (+R275 for DStv Compact)

To get sport and many other channels I use Torrent Stream Controller on Android. No, it is not legal but if one starts adding the SkyGo (R445) or NTV (R220) the price escalates beyond DStv's R700. Torrent Stream Controller lists numerous Ace Streams and as long as sport, even local, is broadcast somewhere internationally, you can watch it.
 
Last edited:
For the R700 you cant get any better if ure keen on sport. If you dont watch sport you dont need DSTV AT ALL
 
lcbxx said:
I have maintained for the longest time that, at this stage, very little can touch DStv for the money, even of you take the R695 Premium with HD package. It is a pity, actually.

Since 1 January I have tried to get away from DStv as much as I can. I downgraded to DStv Compact (R275) and so far I am not missing much. Here are my setup with costs.
Once-off's:
TP-Link ADSL Router = R600
PS3 = +/-R3500
Minix Neo X7 Android Media Player = Between R1400 and R4000, depending where you buy it from. I paid R1350 on eBay delivered from Hong Kong.

Monthlies:
Telkom Line = R157
2Meg ADSL from Afrihost = R149
2Meg ADSL Account from Connection = R99 (promo)
UnoDNS = R40-R46 (Exchange-rate dependent)
Netflix = R80-R90 (Exchange-rate dependent)

Total Monthly Cost = R541 (+R275 for DStv Compact)

To get sport and many other channels I use Torrent Stream Controller on Android. No, it is not legal but if one starts adding the SkyGo (R445) or NTV (R220) the price escalates beyond DStv's R700. Torrent Stream Controller lists numerous Ace Streams and as long as sport, even local, is broadcast somewhere internationally, you can watch it.
Click to expand...

The problem with your calculation is that you're including the price of ADSL. Most of us had DSTV and ADSL. I just always had ADSl. You really can't include that in your costs.

Everyone should have ADSL regardless of whether or not they have DSTV.
 
Chevron said:
The problem with your calculation is that you're including the price of ADSL. Most of us had DSTV and ADSL. I just always had ADSl. You really can't include that in your costs.

Everyone should have ADSL regardless of whether or not they have DSTV.
Click to expand...
I agree. However, the idea with my post is to illustrate a like-for-like comparison between a DStv-only and Online-Content-Only option for TV. Also, some people might go for an Apple TV or Roku as opposed to the Minix+PS3 option I have. The PS3 allows me to get DD5.1 on Netflix at this stage as the Netflix Android app does not feature that yet, even though the Minix supports SPDIF/HDMI pass-though for DD5.1/dts.
 
Last edited:
Only Netflix and Hulu are suitable for the living room. Everything else is website based
 
XBMC with XBMC Wizard Installed and configured on basic desktop PC- 1Channel - No charge whatsoever.
Only Charge is ADSL pricing and rental, dependant on your account and line speed.
 
Handy thread.

I've been toying with the idea to get something going like this for my parents, but FML, they don't have a wireless router. Nor do they have a decent TV (they have an old CRT I bought a few years ago). I wish there was a feasible way to get it going with what they have.

At least if I ever want Netflix, I can come here :P
 
mr_norris said:
Handy thread.

I've been toying with the idea to get something going like this for my parents, but FML, they don't have a wireless router. Nor do they have a decent TV (they have an old CRT I bought a few years ago). I wish there was a feasible way to get it going with what they have.

At least if I ever want Netflix, I can come here :P
Click to expand...

You don't need wireless or a decent TV for Netflix. Just get this and you're sorted:

http://www.takealot.com/tv-audio-video/wd-tv-live-streaming-media-player-no-hard-drive,10832354
 
+1 for NTV. Great value for the sport you get. My only gripe is that I can't get Sky HD streaming properly, it always buffers but only uses 400KB/s and I'm on 10mbps uncapped.

NTV + Netflix + Hulu Plus + UnoTelly = ~R450 p/m.
 
Will Netflix / Hulu stream ok with a 2 Meg line ?

What is the data usage per hour ?
 
consult said:
Will Netflix / Hulu stream ok with a 2 Meg line ?

What is the data usage per hour ?
Click to expand...

Streaming is around 1 gig per hour more or less, I know some run it on 2 meg line and it runs fine but can't comment first hand.
 
0.5 Megabits per second - Required broadband connection speed
1.5 Megabits per second - Recommended broadband connection speed
3.0 Megabits per second - Recommended for DVD quality
5.0 Megabits per second - Recommended for HD quality
7.0 Megabits per second - Recommended for Super HD quality
12 Megabits per second - Recommended for 3D quality
Click to expand...

https://support.netflix.com/en/node/306
 
Thanks for the reply.

So far Netflix is working fine with my 2Meg line.
 
There's also Sky's NowTv - £4.99 p/m for general entertainment channels - Sky, Discovery, Disney, Fox, Comedy Central, and a few others. £8.99 for the Movie channels.
 
Thanks- I will add all new suggestions to my original post in order to keep it current .
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X