Netflix versus ShowMax

Not bad ShowMax...not bad...

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Showmax or Netflix SA?

Hi

Just a quick question, what would be better Showmax or SA netflix?

We want to subscribe to one of them and I am not sure which one will be better for contents at this stage.
My gut tells me to lean more to showmax as they have Multichoice and their content backing them while Netflix is a bit limited as Multichoise still owns a lot of the contents that Netflix should have owned for distribution.

So just whom ever has one or the other or both what would you suggest to take at this stage?
 
ShowMax doesn't have Multichoice's content. They are a separate company and licence their own content (Part of which they licence come from Multichoice, but most of their content is from separate licensing deals).

I find ShowMax's content selection to be better, but I would recommend getting both. Netflix has some great shows that ShowMax does not (and vice versa)
 
I actually subscribe to both services. Showmax does not cost me anything as I pay for it using my ebucks, so I really only need to pay for netflix.

For me, the mix of the two gives me a good choice of content. Netflix is improving all the time and new content is always added. Showmax also is getting more content. The netflix originals can be strong selling point for netflix as they are no where else, but then if the show types are not your cup of tea, its a moot point.

I only subscribe to the SD (480p) plan for netflix as my media player does not play netflix in HD. Generally I find the netflix picture clarity is better than showmax's 720p picture.
 
A colleague has a 4Mbps line and finds that Showmax picture is not as crisp/clear as Netflix. Any idea what is going on there?
 
satanboy said:
A colleague has a 4Mbps line and finds that Showmax picture is not as crisp/clear as Netflix. Any idea what is going on there?
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I think Netflix's encoding of streams is more mature and polished than what Showmax uses.
 
I was on Netflix US for about a year or two and I was quite happy with them, the only draw back(same as Showmax) they dont have the latest stuff unless it is Netflix exclusives.

But there is nothing currently new anyway worth watching so I am running out of contents to watch.
I will subscribe to Show max this long weekend and see if it actually any good if not its off to Netflix with a vpn or back to kodi and automate my stuff again.
 
satanboy said:
A colleague has a 4Mbps line and finds that Showmax picture is not as crisp/clear as Netflix. Any idea what is going on there?
Click to expand...

Netflix has better compression meaning they can have better audio and video delivered at the same bandwidth requirement. Same thing with x264 vs x265, a SD x264 file is only slightly smaller than a 720P x265 file, that's why it's called High Efficiency Video Coding.

I can't remember exactly but I think Showmax 720P has a max bitrate of 3000Kbps, Netflix 1080P goes up to 5800Kbps, with a 4Mbps line you can get a lower bitrate 1080P or the highest bitrate 720P.
 
Necropolis said:
I think Netflix's encoding of streams is more mature and polished than what Showmax uses.
Click to expand...

Soul Assassin said:
Netflix has better compression meaning they can have better audio and video delivered at the same bandwidth requirement. Same thing with x264 vs x265, a SD x264 file is only slightly smaller than a 720P x265 file, that's why it's called High Efficiency Video Coding.

I can't remember exactly but I think Showmax 720P has a max bitrate of 3000Kbps, Netflix 1080P goes up to 5800Kbps, with a 4Mbps line you can get a lower bitrate 1080P or the highest bitrate 720P.
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Thanks guys.
 
WaxLyrical said:
Get a chromecast and ditch the laptop, at least you you can use your smartphone as a remote instead of fiddling on the laptop.

How's the sond from the laptop?
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Sound? It also plays via TV due to the HDMI cable so no different. Laptop speakers turn off as soon as I plug in the HDMI.

Will have to try out the chromecast. Will borrow my dads for a bit perhaps as he hardly uses his.
 
Cius said:
Sound? It also plays via TV due to the HDMI cable so no different. Laptop speakers turn off as soon as I plug in the HDMI.

Will have to try out the chromecast. Will borrow my dads for a bit perhaps as he hardly uses his.
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Yea I meant sound but I've had occasions where certain mkv files couldn't play on my media player but played perfectly on the laptops vlc.

Pugged the laptop to the tv via HDMI and you get the desktop on the tv but the sound was awful as it was coming from the laptop not the tv.

Still a noob in that area as it was never a requirement, as the media player did what it needed to do.

I'm actually watching very little showmax ATM. Rather enjoying YouTube using the chrome with my phone on a standard led tv.

Need to get a smart tv asap.
 
dualmeister said:
Showmax requires Widevine DRM copy protection.
Roku uses Playready DRM.
So no. Not anytime soon.
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Which is a pity, as an Apple TV appears to be a right pain in the rear to get to work with a Windows system. Also no support for XBox360 ... , which I already have ...

Guess it is going to be awhile before I can do some worthwhile streaming ... :(
 
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