Foxhound5366
Honorary Master
Maybe I'm looked in the wrong places, but back when I was investigating VIDI.co.za I just couldn't find any real-life user reviews of the service.
I'm now in week 2 of my free month-long trial, so here goes. TLDR version: It works for what's on the tin, but still has rough edges.
The good:
- Connects to streams 100% of the time (this is very different to some other international streaming services, which tend to struggle to connect - maybe helped by being a local service)
- Microsoft Silverlight does a fair job of switching dynamically to low-quality streams when the buffer empties, and then switching back to higher-quality (still never full HD) when the connection improves. Re-buffering from a complete freeze also doesn't take too long (again in comparison to some international services).
- I'm currently connecting through a 2Mbps Telkom Unlimited ADSL line, and I'd say that's about the minimum to make it feasible. I had much better streaming experiences overall from the 4Mbps line, so that's recommended.
- Has a few decent series on it (Breaking Bad, Revenge etc) - random aside, Breaking Bad was the sole reason I signed up for the trial
The not so good:
- Something you're not warned about is that you have to install Microsoft Silverlight before you can start using VIDI. It doesn't take long - just a minor hiccup before you can jump into the action.
- VIDI's general user interface needs quite a lot of work - e.g. when you click to watch a video, it first opens it up small, and you then need to click on a 'full screen' button each time.
- Also related to previous point, VIDI tends to not accurately remember which was the last episode you watched (and sometimes it even forgets the whole last series).
- VIDI doesn't remember your log-in details. This probably is for your protection, in cases where somebody else could pick up your account to purchase movies through your linked credit card, but it's a major hurdle before starting viewing each time.
- Something else many users will miss is there are no subtitles for VIDI series, and no option to switch to a different streaming resolution (this part happens automatically based on your internet connection).
- The REAL headache, however, is that for now the movies on the 'Unlimited Subscription' package are shockingly poor. If you want this for movies, you'll definitely end up having to rent the better titles once-off at R27/pop.
- Doesn't analyse your viewing habits to recommend similar titles you might like ... but I guess it's early days yet for advanced features like that.
Conclusion: It's well-worth checking out during that free trial month (especially now on the holidays!). I realise that inputting your credit card details for a 'free' trial is a scary thing, but it's pretty standard for these types of deals. I have to commend VIDI on giving South Africans a legal alternative to all the illegal Netflix bypasses, and can only hope that TMG continues to invest in growing its media library as the user base expands. For now, just enjoy what you can!
What are your thoughts on VIDI? Know of any other good LEGAL streaming services?
I'm now in week 2 of my free month-long trial, so here goes. TLDR version: It works for what's on the tin, but still has rough edges.
The good:
- Connects to streams 100% of the time (this is very different to some other international streaming services, which tend to struggle to connect - maybe helped by being a local service)
- Microsoft Silverlight does a fair job of switching dynamically to low-quality streams when the buffer empties, and then switching back to higher-quality (still never full HD) when the connection improves. Re-buffering from a complete freeze also doesn't take too long (again in comparison to some international services).
- I'm currently connecting through a 2Mbps Telkom Unlimited ADSL line, and I'd say that's about the minimum to make it feasible. I had much better streaming experiences overall from the 4Mbps line, so that's recommended.
- Has a few decent series on it (Breaking Bad, Revenge etc) - random aside, Breaking Bad was the sole reason I signed up for the trial
The not so good:
- Something you're not warned about is that you have to install Microsoft Silverlight before you can start using VIDI. It doesn't take long - just a minor hiccup before you can jump into the action.
- VIDI's general user interface needs quite a lot of work - e.g. when you click to watch a video, it first opens it up small, and you then need to click on a 'full screen' button each time.
- Also related to previous point, VIDI tends to not accurately remember which was the last episode you watched (and sometimes it even forgets the whole last series).
- VIDI doesn't remember your log-in details. This probably is for your protection, in cases where somebody else could pick up your account to purchase movies through your linked credit card, but it's a major hurdle before starting viewing each time.
- Something else many users will miss is there are no subtitles for VIDI series, and no option to switch to a different streaming resolution (this part happens automatically based on your internet connection).
- The REAL headache, however, is that for now the movies on the 'Unlimited Subscription' package are shockingly poor. If you want this for movies, you'll definitely end up having to rent the better titles once-off at R27/pop.
- Doesn't analyse your viewing habits to recommend similar titles you might like ... but I guess it's early days yet for advanced features like that.
Conclusion: It's well-worth checking out during that free trial month (especially now on the holidays!). I realise that inputting your credit card details for a 'free' trial is a scary thing, but it's pretty standard for these types of deals. I have to commend VIDI on giving South Africans a legal alternative to all the illegal Netflix bypasses, and can only hope that TMG continues to invest in growing its media library as the user base expands. For now, just enjoy what you can!
What are your thoughts on VIDI? Know of any other good LEGAL streaming services?
