Cancelling Foxtel - Seeking Advice for Alternative Setups

cypher67 on 12/11/2014 - 10:46

Hi All,

Long story short, I don’t want to give Foxtel anymore of my money.

Looking to move towards a Netflix or the like; as an alternative.

The one device I didn’t realise how much I do like is the Foxtel IQ, I like the ability of being able to rewind and pause live TV & program to record TV shows and link them to series.

I’ve done some research and not sure if it’s better to buy a PVR outright or to go through a leased PVR service? My understanding the programming features are not that great built in and I read a lot of IceTV as a better programming alternative? Then I’ve always heard about services like TiVo etc?

TL:DR: What alternatives are people using to avoid having to pay Foxtel but still maintaining the FTA recording/playback features & having a wide array of shows/programming to view?

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Comments

  • mochariffic on 12/11/2014 - 11:04
    +1

    Non free option - ICETV.com.au ..I used to use this for years, it's a mature service and supports lots of devices. You can use a PC (media centre for example will support it), or even a decent topfield set top box/pvr.

    http://www.icetv.com.au/about/compatibility.shtml shows the device compatibility list and you can get a 90 day free trial to test it out.

  • spersephone on 12/11/2014 - 12:19
    +1

    IceTV can be found for $49 a year quite regularly. You have options as to which device to use, and they offer a number of them online.

    TiVo is awesome, but you can only find it on eBay. Plus, you cannot activate them any more, so you'd have to take over someone else's account to continue to use it.

    I have a TiVo, and an IceTV account with a networked tv tuner that I use on my Mac to record shows, remove ads quickly with the EyeTV software, then export them to my Apple TV to watch at my leisure. I rarely watch live TV these days, but love having the TiVo for this, as it's so simple to fast forward/pause etc.

    IceTV's app is really really good, you can remotely set up recordings from anywhere, and generally speaking, even with a few minutes notice, your device will get the message in time. TiVo has TiVo Genie, but I found that quite cumbersome and too slow - if it failed, you didn't know for ages. IceTV shows you what you're already recording, so you can change things around if something else was more important and you wanted to record it over another.

    When TiVo no longer receives guide data (and it will happen, but might not be for a while yet), I will be switching our live TV system to a Humax or possibly Topfield unit. From what I've read, they all have their issues, and none is quite as reliable as a TiVo, although they offer some extra functionality.

  • donbot on 12/11/2014 - 13:45
    +2

    HTPC running Windows 7 and stock standard Windows Media Centre, with a Hauppage HVR2200 dual tuner card.

    • Watch one show and record another at the same time
    • Live TV pause/rewind
    • Series record functionality
    • Full EP-Guide downloaded automatically (not sure where… but windows does it)
    • Set it up with a Sickbeard installation to source what isnt on Free to air automatically
    • Netflix if you so wish
    • Getflix account & AFL/NRL International Pass to stream every game live.

    I would pay Foxtel if they could provide me with the service I require (IQ at a minimum). Since they cant do that despite an on site technician telling them they can - means they'll never see a dollar from me again.

    • fertiliser on 12/11/2014 - 14:08

      good setup and similar to what I run at home.

      Does anyone know if there are any services to stream the English Premier League? Paid or unpaid, it doesn't matter. It seems to be the big thing that Foxtel still offer which can't be had easily elsewhere.

    • cypher67 on 12/11/2014 - 14:18

      I wish I understood everything you said there, looks like a pretty sweet setup though. I'll look into some of these further, thanks

    • ESEMCE on 12/11/2014 - 15:38

      Hmmmm never thought of using Getflix to get AFL streaming!

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