Cutting The Cable Next Month

loginid on 27/05/2020 - 07:58

After 6 years of Foxtel our family have decided that paying foxtel $49 per month and mainly only watching the free channels is kind of a waste of money.

We've got quite a few streaming accounts so want to look for a good alternative for foxtel when it comes to their PVR functionality. We really like the interface, recording shows, doing series links, etc.

Can anyone recommend a decent PVR box (pref. under $150) that they use and can recommend?

I have a Sony x95G and just found out that it actually doesn't do USB recording (which I was really surprised about!).
So I've installed PVR Live as well and played around with that a little bit and also used the android live tv channels built in app.. but it's all not as slick as foxtel.

I have heard of Fetch TV – but the box with 1tb is a bit too expensive for me.

As always thanks for your wonderful insight! :)

Home & Garden

Comments

  • MS Paint on 27/05/2020 - 08:11
    +10

    Thought by title you were getting a vasectomy.

    Why do you need a PVR for streaming services?

    • bloom on 27/05/2020 - 08:46

      I thought he was logging into the toilet to make a large download

    • ihbh on 27/05/2020 - 08:51
      +2

      … or she was giving birth next month.

    • Bargain80 on 27/05/2020 - 09:28
      +1

      I think he's referring to PVR for the free channel?

      Though you barely need PVR these days while many channels now have their online on demand app.

      • jjjaar on 27/05/2020 - 10:32
        +4

        While you don’t need a PVR, they offer so many benefits.

        Using a PVR and actually skipping through ads is much preferable for me than using ondemand and sitting through ads, often time the same one or two ads about 5 times in a row.

        Also if you move away from the program using some ondemand platforms and come back to it later, you then have to sit through the ads again.

        • Bargain80 on 27/05/2020 - 10:47

          that's true

        • Apple96 on 27/05/2020 - 12:52

          It sucks when ever with an ad block, on demand stuff has ads. Especially when its three ads for the same show in a row.

      • Stewardo on 27/05/2020 - 10:43

        I lot of the on-demand channels have different digital rights to the free to air live channels, so it may play live but not be accessible content later even if it’s the same networks website/app

  • jimdotpud on 27/05/2020 - 08:51

    So you want to still be able to record FTA channels as well as use other streaming services? although the outlay initially will be a bit expensive, it's cheaper in the long run than paying a subscription service to Fetch or foxtel, you can get a BluRay/PVR combo like one of these (https://www.panasonic.com/au/consumer/home-entertainment/rec…)

    • AngusD on 27/05/2020 - 10:04

      Are those Panasonic PVR's any good? I don't really watch much FTA TV any more except the footy, which I like to record if I'm unable to watch it live. I bought a Topfield PVR a few years back and it's utter garbage. Have been pondering replacing it but don't want to waste my time and money if what I replace it with is going to be similarly flaky.

      • jimdotpud on 28/05/2020 - 00:25

        i was looking at one as well. haven't bit the bullet though… i am still using a HTPC to record FTA. ideally i want something that can record and dump to my NAS so i can get rid of the PC, i know you can get something like a HDHomeRun, but i don't really want to spend much.

        i'm thinking about an RPi with a USB tuner and running LibreElec/kodi

    • loginid on 27/05/2020 - 11:58

      Thanks for the link.

  • Euphemistic on 27/05/2020 - 09:01
    +2

    We’ve got fetch. Works well and the linked mini box in the other room means the recordings can be watched in two rooms. Can use it for netflix, YouTube etc fairly easily.

    Also has movies and tv shows avaaible for extra purchase. Works well for us because we mostly watch free to air and just rent the occasional movie. The movie selection isn’t great but the have a few new releases.

  • seraphim2017 on 27/05/2020 - 09:05
    +4

    Fetch Mighty.

    the PVR market is devoid of really good options to be honest, the Fetch (outright, c $279 refurb from Fetch Ebay) seems to be the best of the bunch. Bugbear it won't even boot without an internet connection, but other than that, it generally works well, and If you have a dumb tv, it has bluetooth, quad tuners, USB inputs for HDD etc.

    We've had ours 3 + years now and would get another once this one dies as nothing else so far is better.

  • Mackeg02 on 27/05/2020 - 09:38

    you may be able to get the fetch box through your internet provider for $10 a month
    eg Aussie Broadband

  • koplik8 on 27/05/2020 - 09:59
    +1

    Fetch EBay does sales around Christmas time. Keep an eye out on Oz Bargin. Someone will post it on here when there is a sale on. You probably want to get the mighty box. I got the mini box for around $100 last year. I use the on demand channels like 7, 9, 10 to watch the shows I've missed. I love it! Had it for 3 years now. Channel packs are $6. You can change them anytime. Otherwise, it's $20 for all the channels. Movie box is $1 a month. They add a new movie everyday.

    I was connected through my internet provider. It's cheaper to buy the box outright and connect direct through Fetch. Save the $5 a month

  • shakoo on 27/05/2020 - 10:33

    i've not checked but can the Vodafone TV unit do PVR recording to USB?

  • Pina on 27/05/2020 - 10:59
    +1

    I did the same in April and it was a very difficult process to cancel foxtel, i was on hold for over 2 hours. I went with the refurnished Fetch Mighty from ebay. It's OK, I'd say not as refined as the IQ2. (channel layout for browsing and series link are not as good), and as Seraphim2017 said it doesn't even boot if the internet is down or goes down. It does offer a lot more and is a big saving. Worth noting you can only stream (Netflix, Stan, Amazon, HayU? and youtube)

    • loginid on 27/05/2020 - 11:56
      +1

      How annoying is it to leave them?
      Also they want the box back… if they're getting the box back why did I pay them $150 for the box upgrade in the first place? So annoying.

      • koplik8 on 27/05/2020 - 16:34

        I have my old Fetch a Box in the cupboard. The only thing is that it is locked to your internet provider if you get it through them. Going direct through fetch you can change internet providers and the outright box still works.

  • loginid on 27/05/2020 - 11:55
    +1

    Thanks for everyone's responses.
    Some helpful and great responses, giving me lots of think about.

    Thanks again OB community 🤗

  • loginid on 24/06/2020 - 14:57

    If anyone is curious I purchased a raspberry pi 4 and installed tvheadend.
    Then I have configured it with Australian IPTV streams.

    Cost me 92.40AUD for the pi 4
    + around 10 hrs effort learning & setting up.

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