Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Excellent MM.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

The first season of The Following and Ray Donovan have been added to Amazon Instant Video. The first 4 episodes of season 3 of Ripper Street are also available to watch, with new episodes added every Friday. I use Netflix and Amazon Instant and for me the Amazon content is so much better. Only £5.99 per month. If you've never tried it you should seriously try their free months trial.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

It is certainly improving but for me Netflix is better i do however use both now due to my firetv box showing amazon instant video recommendations, searches etc i thought what the hell might aswell give it a go lol.
So far so good will probably subscribe for a few months.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

They're also available on Netflix if you use a smart DNS service.

For me, Netflix + Smart DNS service massively beets Amazon. But having them both covers more bases.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Finally gave into temptation and got a Fire TV box and it really is a lovely little unit.

Upsides: iPlayer loads almost instantaneously and is the new adaptive bandwidth version, so no stuttering and buffering plus not having to select the HD option every time. Netflix loads and is responsive in under ten seconds compared to the three minutes of three load indicators, blank screens, slow-loading images and initial sluggishness of the TiVo version. Still light on other apps but Vimeo is a good addition and Viewster has improved lately. Picture is crisper than the TiVo too.

Downside: the refresh rate is locked to either 50Hz or 60Hz across the whole device. That means there currently isn't the option for smooth 24fps movies like the TiVo offers or to show 60Hz US / 50Hz UK TV shows in their native rates. Hopefully they can fix that but as it's an Android system limitation that isn't exactly straightforward to do.

Think Virgin Media need to up their game if they're going to retain people for more than broadband.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

I have to agree. Virgin Media seem to have taken their corporate eye off the ball recently on the TV side of things. Not so long ago it was the best of the bunch. It's no longer such an easy choice. I believe Virgin Media have the technology but have lost the will to compete. I hope I'm proved wrong in the new year and a wealth of innovations appear on my TiVo.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

It's a amazing box look around on google there are ways you can sideload android apps and XBMC too.
I highly recommend Frequency from the firetv app store it is basically all your news sources in one app has videos from BBC,SKY,RT etc amongst others, also has a lot of entertaining and relaxing videos too.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Well VM do have to cover their costs. All those additional linear channels don't come cheap, and you have to ask yourself whether the channel packages are good value for money. So much junk and so few good channels worth having!

As discussed earlier, I think linear channels will not last, because streaming is going to be a cheaper option. We could get such a better choice with at less cost if we had:

A wholesale deal with Netflix and Amazon
Options to subscribe to HBO and other providers as they become available
Further options to get other providers on a PPV basis
A better 'on demand' choice with quality shows
Film and Sports channels as now
Freeview channels
Virgin Movies

This might well do the trick for a lot of people, providing better programmes at less cost. Although it would mean the loss of Sky basics and the Fox channel, the number of watchable programmes from there in a week you can count on one hand!

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Wouldn't a Youview box already nearly box that off ?

Youview already offers PVR functionality , Freeview channels , Sky Store (PPV) , Netflix , Now TV Movies , all the terrestrial players (including new iPlayer) , search across linear and all On Demand players.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Well, it's certainly getting there, MM, and I think that public demand will do the rest.

There will always be diehards who can't change or think differently, but my guess is that our viewing habits will be changed beyond recognition within a decade, let alone by 2030.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

I thought this would be the case, but I got my code today so just entered it.

My billing date was next due on 17/12/14, and am on the £6.99 package.

My account now says

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2014/12/15.png

Now to me, that isn't a money credit and will roll on for 6 months and then go back to charging me at the end of the 6th month.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

That's excellent news and a change from the previous method which was a monetary credit.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Im thinking of ditching TiVo in favour of one of these youview boxes now that they've added Netflix, does anyone know if you can change the DNS settings on the box to access USA Netflix?

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

No you can't sadly.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Yes you can ;)