Video Streaming Services

[xcvator]

We are just looking at the different providers but of course every one claims to be the best.  Had "foxtel", heap of sh1t for the price.Not happy with them 

So all you great swaggers, which service do you use, which ones have you tried, the good, the bad and the ugly

[Bird]

Had "foxtel", heap of sh1t for the price.Not happy with them 

yea I didn't think foxtel could get any worse, but over recent months its just abysmal. regularly show part 1 of a show but never part 2! then not playing shows in series order let alone episode order...

everyone at work raves about Netflix.. be interested to hear what people have to say too..

[tazzi]

I have just signed up for Netflix - you get 1 mth free and can cancel any time.  I have initially accessed the Australian version but it is not difficult to 'region hop' to any of the other netflix countries if the content you want is not available here. 

I also have 6mth free Presto through Telstra.  My opinion is that Netflix is vastly superior.  About the only positive for Presto is that it is unmetered for Telstra broadband customers.  I won't be continuing with Presto once the free period is up.

Haven't really looked at Stan etc yet.

[bodgie]

Netflix can be good until you've watched all of the content you are interested in. The Movie selection is pretty ordinary in comparison to the US Netflix so I wouldn't buy it for that.

Good thing is you can cancel the subscription and move to another provider easily.

[dales133]

Ive got Stan as part of my mobile package and can broadcast to any tv with chromecast.
Its 10 bucks a month usualy and has some pretty decent stuff both old and new on it

[D4D]

I've just recontracted my BigPond broadband and it came with Telstra TV (Stan & Presto). Yet to get it but as per above, it's all about what shows are contracted to the service depending on how good/relevant it is for you.

[green troll]

Apple TV dns set to USA. For Netflix and Hulu plus. Xbox1 logged in to Aussie Netflix. What's also cool is I shared my log in details with my parents so they can also watch but not have to pay for the limited times they use it

[ScottT]

I have just signed up for Netflix - you get 1 mth free and can cancel any time.  I have initially accessed the Australian version but it is not difficult to 'region hop' to any of the other netflix countries if the content you want is not available here. 

I also have 6mth free Presto through Telstra.  My opinion is that Netflix is vastly superior.  About the only positive for Presto is that it is unmetered for Telstra broadband customers.  I won't be continuing with Presto once the free period is up.

Haven't really looked at Stan etc yet.

How do you region hop Netflix on a smart tv ?

[Bird]

How do you region hop Netflix on a smart tv ?

http://www.unblocknetflix.net/unblock-netflix-on-a-samsung-smart-tv/

lots of webpages on how to

[ScottT]

http://www.unblocknetflix.net/unblock-netflix-on-a-samsung-smart-tv/

lots of webpages on how to

Thanks bloke 

[Bird]

Thanks bloke 

or bottom of page here
http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/netflix

[ScottT]

or bottom of page here
http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/netflix

And again   

[Bird]

And again   

and in the comments at the bottom here
http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2015/06/ask-lh-can-i-switch-my-us-netflix-account-to-australia/

or https://www.unblocknetflix.co.uk/us-vs-uk-how-switch-netflix-region-change-usa-american-dns-vpn-proxy/

[ScottT]

and in the comments at the bottom here
http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2015/06/ask-lh-can-i-switch-my-us-netflix-account-to-australia/

or https://www.unblocknetflix.co.uk/us-vs-uk-how-switch-netflix-region-change-usa-american-dns-vpn-proxy/

Now you're just showing off !     

[Bird]

This could be bad.

In the coming weeks, Netflix plans to ensure that customers are only able to access the official library for the country they are currently in, not any overseas libraries they may attempt to access with technical tricks such as proxy servers and unblocking services.

While Netflix is now available in 190 countries globally, content licensing deals mean the TV shows and movies available differ by region. For example, many TV shows are available on the US version of Netflix that are shown exclusively on Foxtel in Australia. For years, paying customers have used VPNs, proxy servers and smart DNS services to trick their devices into thinking they are in a different country, thereby flitting between Netflix libraries as they please.

In a blog post, Netflix's vice president of content delivery architecture David Fullagar said that practice would soon be a thing of the past.

"To address [geo-dodging], we employ the same or similar measures other firms do. This technology continues to evolve and we are evolving with it," Fullagar said.

"That means in coming weeks, those using proxies and unblockers will only be able to access the service in the country where they currently are".

Though not currently illegal, geo-dodging is against the terms of service of most streaming services, including Netflix. Speaking to Reuters, Gartner's Brian Blau said the company had a "responsibility to content owners to only show that content in the geographies for which they have a license".

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/netflix-to-clamp-down-on-geododgers-20160114-gm6b6j.html

[tk421]

This could be bad.

I think this is being forced by content providers still trying to limit access or honour existing commitments and maintain there silos.  Once those agreements die, things should change. Netflix's stated public aim is to have a single global service:

"We look forward to offering all of our content everywhere and to consumers being able to enjoy all of Netflix without using a proxy. That's the goal we will keep pushing towards".

[wakychapmans]

This could be bad.

then they (Netflix) need to make the same programs available worldwide.

otherwise... the means to dodge their blocking protocols will start to popup really fast.

[richo9923]

For the last 5 years we have had Foxtel with all the channels, and its getting to the point where i struggle to find something that I want to watch that I've not already seen before.
We recently purchased a new TV which came with 6 months free Netflix, and I also recently upgraded my phone contract and that came with 6 months free Stan, so far I have found plenty to watch using these two services and I have book marked plenty more to watch in the future, its at the point that I have hardly turned the Foxtel on and I'm starting to talk the other half into getting rid of Foxtel or at least reducing what package we are on.

What I really like about Netflix is that I have set up two log ins on the one account, one for me and one for the MWAF and it learns what you are watching and makes suggestions based on that (we like different shows), it allows you to watch seasons in order and automatically plays the next episode.

[tk421]

For the last 5 years we have had Foxtel with all the channels, and its getting to the point where i struggle to find something that I want to watch that I've not already seen before.
We recently purchased a new TV which came with 6 months free Netflix, and I also recently upgraded my phone contract and that came with 6 months free Stan, so far I have found plenty to watch using these two services and I have book marked plenty more to watch in the future, its at the point that I have hardly turned the Foxtel on and I'm starting to talk the other half into getting rid of Foxtel or at least reducing what package we are on.

What I really like about Netflix is that I have set up two log ins on the one account, one for me and one for the MWAF and it learns what you are watching and makes suggestions based on that (we like different shows), it allows you to watch seasons in order and automatically plays the next episode.

Do it. We went from the Premium Foxtel to the basic package (we don't have a TV antennae so need the cable) and now use Netflix. Haven't missed Foxtel one bit, apart from some of the Big Sporting events but they're usually on at a pub or a mates house. I still use the On Demand Films because Netflix is a bit behind with that.

We have several profiles, one for each member of the family. So the older kids don't get inundated for Wiggles and Dora suggestions from the youngest. I'm thinking of setting another profile. Drunk Me, and Not Drunk Me to make sure I get the right suggestions.

[Bird]

For the last 5 years we have had Foxtel with all the channels, and its getting to the point where i struggle to find something that I want to watch that I've not already seen before.

everyone with Foxtel is in that boat....

[GeoffA]

everyone with Foxtel is in that boat....

yyyyyyyyyyep....

[wakychapmans]

we're like everyone else too.

we've had the Premium level Foxtel almost since it stared up in Australia...

and like everyone else, sick to death of the re-runs of re-run of old programs.

Probably unlike many here however... we've got little to no interest in the sport channels. So mid last year, we canned them.

Around the same time... we connected to Netflix and Stan.

I see Foxtel being dumped this year. Can't see the reason for it anymore.

[wakychapmans]

which service you choose will depend on what shows you like.

Stan has (most of) the Star Trek series.

Netflix has all the new Marvel shows like Daredevil and Jessica Jones, plus all their own produced series.

So, we ended up with both.

[tk421]

So, we ended up with both.

And still cheaper pcm than Foxtel basic package.... Win win.

[rokster72]

And still cheaper pcm than Foxtel basic package.... Win win.

I was going to say that... if you can Foxtel, you can have NetFlix, Stan, Presto and Quickflix and still have about 1 beer's worth of coin in your pocket... 

But beware.. with that much choice.. you end up wasting 30 mins each night deciding what to watch !