bc_guy

I like the options for international content (specifically BBC) on UnoTelly. I went to their official site but I don't see any physical UnoTelly device that I can connect to the TV. Or is UnoTelly just another piece of software for external devices? There's a list of setup instructions on how to get it on Roku and various smart TVs, but there doesn't seem to be a uniquely UnoTelly physical device.

SchnookoLoly

It's not a physical device, it's a DNS service. So we pay $40 for one year of service with them, and the settings are programmed right at the router, so any device behind the router (with the exception of Chromecast) gets redirected automatically... phones, computers, TVs, etc. So when I got to Netflix, it puts me in the US. When I go to BBC, it puts me in the UK. There's no changing any settings or anything, just automatically redirects. The speed is just fine (we live-streamed the Cambridge-Oxford boat race from BBC). It also works for a bucket of other services... for example, for NHL GameCentre, I can tell it I'm in, say, California, which would let me watch all the Leafs games, but only the regular season games as playoff games aren't broadcast. It also works with ITV, 4OD, Hulu, all the American TV network websites, etc.

Send me a PM if you want more details.

BristolUK

So with what you said in other posts, you're okay for BBC and ITV - presumably channel 5 too.

For 2014-15, UEFA's Champions League is on ITV and Sky (BT for 2015 onwards)

ITV should be no problem. BBC will have Match of the Day live and repeats. And you seem without the buffering issues that a lot have with BBC.

Sky can be watched (targeted) on various streaming sites.

Something like feed2all which has a list of links on 'the day' and clicking skysports will show Skysports one to four.

The quality is usually acceptable or better.

Wiziwig is usually reliable too. See the match list, click on the match and the streams listed indicate whether Flash player or something else that might need downloading, but there are plenty off flash options.

A big advantage of wiziwig is the indication of what channel is broadcasting. So you can get straight to an English commentary without clicking two or three until you get one. Or if you loathe a particular commentator, look for a different English broadcast.

When the world cup was on, I couldn't face CBC so I watched on ITV (Thanks MediaHint) and when BBC had the game I had buffering problems so I sought BBC on wiziwig. Picture quality not up to the BBC standard (still acceptable) but at least it didn't keep stopping.

The cutback I just made probably loses me about a third of the games I'd normally see on telly - including losing a choice when there are 2 or 3 games at the same time but I'm confident I can cover it by streaming.

SchnookoLoly

Ahhhh this is totally brilliant. Thank you for sharing! I'll have a look at some of it and go from there.

I agree with your statement about CBC during the world cup, btw ... they had the EPSN announcers, which was just infuriating. At least when they are broadcasting Premier League games they have the English announcers!

Jingsamichty

Good business practice. It lets you see what you're not getting.

When we went back to the UK a few years ago I signed up for Sky. When you take their box, for the first 30 days you get absolutely everything. Then, after 30 days, you have to decide what you want to 'give up'. You still see every channel on the menu list. I thought that was a smart trick. It's always harder to give something up than to have never had it.

bc_guy

I pretty much get the general idea of what it is now. I'll add its gold package to my list of subscriptions in lieu of getting a TiVo subscription, since Shaw offers free DVR services.

bc_guy

OK, I think I may have inadvertently found a Shaw-based solution to your dislike for blank screens. If you get Shaw's HD PVR, it looks like you have the option to hide the channels you don't want to see:

Why Gateway - Gateway Whole Home HDPVR - Shaw.ca

It seems like the only cost of DVR services is the one-time purchase of the equipment itself.

neilcumming

The cable tv in Canada is just a rip off.When Im home in Mexico I pay $18 a month for the local cable .It has 110 channels,its basic and does have a lot of channels in spanish of course but has Warner ,CNN,Fox,FX etc in english where you watch Big Bang ,2 an half men ,some movie channels.I get the mexican la liga and boxing and up until last year I was getting the EPL live games but someone pulled the plug on that so Im thinking of changing to Sky which is about $25 a month and has Sky Sports ,with that and Netflix for $8 its a good deal.

BristolUK

Thanks for the thought.

I think anything to do with HD ups the minimum cost and that defeats the object of going for the bare minimum.

But we've just done a list of what we have, so hopefully no more reminders of the blanks.***

Get this...my step daughter who, for two days running, watched back to back House on Netflix and then whinged about missing channels the day the change took effect, is back watching House on Netflix. Out of choice, rather than necessity.


***Funny thing....I was expecting to only have one version of each of CTV, CBC, Global etc but it seems we still have multiple versions after all. That's a bit of a surprise because they do charge extra for that and once upon a time that was an advantage worth paying for as it allowed you to watch something at different times.

So there aren't as many blank screens where most of the channel numbers are after all.

BristolUK

Just like when there only used to be one sports channel and you saw all the football broadcast on one channel. Then they'd make a second channel and spread the matches over both so you had to pay extra just to get the same service.

scrubbedexpat091

With Shaw it depends on which cable box you have, if you have one of the basic no frills box then it shows all potential channels even the ones you don't get.

The more advanced DVR's don't do this and only show the channels you subscribe to.

colchar

It is likely due to the manufacturers of the boxes (Scientific Atlanta, etc.) not bothering to incorporate that into their units.

colchar

Rogers is the same way. Then again, my TV package includes damned near every channel they offer so I don't notice it very often.

orly

From memory (painful as the memory is) of having Bell...they had a similar set up. I'm pretty sure it could be configured to show only channels we could actually watch.

Glad to be free of that waste of money though. Pushing $70 for about 10 channels that actually showed anything half decent.

orly

hockeystreams.com but you'll want to get your name on the waiting list.

No thanks required.