Cutting the cord

[MickMcGeough]

Originally Posted by ken0042

How is that better? I ask just because I'm trying to understand the reasoning. As you state, you are getting 3 channels you want for $18; as opposed to 2 channels you want for $20.

Yeah that's the point I was trying to make. It's not really better. It's the same (so far).

Originally Posted by ken0042

It's like your favourite pizza place now also selling fish. If you don't want fish, don't order it.

It's more like, your favourite pizza place also sells fish, and you can't just order pizza. If you want a $5 pepperoni & mushroom pizza, you have to order the "Sicilian Under the Sea Stone Oven" package for $40, and it comes with mussels, baked trout, a tuna steak, sea bass, crab cakes, and shrimp.

And, you're allergic to seafood, like I'm allergic to TLC.

[Jimmy Stang]

Bell was recently told that they couldn't make their own "mobile TV" app exempt from data caps. Essentially they had to treat data as data, whether it be for Netflix or for their own service.

Of course, they're appealing:

The CRTC gave Bell until April 29 to change its pricing plans, but the company intends to file for an injunction that would stop the requirement from coming into force, according to a spokesperson.

In its ruling in January, the CRTC said Bell — along with Quebec telecom Videotron — “were giving certain unlawful preferences to their mobile TV services.”

Link: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/02...n_6736348.html


Another example of how the vertically integrated companies are protecting their cable model - this time with the help of their mobile phone wing of the company. I believe that the other players also want to make their streaming services (Crave, Shomi) exempt from home internet caps. Hopefully net neutrality is preserved in the end, but it could get messy.

[MotoRacer]

Originally Posted by 1_Flames_Fan

Just switched over to a local rural internet company that offers unlimited bandwidth at 9 mbps. Does anyone know if that will be enough to stream HD video?

Which company? Are you finding the speeds consistent or is the advertised 9mbs a peak that only achieved rarely?

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

Bell was recently told that they couldn't make their own "mobile TV" app exempt from data caps. Essentially they had to treat data as data, whether it be for Netflix or for their own service.

Of course, they're appealing:



Link: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/02...n_6736348.html


Another example of how the vertically integrated companies are protecting their cable model - this time with the help of their mobile phone wing of the company. I believe that the other players also want to make their streaming services (Crave, Shomi) exempt from home internet caps. Hopefully net neutrality is preserved in the end, but it could get messy.

Yep, if you go to the Shomi site and look at their supported devices, it states that watching the service through your cable box won't count against your data cap

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by MickMcGeough

And, you're allergic to seafood, like I'm allergic to TLC.

Haha. TLC and Slice were the two major battle grounds I had with the wife before cutting the cord. They are easily her favourite mindless on in the background dumb channels.

[kermitology]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

Yep, if you go to the Shomi site and look at their supported devices, it states that watching the service through your cable box won't count against your data cap

We should be WAAAY more upset about this.

[1_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by MotoRacer

Which company? Are you finding the speeds consistent or is the advertised 9mbs a peak that only achieved rarely?

I'm in the Medicine Hat area and they only have a few towers around here, its eidnet. Speed seems to be a peak of 9mbs, not constant. average is around 3-4.

[MickMcGeough]

nm

[1_Flames_Fan]

After playing around with a mag250 emulator on my fire TV over the weekend I'm fairly convinced this is the future of and represents the best value for live TV for cord cutters. Private IPtv is still in its infancy and its legality is questionable. It's all streaming and not downloading or distributing so I think in Canada it might still be legal, but I'm no lawyer.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by 1_Flames_Fan

After playing around with a mag250 emulator on my fire TV over the weekend I'm fairly convinced this is the future of and represents the best value for live TV for cord cutters. Private IPtv is still in its infancy and its legality is questionable. It's all streaming and not downloading or distributing so I think in Canada it might still be legal, but I'm no lawyer.

Nothing questionable about it. I'm no a lawyer either but it's not legal. Not that I have any particular problem with that, but let's not kid ourselves here.
I tried to test out that emu, just because. Could not get it to work at all (on OUYA).

[cam_wmh]

is www.sling.com blocked in:
Canada?
Internationally?


I proxied in via USA. What motivates them (Amazon) to restrict access outside of the USA? (or perhaps threatening them)

Amazon CloudFront distribution is configured to block access from your country.

[EldrickOnIce]

Same as Netflix or regular provider restrictions.
Content in any country is controlled by that country. Sling would have to provide different content in Canada, like Netflix.

[DoubleK]

Looking for a recommendation for an Indoor OTA antenna for a concrete apartment building in Kensington.

I get better signals with my $10 XS Cargo antenna in Silverado and am at least twice as far away from the source.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

Looking for a recommendation for an Indoor OTA antenna for a concrete apartment building in Kensington.

I get better signals with my $10 XS Cargo antenna in Silverado and am at least twice as far away from the source.

Concrete building can be tough, depending on orientation.
I tested several indoor antennas before going outdoor (brick home).
I did not find much, if any, value with amplified over passive.
This one was as good as any, but I really could not say if this work work in a concrete building.
http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/reviews/...8bfd536ab5en21

Amazon has available here
http://www.amazon.ca/Digiwave-BMX-HD...words=digiwave

My Father-in-law built this one one afternoon (used the bottom of an aluminum pan instead of tinfoil and cardboard), and it gets fantastic reception from the window of their concrete condo - and actually doesn't look so bad! But your results could certainly vary - he has a window facing the right direction.
http://www.htpc-diy.com/2012/04/diy-...ndow-hdtv.html

Good Luck! Very happily cord free

[MickMcGeough]

HBO Now launches today (US): https://order.hbonow.com/

[HotHotHeat]

I've been looking at HBO Now.

This is key:

“New episodes of original programming and theatrical films will become available on HBO NOW at the same time that they premier on HBO. Live programming has a delay on HBO NOW just like on HBO GO, but is added as quickly as possible, usually within hours of broadcast.”

I can live with that. How often is live content on HBO? Bill Maher, John Oilver... Boxing...

The next question is whether DNS services will support it. No shortage of demand in the support sections of their websites today.

[Superflyer]

Originally Posted by HotHotHeat

I've been looking at HBO Now.

This is key:

“New episodes of original programming and theatrical films will become available on HBO NOW at the same time that they premier on HBO. Live programming has a delay on HBO NOW just like on HBO GO, but is added as quickly as possible, usually within hours of broadcast.”

I can live with that. How often is live content on HBO? Bill Maher, John Oilver... Boxing...

The next question is whether DNS services will support it. No shortage of demand in the support sections of their websites today.

Also it says that it is only available with an ITunes account or with a service provider. I am guessing that a US service provider is out of the question but I am also assuming that you will need a US itunes account.

[fredr123]

http://www.iphoneincanada.ca/how-to/...bo-now-canada/

I've found this to be a helpful blog for those of us with Apple products, specifically iPhones, in Canada. As of the time of that blog post, if you had an American iTunes account and a properly configured VPN, you could watch HBO Now from Canada.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by MickMcGeough

HBO Now launches today (US): https://order.hbonow.com/

For $15/mo, which I'm assuming they'll charge you in US dollars. So it's more expensive to get HBO by itself than by purchasing the movie package with HBO in it on your cable subscription, that's a fail

EDIT: not that it even matters as I see now it's not available in Canada

[fredr123]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

For $15/mo, which I'm assuming they'll charge you in US dollars. So it's more expensive to get HBO by itself than by purchasing the movie package with HBO in it on your cable subscription, that's a fail

EDIT: not that it even matters as I see now it's not available in Canada

Assuming you have cable already. And if you do, you probably also have access to HBO Go or the equivalent here in Canada.

For cord cutters, HBO Now is a legal option to access HBO and some of the most illegally downloaded shows in history. It's HBO trying to get into an untapped market and turn some of those illegal downloads into revenue. Hopefully something similar becomes available in Canada soon (although I am not holding my breath Corus Entertainment).