Watching live TV without aerial
Discussion
On my LG smart TV I can use the BBC iPlayer app to watch live telly. There are also apps for ITV, Channel 4 and My5 although it's not easy finding live TV in those apps.
Does anyone know if there is a device or app that simulates live TV over air, with all channels accessible in one place? Looking for close experience to watching live TV over air, using the internet.
I don't have Sky/Virgin/BT sub so those are not an option.
Does anyone know if there is a device or app that simulates live TV over air, with all channels accessible in one place? Looking for close experience to watching live TV over air, using the internet.
I don't have Sky/Virgin/BT sub so those are not an option.
To my knowledge, nothing simple/external will give you the benefits of Freeview + Tv apps, without an aerial.
Rather odd in this day & age
I saw one that looked like a bit of a faff with subscriptions etc
So i’m now relying on my Tv Smart features. Going with Samsung when replacing Tvs as I like their interface & it does all I need
My aerial is good
Rather odd in this day & age
I saw one that looked like a bit of a faff with subscriptions etc
So i’m now relying on my Tv Smart features. Going with Samsung when replacing Tvs as I like their interface & it does all I need
My aerial is good
Live TV is he really only available via the different apps you've already found.
The one alternative is the new sky glass TV, and the soon to be available on its own, box that comes with it.
I assume the TV guide for that system will be the closest you'll get, assuming it shows all the TV channels available in sky, including the terrestrial, but I've not seen one to confirm
The one alternative is the new sky glass TV, and the soon to be available on its own, box that comes with it.
I assume the TV guide for that system will be the closest you'll get, assuming it shows all the TV channels available in sky, including the terrestrial, but I've not seen one to confirm
anxious_ant said:
On my LG smart TV I can use the BBC iPlayer app to watch live telly. There are also apps for ITV, Channel 4 and My5 although it's not easy finding live TV in those apps.
We got a 75" LG in at work for the rugby, which was fine on BBC but the ITV app isn't properly compatible so you could get a tiny screen up but clicking on the full screen button did nothing. 
Ran it off my laptop in the end, much easier.
sociopath said:
Live TV is he really only available via the different apps you've already found.
There's an app on the Android TV platform called Live Channels or something like that. It's been around for years, and I don't think it's seen as the future of streaming TV so has seen little development, but it's still available. It's an official Google app from what I recall.You must install any apps which offer free live tv feeds e.g. iPlayer, All4, etc etc etc
Sign into each of those apps with your relevant accounts
Open the Live Channels app and import the other apps into it
Once done you'll have a list of live channels in a more traditional tv channel guide, and can scroll up/down through channels, view a basic EPG etc
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com....
There's no guarantee it'll work with every television company, but it might do what you want.
After that the only available options are not legal.
blueST said:
Radec said:
New Chromecast maybe?
With exception of BBC, the main FTA apps don’t allow casting of live TV to a Chromecast for some unknown reason. You can cast Sky’s channels live via NowTV, but that requires a sub.You can Cast Channel 4 from any Chrome browser though, sometimes you need to request the Desktop site to stop it forcing you into the App. You also have the option of casting the device screen or the Chrome Tab as well, so plenty of options.
So yeah, you can do all the FTA channels live with the new Chromecast without any or too much hassle.
Do you actually have an aerial and your desire is basically to stream over a network and/or the internet rather than run coax cables everywhere and be able to use non-TV devices to watch TV more easily?
If so then I use a SiliconDust HDHomeRun for that. https://my.hdhomerun.com/#tab-2
You plug the aerial into that and then connect it to your network. Free to Air TV is then streamable to a wide range of clients over your network or if you want to setup VPNs and stuff then over the internet too. The experience is similar to using a regular TV. I hook it up to my Plex server which then any Plex client can use and also use the native iOS and Mac apps to watch freeview TV on my computer type devices.
If so then I use a SiliconDust HDHomeRun for that. https://my.hdhomerun.com/#tab-2
You plug the aerial into that and then connect it to your network. Free to Air TV is then streamable to a wide range of clients over your network or if you want to setup VPNs and stuff then over the internet too. The experience is similar to using a regular TV. I hook it up to my Plex server which then any Plex client can use and also use the native iOS and Mac apps to watch freeview TV on my computer type devices.
BigTZ4M said:
Do you actually have an aerial and your desire is basically to stream over a network and/or the internet rather than run coax cables everywhere and be able to use non-TV devices to watch TV more easily?
If so then I use a SiliconDust HDHomeRun for that. https://my.hdhomerun.com/#tab-2
You plug the aerial into that and then connect it to your network. Free to Air TV is then streamable to a wide range of clients over your network or if you want to setup VPNs and stuff then over the internet too. The experience is similar to using a regular TV. I hook it up to my Plex server which then any Plex client can use and also use the native iOS and Mac apps to watch freeview TV on my computer type devices.
I looked at that a few years ago, it looks like a neat setup, if a bit expensive for the benefit, but it depends how much live TV you're planning to watch I guess. Does it work well with Plex without having Plex Premium and without paying the £35 a year for DVR stuff? If so then I use a SiliconDust HDHomeRun for that. https://my.hdhomerun.com/#tab-2
You plug the aerial into that and then connect it to your network. Free to Air TV is then streamable to a wide range of clients over your network or if you want to setup VPNs and stuff then over the internet too. The experience is similar to using a regular TV. I hook it up to my Plex server which then any Plex client can use and also use the native iOS and Mac apps to watch freeview TV on my computer type devices.
If you're happy to not have it available live, but within a few hours then running a load of apps on a server to manage the procurement of your live TV and it's transit into Plex might be more useful as it needs less hardware and no wires. I spent a few hours following videos on UnRaid and can add a TV Programme or a Film from my phone, a mix of Sonarr, Radarr, Jackett, Deluge and Plex will then see new episodes arrive within a few hours of broadcast. Which for US stuff is often before the UK broadcast anyway.
Thanks for the replies all.
Cabling would be an issue due to the positioning of some of the built in furniture. Plus I have repurposed some of the aerial outlets for Ethernet points so will need to drill new holes to mount the aerial outlets. This house doesn’t come with aerial as previous owners were on Sky. There was a dish plus unsightly cables to every room which I’ve now removed.
We’ve just moved in so don’t really inclined to do this. Plus reception isn’t great where we are so would probably require a larger aerial.
I have various apps for major TV channels on the telly but shame the live TV feature is not as polished in most of them.
Not really big issue as we rarely watch live TV, but would be nice if there is something out there that can stream live TV in same manner as over the air. Niche in the market for someone I suppose? These days it makes sense to stream as more and more homes have high speed broadband.
Cabling would be an issue due to the positioning of some of the built in furniture. Plus I have repurposed some of the aerial outlets for Ethernet points so will need to drill new holes to mount the aerial outlets. This house doesn’t come with aerial as previous owners were on Sky. There was a dish plus unsightly cables to every room which I’ve now removed.
We’ve just moved in so don’t really inclined to do this. Plus reception isn’t great where we are so would probably require a larger aerial.
I have various apps for major TV channels on the telly but shame the live TV feature is not as polished in most of them.
Not really big issue as we rarely watch live TV, but would be nice if there is something out there that can stream live TV in same manner as over the air. Niche in the market for someone I suppose? These days it makes sense to stream as more and more homes have high speed broadband.
Edited by anxious_ant on Wednesday 20th April 13:01
paulrockliffe said:
I looked at that a few years ago, it looks like a neat setup, if a bit expensive for the benefit, but it depends how much live TV you're planning to watch I guess. Does it work well with Plex without having Plex Premium and without paying the £35 a year for DVR stuff?
If you're happy to not have it available live, but within a few hours then running a load of apps on a server to manage the procurement of your live TV and it's transit into Plex might be more useful as it needs less hardware and no wires. I spent a few hours following videos on UnRaid and can add a TV Programme or a Film from my phone, a mix of Sonarr, Radarr, Jackett, Deluge and Plex will then see new episodes arrive within a few hours of broadcast. Which for US stuff is often before the UK broadcast anyway.
Cheers. I will have a look at Plex. I do have spare micro server lying around somewhere which I can repurpose. If you're happy to not have it available live, but within a few hours then running a load of apps on a server to manage the procurement of your live TV and it's transit into Plex might be more useful as it needs less hardware and no wires. I spent a few hours following videos on UnRaid and can add a TV Programme or a Film from my phone, a mix of Sonarr, Radarr, Jackett, Deluge and Plex will then see new episodes arrive within a few hours of broadcast. Which for US stuff is often before the UK broadcast anyway.
anxious_ant said:
Radec said:
New Chromecast maybe?
I have a Chromecast, but disconnected it as it does run hot. It’s good for casting from laptop but I’m not aware of any live TV features?
It needs a better name!
anxious_ant said:
paulrockliffe said:
I looked at that a few years ago, it looks like a neat setup, if a bit expensive for the benefit, but it depends how much live TV you're planning to watch I guess. Does it work well with Plex without having Plex Premium and without paying the £35 a year for DVR stuff?
If you're happy to not have it available live, but within a few hours then running a load of apps on a server to manage the procurement of your live TV and it's transit into Plex might be more useful as it needs less hardware and no wires. I spent a few hours following videos on UnRaid and can add a TV Programme or a Film from my phone, a mix of Sonarr, Radarr, Jackett, Deluge and Plex will then see new episodes arrive within a few hours of broadcast. Which for US stuff is often before the UK broadcast anyway.
Cheers. I will have a look at Plex. I do have spare micro server lying around somewhere which I can repurpose. If you're happy to not have it available live, but within a few hours then running a load of apps on a server to manage the procurement of your live TV and it's transit into Plex might be more useful as it needs less hardware and no wires. I spent a few hours following videos on UnRaid and can add a TV Programme or a Film from my phone, a mix of Sonarr, Radarr, Jackett, Deluge and Plex will then see new episodes arrive within a few hours of broadcast. Which for US stuff is often before the UK broadcast anyway.
paulrockliffe said:
anxious_ant said:
Radec said:
New Chromecast maybe?
I have a Chromecast, but disconnected it as it does run hot. It’s good for casting from laptop but I’m not aware of any live TV features?
It needs a better name!
The original Chromecast(s) only did 'casting' - they didn't have android TV/Google TV.
I have this issue too and I don't have a solution. I really miss just being able to flick through Freeview, having to keep loading each individual app isn't the same.
Also I have a Samsung TV and I am unable to watch live TV through the Channel 4 app on my TV, yet I can watch it on my laptop with no issues.
I think the only solution is to fit an aerial, but we have the same issue in that I would have to rip half of the house apart to run the cable. So annoying the previous owners didn't do this before they renovated.
Also I have a Samsung TV and I am unable to watch live TV through the Channel 4 app on my TV, yet I can watch it on my laptop with no issues.
I think the only solution is to fit an aerial, but we have the same issue in that I would have to rip half of the house apart to run the cable. So annoying the previous owners didn't do this before they renovated.
Corso Marche said:
paulrockliffe said:
anxious_ant said:
Radec said:
New Chromecast maybe?
I have a Chromecast, but disconnected it as it does run hot. It’s good for casting from laptop but I’m not aware of any live TV features?
It needs a better name!
The original Chromecast(s) only did 'casting' - they didn't have android TV/Google TV.
Gassing Station | Computers, Gadgets & Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff