Sky has to go, what to replace it with and how to get films?
Discussion
Having done my sums the Sky HD box has to go. We're currently paying £50 a month, rarely have time to watch the films we pay through the nose for and barely touch the sides of the amount of channels on offer.
What I ideally want is a digital service with a good selection of channels but the one thing I am going to really miss is the Box Office film service which is really handy. My current set up is;
TV - Panasonic TX P42S10B
Blu-ray - Panasonic SA BT735
Having done a bit of research Freesat seems like a way forward but is it the best of the free digital services? I also like the reviews for the Humax FOXSAT HDR which would replace the Sky HD Box. Is there something that's better? Is this going to be replaced imminently?
What I can't find a solution for though is replicating the Box Office service. Initially I thought I could just download on my computer and link this to the TV but in this day and age I'd prefer something a bit more slick. My computer is an Apple Macbook so I looked at the Apple TV which initially looked good but it seems very restricted compared to the US version. Also, I know my blu-ray can connect to the internet but can it link to any film sites for downloading?
I'd really appreciate your thoughts on this as I'm a bit out of touch with what's available having been a Sky fanboy for too many years.
PS - Virgin's a no no as I'm in a new build and they've not installed it in my road.
PPS - I've thought of these DVD rental clubs but I'm no good at planning and need something to be available when I get a rare chance to relax for a few hours
Thanks in advance
What I ideally want is a digital service with a good selection of channels but the one thing I am going to really miss is the Box Office film service which is really handy. My current set up is;
TV - Panasonic TX P42S10B
Blu-ray - Panasonic SA BT735
Having done a bit of research Freesat seems like a way forward but is it the best of the free digital services? I also like the reviews for the Humax FOXSAT HDR which would replace the Sky HD Box. Is there something that's better? Is this going to be replaced imminently?
What I can't find a solution for though is replicating the Box Office service. Initially I thought I could just download on my computer and link this to the TV but in this day and age I'd prefer something a bit more slick. My computer is an Apple Macbook so I looked at the Apple TV which initially looked good but it seems very restricted compared to the US version. Also, I know my blu-ray can connect to the internet but can it link to any film sites for downloading?
I'd really appreciate your thoughts on this as I'm a bit out of touch with what's available having been a Sky fanboy for too many years.
PS - Virgin's a no no as I'm in a new build and they've not installed it in my road.
PPS - I've thought of these DVD rental clubs but I'm no good at planning and need something to be available when I get a rare chance to relax for a few hours
Thanks in advance
I have a Humax Fox2 HD for recording whatever HD films come up on the 4 HD channels, to watch later on my projector (my TV is too small/too far away to really show the difference). It's great for just timeshifting other SD programs too of course. I also use Blockbuster online 3 disc deal for my BluRays: It's £15 a month and I get through about 12-15 discs a month in winter so only £1-1.50 per film. As I'm not into sport apart from F1, then this seems to satisfy my requirements over getting Sky.
Ungarsee said:
bobthemonkey said:
What blu ray player do you have?
Blu-ray - Panasonic SA BT735For on demand movies, I'd look at either an Apple TV (more expensive per movie, but no monthly fees and very slick) or a box that can do something like Lovefilm. Personally, you can't go far wrong with a PS3. While you'll duplicate the BR side of things, the PS3 has probably the most complete on demand library available today short of building a Home Theatre PC.
To expand, the PS3 can access Lovefilm (for a few £/month) BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, 4OD, Demand 5 out of the box. More services like Vudu and Netflix should be supported on their UK launch.
Edited by bobthemonkey on Monday 17th January 20:58
Ungarsee said:
Having done my sums the Sky HD box has to go. We're currently paying £50 a month, rarely have time to watch the films we pay through the nose for and barely touch the sides of the amount of channels on offer.
You seem to be complaining about not watching the movies, so why are you paying for them? Then you're paying more on top for sky box office, but you don't watch the other movie channels? Why not phone sky see what they can do for you? £50 is a lot, cancel the movies, cancel anything else you aren't watching and keep standard sky, supplement with a lovefilm subscription.
You're contemplating £300 on a PVR to replace sky, £300 will cover more than a year of standard sky subscription.
Ungarsee said:
A few people have mentioned the PS3 now so going to have to stop ignoring it. Will any model of PS3 do or do I need a more recent model? I'm not much of a gamer (bar a few retro models) so film streaming will be main function
Any will do. but do for the newer, slim model (that should be all anyone stocks). Edited by Ungarsee on Monday 17th January 21:01
Two things to be mindful of;
1) They don't some with a traditional candybar remote control but one is available.
2) Universal IR remotes don't work with them as there is no onboard IR, just RF.
Logitech do an IR adapter for their Harmony line. Best bought with a new Harmony Remote (amazing bits of kit, once you take the time to set them up) for a decent saving.
That being said, dobbo makes a crushingly valid point.
Edited by bobthemonkey on Monday 17th January 21:19
The humax one I was looking at was nearer £200 and by signing up to freesat there's no more subscription so it will pay for itself over time. If I stay with sky whatever happens I'll be forking out a monthly subscription and that's what I want to get away from. With regards to films, I just like the idea of being able to sit down, have a look what's available and nit be constrained by set start times
But in 10 months I'll have paid £200 which is the cost of the PVR. I like box office but the choice is very limited to what's out now so what about when I fancy an older film?
I appreciate all the comments but I've thought through all the scenarios of keeping sky as it's the easiest option but it still doesn't tick all the boxes.
Anyone with any other streaming / downloading options that havent been mentioned?
I appreciate all the comments but I've thought through all the scenarios of keeping sky as it's the easiest option but it still doesn't tick all the boxes.
Anyone with any other streaming / downloading options that havent been mentioned?
Ungarsee said:
A few people have mentioned the PS3 now so going to have to stop ignoring it. Will any model of PS3 do or do I need a more recent model? I'm not much of a gamer (bar a few retro models) so film streaming will be main function
If you don't want it for games then look at Sony Blu Ray players. We have just bought a Sony BDP-S370, seems highly regarded from the reviews I have read, and the picture is stunning. It also has on-line access to Lovefilm.com, iPlayer and You Tube, and it only cost £99. Although this might have gone up now due to the end of the Sony VAT offer and the VAT rise. But, it will still be a lot cheaper than a PS3.Edited by Ungarsee on Monday 17th January 21:01
Ungarsee said:
Anyone with any other streaming / downloading options that havent been mentioned?
I typicaly download (via bittorents etc) media to my pc and watch it streamed to the xbox. Online streaming/vod stuff in NZ is quite limited and tv is pretty crap, sky is a lot less value too.Ungarsee said:
Just thinking, the obvious solution would be a Freesat PVR box that links into lovefilm etc like the Sony bluray / PS3. Are there any that do this or any on the horizon?
Nothing at the moment. Humax may put out a new box this year, but that's just going on average product cycles.Gassing Station | Home Cinema & Hi-Fi | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff