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Streaming Services (What are you using?)

pigoo3

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Hey folks. Was wondering what sort of entertainment streaming services everyone is using (if using)...and if there are some really good free/low cost services out there that we should check out.

Currently I mostly use Netflix, Amazon Prime video, and I've explored a bunch of free services (but most have been disappointing due to limited content or most of the content is really really old and of poor quality).

What is everyone using? Would be great hear about some new stuff to explore!:)

Thanks,

- Nick
 
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I also use both Netflix and Amazon Prime video. I am also interested in knowing what others use for home streaming use. I'm leaning towards Hulu, right now.
 
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pigoo3

pigoo3

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Hulu is another decent pay/month option...but when I browse the Hulu library...doesn't seem all that much different than Netflix & Amazon Prime video. Like most of these services Hulu will have some "teaser" content (interesting new releases)...but after you watch them...then it's similar to Netfilix/Amazon.

- Nick
 
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I live in Thailand where Netflix became available a few years back. The offerings are not as extensive as in the US, but plenty to watch. I tried the local (to Asia) iFlix, but it didn't end up having much I wanted to see. I tried Amazon Prime Video, but when I found that one of the shows I really wanted to watch (The Man In The High Castle) was "not available in your area" I dumped Amazon. Neither Hulu nor CBS All Access is available here.

So, for now, it's just Netflix for us. I'm very happy to pay for my entertainment. But, if they won't sell it to me….
 

chscag

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Why not use a VPN which would give you the ability to be anywhere you wish? Many folks who live in countries outside of the US use a VPN so that they can have access to those movies and shows which normally are only available to US residents.
 
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Using a VPN to defeat geographic licensing restrictions is no less a form of piracy than downloading from a bit torrent site. Either way, you're stealing.
 

chscag

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There might be some licensing restrictions, although I believe most restrictions in certain areas are usually due to censorship. Besides, if you pay for something how can that be classified as piracy? A bit torrent site is different in that a person downloads a movie, software, etc, in order to avoid payment.

Our forums actually restrict certain IP address groups because of the amount of spam and illegal activity that's generated from those areas. We often receive email from individuals from those areas who ask why they can't register. Most are ex-pats like yourself living abroad. Our recommendation to them is to access our forums via a VPN. I know that's different from our initial discussion but thought I'd mention it.

Anyway, the choice to use a VPN is up to you. It was only a suggestion.
 
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Besides, if you pay for something how can that be classified as piracy?

Here's how. Let's say Netflix licenses a show from the BBC called "Crown of Thrones", but the license only allows Netflix to make the show available to its US customers. BBC also licenses "Crown of Thrones" to iFlix which is licensed to make it available to its customers in Thailand and Malaysia.

You live in Thailand and subscribe to Netflix but are unhappy that "Crown of Thrones" is not available to you. So, you use a VPN to "pretend" you are in the US. But, in doing so you have deprived iFlix of the opportunity to sell the show to you, a licensing right that it paid for. Maybe you don't see that as theft, but I'm sure iFlix would feel differently about it because you have, in effect, stolen from them the right to make a sale.

And, yes, I do use a VPN both for privacy and to get around some of the draconian censorship imposed by the current Thai military junta.

(And, BTW, I had to use a VPN to post this reply. No idea why.)
 
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I'm not a great TV watcher, but do rarely use Amazon but only because I have a Prime subscription.

Without that I doubt I'd use it at all.
 

Rod


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I use a VPN to access Australian news content because it is blocked for censorship reasons in Indonesia. I also use it for security reasons eg online banking and email. Indonesia blocks quite a lot of news services and I'm using it now for obvious reasons.
What I am watching is free to air content in Australia so I'm not stealing anyone's revenue.


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IWT


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None!

Which is probably a sad reflection on my wife and me.

It's not the subscription cost, it's not the lack of availability of services or providers. We just know that in a world of almost unlimited choice, we'd never find the time/energy/patience to watch even a tiny fraction of what's on offer.

On the other hand, we do lead a very happy, adventurous and rewarding life - or so we feel.:smile

Ian
 

Rod


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There is a form of Netflix here but it's highly censored and you need to be Indonesian to subscribe. Telkomsel provides a package called IndiHome which we do have but it only allows access to Amazon and Hulu via subscription. I have a MiBox which gives me access to You Tube via VPN and the Australian content previously mentioned. Other than that I would be limited to bootleg DVD's.


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Rod


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I might add there are only bootleg DVD's here. So Aussie content which is fine is about all we watch. SBS has great European movies and documentaries and You Tube has pretty much everything else.


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Funny, I was thinking of just a thread like this while sleeping.

The main paid accounts I use are:
-Netflix(free with Tmobile),
-Amazon Prime,
-Hulu(free with Spotify account),
-Spotify,
-2 streaming boxes that I don't want to name :)

My cable and internet bill last month was $19X.XX. This month, it will be $45. Cut the cable and internet after WOW kept increasing the monthly prices. Now, I just have "internet".
 
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pigoo3

pigoo3

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Thanks Iggi.:)

If you "cut the cable & internet"...how/where are you getting internet for $45...and what sort of speed plan does that $45 plan have (upload/download)?

Thanks,

- Nick
 
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Thanks Iggi.:)

If you "cut the cable & internet"...how/where are you getting internet for $45...and what sort of speed plan does that $45 plan have (upload/download)?

Thanks,

- Nick

I guess I kind of misspoke. I cut my current service and got completely new service, but still have internet. My old internet was 100mbps up/10 down. My new one is exactly the same, though usual readings are around 130down/12up. 12 month price lock through Spectrum, which I never though I would go with, but I would rather have a gun to my head than pay another month of $190. Now it's just 44.99 after tax.

What REALLLLLYYY ticked me off was that I called WOW 4 times to ask for a price reduction. I had asked because new customers can get bundled service for $70. They said no repeatedly. When I called the 5th time, which was after I had already activated my new service, I told them I needed to terminate my services. They would NOT stop begging me to stay. They kept saying they were willing to help and all that jumbo. I told them too late and that I don't need their service to remove my existing line. Now I get their "basic" cable for free until my old cable line dissolves.
 
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...What REALLLLLYYY ticked me off was that I called WOW 4 times to ask for a price reduction. I had asked because new customers can get bundled service for $70. They said no repeatedly. When I called the 5th time, which was after I had already activated my new service, I told them I needed to terminate my services. They would NOT stop begging me to stay. They kept saying they were willing to help and all that jumbo. I told them too late and that I don't need their service to remove my existing line. Now I get their "basic" cable for free until my old cable line dissolves.

I get it. I live in an area that the cable services have not reached. I am stuck with over-the-air, DirectTV, Dish, or an internet based service. With 1.7MB internet speeds that pretty much eliminates internet based. I had DirectTV for years until I went through several refurbished receivers and they refused to upgrade me to the newest one that offered more recording options - unless I wanted tp pay $399. My bill kept going up and I had a receiver that had to be replaced every few weeks.

I called Dish and they gave me a better deal. Needless to say, when I called to cancel DirectTV all of a sudden I could have the newest receiver for free!! And they would give me a reduced monthly rate for a year. I told them it was too late.

I still have Dish which also streams Netflixs and YouTube. When the newest receivers came out I called and asked for one. They sent it for free. Yes, I am renting the receiver but when it breaks they fix it.

With little options in my rural area I am happy with what Dish offers.

Lisa
 
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Besides, if you pay for something how can that be classified as piracy?


I was wondering the same thing myself.


- Patrick
======
 
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@lclev
I had DirectTV for years until I went through several refurbished receivers and they refused to upgrade me to the newest one that offered more recording options - unless I wanted tp pay $399. My bill kept going up and I had a receiver that had to be replaced every few weeks.

That sounds almost like a "Pay As You Go" plan!!! :Smirk:



- Patrick
======
 
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pigoo3

pigoo3

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I guess I kind of misspoke. I cut my current service and got completely new service, but still have internet. My old internet was 100mbps up/10 down. My new one is exactly the same, though usual readings are around 130down/12up. 12 month price lock through Spectrum, which I never though I would go with, but I would rather have a gun to my head than pay another month of $190. Now it's just 44.99 after tax.

Good deal...understand now. Good that your internet speed is the same...then you notice no decreased internet quality.:)

What REALLLLLYYY ticked me off was that I called WOW 4 times to ask for a price reduction. I had asked because new customers can get bundled service for $70. They said no repeatedly. When I called the 5th time, which was after I had already activated my new service, I told them I needed to terminate my services. They would NOT stop begging me to stay. They kept saying they were willing to help and all that jumbo. I told them too late and that I don't need their service to remove my existing line. Now I get their "basic" cable for free until my old cable line dissolves.

I went thru EXACTLY the same thing in the past 6 months. Was complaining to my former internet/cable TV provider about all the price increases. I contacted them FOUR times in 6 months.

- 1st time they lowered the price a little (they applied some sort of special offers).
- 2nd time no cost decrease...but bumped me up to the next speed level of internet service.
- 3rd time...nothing offered (no price decrease, premium channels that expired not offered again, no internet speed bump).
- 4th time (now paying 30% more than I was paying 6 months earlier)...with no additional services. They wouldn't do anything but say "sorry.

Next day I called up a competitor cable/internet company that had been bugging me for over a year to switch...and switched.

Now I have:

- A lot more TV channels.
- 3 premium channels (which is really like about 20+ premium channels).
- Telephone (VOIP which I don't use).
- Gigabit Internet (about 850Mbps download/850Mbps upload).

All for about $10 more/month than I was paying with the previous company. Current deal I have is locked in for 3 years.:)

- Nick
 

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