So, now that I stream most of my content, I've become adept at getting my free to air content that way as well.
What completely fucking surprised me, is that 7 Plus do not allow you to Chromecast... and yet if you go to the Free TV app, you can chromecast the same fucking channel from their app.
What fucking bullshit.
Channel 7 won't let you chromecast from their app, but the same channel, through the Free TV app, does chromecast.
What the fuck.
I cannot explain that. Either Channel 7 aren't aware of it, or their not concerned about people finding it out, or the numbers aren't big enough, or they're effectively conceding some of the market to a non-commercial partner. They may as well be giving their signal to the ABC - whose chromecast signal is FUCKING CRAP by the way...
I have no idea why the ABC steam is SO BAD. It is really really bad.
I've acknowledged before that Chomecast isn't perfect, but wholly fuck, if Foxtel and Netflix can deliver HD over Chromecast, whey the fuck can't ABC. Disappointing.
Wednesday, November 22, 2017
Participant Observations 22/11/17 - Internet Latest
So it looks like the NBN internet saga has come to an end.
After much dialogue with my NBN provider (Internode), who, by the way, were actually very amenable on the phone and in all conversations, I have a new modem, and have upgraded to a 25 down/5 up plan. So how did this all happen???
When I started experiencing poor streamlining, I contacted internode. We ran some tests, and even though they said they would trial me on a 25-5 plan, I was still experiencing issues. Testing showed I was still getting about 10-5 and picture pixellation.
An NBN technician came out. He said the modem was getting 25-5. So this was reported back to internode. It was assessed that the problem must be with the modem. My modem was under warranty, so a new modem was sent out - free of charge.
The new modem was tested. Still only getting 10-5. More phone calls with interode. It turns out that, despite saying I was on a 25-5 trial, they had coded my modem to only deliver 12-5. And I was experiencing the same issues with the new modem, which they assured me was capable of running 100-25. At one point, one of the Internode techs conceded that to run Foxtel with no latency or pixellation, you need about 1.5 upload speed - below what I had.
But even the techs at internode assured me (and sounded surprised) that my line was capable of running speeds well above what I was getting (this in and of itself indicates how bad the NBN is - even the people that sell it realise there is latency issues with the delivery, and that services may not always be delivered as advertised - more on this shortly...)
So after some more conversations, I effectively conceded that in order to get stable, HD streaming images for sport content that I want, that I needed to upgrade - or at least trial it and see if that would fix the problem. After all, Internode had effectively given me a new, better modem for free.
This is decided even though it would cost me $80 a month with the new plan (+$10 change over fee), again pushing me further back to the price I was at when I cut the cable.
However...
I am pleased to say that, over the last two days since the new plan came into effect, the internet signal has been stable, and constant HD with less latency and virtually no pixerllation. So is all good??
Well, I am still below where I was paying for satellite. It needs to be remembered that, even when I had satellite, I was still paying for NBN, at about $60 a month. And with no more satellite, I am still probably about $50 in front per month, even though I paying more for NBN.
So all in all, it was a fucking headache, but I have an upgraded modem for free, I'm pulling down as much data as I can handle, and the quality is about as good as I could hope for.
Also, as alluded to before, Internode techs on the phone are very deliberate in letting people know that they may not be able to deliver the speeds people expect - another indictment on the qaulity of the fucking Internet we have in this country - they should be pushing their speeds - not making people wary of getting their hopes up!!
Having said that, despite my best efforts, it should also be realised that Foxtel Now, no matter what speed internet I have state on their website, that linear TV is delivered at a maximum of 720HD, while on-demand shows will be in 1080HD.
As an avid sport watcher, you do notice the difference between 720 and 1080. It's not ideal. But I have HD delivered via internet, cheaper than satellite. This is my choice. This is incumbent on the government to also improve NBN.
I would hate to have been an elderly person, or someone who didn't usually speak English to have to go through all this. I fucking love my sport.
--------------
UPDATE: It's now about a week later, and the quality of the picture has been much better, with effectively no picture degradation at all. More about this in a future post (because Internode also tried to ring me about something, not sure what...)
After much dialogue with my NBN provider (Internode), who, by the way, were actually very amenable on the phone and in all conversations, I have a new modem, and have upgraded to a 25 down/5 up plan. So how did this all happen???
When I started experiencing poor streamlining, I contacted internode. We ran some tests, and even though they said they would trial me on a 25-5 plan, I was still experiencing issues. Testing showed I was still getting about 10-5 and picture pixellation.
An NBN technician came out. He said the modem was getting 25-5. So this was reported back to internode. It was assessed that the problem must be with the modem. My modem was under warranty, so a new modem was sent out - free of charge.
The new modem was tested. Still only getting 10-5. More phone calls with interode. It turns out that, despite saying I was on a 25-5 trial, they had coded my modem to only deliver 12-5. And I was experiencing the same issues with the new modem, which they assured me was capable of running 100-25. At one point, one of the Internode techs conceded that to run Foxtel with no latency or pixellation, you need about 1.5 upload speed - below what I had.
But even the techs at internode assured me (and sounded surprised) that my line was capable of running speeds well above what I was getting (this in and of itself indicates how bad the NBN is - even the people that sell it realise there is latency issues with the delivery, and that services may not always be delivered as advertised - more on this shortly...)
So after some more conversations, I effectively conceded that in order to get stable, HD streaming images for sport content that I want, that I needed to upgrade - or at least trial it and see if that would fix the problem. After all, Internode had effectively given me a new, better modem for free.
This is decided even though it would cost me $80 a month with the new plan (+$10 change over fee), again pushing me further back to the price I was at when I cut the cable.
However...
I am pleased to say that, over the last two days since the new plan came into effect, the internet signal has been stable, and constant HD with less latency and virtually no pixerllation. So is all good??
Well, I am still below where I was paying for satellite. It needs to be remembered that, even when I had satellite, I was still paying for NBN, at about $60 a month. And with no more satellite, I am still probably about $50 in front per month, even though I paying more for NBN.
So all in all, it was a fucking headache, but I have an upgraded modem for free, I'm pulling down as much data as I can handle, and the quality is about as good as I could hope for.
Also, as alluded to before, Internode techs on the phone are very deliberate in letting people know that they may not be able to deliver the speeds people expect - another indictment on the qaulity of the fucking Internet we have in this country - they should be pushing their speeds - not making people wary of getting their hopes up!!
Having said that, despite my best efforts, it should also be realised that Foxtel Now, no matter what speed internet I have state on their website, that linear TV is delivered at a maximum of 720HD, while on-demand shows will be in 1080HD.
As an avid sport watcher, you do notice the difference between 720 and 1080. It's not ideal. But I have HD delivered via internet, cheaper than satellite. This is my choice. This is incumbent on the government to also improve NBN.
I would hate to have been an elderly person, or someone who didn't usually speak English to have to go through all this. I fucking love my sport.
--------------
UPDATE: It's now about a week later, and the quality of the picture has been much better, with effectively no picture degradation at all. More about this in a future post (because Internode also tried to ring me about something, not sure what...)
Friday, November 10, 2017
Participant Observations 10/11/17 - Chromecast is a lesser viewing experience
Some observations about streaming to Chromecast over the last few months:
It's unfortunately a lesser product. I ran some tests with it, streaming sport to Foxtel Now on my laptop and to the Chromecast via the app on my tablet at the same time, and observed:
Granted, I ask a lot of my Chromecast - I stream most, if not all, of my content through it, and it's not the latest model. i expect the highest quality in terms of fidelity, and it relies on a strong WiFi signal.
And overall, in the longer run, I don't think the Chromecast is the optimal way to watch content, especially sports content. It's been a good way for me to get OTT content onto my television, and it's basically forced me into realising that my internet plan was probably inadequate for what I need, but I think it is soon to become obsolete.
Players in the OTT space are working on ways to get content to consumers directly - either through building apps into software (i.e., my smart TV came with Netflix and YouTube installed), or making them increasingly available in app marketplaces, or by building specific devices to replace it (i.e., the Foxtel Now STU).
There will always be a place for it, especially for those apps that haven't been able to achieve one of the other solutions, and I may need to buy a newer model that can handle better speeds and deliver a better picture, but ultimately it is a lesser way to get content via the internet.
It's unfortunately a lesser product. I ran some tests with it, streaming sport to Foxtel Now on my laptop and to the Chromecast via the app on my tablet at the same time, and observed:
- Latency: The Chromecast runs about 15 seconds behind the online portal.
- Instability: This may be the fault of the app, but I have had the signal drop out once or twice going to the Chromecast, especially when streaming NBA
- More vulnerable: The signal to the Chromecast is a lot more likely to pixelate or drop off if I start running other screens and apps.
Granted, I ask a lot of my Chromecast - I stream most, if not all, of my content through it, and it's not the latest model. i expect the highest quality in terms of fidelity, and it relies on a strong WiFi signal.
And overall, in the longer run, I don't think the Chromecast is the optimal way to watch content, especially sports content. It's been a good way for me to get OTT content onto my television, and it's basically forced me into realising that my internet plan was probably inadequate for what I need, but I think it is soon to become obsolete.
Players in the OTT space are working on ways to get content to consumers directly - either through building apps into software (i.e., my smart TV came with Netflix and YouTube installed), or making them increasingly available in app marketplaces, or by building specific devices to replace it (i.e., the Foxtel Now STU).
There will always be a place for it, especially for those apps that haven't been able to achieve one of the other solutions, and I may need to buy a newer model that can handle better speeds and deliver a better picture, but ultimately it is a lesser way to get content via the internet.
Participant Observations 10/11/2017 - Foxtel Now Set-top Box
So as was announced in the press yesterday, Fotel have launched the Foxtel Now Set Top Box:
http://www.mediaweek.com.au/foxtel-now-hd-box/
Some quick hits:
But I think, as originally mentioned, the launch of the product makes me think that Foxtel should be seeing OTT plays as a legitimate part of their business.
Now, if they would only put some time and energy into fixing their app...
http://www.mediaweek.com.au/foxtel-now-hd-box/
Some quick hits:
- Firstly, it suggests that Foxtel are finally getting real about delivering an OTT service.
- Some important questions present themsevles from a consumer perspective. Can it deliver full true Ultra HD live streams of sport, with little to no latency, no pixellation, and a stable signal? It says it can deliver 4K for compatible apps, but what are the apps and does this apply to it's own channels?
- What does it need to work in terms of optimal internet speeds?
- $99 seems like a reasonable price, but I'm not too sure the benefit over the ways I'm already getting the service, such as through Chromecast or by connecting the television as a computer monitor and running the app online through my PC. If it's just a glorified Chromecast dongle, then I don't think there will be much benefit. And is a newer version and/or a reduced price model going to be released in, say, 6 months time, it's probably worh waiting for a while to see what happens.
But I think, as originally mentioned, the launch of the product makes me think that Foxtel should be seeing OTT plays as a legitimate part of their business.
Now, if they would only put some time and energy into fixing their app...
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