TV Streaming

We have been looking at upgrading our Sky Q box to Sky Stream, but are finding it very different in the way it works, not sure my DH could cope with the changes.
I've had to write a list of differences, just to get it clear in my mind, never mind his!
It's all very confusing 😱

MayBee70
Is your smart tv up and running with a remote?
If that’s a yes, look for a symbol that looks like a house.
Press that and all the streaming services will come up.
Press the one you want to join.
Instructions will come up to join.
You might find this easier to do on your iPad.
Or, there is probably a button for Netflix and Prime already on the remote.
The only thing you have to remember is that you don’t have to rush, you can take as long as you need

We use sky and record everything and it worked brilliantly if a little expensively, but they are gradually fading this out and switching to streaming. Excellent when it works but as we live in a rural area and our download speed is ridiculously slow, we just sit there buffering! Fibre is now being laid in our village, so we can only hope!

I finally gave up using my old tech - VHS - a while ago as I was watching stuff I'd recorded ages before. I binned the old tapes and decided to watch live or on catch up services on my laptop. My DD went to live in Dubai and left me her fire stick giving me increased flexibility. I could even use it on her Netflix account though I didn't bother. Then a month ago she returned to the UK and this weekend took away much of her stuff that's been stored in my house, including her TV and said fire stick. As she was packing it all up I remembeed I had intended to watch one program on Netflix recommended by GNetters about American prisoners making quilts. It's since been recommended by a number of friends but I hadn't yet watched.! So annoying! I don't have a Netflix account of my own and rarely watched except when she was home and used it herself. I need to find a friend with an account who fancies watching with me! I still have an old Humax but only used it as a 'set top box' for an old analogue TV in my bedroom but sadly that won't help me now.

I pay approx £40 a year for itvx premium which automatically cuts out all the adverts when watching catch- up. Brilliant and cheaper and quicker than messing about recording stuff.

Snowbell does this cut out adverts. on ALL streamed station. I use U a great deal as many of the programmes I enjoy (Classic DOctors, Classic Casualty, etc) are on there.

Franbern
The payment for ad free is only for ITVX.

What is a Humax box please? I have never heard of it.

We have Sky Glass, with no recording facilities, but you just speak to it nice and clearly and the programme pops up.

Humax make freeview and freesat set top boxes, both have the capacity to record programmes.
We had a Humax freesat box for years as we live in a dead spot and couldn't receive much via the aerial. We now have a tv with a built in satellite tuner.

I have used a Humax for years and have no reason to stop. I can record up to 4 programmes at a time and can see my list of recordings easily. I don't like the buffering which often happens on the players. Because my TV is old I can't get ITVX on it either, and can't be bothered to watch on my laptop.
If it ain't broke don't fix it is my philosophy!
Humax recorders

I am one of those sad people who buy a TV magazine from the supermarket and when I get it home I go through and circle the programmes I want to watch and set them all to record for the week. Often they are in a series which the Humax sets. Having everything recorded is useful for skipping ads and also catching the end of things when I have dozed off!

Humax still make Freeview boxes, but they no longer make Freesat boxes. Also, you can no longer access All 4 and ITV X via Freesat.

I was unaware that Humax no longer do freesat boxes. My samsung television has an inbuilt satellite tuner and the logo is the same as the freesat logo I had via the set top box. I have access to all the terrestrial streaming services. BBC, ITV X, All4, channel 5 etc.

Going back to franbern's original question about buffering. Have you tried the wired route using ethernet cables. You'll probably need to ask your son in law about whether it would help.

I agree with Minimoon.
My TV buffers as the wifi fluctuates, so we've now wired it in to the router using an ethernet cable and an extender plug. Much better.
Unfortunately you have to buy new tech frequently nowadays as its out of date before you plug it in

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Silverbrooks we were Cinema Paradiso members for a while but it worked out really expensive for us.
Before that there was another by-mail "world cinema type" company that was terrific and not so expensive... can't remember what it was called.

Just loved this "sort of" relevant article though - thought you might like it:

www.theguardian.com/film/2024/apr/15/uk-video-rental-shops

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