Can I dump sat dish and watch tv via internet.

[Casper46]

We are thinking of doing without a sat dish on our next MH. I have read postings about tv via internet. I know that I can watch tv programmes on my iPad but can I watch them on my TV set, if so how?
Please.

 

[David and Sally]

Good question. We have a WiFi dongle with a monthly limit of 40gb. (. I think) so are considering a Firestick.

 

[DBK]

I've been using a Chromecast dongle for the last few days down in breezy Cornwall. It works well but does need a WiFi connection - which we have in the MH from a broadband router.

 

[sallylillian]

As outlined by DBK
Sim card based router or tether to your phone a Firetv stick, my preference although I have both. Get a HDMI pc monitor with vesa mounting, and you have streamed TV. I did exactly that in my Morelo.

Much cheaper than Satalite more versatile. The Firetv enables reduced data use to circa 300mb per hour of tv, so practical abroad for even constrained roaming allowances.

 

[2657]

It is possible to watch tv direct from wifi connection on a smart tv.
We use this method using phone as hotspot and mifi with an LG TV, I believe smart TV's using the Android system are more versatile regarding downloading apps to the TV.
I do not know if 12 volt smart TVs are available, if they are will probably be expensive.

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[Phill D]

I use fire stick tethering to phone or pad. But at the moment still carry a portable satellite dish for those places where there is little or no signal and there are many.
Also, Internet TV it is only cheaper than satellite if you buy a roof mounted self search dish.
A simple sat dish on its own is extremely flexible and by far the cheapest option. But I will agree its not everyone's cup of tea.

 

[2657]

As outlined by DBK
Sim card based router or tether to your phone a Firetv stick, my preference although I have both. Get a HDMI pc monitor with vesa mounting, and you have streamed TV. I did exactly that in my Morelo.
View attachment 500364
Much cheaper than Satalite more versatile. The Firetv enables reduced data use to circa 300mb per hour of tv, so practical abroad for even constrained roaming allowances.

How does the firetv work, is it free to use after purchase?
I am mainly interested in the reduced data usage, we are in the EU most of the year.
Streaming direct works ok except we can't watch ITV live, which is no great loss most of the time!
Streaming iplayer in standard definition uses about 800 Mb/hour.

 

[Mr porky]

We didn’t even have on fitted, we use data and a fire stick plus we get standard tv with an aerial.
If we are ever in an area with no terrestrial tv or mobile data coverage we watch a dvd.

 

[funflair]

We have the Avtex smart TV, then we have an omnidirectional aerial that gets us digital TV around most of the UK, we also have 100gb of data per month from a Huawei router that gives us catch up TV streaming, we can use this to watch UK TV while abroad and the aerial in the UK with Freeview gives a good TV guide and watch from the start option (data required).

We chose this on a new van over the factory satellite option and I would not go back.

 

[sallylillian]

How does the firetv work, is it free to use after purchase?
I am mainly interested in the reduced data usage, we are in the EU most of the year.
Streaming direct works ok except we can't watch ITV live, which is no great loss most of the time!
Streaming iplayer in standard definition uses about 800 Mb/hour.

It's free to buy and use but you will need subscriptions to netflix, prime etc, sign into other terrestrial (bbc, etc) streaming. You need to set the low data use on the stick settings and in Netflix settings and maybe others. You need to check which use their own and override the stick. Go online and review.

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[dunnah01]

We rarely use the satellite in the UK as we can generally get Freeview through maxview roof aerial or stream via firestick on our unlimited data pack. When on mainland Europe the satellite allows us to watch Freesat without any data worries although our current SIM doesn't seem to be roaming limited.

 

[Speve]

There seems to be lot dumping but I’m leaving ours on for use in Spain when we can get back down there as it’s always a good back up if running out of data

 

[Gellyneck]

Satellite Snipe 2 by far and away the most reliable and cheapest option for us as we regularly tour Northern \ Western Scotland where 5g nil, 4g nearly nil, 3g now and again and 2g OK.
Terrestrial TV also questionable in a number of areas.

 

[Langtoftlad]

My impression is that a roof mounted satellite system is very expensive [1000's?]

I'd be thinking that a firestick + good data package would suffice in the majority of cases and be a lot cheaper.
I wouldn't stream films but download in advance them & playback via USB stick or similar.
And if travelling on the rare occasion to where you know you can't get internet streaming, then why not have one of these cheap suitcase satellite systems?

 

[Manic]

How does the firetv work, is it free to use after purchase?
I am mainly interested in the reduced data usage, we are in the EU most of the year.
Streaming direct works ok except we can't watch ITV live, which is no great loss most of the time!
Streaming iplayer in standard definition uses about 800 Mb/hour.

You don’t have to pay subscriptions to anything, I find plenty of free apps to download and of cause you have all the normal channels to stream.
We have unlimited data so don’t have to worry about how much data we use but would be different if going to EU With the roaming limits

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[JockandRita]

Whilst our Oyster 1 dish with a twin LNB set up continues to serve us well, we're hanging on to it. However, we have installed a larger HD TV and a Firestick, which gets it's signal from a Hauwei 4G MiFi, via a roof mounted antenna. This is complimented by a 100Gb data sim card, for the pricey sum of £8.00pcm (after cashback).

If the Oyster system ever becomes redundant, there is every possibility we'll install a fan assisted rooflight in that space.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[Jim]

I know a busy accessories fitter who has gone from installing at least 3 Sat -TV systems a week to zero in the last 2 years. There was a time if you were a big sports fan, for say Rugby or F1 you needed your dish. But these days there is almost always a pay as you go streaming option

 

[63720]

Been watching UK TV using data for the last 6(?) years at home and over the channel. It works if you have UK registered big data card and a device to tether to either a phone or mifi, and a firestick is good.

 

[Speve]

It works if you have UK registered big data card and a device to tether to either a phone or mifi, and a firestick is good.

What big data card do you recommend as Vodafone has 25gb fair usage in EU?

 

[JockandRita]

What big data card do you recommend as Vodafone has 25gb fair usage in EU?

Not on the 100Gb Vodafone contracts many of us have taken out over the last couple of years. Maybe the rules have changed since though.

Cheers

Jock.

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[Speve]

Not on the 100Gb Vodafone contracts many of us have taken out over the last couple of years. Maybe the rules have changed since though.

Cheers

Jock.

Yes I think they have changed the rules as my previous contract had no limit my new one starting this year does
from t&cs

* You can also use the data from your plan abroad in your inclusive roaming destinations - just to note there's a 25GB roaming fair use policy per billing month. This includes any Data Extras that are available. Click here or see your terms for more information about our fair use policy.

Monthly price shown: will increase each April by the Consumer Price Index rate of inflation published in January that year, plus an additional 3.9%. Click here for details.

 

[Hagstrom]

There are older (2018/19?) 100gb/month Vodafone contract which allowed full use of the allowance (100gb) in EU - there was no fair use policy on them. I have not received any notice from Vodafone that they have amended my such contract with fair use EU roaming restrictions.

The more recent "Umlimited" range and other newer contrcats had the "fair use 25gb/month for 2 months max roaming in EU" written in at their outset.

 

[Speve]

The more recent "Umlimited" range and other newer contrcats had the "fair use 25gb/month for 2 months max roaming in EU" written in at their outset.

Mines not unlimited it’s 60gb

 

[JockandRita]

I have not received any notice from Vodafone that they have amended my such contract with fair use EU roaming restrictions.

Nor me, and our last one was bought in June 2020.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[2657]

It's free to buy and use but you will need subscriptions to netflix, prime etc, sign into other terrestrial (bbc, etc) streaming. You need to set the low data use on the stick settings and in Netflix settings and maybe others. You need to check which use their own and override the stick. Go online and review.

I don't have any subscription channels and we can watch all the UK channels that we wish to on our smart TV at present, or laptop when out in the camper.
The benefit for us of using a firestick would seem to be it's capability of reducing the data usage.

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[63720]

What big data card do you recommend as Vodafone has 25gb fair usage in EU?

We're with BT 100gb which is unlimited abroad but can't comment on other plans. 3 Internet With Legs 24gb card is useful as a backup but don't top-up it's expensive just buy more cards - we carry 3of as a backup. They're often on offer at Amazon.

 

[Speve]

from Vodafone :
How the policy will work​

From 18 January 2021, if you use your phone abroad in any of your plan’s inclusive roaming destinations for 62 or more days in a four month period, and your usage in those destinations is more than your usage in the UK we’ll send you a warning email or text to let you know when this happens.

If after 14 days of us sending you a warning message your roaming usage continues, you may be charged the following extra charges to use your phone in your inclusive roaming destinations:

• Calls: 3.3p a minute
• Texts: 1p each
• Data: £3.13 for each 1GB

Just to note, these rates are set under European Union Roaming regulations.

Rest assured, you’ll still be able to receive calls and texts while abroad in your inclusive roaming destinations at no extra cost

 

[2657]

There are older (2018/19?) 100gb/month Vodafone contract which allowed full use of the allowance (100gb) in EU - there was no fair use policy on them. I have not received any notice from Vodafone that they have amended my such contract with fair use EU roaming restrictions.

The more recent "Umlimited" range and other newer contrcats had the "fair use 25gb/month for 2 months max roaming in EU" written in at their outset.

Nor me, and our last one was bought in June 2020.

Cheers,

Jock.

I had 2 Vodafone contracts one 60 Gb taken out in August last year and one 100Gb 2 year contract taken out in August 2019.
I had notification that because of my extensive roaming usage they would both be capped after 2 months roaming starting in February this year. I was given the opportunity to cancel the 100 Gb contract, which I did, the 60 Gb one had to be continued as it was discounted deal.
At the current time there has been no cap imposed and I have used it continuously in Portugal so will have to wait and see.

 

[63720]

Mines not unlimited it’s 60gb

60gb gets you roughly 120 hours of TV on a firestick.

 

[sallylillian]

I don't have any subscription channels and we can watch all the UK channels that we wish to on our smart TV at present, or laptop when out in the camper.
The benefit for us of using a firestick would seem to be it's capability of reducing the data usage.

I wonder if data consumption (referred on the firestick as the quality of the picture) is a setting feature on smart TV?

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