Watching tv in the van (1 Viewer)

[Scattycat]

Hi peeps.
When it comes to technology I'm a real numpty, so please bear with me.
Like most folks our tv system in the van can't pick up UK tv stations much south of Bordeaux.
So if you want to watch UK tv how is the best way to go about it?
I've heard people talk about 'firesticks' but have no idea how they work or what they cost to use. Any advice will be much appreciated

 

[TheBig1]

the amazon firestick, about £30 on black friday, plugs into your tv via the hdmi port. This connects to the internet, possibly using your phone or any other way you connect. Then it streams video sources, and at SD standard definition uses about 1/2 a gigabyte of data per hour used

 

[Lenny HB]

Hi Mike, long time no see you on the forum.

If you have a sat dish it is possible to pick up UK channels on the back up sat on Intelsat 901 but probably a bit too techy for you to set up and your LNB & receiver need to be able to handle the high frequencies 901 uses.

If you have unlimited data on your phone streaming is the way to go either a Firestick or an Android TV box. I use a TV box, as data is limited roaming I download loads of series & films before a trip.

If you search the forum there is loads of info on both 901 (was 907) and streaming.

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[TCG]

As TheBig1 says 4K firestick plugs into back of TV via HDMI, Usb to power and then connects to internet. we connect via Mobile phone hot spot. never had a signal problem.
The beauty of firestick is you can watch live TV and catch up... I have not used our sat dish in the last two years... streaming is the way forward.

 

[kevenh]

Just be sure you get the 4K branded/capable Firestick at the ~£30 sale price
And NOT the old HD Firestick at it's RRP of ~£30 - iirc

 

[Phil 748]

Yes Firestick for us, with Virgin TV to GO sideloaded

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[elamessa]

Mike,

4K firestick is a great bit of kit, however if you want to watch UK tv on it you will need a VPN (Nord VPN, Express VPN, Cyberghost) because you have a French mobile.
Also if you order one in France (mistake I made) then all the apps that come with it will be french related.
You can change the region on it but without UK mobile number it don't really make a difference.

 

[clanjones]

My experience of using the firestick abroad is that if you use it via a UK based mobile operator via a hotspot say on your mobile phone you will not need a VPN.

If trying to use local WiFi then a VPN will be required

 

[TCG]

Mike,

4K firestick is a great bit of kit, however if you want to watch UK tv on it you will need a VPN (Nord VPN, Express VPN, Cyberghost) because you have a French mobile.
Also if you order one in France (mistake I made) then all the apps that come with it will be french related.
You can change the region on it but without UK mobile number it don't really make a difference.

Or just buy yourself an English data only sim

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[Clickem]

Is there one App that allows you to watch the UK main channels or is it a mixture of Apps, including some catchup Apps?

TIA

 

[Emmit]

Yes Firestick for us, with Virgin TV to GO sideloaded

"Sideloaded???

There's more than one Numpty on Fun (Present Company included )

 

[kevenh]

Is there one App that allows you to watch the UK main channels or is it a mixture of Apps, including some catchup Apps?

TIA

The way I use the FS is via separate catch up apps, like ALL4 & iPlayer.
Not heard of or really looked hard for another way.

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[kevenh]

"Sideloaded???

There's more than one Numpty on Fun (Present Company included )

This link describes adding Cinema HD via app sideloading with Downloader.

I chose that example link as I know Amazon support directed me to install the Downloader app to "side load" a FireTV fix into my stick for some issue debug

 

[Lenny HB]

Is there one App that allows you to watch the UK main channels or is it a mixture of Apps, including some catchup Apps?

TIA

Free app UK Tv & Radio has all the basic uk channels.

 

[TheBig1]

"Sideloaded???

There's more than one Numpty on Fun (Present Company included )

sideloading is a scary term to a numpty technophobe, but is actually really simple. Amazon send out the firestick with their own APPs pre installed. All you need to do is go into settings with a couple of clicks and turn on the ability to load APPs from other companies, all via TV and remote. Then you are free to put what you want on and there is plenty of help on this forum to talk you through it. You only need to do it once though and from then on, you turn on the TV click the APP you want on screen and off you go

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[carthorse]

At the risk of being called thick would it be possible to load virgin tv go app onto a firestick?

 

[TheBig1]

At the risk of being called thick would it be possible to load virgin tv go app onto a firestick?

Yes it is pretty easy to do

 

[Hils and Glenns]

I've been reading this thread with interest because like Scattycat I don't get it.

the amazon firestick, about £30 on black friday, plugs into your tv via the hdmi port. This connects to the internet, possibly using your phone or any other way you connect. Then it streams video sources, and at SD standard definition uses about 1/2 a gigabyte of data per hour used

How much data do you have and how much do you use in a month? My provider has a fair usage policy of 20gig a month max. Using it for streaming and internet just doesn't last the month. Am I missing something?

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[carthorse]

Thanks for that TheBig 1 wasn't sure if it was worth while getting a fire stick but if its possible I'll get one on ordered tonight.

 

[Pablo19]

Just be sure you get the 4K branded/capable Firestick at the ~£30 sale price
And NOT the old HD Firestick at it's RRP of ~£30 - iirc

Although you are right in one sense there is also additional data involved in streaming 4k. The 4k version also controls the TV volume for most TVs but not Avtex so bear that in mind. There is a Firestick Lite which has most of the 4k features like Alexa etc but doesn't have volume controls so probably more suitable for Avtex users and costs £10 less.

 

[Phil 748]

Yes it is pretty easy to do

Hi yes easy to load Virgin TV go, on to firesticks we have 2 in the House and 1 in the MH, so I can cut down on have many VT Boxes we have in the House, just need to keep 1

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[TheBig1]

I've been reading this thread with interest because like Scattycat I don't get it.

How much data do you have and how much do you use in a month? My provider has a fair usage policy of 20gig a month max. Using it for streaming and internet just doesn't last the month. Am I missing something?

how much data you use will very much depend on how much tv you watch, but it is data hungry so half a gig per hour approximately. I am on an unlimited plan in uk which is limited when travelling. The vodafone 100gb contract though allows you to use all 100gb abroad

 

[Lenny HB]

How much data do you have and how much do you use in a month? My provider has a fair usage policy of 20gig a month max. Using it for streaming and internet just doesn't last the month. Am I missing something?

20gb won't even last a week if you are streaming everything you are watching.
You can save a lot of data if you download, Netflix & Prime allow you to download in lower resolutions.

 

[kevenh]

We got into Firestick related data usage here #31
Maybe worth starting at the beginning of that thread for general FS stuff & data usage.

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[Phil 748]

At the risk of being called thick would it be possible to load virgin tv go app onto a firestick?

This how I side load Virgin TV to Go onto our Firesticks in the House and MH quite simple to do just need a couple of App and away you go.
1 Put Virgin TV to GO app on the Phone
2 Install APPs2Fire App on the Phone
3 Install the App Mouse Toggle for Fire Stick on the Phone

Then on the fire Stick follow the instructions from the APP to Fire to open developer option on the fire stick to enable ADB over Network this will then let install the Virgin TV to GO app onto the fibre stick, then you have to install the Mouse Toggle App, to navigate around the VT app.

You will need to have the Phone and Fire Stick on the same network to do this,

Once installed I have found that you need to leave ADB switch on for Mouse Toggle to start

This will let you watch all Virgin TV like at Home apart from BBC which you watch via IPLAYER and some SKY programmes but I have not been able to get SKY sports yet to run.

 

[kevenh]

Although you are right in one sense there is also additional data involved in streaming 4k. The 4k version also controls the TV volume for most TVs but not Avtex so bear that in mind. There is a Firestick Lite which has most of the 4k features like Alexa etc but doesn't have volume controls so probably more suitable for Avtex users and costs £10 less.

Surely the Firestick player doesn't demand 4K streams for a HD telly
Either way, you can choose different quality stream qualities in Settings.

Streaming is client device based. So there should be different quality streams for bandwidth available and a device's resolution capabilities.
e.g. watching YouTube videos on your iPhone outside on 3G you'll get say, mid quality. Walk indoors during playback of same YT video into your home with cable based wifi & you'll start pulling high quality content for that video, with no user intervention.

It's ABR streaming.

 

[Coolcats]

Hi peeps.
When it comes to technology I'm a real numpty, so please bear with me.
Like most folks our tv system in the van can't pick up UK tv stations much south of Bordeaux.
So if you want to watch UK tv how is the best way to go about it?
I've heard people talk about 'firesticks' but have no idea how they work or what they cost to use. Any advice will be much appreciated

You can also just stream UK tv on catch up iPlayer itv hub etc

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[carthorse]

Thanks for those instructions Phil 748 exactly what i needed will get on it when firestick arrives.

 

[kevenh]

APPs2Fire

Is Downloader a different tool for sideloading or just an alternative to APPs2Fire?

With Downloader how I've used it & seen on the Cinema HD example, you need to know the URL of the app package you need.

 

[Smudger55]

Another "thickie" question, doesn't FS and any other streaming device depend on strength of Internet signal. I have tried using data sim, tethering from phone but never quite get a decent "view" in weak spot areas. Perhaps not got right SIM, currently SMARTY. Perhaps FS is more reliable?

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