FilmOn stops showing UK terrestrial TV abroad - Computer - TV - Phones - Electrical

I watch UK tv now and again via MyIPlayer.com.

After I read your post this morning, I fired it up and watched ITV1. I thought that was Filmon? Or am I wrong?

Thanks for all the info you give us.

Geoff.

Hello Geoff.

They are different services.

Myiplayer you are using is still working, as long as you can navigate your way around the numerous pop ups - whilst this is fine if viewing on a PC, presently does not work as well as filmon did - which had a downloadable app, ensuring compatibility on a number of different devices.

Will be interesting to see if anyone else produces an app to allow the myiplayer streams or similar to operate as well on other devices (other than the PC). My ipad didn't like it, nor did the Galaxy Android smartphone?

Edited by graham1, 13 March 2013 - 03:48 PM.

Yes, the pop-ups are a bit menacing, and Google Chrome doesn't block them even with it set to do so. However, if you look carefully, each pop-up has got a cross on it SOMEWHERE. The skill is to aim the 'finger' at it and successfully close it. Once you've mastered that, the site works well most of the time and doesn't seem to bring in any malware. Picture is quite good on my laptop, and not bad with cables from the laptop to the big tv.

Geoff.

XBMC is the software you should be looking at. I currently use XBMC on various devices such as, Apple TV, iPad, iPhone and Raspberry Pi's. Free Movies, Sports, Programs the list goes on.....

Thanks iJord (did you consider an easier username Will have a look into XBMC.

In the meantime something odd going on as despite FilmOns facebook statement yesterday of UK terrestrials not being available overseas, they seemed to reappear yesterday afternoon (BBC1, BBC2, ITV, channel 4 & 5) - odd.

Just BUY an Apple TV unit, but from ebay jailbroken and loaded with the UK/US channels.

My mate in Canada has one and watches UK telly daily in HD, again, with the XMBC front end.

Also opens you up to other people through the device that drop movies into the server folders.

Simply go to Ebay and search jalbroken AppleTV.

DSB.

Thanks Bealer - have seen the jailbroken Apple TV products - Not for myself, this is more for those who are unable to either have a dish or in locations where the new Astra 2F signal unavailable. Obviously filmon is a fairly basic solution, but free and as most have computers a simple solution, not comparable to something like the Apple TV.

Presently not clued up on XBMC and what devices I can get this into - certainly worth reviewing further.

I've been Jailbreaking apple ATVs for many years! lol
Things haves moved on a lot, now I'm working with Raspberry Pi's as I also run XBMC on them. (Cheaper alternative)

With all of the above (and my technomate Linux running open pli) it's all good fun - problem is for the average user is not a simple solution - to use a cliche 'at the end of the day' - the Man / Woman in the street, just wants to press the 'on' button then select a TV channel. Keep it simple, in my experience most people are not technically minded.

We sell quite a few satellite receivers & tasks such as even scanning channels in on a standard type receiver, some people cannot understand the manual to do this - we have had to rewrite instructions and even provide videos to assist some clients - though in fairness it would be true to say a lot of our clients are not of the younger generation - which is also another consideration, why we have to choose hardware carefully.

The other problem we have in Spain, that media streaming solutions cannot be compared to the UK - In most areas the internet is lacking / unstable or just not particularly fast. Quite a few people use microwave rebroadcast for internet connection & whilst acceptable for most tasks - video streaming during peak periods can and does sometimes cause these systems to buffer / freeze. I had a meeting with the owner of one such company who has concerns over 'everyone' streaming - as simply put it would cause the system to fall over. Fortunately in our area of Spain, a satellite dish will still do the job in a simpler fashion with the quality / channels & no internet required (though optional) - but other parts of Spain such as Costa del Sol will come summer, looking at a blank screen (if on satellite) so will have to review the streaming options.

Watched Thor on our smart tv last night, using the internet and Noobroom on their free option. Excellent quality throughout

It doesn't always run smoothly though, evenings are usually the worst for lagging.

Watching The Bachelor and Think you can dance series on my phone at times during the day - I use TV Portal app for this. Usually streams fine, again can start lagging in the afternoons/evenings when the Americans are online.

Digressing a bit, but I've just had to fork out 30 quid for an Apple Lion OS on memory stick Even though I'd paid for a downloadable version some years back! Apple no longer supply Lion in my apple store account, which I think is disgusting. I've re-formatted my iMac twice with Mountain Lion (which I also bought as a download) as I kept having problems with browser and system crashing constantly. Read up and saw this was a known problem with older iMacs and ML - and tried all the advice given on this to fix it, but it does seem that my iMac (2008) just doesn't handle that OS well. In the end I reformatted with Lion which I got from Ebay, and so far its working perfectly again. Cost of this computer doesn't warrant my not getting a lot of years worth out of it. I'm hoping to keep it for years more. Quite fancy an android tablet as I'm so pleased with my smartphone - but no rush, as there are more and more tablets coming out with prices steadily going down

Anyway, back to topic

Despite what filmon posted up - it is still working, with less free channels than previously - BBC1, BBC2, BBC3, BBC4, ITV, C4 & C5 are all available (still) outside the UK,

Many of the UK channels which disappeared off Filmon, seem to have reappeared - with now BBC 1,2,3 & 4 - ITV 1,2,3 & 4, channel 4, more 4, e4, film 4 & the 5's - a return to form for Filmon!

Have to agree with you down load XBMC and load 1 channel and Ice films and forget the rest.

The free VPN providers do seem to be full of bugs, your best of finding a good premium VPN service on a ratings site

http://www.vpn-guide.com list a fair few.

We use strong VPN, which seems to work well enough. Had 6+ months on Linux / XBMC / Android & Raspberry Pi's for experimentation.

For those that live in an area which can get the new satellites 2F / 2E - would stick with that as it's free, best quality & by far the easiest to use.

For people without the option, space or location for a dish there are two main other options:

1. Subscription based boxes & services - most of these boxes offer a simpler interface, do what they 'say on the tin' - but you pay ?15 - ?25 per month depending on provider. We have tested a few of these boxes and without frills - as long as you have a reasonable & stable internet speed they work. Or do as long as you pay the monthly subscriptions. Generally they are the easier to use of the types of this equipment. We have a model in stock which offers all the FTA channels & a few bonus ones the service provider has put on, hardware with 12 months subscription ?280 (home delivery & set up free if local) - you will need an internet connection near your TV, otherwise additional cabling or hardware (such as home network plugs) may be required.

2. Pi / Android / XBMC - We have discounted the Raspberry Pi (also known locally as the Airbox) as whilst it works, it is really quite laggy in performance (slow processor) and is a little limited (for the average user). Android boxes if set up well offer more flexibility and performance - but choice of equipment & setup is important. We found that the wifi only units did not perform well & a box with cat 5 hardwire option is preferable - you can lose up to 50% of your internet speed through wifi. We also found the wifi sticks to be unreliable, seems that some have a habit of over heating. With the modified android boxes you also have access to many of google plays applications, games, emails, etc - which is something the Pi does not offer.

These type of 'free IPTV' boxes are a little trickier to use & most people will need a little adjustment (and patience) with these. However you can get all the TV for free, with movies, series & some sports too, but you will need to learn how to use. Additionally we found problems with remote controls as these boxes usually come with a basic remote, but actually need a mouse as well or a dual remote which offers both options & we have also found this can cause another issue or two as some are overly complicated. We currently have 5 boxes on test and reaching the point of combining what we believe is the best elements of the systems, with our modified menu / software etc on top. However this may not suit everyone & for those wanting the simplest solution, the subscription box may prove the easier if more basic solution - if person is prepared to pay a monthly fee.

Unfortunately there is no 'one box fits all' type solution with this - very much depends on clients needs, technical ability & internet speed etc.

Edited by graham1, 09 September 2013 - 10:23 AM.

Thank you for this information. What internet speed do you need to use the android box and would a community internet be any use.

In terms of internet speeds - ideal minimum 2-3 meg stable will suffice to get you the UK terrestrials & other content. As with anything streaming related, the faster the better. In terms of community internet - if you have a shared satellite solution between a fair amount of users (these should be single user not shared systems), then answer may well be unlikely as not always stable in this application.

In order to ascertain suitability you can check speeds at different times on this website www.speedtest.net

We've put together an information page to give all the in's & out's & FAQ of streaming TV

http://tvtech.sharep...Television.aspx

Edited by graham1, 17 September 2013 - 08:25 PM.

Rule of thumb I guess is that you have to shave about 30% off of your speed when you are connected to a VPN

I have 12 meg broadband and get a pretty good speed when connected to the VPN server in the UK
I use Laptop Telly (http://www.laptoptelly.com) works OK iPlayer and BBC One streaming, rarely buffers.