10-19-2020 06:02 PM - edited 10-24-2020 10:49 PM
Please Delete My Posting
10-23-2020 04:40 AM - edited 10-23-2020 04:43 AM
Link below to read about recent IPTV busts going on, people in/out of courts. Mostly USA though but Nagrastar is Bell encryption also.
If you do use IPTV less is more. VPN, fake email, one time use visa top-up cards and do checks where the providers servers are located.
10-23-2020 03:30 AM - edited 10-23-2020 03:54 AM
"Notice with notice" is basically just an accusation. The content owner hired someone to observe and log torrent and streaming activity. They find out which internet provider issued the IP at the time of the activity, they send legal notice to that internet provider, the internet provider then forwards that legal notice to the customer/account which was using it.
Responding to the notice is basically validating the accusation, admitting guilt to a crime which is otherwise hearsay. The internet provider is interested in legal compliance but is disinterested in prosecution or enforcement - they will submit information as required by court order but they will not accept the onus of proving a crime occurred or of assessing/claiming any damages caused by the alleged crime (the burden of proof and burden of production are nominally supposed to be the legal duty of the accuser, not the accused, not the non-complicit internet provider).
(And it turns out that the internet providers already know all about each of their customers. They make a whole lot of money collecting and tracking and predicting user data points. They don't want legal orders forcing them to submit information they'd prefer to sell. There's conflict of interest.)
Even if it does escalate into court any plausible claim to innocence is enough to dismiss this sort of circumstantial proof. You can claim somebody's been leeching off your unsecure wifi. You can claim a guest downloaded stuff on your network without your knowledge. You can claim you don't have access to whatever machine was used to download a copy of the pirated content. They can't carry the prosecution forward (and authorize a search through your computers, etc) unless it's part of a package of far more solid and serious charges being leveraged against you.
It's Canada's version of minimal compliance with international (American) DMCA law.
10-23-2020 02:32 AM
@LurganIeUk wrote:
@CFPartDeux wrote:
@LurganIeUk wrote:
Edit. Was I fined...no. I had a friend that was fined $500 for watching a movie. I believe Warner Bros obtained his name and address from his internet provider.
Unless something has changed in the last couple of years, which I'm unaware of, ISTR that the ISP were only obligated to pass along emails(in Canada) from companies like WB, rather than providing their customers' names & addresses. Was that friend in Canada, or the U.S.? 🤔
Chilliwack
I guess it all must've gone down as @Korth mentioned then, i.e. "Your friend evidently had his IP observed while streaming content from a pirated source - intentionally or not (because who knows how his client device was set up for him). Then got "notice with notice" from his ISP. Then unwisely acknowledged it. Then the gavel slammed down, guilty, pay the penalty."???
The prevailing wisdom, under those circumstances, is to simply ignore that email from the ISP(at least when I last read anything on this topic), because Canadian ISPs aren't legally obligated to provide names & addresses to companies from another country.
10-22-2020 11:26 PM
@CFPartDeux wrote:
@LurganIeUk wrote:I have never bought 3 rd party internet.....as it appears none have good reviews except one out of Kamloops BC. Cheap resellers product is usually Shaw.
TekSavvy is pretty well regarded. Personally, I would go with Lightspeed, since they're a bit cheaper, and they're located in the Lower Mainland. TBH, I don't know how good their operation is now, but back in dialup days, they were excellent, but once Shaw FINALLY got broadband in this neighbourhood, I jumped on that. Both TekSavvy & Lightspeed offer various packages that use either Shaw's or Telus' infrastructure.
I did a stint with Shaw for TV, internet and phone......bad product and horrible customer service as is Bell ExpressVu. I have sold all but one android box and need to drop price to see the last one gone!
Yeah, we have an Android box, and at first it was ok, but once the main add-on we used was no longer supported, I had to update the thing(more than once), and unfortunately it was underpowered, and was SOOOO slow that I cobbled together a real computer instead...... much better, but still somewhat of a P.I.T.A.
Edit. Was I fined...no. I had a friend that was fined $500 for watching a movie. I believe Warner Bros obtained his name and address from his internet provider.
Unless something has changed in the last couple of years, which I'm unaware of, ISTR that the ISP were only obligated to pass along emails(in Canada) from companies like WB, rather than providing their customers' names & addresses. Was that friend in Canada, or the U.S.? 🤔
Chilliwack
10-22-2020 11:11 PM
@CFPartDeux wrote:
@Bullet77 wrote:I switched over to Tek Savvy, I am still on Shaw's backbone at 35% of the price of Shaw for the same internet only. I went from $149.95 on Shaw to $49.95 on Tek Savvy for the Same speed 75 mb down and 7.5 up. Shaw is now offering way faster speeds and I can go to 150mb with Tek Savvy for $10.00 a month more . I don't need it. IPTV works fine even on a 30mb account.
That's what I'd like to do, but with Lightspeed, instead of TekSavvy, since it's even cheaper(at least when I last looked).
There are so many places to see reviews on 3rd party providers it can still leave you in an inconclusive decision. At one thought these guys would be ok. https://www.can-com.com/Bundles/Internet-TV-Phone-Bundles
But there is is no way I am going to sign up for a year or two, buy my own and equipment and have less than 24/7 support. Internet has become something we can’t do without. It replaced Canada Post, a trip to bank, access to utilities etc.
10-22-2020 04:34 PM - edited 10-22-2020 04:38 PM
Well since everyone else is writing about "grey area/piracy" I guess I'll join in🤣
Get a good vpn and do some Google searches for stream sites where all tv shows uploaded a few hours after it airs with commercials cut, Netflix , prime, new movie releases, in theatres are free and don't pay a dime.
Legal one that is also free that you can add to smart tv, watch through computer/laptop/phone, on fire stick or add to Roku box and others is TUBITV
Tubitv is legal and free their library I believe is over 20,000 titles. It will play ads during the tv or movie you watch. Mostly older movies and shows but there are some newer movies and a few gems to be found.
10-22-2020 04:07 PM
Netflix has the largest library of shows and movies.
But each provider has some exclusive things. Unfortunately these are all scattershot across the whole array of genres and interests, so if you like something particular (like sci-fi?) then each provider has something for you but none have a lot for you.
I just rent and rip DVDs/BRDs from the public library to watch later, lol. Streaming is vastly inferior to playback, especially with the obnoxious ad pollution (and the extortions to reduce exposure to obnoxious ad pollution) the providers all constantly spew into your face.
10-22-2020 02:26 PM
@Anonymous wrote:I might subscribe to try out some other services like CBS All Access or Amazon Prime Video.
I suggest you try Amazon's free 30 day trial. I did that, and was quite underwhelmed - the movies are generally crappy, i.e. there's a bunch of older stuff, a bunch of stuff that I'd never heard of, a bunch with actors I've never heard of, along with a smattering of semi-recent movies that I've already seen. During my 30 day trial, I'd guess I probably watched about 10 - 12 movies, and maybe 2 or 3 of 'em were actually entertaining. Some of 'em I actually watched 10 - 15 mins., and turned them off because they were so bad.
The Amazon original series, OTOH, may be worth watching, although I never did.
10-22-2020 02:18 PM
@LurganIeUk wrote:I have never bought 3 rd party internet.....as it appears none have good reviews except one out of Kamloops BC. Cheap resellers product is usually Shaw.
TekSavvy is pretty well regarded. Personally, I would go with Lightspeed, since they're a bit cheaper, and they're located in the Lower Mainland. TBH, I don't know how good their operation is now, but back in dialup days, they were excellent, but once Shaw FINALLY got broadband in this neighbourhood, I jumped on that. Both TekSavvy & Lightspeed offer various packages that use either Shaw's or Telus' infrastructure.
I did a stint with Shaw for TV, internet and phone......bad product and horrible customer service as is Bell ExpressVu. I have sold all but one android box and need to drop price to see the last one gone!
Yeah, we have an Android box, and at first it was ok, but once the main add-on we used was no longer supported, I had to update the thing(more than once), and unfortunately it was underpowered, and was SOOOO slow that I cobbled together a real computer instead...... much better, but still somewhat of a P.I.T.A.
Edit. Was I fined...no. I had a friend that was fined $500 for watching a movie. I believe Warner Bros obtained his name and address from his internet provider.
Unless something has changed in the last couple of years, which I'm unaware of, ISTR that the ISP were only obligated to pass along emails(in Canada) from companies like WB, rather than providing their customers' names & addresses. Was that friend in Canada, or the U.S.? 🤔
10-22-2020 02:04 PM
@Bullet77 wrote:I switched over to Tek Savvy, I am still on Shaw's backbone at 35% of the price of Shaw for the same internet only. I went from $149.95 on Shaw to $49.95 on Tek Savvy for the Same speed 75 mb down and 7.5 up. Shaw is now offering way faster speeds and I can go to 150mb with Tek Savvy for $10.00 a month more . I don't need it. IPTV works fine even on a 30mb account.
That's what I'd like to do, but with Lightspeed, instead of TekSavvy, since it's even cheaper(at least when I last looked).
10-22-2020 01:46 PM - edited 10-22-2020 01:53 PM
Your friend evidently had his IP observed while streaming content from a pirated source - intentionally or not (because who knows how his client device was set up for him). Then got "notice with notice" from his ISP. Then unwisely acknowledged it. Then the gavel slammed down, guilty, pay the penalty.
Sometimes ... often ... the guys selling these units helpfully install "extras" (to access more channels and shows and stuff) which aren't strictly legal. Without informing their customer, without advising their customer of the risks, without recommending a decent VPN.
If you set it up yourself then you can ensure it's clean and legit, that it won't download any semi-legal or illegal content, that it won't break region-control boundaries, and that it won't do any unauthorized logins to leech off somebody else's paid subscriptions. (Or at least that it won't do these things in obvious ways, lol.) The boxes themselves are not at all illegal, nor is the majority of the content available to watch online. They're also fairly idiot-proofed and self-maintaining, much like Windows or Android (or even linux these days), only becoming finicky technical rabbit holes if power users start tinkering and tweaking around the software.
10-22-2020 01:28 PM - edited 10-22-2020 01:30 PM
So I'm pleased to see other folks also question the online delivery method. Or have had unpleasant experiences with it. I have been dabbling a bit with Android boxes and branded boxes like Shield and Roku. The branded ones work mostly alright. A couple Android boxes I've played with were indeed a PITA. The Roku was an easy install. The Shield was a bit of fiddling and still doesn't know how to do volume on my 12 year old tv. The Roku had no problem with it. I kept the Shield though. Just a slicker product.
I was with Shaw Direct satellite for many years. Couldn't've been happier. Any problems and questions were always dealt with just fine. Using a pvr was the game changer. I hate ads. To be able to FF through them is great. Can't have satellite dishes where I am now.
Streaming from actual channels like Global or CTV you get these irritating ad breaks that you can't escape. I might subscribe to try out some other services like CBS All Access or Amazon Prime Video. I don't know about ads with them. We'll see. Of course there's spouse acceptance factor too. Streaming is a lot more hands on and kinda techy.
But yes I may just go back to standard paid tv service like Telus and get that pvr and all of those familiar conveniences. That'll be when I finally settle in with a tv watching area. I haven't watched much tv at all since early June. A few odd streaming bits here and there.
10-22-2020 01:04 PM - edited 10-22-2020 01:10 PM
I did the cut years ago but only for a very short time. I tried Kodi and found a “build”, it was an immense huge PITA. So I moved to a legal paid IPTV and was a “4 out of 10”, stable for months, then up, down and sideways. Then they expanded to the east and got worse. I would call regularly and got the regular BS every time and rarely improved. So I do NOT recommend Surf Internet....and they do call themselves other names as well like Surfnet. I bought one android box from them and a few on Craigslist. I wanted all the same and tried to buy on eBay at not one showed up. Although I was refunded.....not shipped.....stopped at border.....I will never know. The art of buying one...memory, dual band, HDMI, Ethernet, correct spdif port, remote with keyboard.......you need to know what you are doing before you start and if it will connect to your current amp etc. It was so unreliable we often watched the news from Global from iPad to TV using an Apple TV box. I have never bought 3 rd party internet.....as it appears none have good reviews except one out of Kamloops BC. Cheap resellers product is usually Shaw. I did a stint with Shaw for TV, internet and phone......bad product and horrible customer service as is Bell ExpressVu. I have sold all but one android box and need to drop price to see the last one gone! I went back to Telus for TV and Internet. Home phone is with VoIP.ms. And I would move it back to Telus and pay less...but.....there is so much more you can do with VoIP,ms that you can’t with Telus. So I will stay with VoIP.ms. Bottom line Android boxes with legal or illegal TV is a PITA, and if you are running illegal, you are taking a risk of fines that will cost you more in the long run.
Be your TV be from Shaw, Bell or Telus. By no fault of them, TV is crappy....less programming.....more commercials....competitive pricing......buy one package just for one channel and some fluff....and reruns. Viewing TV is likely based on your age and preferences thus my opinion of crappy. If I could say the last time I watched something that I enjoyed.....as that is what it should be....it was on Netflix. I am not pointing my finger at the providers....but more so at the networks.
Edit. Was I fined...no. I had a friend that was fined $500 for watching a movie. I believe Warner Bros obtained his name and address from his internet provider.
10-22-2020 04:10 AM - edited 10-22-2020 04:11 AM
I've had to pay for "cable" since that dang digital revolution took over tv in 2012. There was a brief stint in 2006 of 6 months of fraudulent billing by shaw that culminated with the billing department calling me on the same day that I lost my husband. There were expletives involved and something to the effect of I'll sue your @$$**&#$ off if you ever bother me again! That was the end of that they never did try to contact me again.
So I've been with telus ever since and with roommates and some hard negotiating every year ( thx to @LurganIeUk this year) i have a reasonable enough internet/optik tv package. But i did pick up a digital antenna just in case i actually have tell them to get all of their crap out of my house,
10-22-2020 02:36 AM
I switched over to Tek Savvy, I am still on Shaw's backbone at 35% of the price of Shaw for the same internet only. I went from $149.95 on Shaw to $49.95 on Tek Savvy for the Same speed 75 mb down and 7.5 up. Shaw is now offering way faster speeds and I can go to 150mb with Tek Savvy for $10.00 a month more . I don't need it. IPTV works fine even on a 30mb account.
10-21-2020 02:05 PM
@Bullet77 wrote:I cut my cable 9 years ago. IPTV all the way and a HD antenna for local TV.
I will never go back to Shaw cable
Ok, so what are you using for internet, to access that IPTV...... since you said you'd "never go back to Shaw cable", can we assume you're using Telus? 🤔
10-21-2020 02:12 AM
I cut my cable 9 years ago. IPTV all the way and a HD antenna for local TV.
I will never go back to Shaw cable
10-20-2020 09:51 PM - edited 10-20-2020 10:02 PM
Boo forgot about looking in the lounge since notification on the forums are not working at the moment.
@krazykatlady you may want to remove the site you listed. I'm sure it goes against the terms and condition of these forums as they don't promote convos about illegal privacy. The site you listed is modified IPTV to steal channels from satellite providers.
@Korth I get what you're saying about Kodi, I don't use it but have played around with it. Pretty nifty how you can modify it to your liking. Most use it for well you know "grey area / piracy". Lol.
@CFPartDeux the only ones that like IPTV are the ones that are using IPTV servers that get all the channels like @krazykatlady is talking about.
I'm sure some are not even aware of it. Hear from a friend "Hey cut your cable bill" get this "pay $15 a month and get everything thing free". While others are completely aware of what they are doing.
I won't even mention what I use as it's also in the "grey area".
Happy Viewing everyone 👍
10-20-2020 04:51 PM - edited 10-24-2020 10:48 PM
Please Remove My Posting
10-20-2020 02:54 PM
@Korth wrote:
People still pay for TV.
I think the Kodi/Plex devices have a bad rep because the cable providers (and the usual DMCA villains) used to campaign aggressively against them.
All of what you posted is true, but in our place, Kodi has a bad rep, mainly because it's a P.I.T.A. to try and watch something, and find no streams available. That, and having something set up and working just fine, and a couple months later, now it doesn't, so you have to find the new "latest & greatest" add-on that actually works(mostly), and/or have to uninstall, re-install, and/or constantly have to tweak something to get crap to work again.
OTOH, I suppose, based on other posts here, several of you folks are subscribed to one, or more, IPTV services, which is likely the difference? That, and maybe some of you should elaborate on what IPTV you're using, and why you like it.....
10-20-2020 02:46 PM
@Jb456 wrote:People still pay for tv?
We do. 😐
I don't mind the TV, but I've been tryin' to talk the wife into moving to a TPIA provider, so we could get more speed, for considerably less $$$, all while using the same cable, but she's all hung up on the annoyance of having to change her email address for all the sites/companies that she accesses using her current email. 🙄
10-20-2020 11:59 AM - edited 10-20-2020 12:01 PM
IPTV all the way. Never going back to cable. Cable is a ripoff.
10-20-2020 05:10 AM - edited 10-20-2020 07:17 AM
People still pay for TV.
I think the Kodi/Plex devices have a bad rep because the cable providers (and the usual DMCA villains) used to campaign aggressively against them. They worked hard to perpetuate some dirty accusations and uncertainties in the minds of consumers.
"Too good to be true. Why would anyone pay $$/month for something they can get free?"
"Must be illegal. Or must be stealing. Somehow."
"Works for now. But they'll get shutdown within a year or two."
"These boxes steal your data and make their money by invading your privacy."
All these things are wrong. Have been wrong for over a decade. But you'll still hear them. And you'll still find people refusing to move away from paid TV subscriptions.
(That being said ... I'm assuming default/generic region-specific consumer setups. There are plenty of hacks and plug-ins which are indeed legal grey-areas or which are absolutely illegal content theft. There are also plenty of hacks and plug-ins which are fully legal and freely provided in public domain by the content producers/publishers.)
10-20-2020 03:50 AM
People still pay for tv? Lol my bill has been 0 since the 90s
10-20-2020 12:18 AM
I cut my cable in 2006
10-19-2020 09:40 PM - edited 10-19-2020 09:45 PM
The little Android boxes (or homebuilt HTPCs) running Kodi or Plex are the best way to go.
I'm a believer in buying and owning all the hardware up front. Doing whatever I want to make it better. Avoiding (even circumventing) lock-ins. Having the freedom to subscribe to (or unsubscribe from) content providers as I choose.
What "IPTV" do you mean? There are so many IPTV providers, many of them are even the same networks which provide broadcast/cable TV. I'm guessing you just cut the cord with Shaw or Rogers (or maybe even Telus) - total ripoffs compared vs streaming content options. Especially when you consider options like Netflix - basically the biggest video rental store in the world, watch anything/everything they have as many times as you want for a flat ten bucks per month.
10-19-2020 08:08 PM
Care to elaborate on which was your previous cable provider, and which IPTV service you're now subscribed to, which gives you access to, "so much more for a fraction of the price"? 🤔