Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Off Topic Streaming HD TV channels (UK)

Thanks

I hopped on to ask a similar question, as currently out of any TV/Broadband contract and moving house next week, so I hope you don't mind me hijacking the thread also (although I think it's mostly answered my questions - looks like an Apple TV4K will probably allow me to combine with Freeview HD to get NowTV and get the Sky channels I mostly want, and also use my Netflix account on older non-smart TVs).

Just wondered what you mean by Rowridge losing 'free to air' HD channels, as I live on the IOW and was hoping to use Freeview HD for the terrestrial channels. I can't find any documentation of this being cut off, though, so it would help me out if you clarify which channels are being lost on which platform?

I may have formed a conclusion too soon - it seems from a quick Google that Apple TV 4K and NowTV/Netflix do not play nicely together.

Allegedly the NowTV app for Apple TV is 4+years overdue for an update, and doesn't even support 1080p yet (even if you purchase the NowTV Boost addon).

I can't find much info on Netflix on Apple TV, the only thing which seems to come up is that the Netflix app doesn't integrate well in terms of search/notification of new 'series' show episodes, etc.

Could anyone actually using Apple TV 4K with the above services comment on what the actual user experience/quality is?

Alternatively, how about Roku...?

A more general question in terms of Meridian integration - what happens with multichannel decoding? Currently, my multichannel source is my Oppo, which I can set to decode the surround format and send out PCM to the HD621, etc. I note on, e.g., Roku's site that the AV receiver must be capable of decoding (which implies the Roku stick/box isn't). Is this commonplace on streaming boxes? If so, how does one decode surround audio which is Meridian compatible?

We bought several of the NowTV branded Roku boxes. Even before taking into account that for some of them we paid less that the value of the supplied passes (we even paid as low at £15 which included 3 months Entertainment or 2 months Cinema passes), they are great little boxes that just work. Maybe not lightning quick, but certainly now slow. Without any addon, we get HD out of them, although the feed may not be any more than 720p. Quite simply, we don't care, the picture is pretty good most of the time and when its not, there is an explanation, like wifi speed.

Not sure what the Now TV is offering now, but these little Roku boxes have transformed how we watch TV and have been a blessing over lockdown with a nightly episode from some boxset from a catchup service. It also saved our bacon for Formula 1. Buy the time our £33.99 sports pass runs out, we will have got 4 race weekends out of them. I believe same the following month if races align nicely. Yet to try Netflix out on them yet though.

If you came across them on a supermarket deal and bought one just for the pass, you probably wouldn't bother to get a more expensive solution out of its box.

Thanks Ian.

Do the NowTV branded ones still offer the same flexibility for other apps as the unbranded Rokus, do you know?

How does it integrate into your Meridian setup in terms of surround decoding?

Its locked into NowTV and major UK catchup services (BBC, ITV, C4, 5, UK TV) albeit with a very limited app store.

We don't have it connected to anything other than TV. It has HDMI out only iirc, and audio settings are auto, PCM stereo, Dolby digital, Dolby digital plus, Dolby digital DTS, Dolby digital plus DTS, but we not tried it in anything other than stereo. The help mentions SPDIF, but I dont know if that generic or the hardware supports it.

What I like about Now TV is the ability to subscribe to a month, then immediately cancel, and then not have to worry about it auto renewing. Quite often, after you cancel, they offer you some deal, like 3 months entertainment for £4/month. I'm not a fan of subscription services, but this one works for me.

Thanks Ian, that's very helpful.

Will definitely check out one of those, then.

We've had no issues with Netflix on the 4K Apple TV. Not sure about searching for programmes from the main menu, but everything works fine from within the Netflix app.

Netflix offers different subscription tiers: SD, HD, and UHD. You get what you are willing to pay for.

Selected Amazon Prime content is available in UHD at no extra cost.

On AppleTV4K, all NowTV content is in 720p. This isn’t an issue on most content. The exception is Sky Sports, which is ‘filmic’ in nature.

Does that apply if you have a NowTV boost pass? (1080p + 5.1 sound)

Edit: NowTV boost

OK sounds good on Netflix, I already subscribe to HD as no 4K screens yet so would just add the sub to the box - in fact I might go for the HD box instead of the 4K unless the 4K is better in other ways?

720p is disappointing for NowTV (although unsurprising for Sky, who still insist HD is a chargeable extra like this is 2004). It looks like on Roku you can get 1080p if you add the Boost pack to the NowTV channel pack.

List of devices/supported resolutions.