For UK TV – the above IPTV boxes you can use to access iPlayer, ITV player and some limited UK free to air viewing – however, this hardware is restricted and as supplied from the retailer, they will only work in the UK. It is possible to bypass the geographical blocking in some instances, but only by adding in a workaround of an additional VPN service which is usually subscription based. To compound matters recently the BBC has implemented a number of security measures including VPN detection – so not all VPN providers would work with BBC iPlayer.
Kodi – media software can be installed on the above devices, by modifying the original software (this will invalidate the manufacturer’s warranty), which will allow additional plug-in applications to scrape the internet to search on content you require. This can be used to find UK & European TV, but use is not simple ‘home consumer use’, can be complex to set up, with applications not always stable. Ultimately it is free, though many users abandon after a short while, as stability is hit and miss, sports are a known stability issue and there are simply no guarantees of service, as you are reliant on what is ‘freely available’ – support will be your own.
One of the main issues with the Kodi type systems is the reliance of the free content – often too many people try to use the same server (watching channel or stream at the same time) & as this is not monitored, often is overloaded – problems often occur, blank screen, stuttering picture and audio problems. Filmon (for the UK terrestrials) is no longer free and there are no official free available main terrestrial channels streamed outside of the UK, available on the internet.
Most home consumers, unless patient and technically minded, now do not generally use this type of equipment as simply not a case of turning on the TV and watching it! Multiple applications and updates, lack of stable software and not a defined as an ‘integrated solution’.
Software and functionality can differ between this type of equipment depending on how set-top box has been set up & also the specification of hardware – equipment available from €50-€250. It should be noted whether buying a €50 set-top box or a €250 one, if the freely available streams host is overloaded, reliability and stability will not be much difference between both options, whatever the cost of the hardware.
These systems generally require specialist setting up as are not supplied with required software for UK channel viewing & for initial set up is far more complex than most consumer products. Use of these is different user experience to a traditional satellite or cable receiver. Due to feedback from our long-serving customers, we now do not sell or support this type of hardware or hardware which support solely this solution as found too many issues, to recommend to the majority of customers.
Most people request a simple and reliable solution – IPTV usage wise, Kodi is the bottom of the list. Why? The obvious rule applies, if something is freely available & is unmonitored, then there cannot be any guarantees of performance or service – as no one is paying for anything! Any company offering ‘every last 3 pm football game’ for free or a one-off payment for the set-top box – is making false promises. You cannot promise anything on a subscription-free IPTV service, anyone doing so or making long-term promises, is providing incorrect information.