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Refurb PS3 for Catch up TV content?


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Old 10-06-2012, 15:22
Kargo
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Hey guys,

For a while now I've been after a device that I can use to view most of the UK TV Catch Up services. I've looked into several options such as the Roku and WDTV Live however although they both support BBC iPlayer and additional services such as Netflix, it doesn't support the likes of ITV Player and 4oD.

I then was suggested to look at a jailbroken Apple TV2 and although the feature list is amazing, I'm finding that they are quite hard to come by at a reasonable price. Just a quick browse on eBay and the majority are being sold for around £199 which is way above my price range.

I then noticed that the PS3 supports most of these catch up services. BBC iPlayer, 4oD, ITV Player and LoveFilm which is an added bonus. I had a quick look on eBay and saw that I can pick up a refurbished 80 GB model for £85. Would this model allow me to download these apps from the PS3 store or are only the newer models available?
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Old 10-06-2012, 15:41
Matt D
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Yes, it would work. They are not restricted to new PS3s.

iPlayer, Lovefilm, and Netflix are actual apps. 4oD and ITV Player have links on the "XMB" (user interface), although they actually use the browser.

However...

I would *never* buy a PS3 (or Xbox 360) second-hand, especially from the likes of eBay. You don't know what you're getting, and IMO there is a risk that you'll end up with someone's YLOD-suffering console... especially given the age of the 80GB PS3.

Have you looked for an Apple TV 2 that has *not* been Jailbroken? If cheaper, you could then just Jailbreak it yourself.

Alternatively...I see you have an iPad? Have you considered buying a new Apple TV 3? It does not have iPlayer or Lovefilm etc. (although it does have Netflix), *but* you can use AirPlay to output the iPlayer & ITV Player iPad apps to the TV via the Apple TV. NB: The Lovefilm app doesn't currently support AirPlay, nor does the 4oD app... so obviously this may not be ideal for you...

Personally, I'd save up a bit more and buy a new PS3.
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Old 10-06-2012, 17:01
lbear
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There are several media player boxes sold by 7dayshop for a lot less (from £66) that work on Android and include internet connectivity, browsers and Flash streaming support.

I would have thought one of those would be a lot neater and more functional than risking a secondhand PS3
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Old 10-06-2012, 17:06
Eban
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Hey guys,

For a while now I've been after a device that I can use to view most of the UK TV Catch Up services. I've looked into several options such as the Roku and WDTV Live however although they both support BBC iPlayer and additional services such as Netflix, it doesn't support the likes of ITV Player and 4oD.

I then was suggested to look at a jailbroken Apple TV2 and although the feature list is amazing, I'm finding that they are quite hard to come by at a reasonable price. Just a quick browse on eBay and the majority are being sold for around £199 which is way above my price range.

I then noticed that the PS3 supports most of these catch up services. BBC iPlayer, 4oD, ITV Player and LoveFilm which is an added bonus. I had a quick look on eBay and saw that I can pick up a refurbished 80 GB model for £85. Would this model allow me to download these apps from the PS3 store or are only the newer models available?
Why not an XBOX 360 ?? It has the Sky app, if I remember well the iTV catchup thing is also there.

If you have a Mac (which I recommend lol), an AirPlay feature will be available on the next version of the OS, Mountain Lion, so from your iMac or MacBook, you'd be able to stream your screen to an AppleTV.

You have an iPad, TVCatchup works on iPad/iPhone and can be AirPlay-ed to the AppleTV (iPad 2 minimum required). I know it's not a catchup service but I thought it could be interesting for you to know that it works. I don't know about the others apps.

-Eban
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Old 10-06-2012, 20:40
Matt D
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A new 360 may be more in the OP's price range than a new PS3, but...The 360's apps for Netflix, Lovefilm, 4oD, Demand Five, and Sky (NB: no ITV Player on 360 yet) all require an Xbox Live Gold membership. The only one that is totally free is iPlayer, and possibly also MSN.
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Old 10-06-2012, 21:04
Gormond
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The AppleTV 2 is very easy to jailbreak and is great with AirPlay.

Also it has been rumoured the AppleTV will get an AppStore tomorrow and if so there will be no need to jailbreak it, so might be worth waiting to see.
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Old 11-06-2012, 22:36
Ignite
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Another option might be a Raspberry Pi. I'm waiting for mine to be delivered and I'm looking to use it with XBMC and various catch up services.
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Old 11-06-2012, 22:45
Gormond
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Another option might be a Raspberry Pi. I'm waiting for mine to be delivered and I'm looking to use it with XBMC and various catch up services.
Once you factor in the cost of a case, remote, SD Card, cables, ir transmitter.... Not to mention the buggy software ATM, I wouldn't recommend it just yet.

Btw I have a raspberry pi and really like it but not for this just yet.
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Old 12-06-2012, 02:10
Life of grime
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iPod touch 3rd gen onwards.thats what I use.it has Netflix itv player,NBC I player and 4od
Does the job
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Old 12-06-2012, 10:58
captainkremmen
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If you're going to buy a second hand PS3 or Xbox 360 from Ebay then make sure the seller has decent feedback, and gives some kind of basic warranty (say three months). Both machines can suffer breakdowns, and a number of the faulty ones end up on Ebay and some sellers aren't always honest with their listings. Also consider buying from the likes of Cash Converters or Cash Generators, they are a tad more expensive than Ebay usually but they offer a basic warranty (usually 90 days or three months) and they at least check the console works when a seller brings one in. The testing isn't extensive though, basically just plug it in, test it boots and loads discs.

Oh and the catchup services on the PS3 are free to use, the Xbox 360 requires a Live Gold account for everything except Iplayer.

A better choice may be to have a look online at the various dedicated media players around, but do some research as one may carry say ITV Player but not Demand Five, while another may carry Demand Five but not ITV Player.
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Old 12-06-2012, 12:26
Arkudos
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Just wait for the Seas0nPass team to jailbreak the Apple TV 3 (the one you can walk into any shop now and get for £99) and then buy that.

360 gets BBC, C4, C5 and it getting ITV later in the year but the fact it often sounds like a plane taking off and is rather large seems to kill it as a media centre for people that are not gaming.

PS3 doesn't have (any plans for) 5 so you'd be missing the handful of decent programs they show, but then it also has Blu-ray which you may be looking for.

(Wait for) Apple TV 3 vs. PS3
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Old 16-06-2012, 16:11
thetvking
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i like the ps3 for the catch-up, just frustrated by the lack of demandfive. Also the ps3 has a built in browser but only plays old versions of flash so you can't watch demandfive or none html5 youtube videos via the ps3.

The PS3 also has the MUBI appif you fancy watching a few indie films.
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