Need IPTV guidance

2

2GK2LGLZ2E

n00b
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Oct 21, 2024
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I am trying to find a replacement for satellite TV and already have excellent stable low latency fiber gigabit connection with very customizable router (ASUS RT-AX86U Pro), but need to figure out:
1. Setup Box (STB)
2. Completely legal IPTV service

I don't think my ISP allows for IPTV IGMP multicast tagged VLAN connections, but I'd rather not use that anyway. I'd prefer to get IPTV over VPN and my router already acts as WireGuard client with multiple profiles for NordVPN and ProtonVPN.

I just don't know which STB to get. They all look like gimmicks to me and IPTV is spammed all over the Internet to a point where I can't even distinguish BS from non-BS because most of it, if not all of it, smells like BS... I also want 100% legal service that can lawfully operate within USA.

Can AppleTV 4K be used as STB? Its only the quality streaming device I can find and Apple is thorough when it comes to allowed apps, unlikely allowing some unlawful IPTV service app, but I am still lost because of all the BS smell that surround IPTV.

Apple TV supports VLC media player, but I don't know if it can be used to easily manage IPTV service with Apple TV remote. I want IPTV to be as easy to use as sattlive TV once setup is complete.
 
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YouTube TV and directv streaming are your two real, good options. Use a roku as an stb or there are older used devices that have number pads on the remote for easier navigation (Google directv streaming trick play or similar to find it, I don't remember the name of it right now :)).
 
DirecTV is a company from which I want to move away. I can't even login to my account when using VPN (ANY VPN) and generally have horrible experience with it. Switching from DirecTV satellite to DirecTV IPTV is also unlikely to save money. Aren't their satellite and IPTV package priced identically?

YouTube TV sounds an interesting idea if it offers sports channels, weather channels, Discovery/History channels.
 
Youtube TV doesn't seem like it's going to get any better with VPNs from what I've seen. All of these streaming and TV services are so geofenced because of "sharing" to the point where if your VPN server changes, you might have to call CS to get your account unlocked or do their log-in, enter code from e-mail, etc.

I had something similar with T-Mobile Home Internet. It wasn't a VPN, but your IP changed a lot because of the CGNAT. It wouldn't even let me watch Hulu, and the others required me to log in everytime I wanted to watch anything.

Maybe if you have a static IP from your VPN provider?
 
2GK2LGLZ2E said:
I am trying to find a replacement for satellite TV and already have excellent stable low latency fiber gigabit connection with very customizable router (ASUS RT-AX86U Pro), but need to figure out:
1. Setup Box (STB)
2. Completely legal IPTV service

I don't think my ISP allows for IPTV IGMP multicast tagged VLAN connections, but I'd rather not use that anyway. I'd prefer to get IPTV over VPN and my router already acts as WireGuard client with multiple profiles for NordVPN and ProtonVPN.

I just don't know which STB to get. They all look like gimmicks to me and IPTV is spammed all over the Internet to a point where I can't even distinguish BS from non-BS because most of it, if not all of it, smells like BS... I also want 100% legal service that can lawfully operate within USA.

Can AppleTV 4K be used as STB? Its only the quality streaming device I can find and Apple is thorough when it comes to allowed apps, unlikely allowing some unlawful IPTV service app, but I am still lost because of all the BS smell that surround IPTV.

Apple TV supports VLC media player, but I don't know if it can be used to easily manage IPTV service with Apple TV remote. I want IPTV to be as easy to use as sattlive TV once setup is complete.
Click to expand...

Apple 4k tv can be used as a STB In fact is likely your best bet (its what i use) , you can get your locals via their local websites IE: KTLA you can watch your locals live, you can also shell out 50$ for an antenna as well if you want to watch your locals that way.
You can get pluto TV which is a very good free service, free vee , TUBI is good as well, if you get a XUMO somewhere it comes with preinstalled FREE TV, or you can download the xumo app which has free services after registering.
A roku stick is a very good option for free TV as well and if you have a samsung TV they have options for free TV.

As for pay you have YOUTUBE TV, HULU, FUBO, DIRECTV STREAM, XFINITY STREAM (must have their internet) SPECTRUM stream (must have their internet) Cox stream ( must have their internet) Sling TV and i believe prime has some package that has locals as well.

Please be mindful im not suggesting any of these, i'm just giving you options to get free/paid service.
 
kirbyrj said:
Youtube TV doesn't seem like it's going to get any better with VPNs from what I've seen. All of these streaming and TV services are so geofenced because of "sharing" to the point where if your VPN server changes, you might have to call CS to get your account unlocked or do their log-in, enter code from e-mail, etc.

I had something similar with T-Mobile Home Internet. It wasn't a VPN, but your IP changed a lot because of the CGNAT. It wouldn't even let me watch Hulu, and the others required me to log in everytime I wanted to watch anything.

Maybe if you have a static IP from your VPN provider?
Click to expand...
These companies are starting to limit how, who and where you use your subscriptions, Its almost like were going back to cable or satellite. By the time you add all the pay apps together you're looking at 200$+
 
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