[ADVERTORIAL] Thai Expat TV

[buksida]

Vast improvement, it now works on my crapola < 2Mb TOT connection ... kids have CBBC on ... peace on a Sunday morning ...

[Big Boy]

BB, I'm out of touch with what's on UK tv these days. What live sports do you get to watch? (Football, rugby and cricket is all I care about really.) I'll be moving house in the next few months, and once that's done I'll probably sign up with Thai Expat.

At the moment, the

- 6 nations are being shown.

- I think about 60% of England's football matches are shown

- You get the odd championship match live.

- Champions League.

- European Losers Cup.

- FA Cup final.

- A few of the F1 Grand Prix races.

- Wimbledon.

- Cricket? (sorry I'd rather stick hot needles in my eyes) Don't know.

- Horse Racing on Channel 4.

- Match of the Day.

- The Football League Show.

- Athletics gets a good airing when in season (Olympic coverage was superb)

- London Marathon, Great North Run etc.

I think they show golf, but whether it's live or highlights, I wouldn't know (probably a bit of both).

- etc., etc., etc.

I use this link for my UK TV guide http://www.tvguide.co.uk/

You really should take advantage of the free trial (no obligation), and try it for yourself. I timed my free trial to ensure that I took in a couple of England's Euro 2012 matches.

It's a shame you didn't have a chat with Wez at the Forum's 10th Birthday Party. He could have told you a lot better than me, and there are still some exciting developments in the pipeline.

Maybe Wez or one of his colleagues could set up a roadshow somewhere in Hua Hin one night to demonstrate/discuss the product if enough people showed interest. Alternatively, you'd be more than welcome to pop in for a coffee (or maybe a beer if my son has left any in the fridge) before the next quiz and have a go at my system.

[barrys]

Hi BB - I've just signed up again for the 1 week trial.
Do you happen to know if the Ireland vs. England 6 nations game and/or Man U vs. Everton can be viewed live this evening?
I haven't quite found my way around the TV guide yet

[Big Boy]

If you use the link I provided above, you will see the Ireland vs England game starts at 14:30 on BBC1. for the football, it's Match of the Day 2 on BBC2 at 10. However, as it's highlights, with the new player you'll be able to watch it at any time tomorrow.

[dtaai-maai]

Hi BB - I've just signed up again for the 1 week trial.
Do you happen to know if the Ireland vs. England 6 nations game can be viewed live this evening?

Barry, you're a genius! 'Scuse me, got to go and sign up for a free trial..

[Big Boy]

About time I don't think you'll be disappointed, but if you are, there's nothing lost.

[dtaai-maai]

My main problem has always been my download speed. I'm not sure what speed I pay for, but it's with TT&T pre-3BB and it's a little over 1000 baht per month. I've thought about changing it, but there's always been that "don't blame us if you wind up with worse than you've got now" warning, and I haven't had any problems downloading films, etc.

I've just checked my download speed and it's 1.1 mbps, which must be pretty pathetic by any standards. It clearly couldn't be much worse whatever I changed it to, but it could be as much as 400-500 baht cheaper. No-brainer really.

Anyway, even with my slow download speed, I still appear to be able to watch anything live and certainly to watch re-runs of programmes already aired.

I presume the buffer speed is the most relevant stat with regard to performance, and that has varied between 50 secs and 20 mins! So I'm fine if I start watching something and stick with it - problems only arise if I want to start switching channels, then everything just grinds to a halt. One thing I would like to be able to do that I can't is to get rid of all the peripheral stuff and have the TV picture full screen. Again, it just freezes. But no complaints, as I assume all of that is down to my slow download speed.

So I'm going to watch the rugby this evening, then change my internet connection to 3BB (probably the 900 baht package) and ask Thai Expat if they'll let me have another trial next week (I've only got 48 hrs).

Very impressive set-up.

[Big Boy]

DM, the 600 Baht package with either 3BB or True should be more than man enough for Thai Expat TV. Unfortunately, I'm not sure how the built in buffer will work with what in effect is live streaming if your speed is low.

Maybe one of the Expat TV team is watching, and will advise. Otherwise, they've given you a technical e-mail address. I'm sure they will advise you on what you should do. They usually respond in minutes.

[Big Boy]

Well DM, the game is over - how was it for you? Did your low speeds affect it? It was perfect for me.

[dtaai-maai]

It was terrific, BB - obviously!!

Seriously though, the reception was fine, the picture was great and the action was as smooth as on TV. The only thing I couldn't achieve was a full screen picture.

I tested my download speed a few more times and it often goes up to just over 3 mbps, but it equally often goes down to c. 1.1.

Expat TV replied to my email (basically a copy of my post above) and suggested that I get the 3BB package (and True once we've moved, if available). They have also kindly offered another longer trial period once I have the Internet connection set up.

[Big Boy]

Good news, I'm pleased it worked for you.

I think I needed 3 free trials before I was convinced that it worked. They were very understanding, and showed a lot of confidence in their product.

[dtaai-maai]

I think my main bone of contention would be less concerned with the service provided by Thai Expat, and more with the content of British television...

[Big Boy]

Obviously this can be a bone of contention, but look at the alternatives and compare costs. Personally, I get what I need out of Expat TV.

If I want movies, I either download or go to the cinema. If I want sport that isn't shown on Expat TV, I have the option of going to the nearest bar to watch.

Everybody has their own needs, and Expat TV is good enough for my humble requirement. At less than £3 a week, it is certainly very affordable.

[Dannie Boy]

I've just signed up for the free trial and watched my first programme - Grand Designs, and it worked perfectly from start to finish. On this basis I will be taking out a subscription very soon!!

[Bristolian]

[Mod Edit] Post removed - totally inappropriate on a sponsors Advertorial thread.