If you are into entertainment, whether it be movies, TV shows or any kind of videos, I believe that I have come up with an expats dream package! I have written about this before, but that was a few years ago, and I have made some major changes to my setup, which I want to share with those who have an interest in duplicating what I am doing.
When you live in a foreign land, it can be hard to gain access to the type of entertainment that you are used to. This is especially true for TV shows, and events like sports on TV. A while back Paul Thompson wrote an article about his satellite TV system, and it has some US programming, but usually the shows are a couple of years old. If it is a sports event that you want, you may find yourself getting up at 3am to see that big game! Big networks like NBC or CBS have video on the net now, such as Hulu, but access if blocked here in the Philippines, because they networks do not want people outside the USA to watch.
For a number of years, I have been downloading Torrent files of TV shows over the Internet. Strictly speaking, downloading of copyright material such as a TV show is not legal. However, I personally do not have a moral problem with it, because they copyright holder gives me no other way to access the programs. I would be happy to pay a subscription fee, but nothing of that sort is offered for people outside the USA. So be it.
Until a few months ago, I had been using my old laptop in conjunction with the TV. I had the TV connected to the laptop as an external monitor, and that worked fine. However, I really hated to tie up a good computer just to watch TV shows. Now, thankfully, I have found a better solution.
About 4 months ago, I purchased a little unit called an WDTV, which is from Western Digital. WDTV is a very small unit that connects to the TV set. You also hook some kind of memory to the WDTV unit, such as an external hard drive, or a thumb drive, or whatever is convenient. It actually has two USB inputs, so you can hook up two devices with memory storage. Then, the WDTV allows you to select what you want to watch from the drive that is hooked to it. The WDTV has a remote control, so you can sit comfortably in front of the TV and control everything… pause, start a new file, even stop a program mid-stream, and if you come back 6 months later, you can start the program right where you left off, or start it again from the beginning. It is very convenient and handy. The WDTV unit costs P6,500 here, but is a bit less in the US, I believe $99.
My next addition came during Christmas. We had an older (non-HDTV) TV set. It was a big screen, but the picture was not very good any longer, especially when compared to the newer LCD sets that are so crystal clear. So, we found a good deal on a Panasonic 32″ LCD set, and we bought it. We had been holding out for a bigger screen than that, but when we watched another 32″ set, we found that it was plenty good, and we liked the size, so we bought on. So, at Christmas time, we added the 32″ flat screen LCD set, and we really are loving it. The picture is just like you are in the theater!
I had been using a 16 GB thumb drive to store TV shows that I had downloaded, but recently, I purchased a new Western Digital Elements portable hard drive. This little Elements drive is really cool, and I love it. It is tiny, and fits right in the palm of your hand. This unit is 320 GB, but larger sizes are available (up to 1 TB, I believe). 320 Gigs was the biggest I could find in Davao, though, and it is plenty big for my needs anyway. One thing I really like about the Elements drive is that it does not require a power hookup. The electricity is drawn directly from the USB connection to the computer (or, as I am using it, it gets it’s power right from the WDTV unit).
So, now, with this great new entertainment setup, we can download TV shows just minutes after they air in the USA, and watch them an hour or two later, or whenever it is convenient for us, since we have them stored on a hard drive. If there is a particular show that we want to save for some reason, we have it digitally stored on the drive, and it will be there years later if needed.
Of course, a setup like this will work for you no matter where you live, and whether you are an expat or not. But, given the special circumstances of an expat, it is perfectly suited for us. We cannot get the shows that we want to watch over regular TV, or if we can it is years later, so this really fits the bill. Also, with what is available on the Internet, we can get TV shows from almost any country in the world, and we have found some shows that we never would have seen before and found them enjoyable. I really like the idea that I no longer have to tie up a computer to do this too, and that I can use a remote control now… before when I had a laptop running the system, if we wanted to pause to answer the phone, we had to get up and go stop the laptop. This is much more convenient, and I gave my old laptop to my oldest son, and he is enjoying it a lot!
So, if you are looking for a great way to get your sports programming, news shows or entertainment, this system is the way to go, in my opinion. It’s inexpensive, readily available, and convenient!
Bob;
Just a quick question; I use a cell phone now for access to the web, when or if Globe ever hooks up their broadband at my location, can I use that to download TV?
Hi Paul – Absolutely! In fact, you can even download TV using your phone for access. However, if you are paying data charges on your phone by the Kb, that could get a bit expensive. The average TV show, for 1 hour is 350 MB. If you get HDTV quality TV shows, those are a bit over 1 GB for a one hour show.
Bob;
It’s the cost, that’s for sure. That’s why I’m waiting for the broadband, and then away I go. Again thanks for the info!
Hi Paul – You’ll be amazed at some of the stuff you can download! When you are ready to get started, if you need any help just let me know.
Good article Bob – I’m not sure if you could or would write one, but I’m sure a number of folks could benefit from a primer on using torrents.
Hi Gary – Actually, I have written about torrents and how to do them on this site before, but it’s been a couple years or so. In short, you need a BitTorrent program, I like a program called Vuze. After that, you can go to one of the BitTorrent sites. For TV shows my favorite sites to find shows are:
EZTV
Pirate Bay TV Uploads
Torrentz
Hi Bob – Wish I could download TV shows in just minutes (via torrents). As you know, with the SMART Bro situation here, that “minutes” becomes “hours” and, on occassion, “days.” 🙁
Still, it beats a poke in the eye with a sharp stick! 😆
Hi Paul – Sorry, I think you misinterpreted what I wrote. I said that “sometimes we can download TV shows just minutes after they air” – I meant that the show is available for download just a few minutes after it has aired on TV. That is when we can START downloading it. For an hour show, it can take anywhere from 45 minutes up to 3 or 4 hours to download it. Sorry, I didn’t mean that it takes “just minutes” to complete the download, only that is is available to start downloading “just minutes” after it has aired on TV.
Hi Bob – Wheh! Glad you straightened me out! Yes, on a good day a show takes about 3-1/2 hours to download (providing there are plenty seeds). As you know, the “Bro” is getting better and better, but slowly oh slowly! 😆
Sorry for any confusion, Paul. For us, if it is a good download time, we can get a show in 45 minutes. Probably an average download time is 2 hours, I’d say.
Good afternoon BoB ,
we are in iligann right now , because my father in law died ,
and i looked around for stuff , but even in the New Gaisano , they have only ” old “TV sets , no LCD , and however it took me 2 day,s
to install everything i am glad that i have my LapTop with me.I have a so called Multi Media Player ,
you download from PC , or USB or SD card , pictures , video , music ,
and play it on every TV , it has HDMI , Scart , SD , and USB and cable,s so even on my brother in law,s old TV i can play it and it has 500G , cost in Holland 70.000 peso [ $ 150 ] now there are even
with 1000G or 2 Terra byte.
It is perfect .
as here in iligan , nothing changed compare to 2 years [ and more ]
ago .in the hotel only rice and beer cost 5 peso more.
But what,s a pity , that the native shops will be gone ,
you see it now all around , people stand in line for
Mc.donald , Jollibee , etc.
So we have to go on the streets , but that,s no problem for me.
Gr. Anton
Hi Anton – It’s good that you are back in Iligan! Although the circumstances are unfortunate. Sorry to hear of your father in law’s death.
If you want to try out another media player that can play almost any media file, I would recommend VLC, it has almost every codec that you can ever imagine.
VLC , i think that they not sell that in iligan , but on our way back we stay 3 day,s in manila ,
i will look around in the Mall of Asia .
a pity that we have only little time now , i allready had my
vacation planned 5 weeks July-August , including Davao and Zamboanga ,
but that will be cancelled.
Gr. Anton
Hi Anton – Actually VLC is free, it costs nothing, and all you have to do is download it from the link that I provided.
Pity that you had to cancel your July vacation!
If you can not find what you are looking for in Iligan, you may be able to find it in Cagayan De Oro. You may be able to find the LCD type TV at Imperial Appliance or one of the other independent dealers in Iligan. I did not look at any of the television products at Gaisano Iligan. I did however look at component audio equipment and did not recognize any of the brand names on any of it, probably so the items can be sold for a lower price even though they could have very well come out of the same factories brand name equipment known to the rest of the world comes out of. The same with the speakers.
Nice article Bob. It sounds like sooner or later Internet TV may eliminate the many variations in TV ” Formats ” such as NTSC, SECAM, PAL, N-PAl etc. that have previously made viewing of foriegn originated TV costly and somewhat cumbersome to watch in different parts of the world. I still have a Panasonic AGW-1 VHS all world format unit that cost me about $3000 in the early 1990’s. I used to trade tv shows on VHS with some of my friends in the UK.
The change to Digital TV transmission here in the USA has been a great disapointment for thousands of former off-air viewers. Many of the broadcasters are using only about one third the RF output power for their digital transmission and most of it is now in the UHF band. Many people out in the suburbs like myself that used to be able to get off the air reception can no longer do so. A real boom to cable operators. I think someday all tv will be streamed over the internet. It sounds like you have found the present day dream TV setup for where you are ! Enjoy !
Hi Bob – Yes, it is a really good system, and I enjoy it. We regularly watch shows from the UK, Australia, New Zealand and the USA. Canada too. PAL, NTSC and the others… it’s of no concern when you are downloading digital files. Like you, I believe that in the future the Internet will be the delivery platform for all TV. It might come sooner than we expect!
Hi Bob,
how about shows coming from Japan, is there any? BTW very nice article. Salamat.
helen
Hi Helen – To be honest, since I can’t speak Japanese, I have never really looked for Japanese programs. I am sure that they must be available somewhere on the Net though!
Hi Bob, when I was in the Phils I used a slingbox which allowed me to watch all uk channels live via the net. The negative side of course is you have to have access to a TV/satellite unit or whatever in your home country. But for me it was perfect I could sit in my room anywhere in the Phils and watch my normal TV channels live.
If I live there again will just have a set up left in a family members home and access it that way.
Hi gerry – I am familiar with SlingBox, but it is not something I am interested in. Firstly, I have no cable TV access in the States where I can run the thing from. Secondly, I have to watch live, and the times may be inconvenient for here. With the setup I am using now, I get the shows with no commercials, and can watch anytime that is convenient for me. It’s perfect for my needs. I do believe that the SlingBox will serve the needs of others well, too, though.
Hi Bob yes I can understand that it may not be best for you. BTW I tape everything on my skybox at home so I don’t have to watch it live unless I wish to. I don’t like ads either 🙂 When I am in the phils I mostly just watch taped programmes unless it is sport then I will try to watch that live.
Hi gerry – Actually, I didn’t think about it that you could record the program with a second device.
Now you’re speaking my language (nerd-speak), Bob.
I too have the same WD Media Player / external hard drive setup at home; the intended purpose of which I shall refrain from repeating 🙂
It works great for freeing up space on your pc hard drive,ultra portable and hooks up to any tv in the house in seconds.
And with hulu blocked everywhere else but here in the US, downloading may have been everyone’s only option. . . . . until now or at least according to this article I stumbled upon the other day.
http://lifehacker.com/5465020/tvgorge-brings-dozens-of-location+blocked-tv-shows-to-users-around-the-world
Hopefully broadband or dsl speeds where you are are fast enough to support streaming from this site.
I’d be curious to know if this works. Lemme know if it does.
cheers,
Dennis
Hi Dennis – I’ll check that out and see what they have to offer. I suspect, though, that my broadband won’t be able to keep up with the streaming. Glad to know that you are enjoying the WDTV unit like I am!
BTW, Dennis, I have been to Avenue S a number of times for lunch. That was a couple years ago, though… shortly after you guys opened for business. Maybe I’ll try to swing by again soon. Is there a certain time of day when you are around? If so, I’ll say hi when I stop by.
Hi Bob,
Would love to meet you someday as I enjoy visiting your site whenever I can. Martin and I have been exchanging ideas in his section of LIP on some business related subjects. But I live in sunny Orange County, CA where it won’t be sunny at all today according to forecast 🙁
On my next trip home, possibly in August, for sure, I will look you up.
cheers,
Dennis
Hi Dennis – Ah, I thought you lived in Davao! Ha ha… OK, but be sure to give me a shout when you are in town!
Believe me, a lot of times, I wish I did. . .haha
Take care,
Dennis
I can only imagine, Dennis!
Here in the USA I can go to the various network sites and watch TV shows online from the night before and that is just fine with me. You mentioned that those sites are not often available in the Philippines for one reason or another. Are you aware of any good and consistent ways (services) to sucessfully mask your isp in the Philippines so it appears you are actually in the USA. Maybe one day I would go to the system like you are using but for now if I can just access the majors that would be just dandy.
Hi Paul – It’s not hard to mask your IP through a proxy server. However, to get a proxy server with enough speed to watch video, you will have to pay for it, and it won’t be cheap. Video means lots of bandwidth. You are going to pay hundreds of dollars per month for the kind of bandwidth you will need to watch many TV shows.