Watching TV live on iPhone or computer.

[BethEJo]

Not sure if I'm breaking any rules here, I don't mean for this to sound like an advert, but I just wanted to share something that my Dad just showed me.

Currently, since they stopped the terrestrial signal, we obviously have freeview. But for our location, not all the channels are available - we can only get bbc1,2,itv,ch4 and ch5. So while my Dad was searching on the net to get more channels he came across a website called TV Catchup. It allows you to stream and watch the freeview channels free from your laptop (not of great use if you can get all the freeview channels already on your TV). But not only from your laptop - you can stream and watch live on YOUR IPHONE TOO!

All you need to do is sign up with a username, email address and password. Its completely free.

So try it out. Google "TV catchup" and it will be the first result. Sorry if this is something that you already use. It was news to me and I love it, so just thought I'd share it

 

[ukstitch]

I've not really used this, but I've had a little experiment. I'm hoping to use it to watch the England - Slovenia match though as I won't be at home

 

[luke]

Aye tis pretty good, been using it for ages now and I still get astonished by it

Although the new 'limited data' on iPhone 4 will make me more careful about it post June 24th

 

[luke]

Don't forget tho to use the iPhone specific site when on iPhone

http://iphone.tvcatchup.com/

Still hoping they'll add the rest of the channels the computer version has at some point

 

[buzz for boys]

Wow that is good to know !! thanks x

 

[BethEJo]

Aye tis pretty good, been using it for ages now and I still get astonished by it

Although the new 'limited data' on iPhone 4 will make me more careful about it post June 24th

They're going to limit data on iPhone 4?!? Why/what/how...

 

[luke]

They're going to limit data on iPhone 4?!? Why/what/how...

Low tariffs restricted to 500mb p/m, mid tariffs 750mb p/m, top tariffs 1gb p/m.

This is from October tho, and they will offer 500mb bolt ons for £5 p/m.

Tho I'm a fairly heavy user and I checked and I used nearly 10gb since 8 August 08, so maybe it won't be too hard to keep data down, although it was nice to have never had to think about it before!!

This is o2 by the way, Vodafone and Orange have always limited data.

Just read the tvcatchup forums tho and 60mins of tvcatchup uses about 350mb!!!!

 

[BethEJo]

Tho I'm a fairly heavy user and I checked and I used nearly 10gb since 8 August 08, so maybe it won't be too hard to keep data down, although it was nice to have never had to think about it before!!

How do you find out how much data you use?

 

[diddldonna]

I am confused? Do you have to pay for this then? I just added it my iPhone and can watch tv on it okay but don't see anything about paying?

 

[BethEJo]

No, you don't have to pay - completely free

Sorry, we went a little off topic above there - started talking about data for the new iphone. Nothing to do with TV catchup. Apologies

 

[diddldonna]

No, you don't have to pay - completely free

Sorry, we went a little off topic above there - started talking about data for the new iphone. Nothing to do with TV catchup. Apologies

lol don't worry it doesn't take much to confuse me at the moment as I am on bed rest and on medication due to a bad back. Thanks for replying quickly and again thanks for the link.

 

[natalielongstaff]

thanks for this info

 

[Dollyrar]

I use wifi to watch it in bed sometimes, which doesn't have datas charges. Worth making sure you're using this instead of 3G if you're at home

 

[Muscateer]

Thanks for sharing, always on the look out to be a bit more technology savvie

 

[disney_princess_85]

So o2 are changing the rules on how much data you can use? I got my iPhone a month or so ago and my tariff includes unlimited Internet use. Will I not get this anymore?

ETA: I did some research and it looks like o2 will honour all existing customers' tariffs. Too right!

 

[T16GEM]

we have been using this for a while now, it doesn't work that well on 3G, it amazes me! I watch my iPhone in the kitchen when the kids are watching Ceebeebies.

 

[ukstitch]

So o2 are changing the rules on how much data you can use? I got my iPhone a month or so ago and my tariff includes unlimited Internet use. Will I not get this anymore?

ETA: I did some research and it looks like o2 will honour all existing customers' tariffs. Too right!

Correct. However - unless you're on a sim only tariff, you'll either have to surrender your unlimited internet or continue paying far more than you need to (you'll lose unlimited internet unless you stay on your current priced tariff).

But - I reset my usage a couple of days ago and have only used 20mb of cellular data since then (roughly 10mb per day).

I do basic web surfing and email reading. 10mb a day is about 300mb a month, which leaves me plenty of "spare" usage before I hit the ceiling of even the cheapest tariff.

On another note - I read something today saying that pretty much all the major tv companies (itv, channel 4 and five) are making "legal challenges" against TvCatchup (bbc are also said to be "in discussions" with them) so I'm not sure how much longer it will last

 

[BethEJo]

lol don't worry it doesn't take much to confuse me at the moment as I am on bed rest and on medication due to a bad back. Thanks for replying quickly and again thanks for the link.

Aww, I'm sorry to hear that. I really hope you feel better again soon xx

On another note - I read something today saying that pretty much all the major tv companies (itv, channel 4 and five) are making "legal challenges" against TvCatchup (bbc are also said to be "in discussions" with them) so I'm not sure how much longer it will last

I knew it was too good to be true lol - something had to give! Let's hope they resolve it! Otherwise, I'll just enjoy it while it lasts

 

[PoppyAnna]

I use http://m.tvcatchup.com. on my HTC desire but i believe it works on the iPhone too. It is fab on wifi at home, haven't tried it out and about yet.