Looked up Harvey Norman this morning and noticed the fetch tv was marked as $298. I ordered and paid for it online, and picked it up from the local Harvey Norman store. The guy at the store told me I got it at a great price, I agreed. I've no idea how much postage is on these, but you can do the old click and collect thing. Harvey Normans website shows which stores around you have stock.
Got it with the Optus promo + entertainment pack. Pretty average. Only good thing is Netflix, Stan on the box without needing a chrome cast. Without entertainment pack, will be pretty bad.
Thanks for the advice. Might have to pass.
If you want a pvr it's good. I have one and also a beyonwiz.2 features i like with beyonwiz is you can fast forward 15 seconds at a time which is great. Secondly with a bit of know how you can transfer recordings from it to your pc.
Fetch i like the user interface, its easy. The netflix app is great and it has stan but haven't used that. I use getflix through the app no problems to access us, uk and canada etc. I can hook a usb hard drive up to it easily as well and you can play files from local devices too.
I wouldn't bother with the add on packs, not worth the money compared to netflix.
So as a PVR i think its great if you want something thats user friendly for the whole family. If being able to save recordings from the box is important to you though look elsewhere.
In my opinion, this is easily the best FTA Set Top Box in Australia.
PRO's
Designed by Australians, for Australians
It has a very fast interface
Internet based EPG, with no IceTV subscription needed
3 tuners
series-link works well
includes Netflix, Stan, YouTube, and DNLA media player
optional PayTV extra
CON's
No way to download shows to your computer
No multi-room option (although you can stream to a mobile device)
Back when I had the FetchTV box (gen 2), I was able to 'download' shows to my computer (if you're referring to copying recordings from the box over to a computer), over the network-it appeared in Windows Explorer and media player. Great box.
In addition. My mobile device is android. Windows and iOS may differ.
Cons
Streaming to mobile device seems to be limited to live and purchased content. I can't seem to find a way to stream my recordings to a mobile device.
FTA channels don't stream to mobile
One board disk space is not huge
Gets remarkably hot
Pros
Quite straight forward to use
You can't stream recordings to a mobile device, if you received your Fetch TV through "Optus". All other ISP's and Retail versions of Fetch TV definitely include this capability.
This is because of a court ruling against Optus in 2012, for it's now dead "Optus TV Now" service.
@guidedlight:
Thanks,
I called Optus today on another matter and asked the technical support the question. They were not even aware that the streaming recordings to mobile device feature had been dropped.
its a passable Item very ordinary better to get with offers like optus
Its OK for what it is. Its pretty good speed and stability wise as far stbs go, but thats not saying much.
I used to use mine full time (optus bundle) until I got a nvidia shield. The shield wees all over the fetch in speed and stability, also for add ons.
I'd say fetch is a good second choice, but it really is a distant second.
you have to pay extra to get the channels.
i got one from optus and the thing was clunky as hell, didn't even bother using it after a day or two… not worth buying, barely acceptable if getting it for free
If i have one without pay servixe can i still use for standard tv freepay?
Yep that's what i have. Think it still needs to be hooked up to internet though.
Fetch TV is awesome!
As mentioned above:
I've seen one in action. Decent box with plenty of features. Better if you have the free entertainment pack from Optus. I might wait till they hit $199 again https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/168478
IN A WORLD where media devices like the Chromecast, Apple TV and Roku can be picked up for well under $100 and $60 brand-name Bluray players come with Netflix built-in … ONLY ONE MAN HAD THE COURAGE to stand up and ask people to pay $300 for an old device that has been dumped by Internode, TransACT, Westnet and iiNet. THIS SUMMER … HARVEY NORMAN.
The plot twist is they'll manage to sell a $50 "special" HDMI lead with each one.
You're not comparing apples to apples. None of the devices you're comparing this to are PVRs.
Yep - there is no comparison.
iiNet and Optus etc are still selling Fetch, however, there may be some truth about old tech…Fetch are looking to release a mini STB plus a 4K capable STB this year:
http://www.cnet.com/au/news/mini-set-top-box-4k-and-download…
anyone can release a 4k device, but without 4k content, whats the bloody point?
so you can tell everyone "hey look at me, I own a 4k device and have no 4k content, look how great i am"
I can import an 8K tv but without content what good is it?
Don't forget the $25 off voucher at HN.
I'm tempted to get one purely for FTA PVR recordings, Netflix and DLNA/Plex Server…
Hows the Netflix app run compared to an Apple TV or Chromecast? Also, anyone have any experience with DNLA/Plex Server with this unit?
Hows the Netflix app run compared to an Apple TV or Chromecast?
Can only compare to ChromeCast, but the Fetch Netflix app runs just as good, with the bonus of being to add DNS entries into Fetch.
anyone have any experience with DNLA/Plex Server with this unit
Yep, although I prefer the folder view of Serviio, but both Serviio and Plex work well…have streamed 15GB blu-ray rips to Fetch no probs.
Cool, Thanks!
Currently running one i got free with iinet bundle.
Only using as cheapo tv in bedroom is not smart tv, and wanted netflix and stan.
Wouldnt buy one outrigt, will throw out once tv has been upgraded.
Ok so is there any ongoing cost to these after the upfront purchase price? As long as it's connected to the Internet, is that all you need to use it? I've heard of a $5 monthly fee but is that only if you want access to the streaming library? I'm keen but don't want to be up for any additional cost after I buy one cause I just want it as a FTA PVR only.
As long as it's connected to the Internet, is that all you need to use it?
Yep. No ongoing costs, just the $1 activation fee:
"There is a one off $1 activation fee for the Starter Pack"
How does this compare to TiVo as a PVR?
I got one as a replacement for our Tivo (it ended up replacing the ChromeCast too), and it was a painless transition.
My mini Tivo / Fetch comparison here:
My TiVo was dying and I got a FetchTV as well. I was really worried because I really liked the TiVo. It's not perfect if you're used to the TiVo but on a whole I think it is a better device. Definitely worth it.
I also got mine for $300 (Just asked HN for best price $350, and then got $50 back from AMEX for spending $350 or more at HN).
I also signed up to the $15 per month for the channel package which gives me ESPN (unfortunately no Fox Footy).
So does ur antenna connect the back of this box then connects to your tv via HDMI?
So no need to connect to your tv's antenna port?
Thanks
So does ur antenna connect the back of this box then connects to your tv via HDMI?
Yep.
So no need to connect to your tv's antenna port?
No, although if you do want to do that, the Fetch TV has antenna pass-through.
Kewl thanks might work for me as my samsung tv antenna port stopped tunning channels after I put the wall mount must have bent the internal tuner/port :(
So… Is this deal over/expired?
I just looked up postcode 3976 (victoria), price is $399.00
Does anybody recommend it? I need ozbargain reviews, not googled ones!