Streaming Hockey TV Broadcasts (legal links only)

[archibalduk]

I think it takes about 48hrs for the games to end up in the vault/archive.

The condensed games are usually uploaded within a few hours. Yesterday, I was able to use the iPad app to watch condensed games about six hours after the games ended.

I wish the GCL website was as well laid out as the iPad app (it's very well designed). The only criticism of the website and app I have is that if you click a game to watch on demand (both full and condensed), they both first take you to the game report where the links to the home and away feeds are. Even if you have the "display scores" option turned off, the headline of the match report says what the outcome was (and usually also the score). It also has the score in the right hand side where the form guide is. It's impossible to view the game without having the scored spoiled. I hope they fix this.

[m0fownz0r]

I think it takes about 48hrs for the games to end up in the vault/archive.

The condensed games are usually uploaded within a few hours. Yesterday, I was able to use the iPad app to watch condensed games about six hours after the games ended.

I wish the GCL website was as well laid out as the iPad app (it's very well designed). The only criticism of the website and app I have is that if you click a game to watch on demand (both full and condensed), they both first take you to the game report where the links to the home and away feeds are. Even if you have the "display scores" option turned off, the headline of the match report says what the outcome was (and usually also the score). It also has the score in the right hand side where the form guide is. It's impossible to view the game without having the scored spoiled. I hope they fix this.

Yeah, this new preview tab(or the tabs as a whole) they put there seems to cause quite a few problems.

About the vault games, it depends whether you subscribed only for the the vault or get the GCL Live. I don't even have to wait for condensed games, just load up the page and pick a game to watch.

[Danny]

So it appears the late ESPN-A games are not blacked out, only the prime time (Euro time) ones.

[archibalduk]

It's going to be a real pain come playoff time...

Btw, I haven't seen any sign of this new 4,500kbps feed yet. But GCL still mentions this bit rate in the FAQ. I'd love to see this sooner rather than later - I can really notice the low frame rate (compared with the likes of Youtube) particularly when the camera pans. In actual fact, I find the frame rate much better on the iPad app than on the PC (but I'm guessing the iPad app uses a slightly lower bit rate).

[m0fownz0r]

It's going to be a real pain come playoff time...

Btw, I haven't seen any sign of this new 4,500kbps feed yet. But GCL still mentions this bit rate in the FAQ. I'd love to see this sooner rather than later - I can really notice the low frame rate (compared with the likes of Youtube) particularly when the camera pans. In actual fact, I find the frame rate much better on the iPad app than on the PC (but I'm guessing the iPad app uses a slightly lower bit rate).

One of the VERY few perks of living in 3rd world country is I don't get any blackouts . I also really want to see 4500kbps feed since more often than not I watch the games on my monitor and the difference with the picture on the tv is significant.

[nino33]

GameCenter's multiple (4) game view is working now!
I'm currently watching Bruins-Islanders, Sabres-Hurricanes, Capitals-Devils and Lightning-Senators all on the same screen!

[Danny]

PS3 app out !

[m0fownz0r]

GameCenter's multiple (4) game view is working now!
I'm currently watching Bruins-Islanders, Sabres-Hurricanes, Capitals-Devils and Lightning-Senators all on the same screen!

Hey nino, do you have a quality problem when you select multiple games? Mine drops to like the lowest kbps rate..

[nino33]

GameCenter's multiple (4) game view is working now!
I'm currently watching Bruins-Islanders, Sabres-Hurricanes, Capitals-Devils and Lightning-Senators all on the same screen!

Hey nino, do you have a quality problem when you select multiple games? Mine drops to like the lowest kbps rate..

I’m afraid I’m not sure…
I’ve noticed at times some games freeze/jump ahead, but I don’t know much about things like kbps speed.

I "watch" games “in the background” (on an older model laptop) as I’m doing my editing, and I rarely care about what specific game is "on" – if a game freezes or is choppy I’ll just switch to another game

[m0fownz0r]

GameCenter's multiple (4) game view is working now!
I'm currently watching Bruins-Islanders, Sabres-Hurricanes, Capitals-Devils and Lightning-Senators all on the same screen!

Hey nino, do you have a quality problem when you select multiple games? Mine drops to like the lowest kbps rate..

I’m afraid I’m not sure…
I’ve noticed at times some games freeze/jump ahead, but I don’t know much about things like kbps speed.

I "watch" games “in the background” (on an older model laptop) as I’m doing my editing, and I rarely care about what specific game is "on" – if a game freezes or is choppy I’ll just switch to another game

I see that's Sunday for me - ehm on the right side of the monitor and 1 or two games on the left till they end. I guess I'll stick to opening them in a new window with max quality and to be fair better resizing of the picture

[m0fownz0r]

It's about that time of the year my NHL:GCL subscription is up for renewal. However, they still haven;t introduced the 4500kps streams and there is no info about that on the site now. So, I've been wondering if hockeystreams might actually provide a better quality service since their streams are in 60fps compared to the 30fps of GCL. Can anyone around here, that has used hockeystreams shed some light about their service?

[archibalduk]

I think either on this page or the previous page of this thread there is some info about HockeyStreams. I think it comes down to a trade-off; HS has a higher frame rate but a poorer quality image. Do you have a games console at all? I have found that the frame rate is much better on the XBox than the PC - and the image quality is just as good.

Unfortunately I won't be renewing my subscription this year. I'm short on cash and so can't afford to have both a season ticket for my local team and subscribe to GCL. Especially as there are so many blackouts (meaning an additional subscription to a proxy server) and I didn't really enjoy the NHL season last year.

[m0fownz0r]

I think either on this page or the previous page of this thread there is some info about HockeyStreams. I think it comes down to a trade-off; HS has a higher frame rate but a poorer quality image. Do you have a games console at all? I have found that the frame rate is much better on the XBox than the PC - and the image quality is just as good.

Unfortunately I won't be renewing my subscription this year. I'm short on cash and so can't afford to have both a season ticket for my local team and subscribe to GCL. Especially as there are so many blackouts (meaning an additional subscription to a proxy server) and I didn't really enjoy the NHL season last year.

Well, hockeystreams claim they support the same 1280x720 resolution as GCL but with a higher FPS which is the tempting part. And the image on the console is only better because you watch it on the TV which uses a different frame rate opposed to a pc monitor. The pictrue on my TV is just awesome, HD ftw but if they support higher frame rate for the PC, now that would somthing.

You should check this http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/board/f ... liate.html

[archibalduk]

Well, hockeystreams claim they support the same 1280x720 resolution as GCL but with a higher FPS which is the tempting part. And the image on the console is only better because you watch it on the TV which uses a different frame rate opposed to a pc monitor. The pictrue on my TV is just awesome, HD ftw but if they support higher frame rate for the PC, now that would somthing.

The framerate is nonetheless definitely better on the console than the PC. When I watch on the PC, I connect it to my TV via an HDMI cable and turn off all of the image processing options - and I do the same with the XBox. So essentially the test conditions are the same. Whereas the PC is a little choppy, the XBox is noticeably smoother.

You should check this http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/board/f ... liate.html

I've already signed up! In fact, TBL was the guinea pig to test out that the scheme was working correctly. There are some Purchase links at the top of the FHM Forums on TBL.

[m0fownz0r]

The framerate is nonetheless definitely better on the console than the PC. When I watch on the PC, I connect it to my TV via an HDMI cable and turn off all of the image processing options - and I do the same with the XBox. So essentially the test conditions are the same. Whereas the PC is a little choppy, the XBox is noticeably smoother.

Well, I'll probably pay for a dayily tryout to check things out for mysel. Seems odd that neither hockeystreams nor GCL have a free trial. Hopefully someone else can share their expirience too.

*nevermind that, just found a preview link http://www6.hockeystreams.com/preview/flash and if that;s what they offer I think I'll stick with GCL. Plus being in Europe it;s not that e expensive anyway, actually cheaper than hockeystreams.

I've already signed up! In fact, TBL was the guinea pig to test out that the scheme was working correctly. There are some Purchase links at the top of the FHM Forums on TBL.

That's great ! I would suggest to make it a little more stand out though.

[Danny]

HS doesn't seem to be entirely legal, I wouldn't be comfortable giving them any payment details, that's just me though. Big brother is watching
Putting that aside the pros are obvious, no blackouts, short-term subscriptions possible and other leagues available in addition to the NHL. What's a bit off-putting is the fact that they're not telling the truth on their info page where they're comparing HS to GC, not exactly serious business... on the other hand, GC wasn't completely honest about blackouts in Europe last season either.
HS's highest quality streams are definitely nowhere near as good as on GC (*a bit more on that later on), and the frame rate, evethough noticeably over 30 fps, isn't consistent.
As pointed out before you get a way better frame rate with GC using apps on external devices compared to watching it on the PC via the browser, some of the apps have been a disaster last season though, what's the point in having a crystal clear picture running at a smooth 60fps if the stream stops every minute to buffer for 20 seconds...

*The good news is there's a way to watch those shiny 4500 kbps / 60 fps streams on your PC as well, using XBMC with the GC add-on. I'm no legal expert but since you need a legit account for it to work I assume it's at least not illegal.
The developer himself says he's not sure if the add-on is going to work this season , but I've tried it on a few pre-season games and it seemed to run properly. Of course, it comes with a sacrifice, the add-on doesn't support GC's PVR function, which means you have to watch live games actually live, there's no way to pause, rewind or FF, which means if you're home late for the game your options are to either start watching while the game is already in progress or if you wanna watch from the beginning wait until it's over and archived.

[archibalduk]

HockeyStreams is almost certainly illegal because I don't think they have a license to broadcast the games. I think their servers are based in Rotterdam and so I'm not sure why the NHL/CHL/etc don't sue them (it's not like their servers are located in some difficult-to-enforce jurisdiction like China). I'd also be very reluctant to subscribe to them. It's pretty expensive unless you pay for the year's subscription - and then you have to worry about the site being pulled at any moment if legal action is commenced.

I doubt the XMBC GC thing is illegal. I'd check the terms and conditions; I guess there's a possibility you could be breaching those. But I think it'd be impossible for them to detect that you're doing it. Ultimately you're paying for the stream and so you should be able to watch it any way you want using any of the available streams.

I've got the usual start of season itch and really want to subscribe to GCL again. But with all of the blackouts, I'd have to also take out a subscription with Unblock Us which would be an additional $4.99 per month. And that makes things a little too expensive.

[Danny]

Forgot to mention, no blackouts using XBMC.
But if the XBMC argument would sway you into subscribing I'd wait a week or two to find out whether it works as well this season as it did last year.

[m0fownz0r]

HockeyStreams is almost certainly illegal because I don't think they have a license to broadcast the games. I think their servers are based in Rotterdam and so I'm not sure why the NHL/CHL/etc don't sue them (it's not like their servers are located in some difficult-to-enforce jurisdiction like China). I'd also be very reluctant to subscribe to them. It's pretty expensive unless you pay for the year's subscription - and then you have to worry about the site being pulled at any moment if legal action is commenced.

I doubt the XMBC GC thing is illegal. I'd check the terms and conditions; I guess there's a possibility you could be breaching those. But I think it'd be impossible for them to detect that you're doing it. Ultimately you're paying for the stream and so you should be able to watch it any way you want using any of the available streams.

I've got the usual start of season itch and really want to subscribe to GCL again. But with all of the blackouts, I'd have to also take out a subscription with Unblock Us which would be an additional $4.99 per month. And that makes things a little too expensive.

I went with GCL again, cheaper and better quality wise. I never got this XMBC thing to work though. I tried it during the summer with some archived games and never managed to get anything above 3000 kbps. I really hope to make it work this time around, 4500kpbs/60fps sounds SWEEEEEEEET.

[Danny]

Quick streaming update:

PS3 app updated but same issue as last year, runs smoothly for 30 seconds then stutters heavily for 2-3 seconds, unwatchable for me.
Works perfectly via XBMC.

So there you go

[m0fownz0r]

Quick streaming update:

PS3 app updated but same issue as last year, runs smoothly for 30 seconds then stutters heavily for 2-3 seconds, unwatchable for me.
Works perfectly via XBMC.

So there you go

Hey Danny,

can you help me out with this XBMC thingy, like guide me through the whole process? You said it doesn't support the DVR function of GCL but I read somewhere you can also run the 4500kbps streams via VLC, do you know anything about that? Can you pause,rewind etc with VLC?

Cheers

[Danny]

I don't know how to run streams via VLC in detail. And from what I know this method isn't exactly for people who have a legit account so I won't go into that. I doubt it supports the DVR functions but I don't know for sure.
For XBMC, you need the latest version of "Frodo" and this, that's pretty much it, takes 2 minutes to set up. System>addons>install from zip-file

[m0fownz0r]

Great! I'll try it after work. Cheers mate

[Danny]

Yeah let me know how it worked out.

[Danny]

Well no point trying it out now, due to some idiots on reddit posting pirated GCL links for VLC player the guys at Neulion who run GCL have closed that loophole now, unfortunately the XBMC player was using a similar script to obtain the HQ files so now people with legit accounts using XBMC are screwed too. Since the PS3 app is a failure as well there's now no way for me to watch the games I'm paying for in even semi-decent quality. I might have to go with HS from now on.