Foxtel Hubbl TV Review Pros and Cons - Best streaming TV box?
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- Опубліковано 9 бер 2024
- There’s a new entry into the best streaming TV category, with Foxtel Hubbl Puck and Foxtel Hubbl Glass. In his Hubbl review, technology journalist Chris Stead dives deep into the Hubbl UI, how Hubbl TV works, as well as all the Hubbl features and Hubbl apps. You’ll get a breakdown of the Hubbl Foxtel TV pros and cons. Everything you need to know for those asking which streaming device is best?
Part of its pitch as best streaming device for TV is 4K, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support. As well as a TV aerial, allowing for a live TV EPG across free-to-air and on demand apps. There’s also Hubbl stack and save to get discount streaming TV. You’ll learn if Hubbl TV is any good in this Hubbl Foxtel review.
18 apps are available on Hubbl TV at launch. Binge, Kayo Sports, Flash, LifeStyle, Disney Plus, Apple TV Plus, Amazon Prime Video, UA-cam, Netflix, UA-cam Kids, ABC iView, ABC Kids, SBS On Demand, 7plus, 9Now and 10 Play. With Optus Sport, Paramount Plus and Stan on the way.
Is this the best streaming device 2024 has to offer? Hubbl pricing is $99 for the puck. There is no Hubbl bundle with apps. Is the best streaming app Australia has?
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#hubbl #streamingnews #reviews - Наука та технологія
Thanks for this review Chris. I am enjoying the Hubbl so far. I would like to see you keep revisiting this as the software evolves. It's a very fair review, appreciate your views.
Cheers! Much appreciated. And yes, will definitely keep an eye on it and update if things change. Also will review the Hubbl glass and will stick it on the channel so keep an eye out for that.
Thanks mate, great video. I think the idea is solid and will improve overtime. Let's hope so!
Cheers mate. Yeah, feels like a bit of a v1. Still solid, but definitely lots of potential.
Nice review, any idea if you can pause or start watching a program from the beginning thats on a live free to air channel, if its not available on catchup yet
Thank you! You can't pause or rewind live free to air TV, but you can open up the app and access catch-up as your normally would. It's just not built into the UI like it is for Kayo and Binge.
Thanks for the great overview and feedback. Was the demo with FTA and the Binge live channels through just internet, or were you plugged into an antenna? My parents have an older cottage with no access to an antenna, so if the FTA and Bingle channels integrate exactly as you showed just from an internet connection this will be a win for them.
Having them constantly jump between different FTA apps just to stream a channel at the moment is a PITA
Hi Luke, cheers mate. It was through the internet. I didn't connect a cable, so it will work for your folks.
Good review. Some good points raised.
Do you not get the feeling this is about 6 to 9 months early to the market?
Thanks mate. A few decades ago you might say early, but nowadays, it seems to be the go. Launch then iterate.
It's not a beta version, it feels like a full release. But v2 will hopfully make some big steps, too.
Does this have an aerial input. My Telstra tv box is nearly dead and I was after something to replace it. Would this suffice, eg does it have a tuner? I use my Telstra tv with my projector.
Yes, it has a terrestrial aerial input. It doesn't have a Foxtel cable input, however.
Appreciate the video. Hoping for some specific thoughts. My 90 yr old Dad's satellite fed foxtel just carked it due to a building issue. No one will want to fix that. I'm looking get him internet, but avoid doubling his monthly spend, so I'm wondering whether he'll be able to learn how to navigate something like this to replace his foxtel cnn & sports. I know cnn is on binge, but I don't know what to do about the sports (I'm clueless on that) - is kayo a reasonable replacement? I know he won't understand "different apps", it's got to be choose, then choose something else - do you think he'll get tripped up by this? The offers for stuff not yet subscribed to concerns me too - I presume they make it easy for you to add something you don't already have - is it clear that's what's happening? I'd appreciate any thoughts on these.
So Kayo Sports is literally all the Foxtel sport channels in a seaprate app. So if sport is the thing he loved on Foxtel, then Kayo Sports is not only a good call, but a cheaper way to get the same thing.
Note: Kayo Sports is an app on most smart TVs, so you might just be able to download it and watch Kayo without Hubbl as it's a better experience as an app (at least at the moment). Also, you can have 2x streams, so you can probably run one at your house, too.
As for CNN, the cheapest way is the Flash app, which is $8.99/month I think. It's got every news channel from Foxtel in an app. Also available on most Smart TVs as well as Hubbl. Does mean two apps though. But if you get Flash and the Basic Kayo Sports app, you'd be looking at around $30-$35/month I think and you can both have access.
Hey mate great video. Many thanks!Just to clarify, so I can get all free to air channels with this without an antenna using wifi instead? Or can I only get SBS on demand 7plus, 10play etc as in just the on demand channels?
Thank you! So, you do get the live channels without an antenna for base channels and digital channels. You can see the EPG here - ua-cam.com/video/xF1lwgOn8uc/v-deo.html - so you will spot SBS and 7 straight away.
Thanks for the great review. I had asked the JBHIFI team they couldn’t explain the difference between Apple TV and Hubbl you have answered my questions. As my hubby is a KAYO and tv enthusiast I think this will be great for his sports bar.
@@diannejones2338 Thank you! Just be warned that Kayo is the one app I don't like on Hubbl. It's got forced ads, and some of the key features are missing. If he love Kayo, I'd go with Apple TV or Amazon Fire Stick for now.
What's the pros and cons of this VS fetch? We have that atm with a subscription but this looks promising
Main Pro is the integrated live TV EPG that merges premium and free-to-air taps into one feed. And also the bundle and save feature, should that be relevant to you. The UI is pretty neat as well - for example, searching Tom Cruise and having all his movies across all the apps displayed in one place. But, to be honest, been a long time since I used Fetch so not sure what that service is offering.
whatg about a recording feature, can you add a harddrive ? also then to pause / rewind live tv
You can't record, but you don't really need to as everything is on demand.
As for live TV, if the app supports it (like Binge and Kayo) then you can pause and rewind. Most free-to-air don't do this, however.
Excellent thank you ripper
No worries
Great video! I am wanting something to watch Kayo. Currently use Telstra TV but ceases in Oct. Read bad reports on using Google TV (remote failure/cannot freeze program etc) & Amazon Fire (does not work for Kayo). Also, think new Google TV on way (though is very cheap on special at moment). So a little confused what to pick. What would you recommend for Kayo? Thanks
Thank you, If Kayo is your focus, definitely avoid Hubbl. I reckon the Apple TV 4K box could be a good solution for you. Assuming you can't just download the app to your TV OS. Other option could be and Xbox or PlayStation if you have one.
Hi, does this still work for those of us that share accounts like prime, netflix, disney etc, or do all app accounts need to be the same sign in for this to work?
All independent sign-ins. So you can sign in with whatever account you want.
Hi Chris, great review mate. Just a quick ones can I run Hubble on a non smart tv?
Cheers Brett
Thank you! As long as it has an HDMI port, I think you'll be fine, yeah. Makes a non smart TV, smart.
Just wondering does delivery team offer wall mount install?
I suspect so. That would come down to the retailer. And Harvey Norman does usually offer install as an option.
So only real benefit is the integration, with a slight savings?
You mentioned that the quality doesn't change of the viewing experience, does this mean when a movie is 4k UHD it has the processing power to process at UHD?
In addition doe the unit still allow for ST.2084 to be enabled with BT.2020 on?
My concern is the unit is not HDMI 2.1 or 48gbs bit rate, not allowing for full high bandwidth experience for viewing.
The live F2A and live Pay integrated together, yeah. And the UI search does a good job of cross app display in one spot. And savings.
Ports are 2.1, not too sure about the HDR questions, I will fiddle around and see if I can work it out. Are you referring to the Glass TV or the Puck in particular?
@@motivatedtravel the puck
do you have to have multiple units across 3 rooms for example?
The Hubbl box outputs via HDMI. So you can either have one for each TV, or you could potentially connect one to some sort of HUB device, that then distributes the signal to multiple TVs. But each TV would have to watch the same thing at the same time.
Hey mate thanks for the review. Just bringing to your attention that there are two cuts that you didn't make while editing, little awkward!
Oh wow. 7,000 views and you're the first person to mention that. How embarrassing, lol. No idea how that snuck in but really appreciate you letting me know. You're a legend! Just made the tweaks to cut out awkwardness.
Half price offer from binge (21/3) on puck $49.50. I'll give it a go. Thanks for the video.
Cheers Paul, let us know what you think once you've had a play with it.
I have a Fetch box and this sounds exactly the same, is this something I should get if I already love Fetch?
Potentially not if you're not going to make use of the Stack and Save feature. The UI and app integration is more modern, too. Although, I haven't used a Fetch for a long time so can't accurately comment.
You can't get Binge on Fetch
I guess if you're stuck with a Samsung Tizen or LG WebOS TV this might be a nice upgrade. I can't see much advatage over my Android TV.
Interestingly, I just got a demo of the new LG WebOS TV - vids on the channel - and they seemed to be integrating many things that Hubbl is doing. I asked them about it specifically, and they did see how I could come to that conclusion. The Hubbl could come under threat from OS firmare updates.
I think this is a better option than a foxtel premium subscription?
Almost anything is nowadays I reckon. Always surprised when I talk to someone who is still paying $110/month for platinum Foxtel.
Yes if I don’t have access, give me the option to piss it off.
It should at least be user decision!
Yes Chis … very interesting and very strange..if you are a Foxtel subscriber … you certainly wouldn’t buy the Hubble tv version 🙃.. cheers for the very informative review 👍
No worries mate, I appreciate you tuning in!
Note: Sadly, I can confirm that forced ads are still at play in Kayo Sports. As a result, my advice would be not to get Hubbl if you are a heavy Kayo Sports user. I must admit, I'm extremely disappointed by this move. It stinks of greed.
Do you know if it streams Kayo or Foxtel sports in 4K?
@@ozzie7523 Yes it does mate.
@@motivatedtravelOk thanks mate👍
Unskippable ads are still being inserted - check out the replays of the formula one and UFC from the weekend...
Really! I did check the F1 and it didn't show for me. Maybe they are split-testing? Will check again tonight.
Just checked again and you're right. Tried to skip to start of the race and was forced to watch 4-minutes of ads. This wasn't the case when I watched the replay on Sunday morning, but is now. Disgraceful.
Formula1 on Kayo never has ads …
@@clintang84 Not on normal Kayo. But I can confirm it does on Hubbl version of Kayo.
@@motivatedtravel yep, pretty ordinary
How have you found the sound on live TV? I run through a receiver and can only get Dolby digital 2.1 for all live tv channels. sounds bloody terrible.
As in, you're running it through Hubbl into a receiver and it's capping at 2.1? I haven't had any problems, outside of Dolby Atmos not being something you can select specifically. It's under Auto (and not all apps do it anyway). Have you checked the settings on receiver, TV and Puck? Or are you running it from Puck to TV to Receiver? Might be the TV as the middle man is the issue?
@@motivatedtravel Puck to receiver then image out to TV. All apps seem to play in correct format and I dont watch a lot of live tv apart from sport, but put Australian idol on last night and sound was horrible and only 2.1 both with ariel or the app.
@@andrewhartley6105 Hmmm... can you test running it from Hubbl to TV first, then receiver. Although that seems like a weirder direction. I assume the cabling/ports are up to current standards?
@@motivatedtravel I have been playing with this for over a week and no luck. might have to go back to my Nvidia shield and kodi for now. Only wanted the hubbl for Kayo integration back into tv guide and even that doesnt work if you want to watch 4k. idea of the Hubbl is good in concept but definitely feels released too early
Can I get my Foxtel account through Hubbl? also, I have Foxtel IQ5, how does Hubbl differ from the IQ5?
Foxtel and Hubbl are completely separate. You can't get Foxtel through it.
Hubbl is more like a Smart TV full of apps, where IQ is like a Foxtel TV.
Hope that helps.
@@motivatedtravel Yes that helps, you are a gentleman and a scholar..
I do get why they didn't do a Foxtel Go app for this?
Sorry the question mark on the end is confusing me; are you asking why they didn't do this with Foxtel Go/Now?
How does migrating accounts work if you've paid for 12 months of a service already?
My understanding is that the next time you get billed, (in 12 months or whatever), it will happy through Hubbl. Otherwise it all stays same as it is.
How does a TV come with a soundbar built in?
Basically, it looks like a speaker running the length of the bottom of the TV, but within the same frame as the glass panel. It does make the TV a lot thicker.
@@motivatedtravel Interesting.
I'm using Amazon firestick 4k for over a year and it's great so it just seems to me that this hubbl is just a copy of that and others, I don't see anything this does better that my firestick 4k does, it just looks like a grab for some market space and as for a hubbl tv,don't think so.
The "improvements" are the live TV integration and the discount for multi-app subs. If that doesn't impact you, then there's negligible difference really.
I got one the other day. Firstly, it's compact and convenient. Big plus is the picture and sound quality. Can't fault it.
I have two big gripes with it. Apple TV is only Apple TV +. I have quite a large movie collection on iTunes and I cannot access it to watch through Hubbl. You can do this with Google so that's a disappointment. I did contact them and after going through the bot, finally got a hold of someone who just said it's only playing Apple TV+
Second gripe is the 4K. I plug everything through my A/V receiver. Unless the Hubbl is plugged directly into the TV it will not recognize a 4K display.
I feel this could be a great device but it feels a little rushed.
The issues are mainly software based so I'm hoping some updates may rectify these issues.
Hi Dan, this is great insights thanks for adding them to the chat. Super interesting with Apple TV and Apple TV+ - separate things, which as a consumer, you don't think about or should have to worry about. Unlike Amazon, for example, where it's all happening in the same place. Very interesting.
If you go to your TV with Hubbl for 4K, and then to you AV received via eARC port, it should work. Shame it's not passing through the other way.
So no one talking about how dull the picture is on hubbl TVs? Hubble makes the cheapest hisense tv look good
Hubbl Glass? I'll be doing a review of this shortly, wiull definitely look into that.
Why the hell has it not got foxtel as an app.. it’s a damn foxtel product.. the old Telstra tv box is far more advanced than this ..
Actually, they see Foxtel as a completely separate company. It's weird. It was the same when Kayo and Binge launched. You mention Foxtel and they're almost like "who are they?"
Because Foxtel has a bad name & they know it. Hence why the rebranding to all these different names.
This just looks like an updated version of their Foxel Now box
@@purplehazeffc I think they still have so many people on IQ boxes paying stupid money and they don't want to confuse them with an alternative.
The functionality of scraping what you watch on different devices is a bit of a dealbreaker. It's something really lacking on any of these services
Yeah, would offer more value if it understood your usage on each individual app. Would give them a lot of data though.
@@motivatedtravel Google knows what porn I watch so no big deal to me 😂😱
This looks like the Xumo Stream Box in the States.
I don't know that box, but I believe they copied what Sky is doing in the UK with Hubbl.
Optus has forced ads 🤬 2 to 3 minutes per 23 minute mini 🤬 I wonder if the Hubbl can skip these... I pay 35$ for optus but would pay more to skip the ads 😡🤬
BTW, thanks for the review
Yeah, it's evil to do it on a subscription service. Bad news, the Kayo ads can't be skipped on Hubbl. They can on other devices though when using the normal app.
I notice the box still has a legacy aerial connection but no USB ports to play your own media content ...... absolute stone age ! They have put only the proprietary streaming buttons on the remote that they have mad a deal with ...... unlike a U.S or U.K android box that would probably have 6 quick jump buttons. But I guess for the normy plug and player ..... it's just perfect.
Yeah no USB port, but then again, you should have on in your TV anyway. Box is easier to get to, I guess.
As for remote, 2 quick jumps are Hubbl owned brands, and then Netflix. I'd prefer if they were customisable, too.
I don’t really see a great benefit in this. It seems like my smart tv does much of this already. It’s hard to justify an extra cost when the vast majority of the programs are junk anyway.
I think this is fair. I've been using it for a while now, and I'm finding it a bit sluggish compared to using the apps directly off the smart TV as well. Definitely need to improve that.
I’ll stick with google chrome cast this seems a lot of rubble
Does feel like there is room to improve, but it's not a bad alternative.
what a scam
Definitely could be improved in places.
Get to the point
It's ok for a certain use case, but not revolutionary due to many software related gremlins.