Streaming for old school TV's

......my not so smart HD TV is now 12 years old and still has a fair picture but is shedding apps on a more regular basis....lost Showmax last year(not that it was needed) when they merged with a new international partner went for a new technology not supported by older streaming devices and lost 80% of there subscribed customer base....last month a message flashes up on my TV saying that from late April Netflix app on the TV would cease to work as they are upgrading software and it is no longer compatible with their older apps....so time for a new TV....but why go UHD 4K and all that jazz when there are also streaming premiums for up scaled pictures and besides I watch most content that is limited to HD anyway.....my research into new TV tells me that OLED UHD and other newer systems are not made to last and give problems after the warranties expire....so I go for an inexpensive streaming device in the not so new "Multichoice" Streama which has limited apps....got a deal for R599 with 12months free Showmax thrown in and WOW the picture quality on all apps including YouTube is almost 4K like....and you do not need to have any of the DSTV subs to have the other apps but ONE can spring for a R99/month non contract Compact package and get all other FTA channels SABC E-TV and a few DSTV including 240.....the remote is compact and a lot easier to use than any of the many streaming boxes I have had before and it seems to have synced with my TV as it has bluetooth and not infrared connectivity.....so I can switch the TV on and off and control volume which has greatly improved along with picture colour and clarity.....as the pictures and volume was low and dull through the aging TV apps....smiley

.....well it was too soon for praise and recommendation....the box is buggered.....and there is f@ckall support....the device was glitchy in that from time to time their Netflix app played without picture and after a few reboots and frustration get a picture....and then reboots for other apps nearly every time the device is activated.....now it displays an error code about my subscription of which I do not have other than the freebie from Showmax which is still working on my phone and laptop....DSTV/Multichoice are mute and unable or unwilling to assist.....and still nothing from the vendor that it was purchased from and that seems to have a poor record on Hello Peter of responding to complaints....frankly I did not really need this device.... should they offer a replacement a total waist as my not so smart TV Netflix app is still working and seems to now have an improved picture..... and the "free" content from Showmax still remains less than mediocre.....glum 

.....I actually feel that I have been conned into forking out for a Showmax subscription and the problematic DSTV Streama box is a way for Multichoice to unload them to us unwitting folk as these devices had poor reviews when they were launched in 2022....they were reported to have worked fine with all other apps but gave problems with streaming DSTV.....duh

Bite the bullet man, TV's are not that expensive these days

You can get a 55 inch tv for £300-500

I was a Sony man had all those fancy tv's in every room, cost a fortune, the new TV's are much better

.....sorry....my pension is not paid in pounds for starters....and I would really be miffed if I had opted to buying a new TV....when the old one is still just fine.....makes no sense to waste dosh chasing new tech just to get an app....a bigger problem is that I do not even have a TV license which is a prerequisite to buy a new TV..... and now "owe" SABC more money than the cost of a new TV.....I refuse to pay the additional "tax" along with 80% of prior "tax" payers for content that is state sponsored propaganda.....let them find another way to try and extract from a tax base that actually watches their sh!t.....Oh my