Wtf is a vpn? You guys are speaking foreign language.

I just get gamecenter, and if any Pens games are blacked out it'll be on Tv on either NHL Network, NBCSN or Fox Sports-Detroit
- Pens_Burgh

In laymans terms, a VPN lets you pretend you're located somewhere else, so you don't get local blackouts.

How is the picture quality?
- buffalofan19

its flash/istream, bitrate is adaptive 800-3500kpbs, up to 60 fps, 1280x720, video stream is great.

So I could pay $149-199 for GC plus a VPN, or $110 for HS? Yeah, easy decision, and that's before considering any setup GC+VPN requires versus easy chromecast support for HS.
- BulliesPhan87

its 99$ for GC plus VPN (lets say 75$) so for 175$ you can watch any region NHL game, plus watch any region Netflix etc... versus $110 for HS ... since i don't watch non-nhl hockey. it's worth it for me.

In laymans terms, a VPN lets you pretend you're located somewhere else, so you don't get local blackouts.
- BulliesPhan87

Gotcha, knew that existed but didn't know what it was called

How does all this compare to NHL Center Ice? That's what I have with DirecTV and it serves its purpose...just have to pay a buttload for cable + center ice. And I have to manually DVR every game which is a pain..

its 99$ for GC plus VPN (lets say 75$) so for 175$ you can watch any region NHL game, plus watch any region Netflix etc... versus $110 for HS ... since i don't watch non-nhl hockey. it's worth it for me.
- kaptaan

where did you get your VPN? lots of sites/download places out there and some of them have horrible reviews (freq dropping of VPN, etc)

its 99$ for GC plus VPN (lets say 75$) so for 175$ you can watch any region NHL game, plus watch any region Netflix etc... versus $110 for HS ... since i don't watch non-nhl hockey. it's worth it for me.
- kaptaan

I don't really watch non-NHL hockey either. The region free Netflix/Hulu/whatever doesn't do anything for me, so paying less for hockeystreams than for gamecenter plus a VPN is a no brainer.

Isnt the Center Ice package now available for a 1 team only price for like $20? That's huge for ppl like me who dont want to buy the entire season for every club, but live away from the home team. 1 step closer to dropping cable/dish IMO.

I'd like to be excited about another company running the gamecenter service, but local and national blackouts still make it a non-option for the cable cutter.
- BulliesPhan87

First off the FCC ended the sports blackout rules in September of last year. Second, pretty much every major sports league in the US is facing a lawsuit as a result. Specifically MLB is currently dealing with a lawsuit over blackout restrictions that specifically affect MLB TV. On top of that MLB announced that they have a plan to 'expand' their streaming to local markets as well. Now this coming season is probably a wash due to court delays but if MLB is running the NHL streaming then when MLB loses in court the same results will be applied to NHL streaming.

I'm not sure if the blackout policies have anything to do with the league. I always thought the blackout policies had more to do with the individual local cable companies such as Dolan and Cablevision. Funny thing is, I used to live in Honolulu and I ordered NHL Center Ice (this was 10 years ago), and my NY Ranger games were STILL blacked out live, not sure why...

Isnt the Center Ice package now available for a 1 team only price for like $20? That's huge for ppl like me who dont want to buy the entire season for every club, but live away from the home team. 1 step closer to dropping cable/dish IMO.
- sammy87

this is not on verizon!

Wasnt there a lawsuit pending due to blackout restrictions? I got a class action notice from DirecTV about it but didnt really bother to read it.

I relied solely on 2 less than legal sites last season and the season before and did not miss a Penguins game and I was able to catch at least 25 WBS games as well all while never paying for anything but bandwidth and while residing in Ontario the entire time. Unless the Internet becomes ruled by outright facist laws I don't see there being ANY way the NHL or any other sports league will be able to offer a product that would be a better alternative unless they rely exclusively on merchandising revenue and offer fans access to any game stream for free. But that's not the world we live in. This is a take EVERYTHING you can get your hands on society.

Wasnt there a lawsuit pending due to blackout restrictions? I got a class action notice from DirecTV about it but didnt really bother to read it.
- thickman1178

https://www.hefflercases.com/cases/nhl/

Can't afford any of this poop on a government stipend. It's super crappy, blurry, laggy, behind streams for me.

where did you get your VPN? lots of sites/download places out there and some of them have horrible reviews (freq dropping of VPN, etc)
- YouMeAndDupuis9

i personally use hidemyass.com...

I just watch the Pens on my tv. Every game is broadcast right here in PGH. Other then that I watch whatever is on NHL network or NBC

I relied solely on 2 less than legal sites last season and the season before and did not miss a Penguins game and I was able to catch at least 25 WBS games as well all while never paying for anything but bandwidth and while residing in Ontario the entire time. Unless the Internet becomes ruled by outright facist laws I don't see there being ANY way the NHL or any other sports league will be able to offer a product that would be a better alternative unless they rely exclusively on merchandising revenue and offer fans access to any game stream for free. But that's not the world we live in. This is a take EVERYTHING you can get your hands on society.
- Dcoms

I was in the first row last year and had no problems after dropping DirecTV for a Roku. 600 channels of crap. Couldn't get NHL without a cable/sat subscription, so I said screw 'em and haven't looked back.

Could this mean the end of Milbury?

Could this mean the end of Milbury?
- Fenrir

We can only hope. If it did ESPN would probably hire that talking toilet

Are you posting from a rowboat?

Edit: quote not working. This was for Jordy, I've heard it was real bad down there for the past couple days. My son is a UCF student.

How does all this compare to NHL Center Ice? That's what I have with DirecTV and it serves its purpose...just have to pay a buttload for cable + center ice. And I have to manually DVR every game which is a pain..
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Have you tried the favorite team setting? I did that last season and it recorded all the pens games for me.

Isnt the Center Ice package now available for a 1 team only price for like $20? That's huge for ppl like me who dont want to buy the entire season for every club, but live away from the home team. 1 step closer to dropping cable/dish IMO.
- sammy87

I think you can get 41 away games for $100 because of a class action suit, but I've not heard one team only. I'd there is that option, it would be killer

If you get a VPN you will get the foreigner price.... Russia is preferred. You will get every team every game more or less for $99.

So wait, if I live in the NY Metro area (actually long island) and I get rid of my Optimum Cablevision, I can still watch Live Ranger Games if I subscribe to Gamecenter next season? The Blackouts no longer exist? Cuz I'd be so happy with Netflix/Hulu and Gamecenter.