Need a Cycling TV replacement solution

[Carols]

My apologies if this doesn't belong here. If so, would a mod kindly tell me the appropriate subforum?

I’m here in the USA and BEIN has dropped all cycling coverage this year so I have no tv (or streaming) coverage of RCS races. Last year with the demise of Universal Sports I lost many other races

By the time the Giro comes around this year I’d like to have selected, installed and have a solution smoothly functioning.

For years my solution was watching on TV and recording to dvr, then editing to dvd via my dvdr. I have a dvd library that goes back to 1983! Much of it converted from VCR tapes. When I die I have no idea who will want my hundreds of bike races!

My wishlist:
Best Case: Access to an English speaking TV channel I can record on my dvr. I know that is most likely impossible.
Second Choice: A high quality HD live stream, with no or very minimal drop outs.
The ability to do on demand full stage replays in HD as I won’t be able to watch all stages live. The ability to ‘download’ or ‘save’ the on demand replay onto disk and edit content, convert format if required and write to a dvd for replay via my dvdr anytime I’d like. Or even better to edit and write it directly to a dvd.

I have managed to come up with 2 possibilities. First, get a VPN, set myself to the UK and purchase EuroSport Player. This should give me the live stream and on demand replays. Correct? Second is to download Airstream, apply an extension for Mozilla Firefox. That should also get me a live stream and on demand replays from what I can figure out on their site.

With either of those I need to purchase some software that will let me save, edit, convert and burn to a dvdr playable disk. Any suggestions?

Please know I am a 67 year old female and giving me solutions in computer jargon will just have me pulling my hair out I have a Toshiba laptop, Windows 10 and use Firefox as my browser.

BTW if anyone knows of a contact where I can purchase a USA format dvd of the Giro I would be happy to do that instead of making my own. I used to have a contact that sold dvd copies of races I didn’t get TV coverage of in the USA but he stopped doing it last year, Sigh.

Any and all assistance is appreciated.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Tiz Cycling is very good, provides live streaming with good quality (can't remember if HD) even for the most obscure races and have replays for all of those as well. Thats my go-to site.

 

[Carols]

Re:

Tiz Cycling is very good, provides live streaming with good quality (can't remember if HD) even for the most obscure races and have replays for all of those as well. Thats my go-to site.

That is what I am using now. It drops a lot for me though . I'd like something more reliable! I'm willing to pay to get something 'Really Good'

 

[Ricco']

Cycling-Torrents usually have the full replay of the major races shortly after they finish and in HD. The con is that you have to rely on someone to upload the race and you have to download it yourself. But for the GTs and the major classics usually there are multiple options to choose from, mostly in English (British Eurosport) and in dutch (Sporza).

 

[TourOfSardinia]

I've been experimenting with Airstream in the last 2 days.
Compared to normal web:
1) it is more HD - quite sharp for me!
2) it can take 10s of secs to begin (sometimes never does)
3) it has stopped on me a couple of times.
4) Today I couldn't find an airstream link to the Volta de Catalunya
5) Since it runs in its own version of VLC it is very easy to record.

 

[Carols]

Re:

Cycling-Torrents usually have the full replay of the major races shortly after they finish and in HD. The con is that you have to rely on someone to upload the race and you have to download it yourself. But for the GTs and the major classics usually there are multiple options to choose from, mostly in English (British Eurosport) and in dutch (Sporza).

Thanks!

 

[Carols]

Re:

I've been experimenting with Airstream in the last 2 days.
Compared to normal web:
1) it is more HD - quite sharp for me!
2) it can take 10s of secs to begin (sometimes never does)
3) it has stopped on me a couple of times.
4) Today I couldn't find an airstream link to the Volta de Catalunya
5) Since it runs in its own version of VLC it is very easy to record.

Thanks. I will not consider Airstream as a solution based on your info. I really appreciate the feedback!

 

[Irondan]

Great post Carol!

I'm in the same boat as you so any new info will benefit me greatly as well. I'm also willing to pay a premium for a high quality, reliable platform to view the Giro and other RCS races. I already pay for the ASO races, I think it's like $50 per year but I can go back any time and watch any stage of the Tour or PN in HD quality. It's the NBCsports Gold package, unfortunately it doesn't include RCS races.

If you have no takers for your extensive race library I'd be willing to hang onto them for you after you go....

 

[Irondan]

Re:

Tiz Cycling is very good, provides live streaming with good quality (can't remember if HD) even for the most obscure races and have replays for all of those as well. Thats my go-to site.

I've been dropped from Tiz with 2 kilometers to go during the KBK race and I was dropped with 20k to go during the MSR race, is that because I don't have a membership or something like that?

 

[Red Rick]

I usually use general sports streaming sites.

Generally I use one of

Batmanstream.com
Fromhot.com
tinyurl.com/jvbuqjt

They're really not specific, but usually they have a stream of the British ES broadcast. You can't record though

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

Tiz Cycling is very good, provides live streaming with good quality (can't remember if HD) even for the most obscure races and have replays for all of those as well. Thats my go-to site.

I've been dropped from Tiz with 2 kilometers to go during the KBK race and I was dropped with 20k to go during the MSR race, is that because I don't have a membership or something like that?

Im pretty sure no. I don't really use Tiz that much either since most of it is televised in DK, but that sounds pretty bad. The authorities are onto him! :lol:

 

[hfer07]

I hear you- very painful to get live broadcasting in the USA

Online, the two sites that always work for me are
www.cyclingfans.com
www.steephill.tv
Also I've found a youtube channel called "CyclingVideos" with live feed & great quality.

For Il Giro- Rai always have international broadcasting that you can get in the USA via internet. hope it helps

 

[TheRossSeaParty]

I usually get the races from cyclingtorrents.nl. Since I live on the US West Coast, the races are usually uploaded by lunchtime, I can have them downloaded before dinner, and then watch in the evening. It works pretty well, but I have to avoid spoilers all day which can be a hassle at times! One great thing is that for big races I can choose between Eurosport, SBS, and NBC for English coverage. Which means I can avoid Carlton Kirby as much as possible! I also wouldn't mind inheriting a large collection of bike races to add to my already large collection of bike races...

This guy has been uploading full coverage of Giro and Tour from the past several years. You can download from YouTube and then add to your DVD collection.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvdk8NYS7ItskDJhoTzG0Iw

 

[Carols]

Thanks to all!!!! I've also received some PMs with great info. Now it's implementation .

I'll try the youtube channel called "CyclingVideos" tomorrow hfer07 for Catalunya and see how that works.

Irondan I will PM you.

 

[Irondan]

Re:

Thanks to all!!!! I've also received some PMs with great info. Now it's implementation .

I'll try the youtube channel called "CyclingVideos" tomorrow hfer07 for Catalunya and see how that works.

Irondan I will PM you.

Thanks Carol!

 

[Ricco']

Re:

I usually get the races from cyclingtorrents.nl. Since I live on the US West Coast, the races are usually uploaded by lunchtime, I can have them downloaded before dinner, and then watch in the evening. It works pretty well, but I have to avoid spoilers all day which can be a hassle at times! One great thing is that for big races I can choose between Eurosport, SBS, and NBC for English coverage. Which means I can avoid Carlton Kirby as much as possible! I also wouldn't mind inheriting a large collection of bike races to add to my already large collection of bike races...

This guy has been uploading full coverage of Giro and Tour from the past several years. You can download from YouTube and then add to your DVD collection.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvdk8NYS7ItskDJhoTzG0Iw

Steven Even is the best! Only shame is that he don't upload the Vuelta, but I think that there aren't many highlight dvd's available from the spanish race. Someday I will start in the Giro 1999 and try to watch (and re-watch when that's the race) all the Giros and Tours from this millenium (I know that 1999 and 2000 are from the past millenium but the first years of the Armstrong era should be included for completeness).

 

[Carols]

Re:

I usually get the races from cyclingtorrents.nl. Since I live on the US West Coast, the races are usually uploaded by lunchtime, I can have them downloaded before dinner, and then watch in the evening. It works pretty well, but I have to avoid spoilers all day which can be a hassle at times! One great thing is that for big races I can choose between Eurosport, SBS, and NBC for English coverage. Which means I can avoid Carlton Kirby as much as possible! I also wouldn't mind inheriting a large collection of bike races to add to my already large collection of bike races...

This guy has been uploading full coverage of Giro and Tour from the past several years. You can download from YouTube and then add to your DVD collection.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvdk8NYS7ItskDJhoTzG0Iw

I just checked out Steven Even; wow some great stuff there. I can fill in any missing Giros in my collection .

 

[Angliru]

My apologies if this doesn't belong here. If so, would a mod kindly tell me the appropriate subforum?

I’m here in the USA and BEIN has dropped all cycling coverage this year so I have no tv (or streaming) coverage of RCS races. Last year with the demise of Universal Sports I lost many other races

By the time the Giro comes around this year I’d like to have selected, installed and have a solution smoothly functioning.

For years my solution was watching on TV and recording to dvr, then editing to dvd via my dvdr. I have a dvd library that goes back to 1983! Much of it converted from VCR tapes. When I die I have no idea who will want my hundreds of bike races!

My wishlist:
Best Case: Access to an English speaking TV channel I can record on my dvr. I know that is most likely impossible.
Second Choice: A high quality HD live stream, with no or very minimal drop outs.
The ability to do on demand full stage replays in HD as I won’t be able to watch all stages live. The ability to ‘download’ or ‘save’ the on demand replay onto disk and edit content, convert format if required and write to a dvd for replay via my dvdr anytime I’d like. Or even better to edit and write it directly to a dvd.

I have managed to come up with 2 possibilities. First, get a VPN, set myself to the UK and purchase EuroSport Player. This should give me the live stream and on demand replays. Correct? Second is to download Airstream, apply an extension for Mozilla Firefox. That should also get me a live stream and on demand replays from what I can figure out on their site.

With either of those I need to purchase some software that will let me save, edit, convert and burn to a dvdr playable disk. Any suggestions?

Please know I am a 67 year old female and giving me solutions in computer jargon will just have me pulling my hair out I have a Toshiba laptop, Windows 10 and use Firefox as my browser.

BTW if anyone knows of a contact where I can purchase a USA format dvd of the Giro I would be happy to do that instead of making my own. I used to have a contact that sold dvd copies of races I didn’t get TV coverage of in the USA but he stopped doing it last year, Sigh.

Any and all assistance is appreciated.

Raises his hand excitedly!!

 

[Carols]

My apologies if this doesn't belong here. If so, would a mod kindly tell me the appropriate subforum?

I’m here in the USA and BEIN has dropped all cycling coverage this year so I have no tv (or streaming) coverage of RCS races. Last year with the demise of Universal Sports I lost many other races

By the time the Giro comes around this year I’d like to have selected, installed and have a solution smoothly functioning.

For years my solution was watching on TV and recording to dvr, then editing to dvd via my dvdr. I have a dvd library that goes back to 1983! Much of it converted from VCR tapes. When I die I have no idea who will want my hundreds of bike races!

My wishlist:
Best Case: Access to an English speaking TV channel I can record on my dvr. I know that is most likely impossible.
Second Choice: A high quality HD live stream, with no or very minimal drop outs.
The ability to do on demand full stage replays in HD as I won’t be able to watch all stages live. The ability to ‘download’ or ‘save’ the on demand replay onto disk and edit content, convert format if required and write to a dvd for replay via my dvdr anytime I’d like. Or even better to edit and write it directly to a dvd.

I have managed to come up with 2 possibilities. First, get a VPN, set myself to the UK and purchase EuroSport Player. This should give me the live stream and on demand replays. Correct? Second is to download Airstream, apply an extension for Mozilla Firefox. That should also get me a live stream and on demand replays from what I can figure out on their site.

With either of those I need to purchase some software that will let me save, edit, convert and burn to a dvdr playable disk. Any suggestions?

Please know I am a 67 year old female and giving me solutions in computer jargon will just have me pulling my hair out I have a Toshiba laptop, Windows 10 and use Firefox as my browser.

BTW if anyone knows of a contact where I can purchase a USA format dvd of the Giro I would be happy to do that instead of making my own. I used to have a contact that sold dvd copies of races I didn’t get TV coverage of in the USA but he stopped doing it last year, Sigh.

Any and all assistance is appreciated.

Raises his hand excitedly!!

LOL, you're the 3rd taker .

I hope to be around for awhile yet so be nice me anyone who wants them!

 

[hazaran]

It's a shame it's so difficult to get any coverage even when you're happy to pay for it.

I think for live coverage, your best bet right now is the UK VPN and Eurosport Player. They have a sale until April where you get 1 year of Player for 30 pounds. But that can be difficult to record (might try a screen recording program).

For recordings, cyclingtorrents is a good option if you can find someone to invite you. I have already used my invite for another cycling fan in need, but if someone here has been a member there for some time and not invited anyone yet, ask the admins for an invite code and share the love!

 

[William H]

Re:

I think for live coverage, your best bet right now is the UK VPN and Eurosport Player. They have a sale until April where you get 1 year of Player for 30 pounds. But that can be difficult to record (might try a screen recording program).

The offer isn't for a year, its for the rest of 2017. Not a huge difference, but worth noting

 

[Carols]

Re:

It's a shame it's so difficult to get any coverage even when you're happy to pay for it.

I think for live coverage, your best bet right now is the UK VPN and Eurosport Player. They have a sale until April where you get 1 year of Player for 30 pounds. But that can be difficult to record (might try a screen recording program).

For recordings, cyclingtorrents is a good option if you can find someone to invite you. I have already used my invite for another cycling fan in need, but if someone here has been a member there for some time and not invited anyone yet, ask the admins for an invite code and share the love!

Thanks good info. I didn't realize I needed an invite to cyclingtorrents!

 

[Carols]

Re: Re:

I think for live coverage, your best bet right now is the UK VPN and Eurosport Player. They have a sale until April where you get 1 year of Player for 30 pounds. But that can be difficult to record (might try a screen recording program).

The offer isn't for a year, its for the rest of 2017. Not a huge difference, but worth noting

Thanks, I'll check out the best EuroSport deal I can get. 30 pounds (~$40) is less than I was paying for BEIN. BEIN was $175 per year and they only carried RCS races!

 

[Angliru]

@ Carol
We share a passionate appreciation for Alberto so I have and always will be quite kind to you!

 

[Carols]

Re:

@ Carol
We share a passionate appreciation for Alberto so I have and always will be quite kind to you!

This is true, you have always been a gentleman and rational voice on this forum. I have Many Alberto dvds .