Boxing Day Sales: NZ’s Best Tech, Gadget, Electronics Specials
First up – I trust all NZ Tech Podcast listeners have a great Christmas. As there will not be a new episode of the NZ Tech Podcast until CES 2013 (Las Vegas) in early January it seemed appropriate to share some of the best tech bargains announced in 2012 Boxing Day Sales both online and in retailers across New Zealand.
Laptops:
- Apple MacBook Pro 13" – Harvey Norman – $1578 (usually $1899)
- HP Pavilion 14-B006AU – Harvey Norman – $348
Smartphones:
- Samsung Galaxy SIII – Bond and Bond – $679.20
- iPhone 4S – Bond and Bond – $849 (actually not a special, price dropped recently)
- Nokia Lumia 920 (with Windows Phone 8) – Warehouse Stationery – $799
- LG/Google Nexus 4 – Bond and Bond – $639.20
- HTC Windows Phone 8S – Warehouse Stationery – $399.20
Gaming Consoles:
- Xbox 4GB Kinect Bundle w/ 2 games – The Warehouse – $245 (stock left only in stores)
- Xbox 4GB Kinect Bundle w/ 3 games – JB Hi Fi – $249
- PlayStation 3 Super Slim 12GB Console – The Warehouse $225
TVs:
- LG 60" Full HD Plasma – Harvey Norman – $1293
- Vivo 40” Full HD LCD – Dick Smith – $399
- Samsung 50” 6000 series Full HD LCD – Dick Smith – $1249
Cameras:
- Canon EOS1100D Twin Lens Kit – Dick Smith- $598
- Samsung 14 megapixel, 5 x optical zoom – JB Hi Fi – $47
- Fujifilm 14 megapixel, 24 x optical zoom – JB Hi Fi – $247
- Olympus TG-320 underwater/shockproof 14 megapixel – Harvey Norman – $165
Other:
- LG Blu-ray Player – Harvey Norman – $66
- 40L Haier Bar Fridge – Harvey Norman – $99
- D-Link, Cisco, Belkin, Logitech – Harvey Norman – 40% off
This list will be updated as more specials come to light. Also be sure to checkout the Geekzone discussion forums as there is always interesting discussion there about Boxing Day gadget specials.
NZ Ultra Fast Broadband (UFB)
Update: 23 August 2012 – the latest of this information is now available at: ufb.org.nz
New Zealand is currently in the process of having Ultra Fast Broadband capabilities rolled out across the country. Under the direction of Crown Fibre Holdings (CFH), four companies have been selected to deliver the new UFB network to homes, schools and businesses around the country.
The new UFB network is already available for connection is some parts of country such as Whangerei, and by mid-2012 50,000 of premises (homes, businesses, schools) around the country will have fibre optic cable running past their front doors. Orcon advise they’ve been told that this number of premises with UFB Fibre access should increase to 125,000 premises by mid-2013.
As well as residential customers being able to get very fast internet, the most recent announcement marks the first release of a 1 Terabyte (1000 Gigabytes) data plan in New Zealand.
This page will be regularly refreshed with an up-to-date list of UFB providers and pricing options. Current UFB offers include:
Ubergroup (Whangerei):
- 50Mb/s (up/down), 150GB data, 1 phone line: $99
- 50Mb/s (up/down), 250GB data, 1 phone line: $199
WorldNet (Auckland, Christchurch) – residential:
- 30Mb/s (down), 10Mb/s (up), 10G data, 1 phone line: $69.95
- 30Mb/s (down), 10Mb/s (up), 50G data, 1 phone line: $79.95
- 30Mb/s (down), 10Mb/s (up), 100G data, 1 phone line: $89.95
- 30Mb/s (down), 10Mb/s (up), 150G data, 1 phone line: $99.95
- 30Mb/s (down), 10Mb/s (up), 200G data, 1 phone line: $109.95
- 30Mb/s (down), 10Mb/s (up), 250G data, 1 phone line: $119.95
- 30Mb/s (down), 10Mb/s (up), 300G data, 1 phone line: $129.95
WorldNet (Auckland, Christchurch) – business:
- 30Mb/s (down), 10Mb/s (up), 50G data, 1 phone line: $99
- 30Mb/s (down), 10Mb/s (up), 100G data, 1 phone line: $119
- 30Mb/s (down), 10Mb/s (up), 200G data, 1 phone line: $189
- 100Mb/s (down), 50Mb/s (up), 350G data: $299
- 100Mb/s (down), 50Mb/s (up), 550G data: $439
Orcon (Nationwide) – residential
- 30Mb/s (down), 10Mb/s (up), 5G data, 1 phone line, unlimited NZ landline calls: $75
- 30Mb/s (down), 10Mb/s (up), 30G data, 1 phone line: $75
- 30Mb/s (down), 10Mb/s (up), 60G data, 1 phone line: $89
- 30Mb/s (down), 10Mb/s (up), 100G data, 1 phone line: $99
- 30Mb/s (down), 10Mb/s (up), 1000G (1TB) data, 1 phone line: $199
- 100Mb/s (down), 50Mb/s (up), 30G data, 1 phone line: $110
- 100Mb/s (down), 50Mb/s (up), 60G data, 1 phone line: $124
- 100Mb/s (down), 50Mb/s (up), 100G data, 1 phone line: $134
- 100Mb/s (down), 50Mb/s (up), 1000G (1TB) data, 1 phone line: $234
Orcon (Nationwide) – business
- 30Mb/s (down), 10Mb/s (up), 30G data, 2 phone lines: $169+gst
- 30Mb/s (down), 10Mb/s (up), 60G data, 2 phone lines: $179+gst
- 30Mb/s (down), 10Mb/s (up), 100G data, 2 phone lines: $199+gst
- 30Mb/s (down), 10Mb/s (up), 1000G (1TB) data, 2 phone lines: $419+gst
- 100Mb/s (down), 50Mb/s (up), 30G data, 2 phone lines: $199+gst
- 100Mb/s (down), 50Mb/s (up), 60G data, 2 phone lines: $209+gst
- 100Mb/s (down), 50Mb/s (up), 100G data, 2 phone lines: $229+gst
- 100Mb/s (down), 50Mb/s (up), 1000G (1TB) data, 2 phone lines: $449+gst
Note business plans offers more features than residential plans including availability of multiple IP addresses, etc.
Installation: According to ISPs and information published to date, we understand that residential installation will be free in certain situations – such as individual homes that are within 15m of the street, and where the internal fibre run will be less than 5m.
NZ Tech Podcast regularly discusses the latest news and activity in relation to the NZ Ultra Fast Broadband network. In NZ Tech Podcast – Episode 43 we interviewed John Greenhough – CTO of Crown Fibre Holdings to gain more insights into the subject.
Resources and Coverage Maps from NZ UFB Providers:
- Auckland/parts of North/South Islands: Chorus
website – coverage map and service availability (UFB, ADSL2+, VDSL)
website – UFB/Fibre coverage map and service availability (UFB only) - Waikato/Bay of Plenty: WEL Networks / Ultrafast Fibre Ltd
website – coverage map - Northland: Northpower Fibre
website – coverage map - Christchurch: Enable Networks
website – coverage map
Additional key resources:
- Crown Fibre Holdings – website
- NZ National Broadband Map – website
- NZ UFB Retail Service Providers / ISPs – Prices and coverage
Remember to bookmark this page and come back often for updates. You’ll also keep up-to-date by listening to the NZ Tech Podcast.
Live Audio Stream and Chat
Would you like to join the NZ Tech Podcast live? Each Tuesday evening at 6pm or thereabouts the NZ Tech Podcast streams live in conjunction with Geekzone.co.nz.
How do you join in?
- Join the chat via Geekzone Chat
- Listen to the live audio stream here
- Tested on iOS, Android and Windows Phone
- Works on some media players and browsers
Naturally, if you miss the live stream you can still catch the NZ Tech Podcast via the usual recorded distribution channels.
How to setup Netflix in NZ
This article covers the major steps required to get yourself or your family up and running with the Netflix online TV and movie service in New Zealand. These instructions will also work in any other country outside of the USA and other on demand video services such as Hulu, Hulu Plus, Amazon Video, Vudu amongst others.
Our recommended configuration allows any appropriate networked device (Roku, Xbox, PS3, PC, Mac, iPhone, Windows Phone, Android, etc) in home network to connect to Netflix – or a range of other international media services.
The good news – once you’ve collected a suitable router and setup the 2 accounts needed – the setup can often be completed reasonably quickly. And the running costs can be as low as US$13/month!
What’s the challenge?
This issue with connecting to Netflix (and many other US music/TV/movie services) is that they are targeted at the US market and therefore check if your internet connection is US based. This is done by comparing your IP address (each internet connection has one) with a list of valid IP address ranges for the US.
What are the workarounds?
The most reliable work around is to connect via a VPN (Virtual Private Network) that links your existing connection to the USA and provides you with a trusted US based IP address. This is what Netflix and other providers expect you to have in order to provide service.
A second option which I won’t go into detail on is to use a special proxy service called UnblockUS. Unfortunately this doesn’t work with all ISPs and unless you have a fixed IP address this service may drop out.
How much does it cost?
Running costs start at about US$13/month excluding internet connection and the cost buying your connection device (such as a Roku, Xbox 360, PS3, PC, Mac, etc). Netflix on its own is US$8/month. Add to that a VPN to connection from NZ which is usually in the range of US$5 – $10/month.
As the video content is streamed using your home internet connection you may find a higher usage plan is required if you choose to use Netflix regularly.
What do I need?
In addition to a Netflix account there are only a few things you’ll need to get started:
- Internet connection
- Compatible router (in addition to your existing internet router)
- An account with a VPN provider
- Device for Netflix playback
Can you give me more details about those requirements?
Yes – here are the details broken down with more detailed specifications.
Internet connection
- A fixed connection of at least 2.5mb/s is suggested – this covers most ADSL or cable modem connections in NZ
- It’s important to realise that the more you watch the more data you’ll use. This may lead to your current internet plan being insufficient. It’s suggested you start with a plan that provides a minimum of 30gb data per month – more if you plan to watch Netflix for a lot of hours each month. Some users find a 60gb is more than sufficient, others use a 100gb plan – this will also depend on how heavily you utilise your Internet connection for other downloads.
Compatible Router
- Recommended model is Dlink DIR-615
- The DIR-615 is very easy to find in most countries incl NZ
- Must be H/W rev C1, C2, D1, D2, E1, E3 or E4 (these are common and easy to find from most electronics retailers)
- Connects to your existing (primary) ADSL or Cable router
- Compatible with typical ISP routers which provide an Ethernet connection
- Typical cost NZ$60-NZ$200 (Dependant on where you purchase and whether new or second hand)
- Many other routers that are compatible with the full DD-WRT software (however these are mostly untested by us)
- An account with a VPN provider who offers US IP addresses:
- We have tried and tested StrongVPN – this is our recommendation
- There are others that may provide better or worse results (faster or slower speeds)
Device for Netflix playback
The Roku player is the quickest and easiest to setup – and has the benefit of no ‘Xbox Live Gold’ subscription requirement when compared the Xbox 360. The downside is the Roku needs to be ordered from the US so will take a few days to arrive. The Xbox 360 provides the most impressive Netflix capabilities and with Kinect the benefits of voice control and gesture control.
- Roku Streaming Media Player
- Roku XD Streaming Player (shipped to NZ via Amazon – RRP US$79.99)
- Roku XS Streaming Player
(shipped to NZ via Amazon – RRP US$99.99)
- Xbox 360 (all models are suitable) – setup with a US Xbox Live Gold account
- There are lots of other options and have tested too:
- Hardware imported from the USA such as the Roku box, some Blu-ray players come preconfigured to support Netflix
- You can also use a PC or Mac
What steps do follow to get Netflix running?
Here are the steps broken down so just about anyone can follow them.
Step 1: Router
- First step is downloading the appropriate DD-WRT firmware for your router to your desktop. In the case of the Dlink DIR-615 and many others you locate it on this page.
- After visiting the link enter the name of your router – such as: DIR-615
- The correct download for the DIR-615 should be labelled: Special image for initial flashing (or similar)
- Disconnect your computer from your existing internet connection/router (turning off Wi-Fi if necessary)
- Connect your computer any port on the Dlink DIR-615 (except for the WAN port)
- Login to the router by navigating to the router’s webpage – you can do this by entering the following address in your browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, etc): http://192.168.0.1
- Username: admin
- Password (leave this blank)
Step 2: VPN
- Setup your VPN using the instructions from the VPN provider. Feel free to try any one you want.
- As mentioned previously we have primarily used StrongVPN though there are a couple of other methods that seem to vary in their performance and reliability. Visit their website to sign up and for instructions for use in conjunction with a DD-WRT enabled router.
- The method of configuration suggested is the ‘Modify Wan Connection Type’ and instructions are here.
Step 3: Device connection
- In our experience for the best results use an Ethernet cable between your device (Xbox 360, Roku, PC, Mac, etc) rather than Wifi
- If you prefer to use Wifi – then connect to your new Wifi connection using the details you setup in step 1
Please let us know if we’ve left anything out and we’ll try and fill in the gaps promptly.
For more info on this topic be sure to tune into the NZ Tech Podcast each week via iTunes, Zune or you favourite podcasting tool. You can also follow us on Twitter or hit up our facebook page.
The #1 Podcast in NZ
I dropped by iTunes today and was pleasantly surprised to see that the ‘NZ Tech Podcast’ is the top Podcast in New Zealand right now. It feels great to be sitting above Ricky Gervais, TED talks, BBC, etc.
It’s nice to have some extra attention courtesy of Apple and iTunes. Many thanks to all who are listening in and especially those spreading the word.
Please keep your feedback and comments rolling in via whatever medium you prefer – as that’s how we’ll be able to adjust the show and improve it over time.
We have a more coming to the podcast over time – such as a number of interesting guests planned in future episodes.
If you haven’t listened in yet – please do so and let us know what you think.
Thanks,
Paul Spain (@PaulSpain)
Update: April 2012
After more than 1-year online the NZ Tech Podcast remains the #1 locally produced dedicated podcast in New Zealand. The advent of radio stations heavily promoting ‘podcastized’ versions of their shows often sees the best of those shows receive a top ranking – but when it comes to dedicated local podcasts the NZ Tech Podcast has remained at the top month-to-month since early 2011.
It begins…
Just a quick heads up – recording of the first NZ Tech Podcast will be taking place very soon. You can follow us on twitter @NZTechPodcast – or our individaul accounts: