New | Streaming devices allow fans to watch all World Cup matches free of charge
Sales of devices that enable sports fans to watch all World Cup matches free of charge are booming, but users may be offside with the law, writes Vanessa Yung
Soccer fan Adonis To Wing-tai has been having a ball following live World Cup matches from Brazil. Because he is not a pay-television subscriber, To has in past years joined friends at sports bars, or stayed with others who had cable to watch.
But To hasn't had to worry about disrupting the routines of his friends since May, when he began following the English Premier League.
Instead of signing-up for a sports package from Now TV, he brought home a tiny black device that he has grown to love over the past few months - a Xiaomi streaming media box. It has enabled him to view all the matches for the 2014 World Cup.
"It's convenient, and gives me a lot more options for watching soccer and other entertainment from around the globe," says To of the Android-based device, which has become an essential item in many Hong Kong households.
Not to be confused with a digital TV receiver, various streaming media devices have emerged in recent years that allow consumers to watch the explosion of internet video content more easily on their television sets.
At least 20 brands are available on the market, says Jacky Cheung Yiu-shing, founding president of the Chamber of Hong Kong Computer Industry. Most are mainland products and sell for between HK$200 and HK$1,500, with Xiaomi, HiMedia and MyGica being the most popular.
The cheaper devices tend to be sold by hawkers on pop-up stands, but consumers can also buy online via shopping sites such as Taobao or from authorised distributors.