By Thomas de Vries
“Dad, why have you been staring at your laptop for three hours?” my son Daan (8) asked on a rainy Sunday afternoon in February. We were sitting in our living room in Amstelveen, with rain tapping against the windows. On my screen: an extensive comparison table of different IPTV services.
“I’m trying to figure out which IPTV service would work best for us, son,” I replied. “Remember how we decided to cancel our Ziggo subscription last month?”
“Yes!” he exclaimed enthusiastically. “So we can have more money for ice cream on vacation!”
I smiled. Children have a wonderful way of reducing complex decisions to what really matters – in this case: more ice cream during our annual trip to Texel island.
The Oversaturated Market of IPTV Services
Once I decided to switch to IPTV, I faced a new problem: there are SO many providers. Some legal, some less legal, some with Dutch channels, others focused on international viewers.
“It’s like being in a candy store but only allowed to choose one candy,” I complained during our weekly drinks to my neighbor Jeroen, who had originally told me about IPTV.
“You’re an accountant, Thomas,” he laughed, handing me a fresh beer. “Just make a spreadsheet.”
And so I did. Because indeed, as we say in the Netherlands: “To measure is to know.”
My 5-Step Plan for Choosing the Best IPTV
After weeks of research, frustrating trial subscriptions, and long evenings of comparison, I developed a personal 5-step plan for choosing the best IPTV service. Here’s what I learned:
Step 1: Determine Your Must-Have Channels
“I don’t want to miss my cooking shows,” my wife Annemiek said firmly, making a list at our dining table.
“And I need to keep watching Ajax,” I added.
“AND NICKELODEON!” Daan shouted from the corner of the room, where he was playing with his LEGO.
We created a joint list of “must-have” channels. This proved crucial because not every IPTV service offers the same selection of Dutch channels. Some excel in international content but are weak in local programming.
Practical tip: Have each family member write down 5-10 channels or programs they absolutely don’t want to miss. Use this list as your starting point.
Step 2: Check Legality and Stability
My father Karel (72) from Haarlem called me in the middle of my research.
“Thomas, son,” he said worriedly, “is this IPTV business even legal?”
A valid question. Some IPTV services operate in a gray area. As an accountant accustomed to clear rules, I wanted a service that is completely legal, transparent and easy to setup.
After thorough research, I found this installation guide, that was made by one of the providers in the Netherlands with clear licensing agreements for the content they offer.
Practical tip: Check if the provider is a legitimate business with proper registration, clear contact details, and transparent terms. Specifically ask about their licenses for Dutch content.
Step 3: Test Image Quality and Stability
“This picture is grainy, Dad,” Daan noted during a trial period with a budget service. And he was right.
Not all IPTV services are equal in terms of image quality. Some offer HD or even 4K, while others remain stuck at SD quality reminiscent of the television of my youth.
We tested three different services over a weekend, paying attention to:
- Image quality during peak hours (8:00-10:00 PM)
- Stability during important events
- Buffering time when starting a stream
Practical tip: Always ask for a trial period or short test. Test at different times and on different devices.
Step 4: Assess User-Friendliness for the Whole Family
“I don’t understand this, Thomas,” sighed my mother-in-law Els (70) when she tried to switch to her favorite program during a visit. “Where’s the guide? How does this work?”
An often underestimated aspect: the interface must be intuitive for all ages. The best technology is useless if your family can’t work with it.
Practical tip: Have the least tech-savvy family member test the interface. If they can use it, everyone can.
Step 5: Compare Costs Versus Value
As an accountant, this was perhaps my favorite part. I made a detailed calculation of:
- Monthly costs
- Equipment purchase costs (if necessary)
- Savings compared to our old Ziggo subscription
- Added value (such as on-demand content)
“If we choose this IPTV service, we can afford not one, but TWO extra ice cream weeks on Texel,” I explained to Daan, whose eyes widened with excitement.
Practical tip: Look beyond just the monthly price. Some cheaper services require expensive equipment, while pricier services might have more included channels.
Our Final Choice
After all the research, we chose MyIPTV-NL.com. Not only did they have all the Dutch channels we were looking for, but their customer service was also excellent – a rarity in the technology world.
“I have a technical question about your service,” I began cautiously on the phone, preparing myself for the usual transfers.
“Of course, go ahead,” replied a friendly Dutch voice directly. No waiting time, no scripts, just a real person who solved my question within minutes.
Five Months Later: Taking Stock
It’s now five months since we switched to IPTV, and the results?
Daan can watch all his programs whenever it suits him. “No more bedtime stress,” Annemiek whispered gratefully during an evening together on the couch.
My football friends still come over for every important match, but now they also admire our setup. “It’s sharper than my Ziggo connection,” Willem from Diemen admitted, staring at the game.
And perhaps most importantly: we’ve already saved €175 – that’s a lot of ice cream on Texel.
When You Might Still Want to Choose Traditional TV
Is IPTV for everyone? Honestly, no. In some situations, traditional cable TV might still be better:
- If your internet connection is slower than 15Mbps
- If you’re absolutely not tech-savvy and have no help nearby
- If you live in an area with very unstable internet
“My sister in a remote part of Drenthe tried it,” Annemiek shared during dinner. “With her shaky internet connection, it was a disaster.”
Final Thoughts
If, like me, you’re considering the switch to IPTV, take the time to choose the right service. It’s like buying a new house – you don’t want to make a hasty decision about something you use daily.
Start by visiting MyIPTV-NL.com to get an idea of what a quality service has to offer. Even if you eventually choose another provider, it gives you a good baseline for comparison.
And don’t forget to involve your family in the decision. After all, they’ll be using it too – whether it’s for football matches, cooking shows, or extra ice cream on vacation.
Do you have questions about choosing the right IPTV service for your situation? Leave a comment – I’m happy to help!
Thomas de Vries lives in Amstelveen with his wife Annemiek and son Daan (8). When he’s not busy with his work as an accountant or watching Ajax matches, he likes to share his experiences on optimizing household expenses without compromising on quality. This article is based on his personal experience with selecting IPTV services in the Netherlands.
