Best set top box that has the TVNZ and Threenow freeview apps?

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386 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2686881 5-Apr-2021 22:47

At a replacement cost of $99 the Apple TV remote had better be more durable that it appears :-D

As for reinventing the wheel - my parents still don't know how to do everything with their Sky remote after many years with it. And other set top boxes, especially the Apple TV, but even the Vodafone TV from the look of it, use a different remote and system UI.

However, my parents do know how to browse the web. Still, I won't argue the point. I just think you're maybe too used to being a geek :-)

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jjnz1

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#2686915 6-Apr-2021 07:16

I use Nvidia Shield with Harmony companion remote.

Has Android TV which is very easy, and integrates freeview TV if you get the right app. (Tivimate).

Then just add your streaming apps to suit:
Netflix, Youtube, Spark Sports, Sky Sports Now, Kayo, Stan., Neon,

And because it had Chromecast, you can also use the Sky App for most of their channels.

alasta

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#2686922 6-Apr-2021 07:53

The Apple TV remote isn't that fragile. It appears to have some sort of aluminium back plate for reinforcement and, because it's light, it's unlikely to suffer a major impact if it hits hardwood flooring.

frankv

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#2687037 6-Apr-2021 09:02

Baboon: However, my parents do know how to browse the web.

A keyboard and especially a mouse without a shelf/desktop to use them on are painful. But "typing" with a remote and on-screen keyboard is far worse. I'd suggest that either of these solutions just won't be used.

Can you do something with a phone/tablet for the user interface and then send the video to the TV? Chromecast? Mirrorcast?

Or use the phone/tablet to browse to your RPi, which would run some kind of app with a web GUUI and a backend that outputs video to its HDMI output?

Handsomedan

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#2687060 6-Apr-2021 09:54

alasta:

The Apple TV remote isn't that fragile. It appears to have some sort of aluminium back plate for reinforcement and, because it's light, it's unlikely to suffer a major impact if it hits hardwood flooring.

Ours has been flung across the room more times than I care to admit, while playing games on the ATV.

Slippery and light, but not that fragile. Still looks new, despite hitting ceramic tiles, plaster walls and the TV a few times!

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Baboon

386 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2687288 6-Apr-2021 15:40

frankv:
Baboon: However, my parents do know how to browse the web.

A keyboard and especially a mouse without a shelf/desktop to use them on are painful. But "typing" with a remote and on-screen keyboard is far worse. I'd suggest that either of these solutions just won't be used.

Can you do something with a phone/tablet for the user interface and then send the video to the TV? Chromecast? Mirrorcast?

Or use the phone/tablet to browse to your RPi, which would run some kind of app with a web GUUI and a backend that outputs video to its HDMI output?

Well, I don't think it would be too bad. My parents have a nice big coffee table right in front of the sofa where they watch TV. So that's a perfect place for a compact wireless KB+trackpad to sit. Or even a wee mouse if they hate the trackpad. I can expose them to options for input just from my own gear, so that's no issue.

And since text input with a remote is awful as you say, I think a real KB will actually make YouTube usable for them on their TV. Vs something they'd find too annoying to use. The local on-demand sites are fine without text input for the most part. But finding content on Netflix is hard without text search.

One problem if I set my parents up with an Apple TV (or any other remote-only set top box), is even if I show them how to do text input on a remote, they'll be put off by that. The solution for the Apple TV and text input is the iOS Apple TV remote app, but they've no iOS devices...

I get where people are coming from about complexity, but my parents are really not good with tech and change. Or about spending money on tech :-D That's why I'm warming to this SBC and wireless KB option. It takes what they already know, and moves it to the TV, and saves them a bunch of money each month by getting rid of Sky (even factoring in a Netflix sub or similar, if they feel like that).

Since I'm living an hour and a half away, I can't easily sort issues that arise, so I don't think I'd want to depend on some jury-rigged phone interface, unless it was an app that 'just worked'?

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Baboon

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Ultimate Geek

#2687289 6-Apr-2021 15:43

Handsomedan:
alasta:

The Apple TV remote isn't that fragile. It appears to have some sort of aluminium back plate for reinforcement and, because it's light, it's unlikely to suffer a major impact if it hits hardwood flooring.

Ours has been flung across the room more times than I care to admit, while playing games on the ATV.

Slippery and light, but not that fragile. Still looks new, despite hitting ceramic tiles, plaster walls and the TV a few times!

Oh, that's good to hear! I was especially worried about the glass top meeting my parent's hardwood floor. Though I still rate the touch input as being a source of frustration for my parents, especially my stepdad who does not use a smartphone and does not cope well with new ways of doing things.

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Kiwifruta

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#2690067 9-Apr-2021 16:41

@Baboon where are you located?
I have a Vodafone TV 2nd Gen you and your parents can try out and even buy for a good (for you) price.

Baboon

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Ultimate Geek

#2690256 10-Apr-2021 00:06

Kiwifruta:
@Baboon where are you located?
I have a Vodafone TV 2nd Gen you and your parents can try out and even buy for a good (for you) price.

I'm in Tauranga. What price were you thinking? :-)

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Kiwifruta

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#2690263 10-Apr-2021 03:10

Baboon:
Kiwifruta:

@Baboon where are you located?
I have a Vodafone TV 2nd Gen you and your parents can try out and even buy for a good (for you) price.

I'm in Tauranga. What price were you thinking? :-)

I work in Tauranga. Borrow it first. Price we can discuss via PM.

Baboon

386 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2690265 10-Apr-2021 03:31

Yeah, I'd be up for that :-) Thanks very much.

Given my parents are loathe to spend money on a test, and I'm perfectly happy with my own setup, this would be an excellent opportunity to see if the issues (I've read about here and elsewhere) with the Vodafone TV are enough of a problem to _actually_ affect my parents (who don't deal well when tech goes wrong).

It is hard to know, sometimes, whether negative chatter online is a result of the normal small number of users who are unlucky enough to experience problems with _any_ gear - who naturally are the loudest voices; or if there are _real_ widespread issues.

So, your offer is most welcome! PM me any time, to organise.

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#2690297 10-Apr-2021 08:31

frankv:

A keyboard and especially a mouse without a shelf/desktop to use them on are painful. But "typing" with a remote and on-screen keyboard is far worse. I'd suggest that either of these solutions just won't be used.

I use an air mouse with keypad. I have several around the house. Hand-held, easy to use, cheap, convenient. If the parents can still cope with a physically small interface this is a good solution.

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JaseNZ

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#2690419 10-Apr-2021 10:57

awesome @kiwifruta thats what its all about people helping people out. We have a great bunch of human beings on this site.

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josephhinvest

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#2690447 10-Apr-2021 11:27

Late to this thread but have you looked at a Salt remote for Apple TV.
I bought my folks an Apple TV for Netflix, Sky Sport and Plex, they are comfortable using it but the remote is not user friendly. I haven’t yet tried to get a salt remote but it would be easier for them. The only thing it doesn’t do I believe is act as a Siri microphone. They don’t use that anyway.

Cheers,
Joseph

Baboon

386 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2690748 11-Apr-2021 01:15

josephhinvest: Late to this thread but have you looked at a Salt remote for Apple TV.
I bought my folks an Apple TV for Netflix, Sky Sport and Plex, they are comfortable using it but the remote is not user friendly. I haven’t yet tried to get a salt remote but it would be easier for them. The only thing it doesn’t do I believe is act as a Siri microphone. They don’t use that anyway.

Cheers,
Joseph

It looks good, but at NZD 125.59 shipped to NZ, I can't justify that to my parents, sorry :-)

"The surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that it has never tried to contact us."

- Calvin and Hobbes (Bill Watterson)

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