Whats the best media streaming device for NZ (not a pc)

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Killerkiwi2005

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#159871 15-Dec-2014 16:08

So with netflix officially arriving is there a cheap small streaming device for NZ that can stream all/most of the following (so you can easily switch subscriptions) using just a remote (no tablet/phone)

netflix
lightbox
quickflix
tvnz ondemand
tv3 ondemand
skygo / neon
videoezyondemand.co.nz / ezyflix.tv
Coliseum Sports
any thing I missed

I'm guessing the apple tv is the only thing even close? Does this actually run all these services its self or do you need a tablet/iphone as well?

And if you want a new tv buy a samsung (well played samsung I see what you did there)...

At the moment I'm running a small PC but my parents need something a bit more streamlined

MileHighKiwi

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#1197936 15-Dec-2014 16:46

I love my Roku 3 and would be lost without it. It has transformed my streaming experiences.

trig42

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#1197940 15-Dec-2014 16:51

A Samsung SmartHub BluRay player. Will do most if not all of those (once Netflix is here - if you change its region to US or UK to get Netflix before then, you will lose the NZ Apps).

Killerkiwi2005

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#1197947 15-Dec-2014 17:00

trig42: A Samsung SmartHub BluRay player. Will do most if not all of those (once Netflix is here - if you change its region to US or UK to get Netflix before then, you will lose the NZ Apps).

Thanks, that looks like the best option

SepticSceptic

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#1198474 16-Dec-2014 15:34

I think you'll have trouble with TVNZ OnDemand, and TV3 OnDemand, ditto Skygo, short of using an app for each.

trig42

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#1198485 16-Dec-2014 16:10

Samsung SmartHub has an app for TVNZ and TV3/FOUR. Don't know about SkyGo. It will do Netflix when available here. It does Lightbox and Quickflix also. Not sure about the VideoEzy service.
You can also get a pretty good Plex app for them to play your contect on your home network. If you can pick them up on special, they are way better than any other box for NZ content.
Oh, and they play BluRay and DVD :)

richms

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#1198513 16-Dec-2014 16:57

I got a samsung bluray player, but the HDMI output is stuck on 50Hz so anything thats not in a stupid 25 or 50FPS framerate looks like crap on them.

Samsung NZ were no use, the guys on the phone were going on about obsolete analog "PAL" format being the standard in NZ, despite the thing only having a HDMI output and nothing analog.

Returned it as unfit to play youtube etc on.

Richard rich.ms

SepticSceptic

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#1198526 16-Dec-2014 17:04

I went thru the same rationalisation process, but there are too many if-but-maybe issues.

Launch an app for each different service, device dependent, if it supports it. Barely any linux / xmbc /plex support for NZ on demand content. No sky support.

I suppose you could get everything patched together, and have an ad-hoc jumble of apps with no consistent look n feel, and have no WAF / PAF ( Parent acceptance Factor).

In the end, chucking it all in for a Windows 7 HTPC, with Media Center, Satellite USB card, Web Browser pointing to LemonTV guide (awesome NZ TV listing aggregator), with the option of compatibility with just about any on-line streaming service, now and in the near future.

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turb

881 posts

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#1198777 17-Dec-2014 06:58

SepticSceptic: I went thru the same rationalisation process, but there are too many if-but-maybe issues.

Launch an app for each different service, device dependent, if it supports it. Barely any linux / xmbc /plex support for NZ on demand content. No sky support.

I suppose you could get everything patched together, and have an ad-hoc jumble of apps with no consistent look n feel, and have no WAF / PAF ( Parent acceptance Factor).

In the end, chucking it all in for a Windows 7 HTPC, with Media Center, Satellite USB card, Web Browser pointing to LemonTV guide (awesome NZ TV listing aggregator), with the option of compatibility with just about any on-line streaming service, now and in the near future.

What is the Lemon TV guide? Google isn't helping.

Can you post a link or something?

Interests: HTPC, Web App authoring.

Killerkiwi2005

374 posts

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#1198838 17-Dec-2014 08:49

turb:
SepticSceptic: I went thru the same rationalisation process, but there are too many if-but-maybe issues.

Launch an app for each different service, device dependent, if it supports it. Barely any linux / xmbc /plex support for NZ on demand content. No sky support.

I suppose you could get everything patched together, and have an ad-hoc jumble of apps with no consistent look n feel, and have no WAF / PAF ( Parent acceptance Factor).

In the end, chucking it all in for a Windows 7 HTPC, with Media Center, Satellite USB card, Web Browser pointing to LemonTV guide (awesome NZ TV listing aggregator), with the option of compatibility with just about any on-line streaming service, now and in the near future.

What is the Lemon TV guide? Google isn't helping.

Can you post a link or something?

www.lemontv.co.nz (disclaimer that sites my toy), but it requires a pc which seems like such overkill

I am playing with a new UI that's more like youtube.com/tv

steve98

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#1198923 17-Dec-2014 10:43

Killerkiwi2005:
turb:
SepticSceptic: I went thru the same rationalisation process, but there are too many if-but-maybe issues.

Launch an app for each different service, device dependent, if it supports it. Barely any linux / xmbc /plex support for NZ on demand content. No sky support.

I suppose you could get everything patched together, and have an ad-hoc jumble of apps with no consistent look n feel, and have no WAF / PAF ( Parent acceptance Factor).

In the end, chucking it all in for a Windows 7 HTPC, with Media Center, Satellite USB card, Web Browser pointing to LemonTV guide (awesome NZ TV listing aggregator), with the option of compatibility with just about any on-line streaming service, now and in the near future.

What is the Lemon TV guide? Google isn't helping.

Can you post a link or something?

www.lemontv.co.nz (disclaimer that sites my toy), but it requires a pc which seems like such overkill

I am playing with a new UI that's more like youtube.com/tv

Hey, nice site. I like it.

toyonut

1508 posts

Uber Geek

#1198978 17-Dec-2014 11:37

So the Samsung is this one? Looks good and reasonable price too. Been looking for a media player that will work with Lightbox, tvnz/tv3 ondemand. Would be nice to get everything that last jump to the TV as nobody is releasing xbox apps.

Try Vultr using this link and get us both some credit:

http://www.vultr.com/?ref=7033587-3B

SepticSceptic

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#1199097 17-Dec-2014 13:31

Killerkiwi2005:

www.lemontv.co.nz (disclaimer that sites my toy), but it requires a pc which seems like such overkill

I am playing with a new UI that's more like youtube.com/tv

Don't break the original !!! :-) So easy just to search / pin favourite shows, without going thru the hassle of trying to figure out what damn channel the shows aired on, and having to fight thru the fluff n nonsense on each of their home pages.

spk18

85 posts

Master Geek

#1199193 17-Dec-2014 14:40

+1 for the Roku 3. Used to use a PS3 to stream from my NAS drive but it was terrible, very bad WiFi so streaming stuttered all the time.

Only thing that is a hassle is having to have your PC on running Plex Server to access my NAS drive (which has Twonky media so some devices can pull it directly off that with no need to use PC).

That said it probably won't give you access to a few of this apps you want. Sounds like the Samsung one promoted is best for you.