One Streaming Device That Does It All ???

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#1695345 27-Dec-2016 10:22

davidcole: There's no such device. You just need to choose the one with the most services you're likely to use and an interface you can deal with.

It's called a Windows HTPC

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#1695356 27-Dec-2016 11:12

joker97:
davidcole: There's no such device. You just need to choose the one with the most services you're likely to use and an interface you can deal with.

It's called a Windows HTPC

You'll notice I put "wth an interface you can deal with" - as that is the biggest failing of an htpc. Trying to use a browser for these site that have no lean back interface from 3 meters away. It's a bad experience (yes I have a htpc as well and only use it for sky go).

Which is my opinion. If someone is ok wth it then all power to them. They are the most flexible. But ive not found them good for wives and kids

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#1695358 27-Dec-2016 11:22

Ive got an ATV4. if I air play, and that works fine, its not as good, period. It lacks the buttery smoothness of what the app does on the ATV4. Bit of judder. Now,its fine, its just not as good. AC here, 5Ghz, 3 to 4 metres line of sight. How does that compare to a PC chrome cast?

Cannot beat an app IMHO

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#1695360 27-Dec-2016 11:31

davidcole:
joker97:
davidcole: There's no such device. You just need to choose the one with the most services you're likely to use and an interface you can deal with.

It's called a Windows HTPC

You'll notice I put "wth an interface you can deal with" - as that is the biggest failing of an htpc. Trying to use a browser for these site that have no lean back interface from 3 meters away. It's a bad experience (yes I have a htpc as well and only use it for sky go).

Which is my opinion. If someone is ok wth it then all power to them. They are the most flexible. But ive not found them good for wives and kids

Oh forgot about the wife and kids. What's Windows media centre like nowadays?

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#1695364 27-Dec-2016 11:44

Windows Media Center is dead. No support at all going forward, do not expect apps for the platform.

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#1695403 27-Dec-2016 15:16

freitasm:

Windows Media Center is dead. No support at all going forward, do not expect apps for the platform.

Running WMC with OpenPHT and Marc Davis' Netflix add in for WMC.

Still the best so far, having just bought an ATV4, Plex Pass and a HDHR4-2DT on order from the UK, I think I've wasted a fair bit of cash falling for the greener grass on the other side of the fence...

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#1696207 29-Dec-2016 15:11

joker97:
davidcole:
joker97:
davidcole: There's no such device. You just need to choose the one with the most services you're likely to use and an interface you can deal with.

It's called a Windows HTPC

You'll notice I put "wth an interface you can deal with" - as that is the biggest failing of an htpc. Trying to use a browser for these site that have no lean back interface from 3 meters away. It's a bad experience (yes I have a htpc as well and only use it for sky go).

Which is my opinion. If someone is ok wth it then all power to them. They are the most flexible. But ive not found them good for wives and kids

Oh forgot about the wife and kids. What's Windows media centre like nowadays?

Windows media centre is dead, however I have setup my HTPC running windows 10 and set it to tablet mode, install windows apps and put large tiles on the screen, tweak mouse pointer size and font sizes a little and its easily usable with a wireless keyboard with builtin trackpad. Wife is fine with it, admittedly if your trying to use SKYGo that isn't great and usually have to stand a little closer to navigate onscreen, but it will do it "all" in terms of services where as I find chromecast limiting and never use it.

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#1696226 29-Dec-2016 16:23

How does one set to tablet mode?

ANglEAUT

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#1697741 2-Jan-2017 19:16

joker97: How does one set to tablet mode?

The easiest is to open the Notifications bubble and click the Tablet button or go to Settings -> System -> Tablet mode

Amongst other things, it sets the Start Menu to full screen, enables an on-screen keyboard and other settings

Edit: Added Settings path

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#1697744 2-Jan-2017 19:28

davidcole: ... But ive not found them good for wives and kids

That's why I thought I had found a very good alternative: The Amiko A3 Android device with built in DVB-S/S2.

Sure, it's only Android v4.4 and underpowered for the modern apps. Good enough to Run Kodi v16, YouTube and NetFlix. Biggest bonus, one RF remote to control both TV and any Android app.

Sad thing is it corrupted itself regularly & local NZ support was not very friendly. Every six weeks I had to do a complete new factory set up.

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reven

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#1697812 3-Jan-2017 08:38

mi.com,

mi box, wont do everything (nothing will except a full blown HTPC). but as an android box it has chromecast built in, has lightbox, netflix, amazon, and im pretty sure tvnz on demand (not sure about tv3).

Blanch

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#1697820 3-Jan-2017 09:33

reven:
mi.com,

mi box, wont do everything (nothing will except a full blown HTPC). but as an android box it has chromecast built in, has lightbox, netflix, amazon, and im pretty sure tvnz on demand (not sure about tv3).

Yep kids want me to replace the Chromecast in the lounge with the mi box I brought for the bedroom.

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#1697827 3-Jan-2017 10:31

reven:

mi.com, wont do everything (nothing will except a full blown HTPC). but as an android box it has chromecast built in, has lightbox, netflix, amazon, and im pretty sure tvnz on demand (not sure about tv3).

Looking at the specs, this does look like a nice box. No LAN connection though.

I think I have to agree with you. An HTPC controlled by a keyboard remote with TV tuner card running Plex Media Server for video transcoding to mobile devices does seem like the answer.

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reven

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#1697839 3-Jan-2017 11:27

I just got the Xiaomi USB network adapter. So in running them through cat6 instead of wifi

ANglEAUT

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#1699090 5-Jan-2017 21:24

Saw the AirTV mentioned on Uncrate.com today. That looks like a nice package that the wife & kids could handle. It would require the OTA USB adapter for FreeView. I'd really be interested to see how this works in NZ with our EPG.

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