Best reasonable value Netflix streaming device hardware Dec 2017

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timmmay

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#1924525 24-Dec-2017 12:04

Ok, Apple TV sounds like the best, but it's probably not worth the $250 or so to me, and I'm not a fan of second hand - I like warranties.

Will a Roku play Netflix well, and give access to UK TV?

Mi Box seems like good value, but I like the idea of having a mainstream device that's well supported.

davidcole

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#1924526 24-Dec-2017 12:06

timmmay:
We can keep the R.Pi2 for Kodi, it works great, so if it makes the streaming side easier we can ignore the local files option. Nice to have them all in one, but not essential. Having to run Plex sounds like a hassle, given I don't know anything about it, but I'm sure I could work it out if needed.

Apple TV is $250 or so, but easily streams all local TV channels. Not sure local TV is worth that to me, I watch it every couple of years and seems to be mostly advertising.

UK TV would be much more useful to us. Anyone know how difficult it is to get UK TV on the Roku?

Mi Box looks interesting. Prefer to stay mainstream I think, but if it's popular, well supported, and does what I want for a reasonable price I'll have a look.

Not hard. Just make sure when you sign up to roku that it thinks you’re in the UK.

But you can’t then get us apps without a factory reset then signup so that it thinks you’re in the us.

You can’t mix regions like an Apple TV can.

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driller2000

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#1924532 24-Dec-2017 12:12

Responding to topic title - Shield TV hands down best HW and I also like Android TV OS.

In terms of your requirements (COMMENTS IN CAPS):

Stream Netflix - YES NATIVE APP
Stream Youtube, with an easy way to search for / choose the clip (probably requires a keyboard or voice interface) - YES NATIVE APP AND VOICE SEARCH - ALL VIA THE REMOTE - NO KB/MOUSE REQUIRED.
Easy to use for wife / family / eventually the toddler - VERY MUCH SO E.G. KIDS 3 AND 5 YRS OLD DRIVE SPMC ON MINE WITHOUT ISSUE.

Nice to have:

A remote, or compatibility with my old Logitech Harmony One - SUPPLIED REMOTE WORKS OK ALBEIT THE BATTERY IS A BIT SMALL. ALSO HAS A HEADPHONE JACK IF YOU WANT TO WATCH STUFF WITHOUT ANNOYING OTHERS. I USE A HARMONY TOUCH WITH MINE - INCL SET UP ACTIVITIES - WORKS GREAT.
Stream media from a local computer, ideally keeping track of watched status (not important as the R.Pi2 running Kodi works great) - YES SPMC IS WHAT I USE. LIBRARY CONTENT IS ALSO INCLUDED IN VOICE SEARCH. ALSO DOES DTS:X AND ATMOS WHICH FEW PLAYERS DO.
Stream NZ TV - TV2, TV3, etc (really not that valuable to us, but nice to have the option) - THIS IS WHERE IT MIGHT NOT MEET YOUR NEEDS AS THERE AREN'T ANY NATIVE NZTV ANDROID TV APPS (AS YET) - BUT AS THE SHIELD HAS CHROMECAST BUILT IN YOU CAN CAST FROM YOUR DEVICE TO THE SHIELD

Have also copied a prior post re the Shield re some of its other abilities:

Love my Shield.
NF, YT, Amazon Prime and Vimeo give me 4k material.
Other video apps I use incl the usual Lightbox, TED, RedBull, Vevo etc.
Prefer SPMC (to Kodi) as it allows HD Audio ie. DTS:X and ATMOS - also allows voice search. Usual addons in use.
Spotify, Google Music and CloudRadio (for Soundcloud acct access)...for music.
Cast from Ph of PC to watch SkyGo, NZTV Ondemand Content.
Old school gaming via Mame4Droid - using their gamepad.
Have also installed Terrarium (look it up)
Have an original Shield so installed an SD card as internal storage so I could install other Android Games - drivers , shooters etc for casual gaming.
Has been bulletproof and reliable - highly recommended.
Also integrated with My Harmony Touch (using the shields IR sensor) and various macros - and works great.
Best tech purchase I have made in recent years.

Note: Only downside has been the pissant battery in the remote supplied remote which needs charging more frequently than I would like.

timmmay

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#1924536 24-Dec-2017 12:22

davidcole: Not hard. Just make sure when you sign up to roku that it thinks you’re in the UK.

But you can’t then get us apps without a factory reset then signup so that it thinks you’re in the us.

You can’t mix regions like an Apple TV can.

Thanks David. Given we just want Netflix, youtube, and maybe some UK TV, is there any big disadvantage to not having the US region / apps? Would it be better to set it up in NZ, to get NZ Netflix?

davidcole

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#1924538 24-Dec-2017 12:29

timmmay:
davidcole: Not hard. Just make sure when you sign up to roku that it thinks you’re in the UK.

But you can’t then get us apps without a factory reset then signup so that it thinks you’re in the us.

You can’t mix regions like an Apple TV can.

Thanks David. Given we just want Netflix, youtube, and maybe some UK TV, is there any big disadvantage to not having the US region / apps? Would it be better to set it up in NZ, to get NZ Netflix?

Netflix will be nz anyway as that’s an international app, and just uses your account.

If you don’t not use Hulu or hbo go etc then I doubt you’ll miss the us apps. I think the roku has the channel 4 app and Apple TV doesn’t (yet). But you can airplay channel 4 if you have iOS on a mobile.

mdf

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#1925049 25-Dec-2017 19:05

We've got a roku 3. It's an awesome Netflix player. I love the remote - WiFi direct (so afaik not harmony compatible) but comes with a headphone jack for the best, no fuss wireless audio. Great for a house with a wee 'un trying to sleep.

Access to the UK TV apps used to be really good (albeit fiddly to set up initially). However, not all apps are compatible with all versions of the roku (I think the roku stick may not have had a BBC app? Certainly had a mate with that combination causing issues). BBC iplayer is also going subscription-only, so you would need a friendly UK based licensing fee paying friend/family member. Finally, none of the apps are perfectly seamless, so may have low WAF / require troubleshooting.

I also wish roku would geo unblock their apps. The remote app is really good but hard to get.

Bottom lining it, roku is an awesome Netflix box. If UK TV apps are mandatory, it would pay to do plenty of research in advance to check your box, dns provider etc. are going to combine in the right way to do what you want.

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Shop now on Samsung phones, tablets, TVs and more (affiliate link).

timmmay

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#1925056 25-Dec-2017 19:35

mdf:
Bottom lining it, roku is an awesome Netflix box. If UK TV apps are mandatory, it would pay to do plenty of research in advance to check your box, dns provider etc. are going to combine in the right way to do what you want.

Thanks, much appreciate the detailed comments. We use Astrill and they're pretty good for iPlayer. Only way to know for sure is to try it. Roku Express is cheap, so might get one of those. Worst case, if it just does Netflix that's fine.

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