Need advice on a cheap way to continue watching netflix on my TV

Forums › Online streaming services › Need advice on a cheap way to continue watching netflix on my TV

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jonathan18

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#3357312 25-Mar-2025 16:11

Yep, I’d never go back to a PC over a dedicated streaming device; I don’t recommend this approach if you have the choice! Just so clunky compared to the alternatives.

I’m happy enough with our Chromecast with Google TV units, and if I was buying now I’d look at the Google TV Streamer or - if I was to follow through on an intent to move away from Google devices - an Apple TV (though not sure how well 3rd-party apps support AirPlay from Android phones these days?).

zespri

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#3357344 25-Mar-2025 19:45

Thank you all, I realised I want ethernet (I did not mentioned that in the OP), so I went ahead and got myself the Google TV Streamer.

gzt

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#3357347 25-Mar-2025 19:55

Amazon stocks an official ethernet adaptor for the Fire devices - https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Ethernet-Adapter-Fire-Devices/dp/B074TC662N

I also have Google TV Streamer. So far I regret nothing except the sticker price. On the other hand if I paid $2 every time I use the remote finder..

ARIKIP

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#3357763 27-Mar-2025 10:49

mattwnz:

The other option is to get an Apple TV. You go for these solutions instead of using a pc due to the ease of use over a pc

Agree with this. Go for a second hand Apple TV box on Marketplace or Trademe. HD ones are pretty cheap for your 2013 Samsung or perhaps future proof by going a 4K model just in case you upgrade your TV at a later date. You don't have to be in the Apple ecosystem to use one.

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nztim

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TEAMnetwork

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#3357765 27-Mar-2025 10:58

I know people on this thread say don't use a PC, but I have a NUC connected to my 2013 tv which is now nothing more than a panel with HDMI inputs

This allows me to watch whatever I want streaming wise, and also do zoom calls with our family back in the states without huddling around a laptop/phone

I can also bring up internet sites with my wife and we can both easily see the screen

I think I will be one of the last to ditch a PC connected to the TV 😅

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Wheelbarrow01

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Chorus

#3357770 27-Mar-2025 11:20

mattwnz:

I initially had smart vu and it was unreliable and kept freezing so returned it for a refund. The fire tv and Google devices are far better from my experience. YMMV

+1 for DishTV SmartVu SV11. Easy to use with the included bluetooth remote control for basic TV functions (turn on/off, volume etc) as well as quick access buttons for YouTube, Netflix, Amazon and Freeview (streaming from the device itself).

mattwnz:

I initially had smart vu and it was unreliable and kept freezing so returned it for a refund. The fire tv and Google devices are far better from my experience. YMMV

I have 3 SmartVu SV11 devices (two of which were purchased from DishTV as refurbished/floor stock), and have never had a problem with any of them. I guess there's always a bung one in each batch...

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richms

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#3357779 27-Mar-2025 11:38

zespri:

freitasm:

The Google streamer is good. Amazon Fire TV stick is cheaper. We have both but use the Amazon Fire TV stick 80% of the time.

Thank you, why do you gravitate towards using Amazon Fire TV stick, since you have both? I used to have an older FireTV (one of the first models, not a stick) but for what ever reason one day it refused to start the netflix up, did factory reset, re-installed nothing helped. Since it's cheaper seems like a no brainer, but I'm wondering if there is any reason to think I'll get more years out of google streamer...

Fire sticks etc have been around for ages, the google TV streamer is recent and is their first one with a remote and user interface, most people would have got a fire tv box or stick to get a UI and remote long before google released the streamer.

Google have shown that they give a crap about old hardware by not just writing off the old chromecasts when the cert expired and saying tough luck, but IMO these are all 2-4 year devices and anything after that is a bonus. I certainly wouldn't be using my first gen tire tv boxes anymore because of crap codec support limiting what they will play and the UI is now so slow its like a $70 tablet with lag.

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freitasm

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#3357822 27-Mar-2025 13:36

richms:

zespri:

freitasm:

The Google streamer is good. Amazon Fire TV stick is cheaper. We have both but use the Amazon Fire TV stick 80% of the time.

Thank you, why do you gravitate towards using Amazon Fire TV stick, since you have both? I used to have an older FireTV (one of the first models, not a stick) but for what ever reason one day it refused to start the netflix up, did factory reset, re-installed nothing helped. Since it's cheaper seems like a no brainer, but I'm wondering if there is any reason to think I'll get more years out of google streamer...

Fire sticks etc have been around for ages, the google TV streamer is recent and is their first one with a remote and user interface, most people would have got a fire tv box or stick to get a UI and remote long before google released the streamer.

Google Streamer is a new version of Chromecast with Google TV. Chromecast with Google TV already had the UI.

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richms

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#3357887 27-Mar-2025 16:03

freitasm:

Google Streamer is a new version of Chromecast with Google TV. Chromecast with Google TV already had the UI.

That still came well after fire tv stick and box had taken up most of the market for people that wanted the UI on screen instead of messing around with casting. Google really misread the room with the chromecast lasting so long.

Richard rich.ms

dpf81nz

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#3358640 29-Mar-2025 22:38

we either use our Xiaomi Mi Box or our Xbox Series X for Netflix/Plex/Whatever streaming app these days on our 2017 Panasonic TV

Ragnor

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#3358646 30-Mar-2025 00:27

richms:

That still came well after fire tv stick and box had taken up most of the market for people that wanted the UI on screen instead of messing around with casting. Google really misread the room with the chromecast lasting so long.

Google TV (OS) devices were released in 2010 later changing to Android TV from 2014 and have now changed back to a Google TV (interface) since 2020

Fire TV was released in 2014

Popularity of devices varies by region

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_TV_(operating_system)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_TV

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_Fire_TV

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_TV#Google_TV_interface

tldr; they are both good these days

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farcus

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#3358747 30-Mar-2025 13:27

zespri:

Thank you all, I realised I want ethernet (I did not mentioned that in the OP), so I went ahead and got myself the Google TV Streamer.

It's a good choice. I have been using one for a few months and love it. Had a Mi Box S before this which is also good - and have moved that to the bedroom TV

Eva888

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#3358749 30-Mar-2025 14:36

All the Dish ones without Ethernet you can buy an adapter for them on the Dish website.

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