Best set-top box for Netflix Streaming in NZ

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#1137214 25-Sep-2014 10:31

Earbanean: We currently solve this issue (when we need to), through our Sony blu-ray player, which sits next to the ATV. For $120'ish it gives us the only (and last?) physical disc player we'll need (plays blu-ray, DVD, CD and even SACD), supports all the streaming options (Netflix, Amazon etc), has DLNA for home server stuff, works wired or WiFi etc. Only downside is the interface for Netflix etc not as nice as the ATV, which is why we prefer the ATV for the services that it supports.

Earbanean, how did you get Netflix on your Sony Blu-Ray player? Mine doesnt show the app at all. Ive tried linking it to a US Sony Account but still no app.

Earbanean

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#1137229 25-Sep-2014 10:39

Earbanean, how did you get Netflix on your Sony Blu-Ray player? Mine doesnt show the app at all. Ive tried linking it to a US Sony Account but still no app.

When the DNS server for the player is changed to a geo-unblocking service, then the approriate apps for the country (e.g. USA) should appear. We have done this successfully through both unblock-us and more recently dns4me.

There's also a small process to register the device for internet services done thropugh the Sony website that I can't exactly remember, but it was fairly straight forward.

Glassboy

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#1137607 25-Sep-2014 16:01

tchart:
Earbanean: We currently solve this issue (when we need to), through our Sony blu-ray player, which sits next to the ATV. For $120'ish it gives us the only (and last?) physical disc player we'll need (plays blu-ray, DVD, CD and even SACD), supports all the streaming options (Netflix, Amazon etc), has DLNA for home server stuff, works wired or WiFi etc. Only downside is the interface for Netflix etc not as nice as the ATV, which is why we prefer the ATV for the services that it supports.

Earbanean, how did you get Netflix on your Sony Blu-Ray player? Mine doesnt show the app at all. Ive tried linking it to a US Sony Account but still no app.

If you use a service like Unotelly, you can choose where your Sony Bravia devices appears to be. The country you choose dictates what apps "appear". I have mine set to be the UK, it gets Netflix and iPlayer.

Lurch

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#1137626 25-Sep-2014 16:38

After trying various options the Roku is the clear winner for me :-) Even if you pick up a Roku 2 XS still a great streaming device. Combine that with Plex and it's amazing :-)

sen8or

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#1137963 26-Sep-2014 07:33

+1 for the Sony bluray player app.

I have Netflix on both xbox360 and ps3 and neither of the give superhd as an option, but it's there on the bluray player. Pic quality trumps a pretty interface for me.

lchiu7

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#1138431 26-Sep-2014 19:01

sen8or: +1 for the Sony bluray player app.

I have Netflix on both xbox360 and ps3 and neither of the give superhd as an option, but it's there on the bluray player. Pic quality trumps a pretty interface for me.

You must have some configuration issue since I always get SuperHD on my PS3 when it's available om the source. You can't select it. Netflix turns it on when it senses you have sufficient bandwidth.

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#1138586 27-Sep-2014 08:17

To those of you with Roku 3's, if you can edit your gateway's host file, and set up a quick dnsmasq rule on your gateway (router/PC), you can use your regular ISP's DNS for everything else, and just use dns4me for the relevant, customised geo unblocks on your Roku.

It's a very minor fiddle to set up, but transparent and robust.

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=151&topicid=150653&page_no=6#1118172

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#1142810 27-Sep-2014 20:55

lchiu7:
sen8or: +1 for the Sony bluray player app.

I have Netflix on both xbox360 and ps3 and neither of the give superhd as an option, but it's there on the bluray player. Pic quality trumps a pretty interface for me.

You must have some configuration issue since I always get SuperHD on my PS3 when it's available om the source. You can't select it. Netflix turns it on when it senses you have sufficient bandwidth.

Unless you've set Netflix to a lower resolution.

Scott3

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#1143881 29-Sep-2014 22:34

Thanks everybody for your help.

I have placed an order for a Amazon Fire TV.

What made me chose it in the end:

Generally good netflix interface
Ability to easy insert DNS setting (rather than use workaround required for ROKU)
Ability to sideload xbmc/kodi, and to get root access (I have ordered from staples rather than amazon with the hope of receiving a unit with older root-able firmware. I used xbmc back when it ran on the original xbox, and really liked it then, I assume it is much better now.
Currently discounted: US$84 rather than US$99 (plus freight to NZ) makes it cheaper than roku (when I ordered roku was $99, it is now also discounted to $89)

razor2000nz

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#1144015 30-Sep-2014 09:54

what are the pro and cons of root-ing the device??

Scott3

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#1144494 30-Sep-2014 20:07

razor2000nz: what are the pro and cons of root-ing the device??

I haven't decided if I will proceed with the root. xbmc doesn't require it (can be side-loaded), but it is required to give xbmc a short-cut (rather than have to dig 5 menus deep for it).

If you are thinking of rooting the fire tv, don't let it see the internet until you have read instructions about how to prevent auto update, because it will update to un-rootable firmware without asking.

I will respond further in the Amazon fire thread

razor2000nz

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#1144504 30-Sep-2014 20:32

from what i can find, Llama can be side-loaded as well, which will put xbmc on the main screen, but under another apps name (classic tv seems to be the app of choice to replace)

xpd

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#1144620 1-Oct-2014 08:07

lchiu7:
sen8or: +1 for the Sony bluray player app.

I have Netflix on both xbox360 and ps3 and neither of the give superhd as an option, but it's there on the bluray player. Pic quality trumps a pretty interface for me.

You must have some configuration issue since I always get SuperHD on my PS3 when it's available om the source. You can't select it. Netflix turns it on when it senses you have sufficient bandwidth.

Yup, Xbox One and PS3 both user S-HD when the wife or I arent throttling the bandwidth.

Havent touched any settings at all since started using Netflix.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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rokki

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#1144699 1-Oct-2014 10:20

blakamin: I use the 360... mainly for the fact the DNS can be set on it, and not my router.

I think on the 360 you only get 720P.

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Scott3

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#1146077 2-Oct-2014 21:29

Scott3: I have placed an order for a Amazon Fire TV.

...

(I have ordered from staples rather than amazon with the hope of receiving a unit with older root-able firmware.

Please don't anybody else do this.

I checked my order status at staples today (as the fire tv should have made it to my shipping agent by now). And it appears they have cancelled my order without telling me.

Since I ordered the special discount has ended, and as such price has gone up US$15 :(

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