Netflix thru Win7 MCE

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sfrasernz

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Master Geek
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#143677 23-Apr-2014 14:56

Is anybody successfully watching Netflix via the Windows Media Center interface? My understanding is it is automatically added during the MCE Update process but only if you're in the US. Are there any work arounds to this?

Thanks

timbosan

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#1029827 23-Apr-2014 15:00

Sure, look here:

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=151&topicid=142592

Which will take you to here:

http://www.thegreenbutton.tv/forums/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=4608

Basically yes, it's easy to do (I have done it a few times) however Netflix on Windows 7 MCE is not HD, so I don't use it any more.

sfrasernz

227 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 9

#1029833 23-Apr-2014 15:09

Thanks. (I swear I did a search first...)

Are you still streaming Netflix content? What client are you now using?

timbosan

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#1029914 23-Apr-2014 16:30

I don't use it much, but when I do it's either via the Apple TV, or the web interface on the Media Center. I no longer have it in MCE as I changed to configuration and lost it once, haven't got around to adding it back in.

freitasm

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#1029965 23-Apr-2014 17:29

I got an Amazon Fire TV last week. Except for live TV, I am playing everything else on the box (using Plex server/client to feed my home videos, photo, and using unblock-us on the box itself for Netflix, Hulu+, Vevo, Amazon Instant Video, etc).

Loving it. Netflix on a HTPC via browser is so much trouble (fumble with keyboard, mouse), the Amazon box is bliss compared to it. I tried installing Netflix on Media Center, tried unblock-us on HTPC (with mixed results on Vodafone cable, playback is fine but web pages are half loaded thanks to the transparent proxy in the network interfering), at the end getting a dedicated box settled it.

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gbwelly

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#1029972 23-Apr-2014 17:51

You can get 720p via the media center Silverlight based Netflix implementation. This often looks better than much of the Freeview HD content via my 1080p TV. If you have an existing investment in a windows media center based HTPC I would suggest giving it a go. I personally refuse to muck about changing inputs on the TV for all the various gadgets so I stick to the HTPC as it gives a consistent interface for the family. Once FTA TV finally withers away I'll make the jump to an appliance.

sfrasernz

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#1030011 23-Apr-2014 18:28

Yeah similar to you I like to run everything thru the HTPC - easier for the kids and less devices drawing electricity. If we didnt watch so much recorded TV I would retire and look at an appliance such as the Amazon Fire but for now Win7 MCE is perfect for us. We use AirVideo for streaming recordings to our IOS devices and am considering a NUC or an Echo as an extender for our second tv.

freitasm

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#1030158 23-Apr-2014 21:35

Don't get me wrong. I'd love to have everything on the HTPC. I had a Dell Zino for four years and now a BRIX and that has been the only media device in the lounge, with a Microsoft MCE remote control it's great... But when it comes to using other services and having to use a keyboard to open a browser and go to Netflix then navigate through using a trackpad, the remote doesn't work. The dedicated box is great: one remote for Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Instant Video. We still have the HTPC here but it's now a live TV box only. If we have to replace the TV and get a Freeview-capable set then the HTPC can retire...

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timbosan

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#1030167 23-Apr-2014 21:49

freitasm: Don't get me wrong. I'd love to have everything on the HTPC. I had a Dell Zino for four years and now a BRIX and that has been the only media device in the lounge, with a Microsoft MCE remote control it's great... But when it comes to using other services and having to use a keyboard to open a browser and go to Netflix then navigate through using a trackpad, the remote doesn't work. The dedicated box is great: one remote for Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Instant Video. We still have the HTPC here but it's now a live TV box only. If we have to replace the TV and get a Freeview-capable set then the HTPC can retire...

True to a point - there are add-ins for both Hulu and Netflix for Windows 7 MCE, and its (better? different?) in Windows 8 as the Live Tiles can launch both (plus Amazon etc), and navigation works with an MCE remote too. Plus you get Netflix in proper HD in Windows 8, it just depends if you like the interface (Metro). But when things don't work - that's when you end up breaking out the keyboard.

The problem I have with appliances/boxes/etc is they are often underpowered - if I rip a Blu-Ray to an ISO (so no re-encoding) and want to watch it at maximum quality, only a HTPC can do that. And only a HTPC can do live TV, recorded TV, online services, local media playback, web etc. in one box.

Of course, if convenience or WAF or real estate etc. is the driver, then a HTPC may not be the best approach.

Or go with reven's approach (as long as you have a compatible Samsung TV) and use the TV apps for everything, which I quite like the idea of.