Best set-top box for Netflix Streaming in NZ

Forums › Online streaming services › Best set-top box for Netflix Streaming in NZ

Scott3

961 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#152340 23-Sep-2014 23:59

Hi Everybody

What set top box do you prefer?

the Roku 3 looks to be the most popular in the USA, but the non-changeable dns server make it sound like a bit of a pain to set up here. (The dns change will impact the entire network with a standard router?)

The Amazon fire sound like a good bet, but I am worried about the voice recognition struggling with a NZ accent.

I like how the WDTV Live can play lots of formats from local sources, but the interface for netflix sounds second rate.

A bit about my situation:

I am currently on ADSL, and am in the process of having fibre installed (100/50 I think, both with vodafone) I have retrofitted cat 6 wiring throughout the house (including to the main tv) so I don't bottleneck on the wireless.

I am keen to try out netflix for a few mounts, I think I will use unotelly, unblockus or similar for dns service. which service is fastest?

This box will be for the main tv. Its a Samsung series 5 (currently being repaired due to a darker strip at the top left of the panel), which has DLNA playback (but a clunky interface) so local content playback is not really essential from the set top box.

I currently keep my local content on a portable hard disk, but am thinking of getting a NAS.

I also have a 720p projector pointing at the ceiling in the bedroom, but am happy to keep using laptops to play content for this one.

Is the Amazon fire TV my best bet? or something else?

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

1634 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Subscriber

#1135135 24-Sep-2014 06:25

Why not get yourself a 2nd hand Xbox 360.

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
67495 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#1135181 24-Sep-2014 07:40

The Amazon Fire is great. We don't use voice search a lot, but never had a problem with my non-NZ accent or my wife's accent. It worked even my eight-year old's NZ-accent.

These links are referral codes

xpd

Budget Gamer
10608 posts

Uber Geek

Mod Emeritus

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1135202 24-Sep-2014 08:16

Or a PS3... theyve dropped in price and can handle all your entertainment needs and work quite happily with DLNA.
The NetFlix app works well (prefer it over the browser interface).

XPD^ / DemiseNZ

Blog Free Games Twitter

My TradeMe Goodies

Disclaimer - It wasn't me, the dog ate my keyboard, my account was hacked, I was drunk, ALIENS.

geekiegeek

2436 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Subscriber

#1135220 24-Sep-2014 08:30

apple TV is another option. Really nice Netflix interface.

Delete Social Media

My thoughts are my own and are in no way representative of my employer.

graemeh

2078 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#1135284 24-Sep-2014 09:24

Roku 3 is great but you are right the DNS setup is a pain in the ***.

I use it with unblockus and bigpipe and don't appear to have any problems with using the unblockus DNS settings for my whole network.

gehenna

6355 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1135290 24-Sep-2014 09:00

Another vote for Apple TV

Duffuss

111 posts

Master Geek

#1135310 24-Sep-2014 09:58

Ditto for Apple TV

MileHighKiwi

671 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1135341 24-Sep-2014 10:18

I highly recommend the Roku 3. I use Unblock-Us and changed the settings in the router and have never had a problem (6 mths use). Although, the PS4 has a great interface too and I have that set up in my study.

Mattmannz

470 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1135343 24-Sep-2014 10:18

I have an Amazon Fire TV and love it! The voice search works well but doesn't work inside Netflix, only on the Amazon part. For $158 they are very good value.

Matt.

Dratsab

3579 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1135347 24-Sep-2014 10:21

You don't say how old or what model your tv is but I'm assuming it's got a LAN interface as you say it's supports DLNA. Do you actually need to use a box at all (extra power socket, extra remote etc)? I don't use any box at all - I simply put UnoTelly DNS settings into my TV and use the Netflix app that has appeared as a result.

wasabi2k

2092 posts

Uber Geek

#1135349 24-Sep-2014 10:21

WDTV Live is a great network media box - Netflix interface is horribly slow - do not use it.

Roku 3 is great - fast and does everything I want - does require some jiggery pokery (blocking of google DNS servers since latest netflix update)

Apple TV is great if you're an apple person - you get the added apple features. I dislike Apple - with a passion.

trig42

Banana?
4985 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#1135350 24-Sep-2014 10:22

If you have a library of stuff on a PC somewhere in your network, I would go the Amazon FireTV, and get Plex going as well.

Plex plus Netflix is all we use at home (I have an AppleTV and use Plex through the Samsung SmartHub on the TV).

robjg63

3107 posts

Uber Geek

#1135353 24-Sep-2014 10:27

Amazon fire TV for me.
As noted - voice search not extended to Netflix (yet).

I installed XMBC (kodi) - easy enough to install and works great for streaming content from my PCs movie library.

Does that TV not have netflix capability?
You may need to change the country the TV thinks it lives in to get Netflix - google it.
Did this to mine and set it to UK - have BBC ITV working fine.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

Mattmannz

470 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1135357 24-Sep-2014 10:30

I also use XBMC on my Fire and it's very good, handles everything.

One other plus for the Fire is the bluetooth remote so my Fire is tucked out of the way. There is also a very good youtube client so the combo of Netflix, XBMC, Youtube gives me everything I need. I am using the excellent dns4me service that is also represented here.

Matt.

geekiegeek

2436 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Subscriber

#1135365 24-Sep-2014 10:43

trig42: If you have a library of stuff on a PC somewhere in your network, I would go the Amazon FireTV, and get Plex going as well.

Plex plus Netflix is all we use at home (I have an AppleTV and use Plex through the Samsung SmartHub on the TV).

Plex can also be used on an apple tv by hacking the trailers app.

Delete Social Media

My thoughts are my own and are in no way representative of my employer.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5