making a fire tv stick chromecast and roku tv stick review specific for NZ

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Dstarzero

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#160053 22-Dec-2014 09:34

hey guys.

Finally got all three streaming sticks and would like to write a review for my blog. I just want some input on what categories you would like me to consider and what other things you would like to know. So far here are my categories

price and availability
ease of set up
ease of use and controls
speed
number of apps
youtube
plex
netflix
hulu
spotify
crackle
tubi tv
popcorn flix
UFC
amazon prime use
google play
crunchy roll use
pandora
Spotify
Casting youtube from phone/ipad

I'm aiming to post it mid January, so any input would be great ( i'm not that technical btw so don't expect specs, I'm focusing more on the experience of using it here in NZ)

cheers :)

davidcole

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#1201778 22-Dec-2014 09:58

Make sure under ease of use and controls - you cover "use in a household". As I'd love to see how a chromecast stacks up when the person with the connected phone leaves the room to do something else, and those left want to change what they're watching.

Previously known as psycik

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nathan

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#1201783 22-Dec-2014 10:04

include Miracast

timbosan

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#1201787 22-Dec-2014 10:07

If your focusing on using these in NZ, then you cannot get away from discussing DNS/VPN solutions, including both ISP level and third party providers. Then you will get into VPN vs. DNS (as the speed of a VPN can never be as fast as a DNS solution), which affects picture quality, the potential to get SuperHD or 4K on Amazon and Netflix, etc.

And related to this (and the set-up category you have listed) is Wi-fi vs Ethernet, and also the type of connection people have(DSL, cable, mobile, UFB, satellite, etc.).

I also think if you are going to do this, a good basis is "what can these devices offer vs. Freeview and Sky in NZ", so cover categories such as movies, sports, kids TV, etc, as that is how most people will categorize their TV watching.

Finally, as the Chromecast is available in NZ, you should cover how much it costs to get something from overseas, if you can order directly (or via YouShop etc).

Oh, and maybe cover how each device is controlled, such as remote vs. app.

Personally I would to see some in-depth coverage of Plex (or XBMC, etc.), specifically the ability of each device to play back high bandwidth rips in various containers, including audio. For example, Plex on the FireTV cannot play back MKV files with a DTS soundtrack.

Oh, and how about the ability of devices to stream live TV from devices such as HDHomeRun's?

Dstarzero

272 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 22

#1201789 22-Dec-2014 10:10

davidcole: Make sure under ease of use and controls - you cover "use in a household". As I'd love to see how a chromecast stacks up when the person with the connected phone leaves the room to do something else, and those left want to change what they're watching.

I can answer that right now, almost all devices that can stream media that is connected to the same network as the chromecast can control it.

e.g. you're watching a clip on youtube via chromecast, but your cheeky flatmate can cast a different clip from her tablet that's connected to the same network even if she is not in the same room just to mess with you. then your other flatmate who is curious as to what that new Icon is in youtube in google chrome from her pc clicks it and changes the clip again. You then touch the cast button on your phone to recast the original clip, and the other cheeky flatmate casts another clip just because she heard you switched back to the old clip

(It's not really this disruptive but just trying to illustrate an facetious example. basically everyone who is in the same network has a remote to your TV :) )

garvani

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#1201852 22-Dec-2014 10:24

Dstarzero:
davidcole: Make sure under ease of use and controls - you cover "use in a household". As I'd love to see how a chromecast stacks up when the person with the connected phone leaves the room to do something else, and those left want to change what they're watching.

I can answer that right now, almost all devices that can stream media that is connected to the same network as the chromecast can control it.

e.g. you're watching a clip on youtube via chromecast, but your cheeky flatmate can cast a different clip from her tablet that's connected to the same network even if she is not in the same room just to mess with you. then your other flatmate who is curious as to what that new Icon is in youtube in google chrome from her pc clicks it and changes the clip again. You then touch the cast button on your phone to recast the original clip, and the other cheeky flatmate casts another clip just because she heard you switched back to the old clip

(It's not really this disruptive but just trying to illustrate an facetious example. basically everyone who is in the same network has a remote to your TV :) )

This is true for the amazon fire tv as well, anyone on the same network can cast clips to youtube with the cast button. Pretty cool when you are having a few people over for drinks etc.

Dstarzero

272 posts

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#1201855 22-Dec-2014 10:29

garvani:
Dstarzero:
davidcole: Make sure under ease of use and controls - you cover "use in a household". As I'd love to see how a chromecast stacks up when the person with the connected phone leaves the room to do something else, and those left want to change what they're watching.

I can answer that right now, almost all devices that can stream media that is connected to the same network as the chromecast can control it.

e.g. you're watching a clip on youtube via chromecast, but your cheeky flatmate can cast a different clip from her tablet that's connected to the same network even if she is not in the same room just to mess with you. then your other flatmate who is curious as to what that new Icon is in youtube in google chrome from her pc clicks it and changes the clip again. You then touch the cast button on your phone to recast the original clip, and the other cheeky flatmate casts another clip just because she heard you switched back to the old clip

(It's not really this disruptive but just trying to illustrate an facetious example. basically everyone who is in the same network has a remote to your TV :) )

This is true for the amazon fire tv as well, anyone on the same network can cast clips to youtube with the cast button. Pretty cool when you are having a few people over for drinks etc.

Good to know. Roku also supports it, which is pretty cool. I'll test how well it works with fire tv stick.

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silverlake

142 posts

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#1201938 22-Dec-2014 11:49

Dstarzero: hey guys.

Finally got all three streaming sticks and would like to write a review for my blog. I just want some input on what categories you would like me to consider and what other things you would like to know. So far here are my categories

price and availability
ease of set up
ease of use and controls
speed
number of apps
youtube
plex
netflix
hulu
spotify
crackle
tubi tv
popcorn flix
UFC
amazon prime use
google play
crunchy roll use
pandora
Spotify
Casting youtube from phone/ipad

I'm aiming to post it mid January, so any input would be great ( i'm not that technical btw so don't expect specs, I'm focusing more on the experience of using it here in NZ)

cheers :)

You missed out the best free TV streaming service on the planet; BBC iPlayer, also ITV Player and 4OD!

Kiwifruta

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#1207912 4-Jan-2015 05:45

Hi
Can you also add livesport.tv? It has the rugby - Super 15, The Rugby Championship, Six Nations etc all for USD6.99 a month.

Cheers

geekiegeek

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#1207914 4-Jan-2015 06:40

timbosan: If your focusing on using these in NZ, then you cannot get away from discussing DNS/VPN solutions, including both ISP level and third party providers. Then you will get into VPN vs. DNS (as the speed of a VPN can never be as fast as a DNS solution), which affects picture quality, the

Can you back this up with facts? Personally I have had a much better experience with VPN over DNS services and I know that there are others on GZ who have had the same experience.