Smart TV for streaming shows

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kiwipearls

431 posts

Ultimate Geek

#165505 11-Feb-2015 20:25

I probably asked this a few years back, but with ever changing changes in technology, thought I would get educated again on current trends.

With Netflix coming to NZ and TVNZ ondemand thing and Sky about to do their streaming online thing (NEON) and Lightbox

Is Samsung still the best Smart TV able to connect with these online streaming networks?

My tvpc is currently hooked to my non smart LCD - and that does the job and gives me 100% choice on which services to use and I can use my browser to access everything. But my tvpc is on its way out and I don't really want to spend money fixing her, when if I get a SMart Tv I can get that to do all the stuff for me and still connect to my home network. I do need a new LCD too - so want to go 50-55inchs.

I look forward to your answers

"In the real world as in dreams, nothing is quite what it seems" - The Book of Counted Sorrows

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Killerkiwi2005

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#1236448 12-Feb-2015 12:08

Samsung is really the only choice as they have exclusive deals with tvnz, tv3, skygo (not sure if this works on tvs? maybe just tablets phones), lightbox and quickflix

That being said smart tvs suck :) buy what every tv you want and get a box for content ie samsung blueray, ps3, chromecast etc

MileHighKiwi

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#1236490 12-Feb-2015 12:45

Can't say I've seen too many 'smart' TV's that are as smart as they claim to be. Get a Roku, Apple TV etc and smarten up any TV with an HDMI port :)

trig42

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#1236516 12-Feb-2015 12:57

Answer to your question is Yes, Samsung is the only brand so far in NZ with a decent range of streaming options.

TVNZ onDemand
TV3/4 On Demand
Quickflix (also on Sony I think)
Lightbox
It will also get Netflix when it starts in NZ I assume (as should most other brands).

If you don't like Samsung TVs though, plugging in a Samsung SmartHub BluRay player will give you the same functionality. They can be had from around $150.

At the moment, Roku, AppleTV, WDTV etc to not support NZ streaming services. They will work with Netflix when it starts here. PS3/PS4 do support Lightbox, and will support Netflix.

rugrat

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#1236523 12-Feb-2015 13:04

I love my smart tv, it's good being able to watch stuff without plugging anything into it.

I have a LG one and watch heaps youtube on it, and it's good quality picture. Alas it's no good for tvnz, tv3 and lightbox where samungs are, so if they're the main concern go for samsung. LG does have quickflix on it though.

I went for LG as I like 3D content and it was the only one I could see that did it passively, $4 glasses, light weight and no batteries to go flat, don't know if other brands have passive. Passive halves the vertical resolution, but the picture still looks good to me.

To finish off, you'd probably better to get samung smart tv for what you're interested in, and yeah can get non smart one, but then got to find other devices to plug into it to get end result, nice not having to plug devices into tv.

robjg63

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#1236526 12-Feb-2015 13:14

I would have to say that Smart TVs are pretty useless when compared to the functionality of a PC/Laptop.

I have mucked about with the Amazon Fire TV and the Chromecast device over the last year.
I have to say that apart from the positives of the remote control aspect (which would be fixable with a windows device) there is a lot more to be said for a full computer device.

There have been a few posts on geekzone about some quite nice little mini PC TV boxes - like the Pipo X7 and few other windows on an intel stick devices. They are sub $200NZD and would be absolutely flexible. I am seriously tempted to get a couple of these.

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

kiwipearls

431 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1236527 12-Feb-2015 13:16

MileHighKiwi: Can't say I've seen too many 'smart' TV's that are as smart as they claim to be. Get a Roku, Apple TV etc and smarten up any TV with an HDMI port :)

Does the Roku have an inbuilt browser? Ie so I can watch say, TVNZ ondemand? Or any other streaming website, like I am currently doing through Google Chrome?

"In the real world as in dreams, nothing is quite what it seems" - The Book of Counted Sorrows

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kiwipearls

431 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1236528 12-Feb-2015 13:17

trig42: Answer to your question is Yes, Samsung is the only brand so far in NZ with a decent range of streaming options.

TVNZ onDemand
TV3/4 On Demand
Quickflix (also on Sony I think)
Lightbox
It will also get Netflix when it starts in NZ I assume (as should most other brands).

If you don't like Samsung TVs though, plugging in a Samsung SmartHub BluRay player will give you the same functionality. They can be had from around $150.

At the moment, Roku, AppleTV, WDTV etc to not support NZ streaming services. They will work with Netflix when it starts here. PS3/PS4 do support Lightbox, and will support Netflix.

Oh cheers, I think that answers my question in reply to the other guy.

"In the real world as in dreams, nothing is quite what it seems" - The Book of Counted Sorrows

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kiwipearls

431 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1236530 12-Feb-2015 13:19

robjg63: I would have to say that Smart TVs are pretty useless when compared to the functionality of a PC/Laptop.

I have mucked about with the Amazon Fire TV and the Chromecast device over the last year.
I have to say that apart from the positives of the remote control aspect (which would be fixable with a windows device) there is a lot more to be said for a full computer device.

There have been a few posts on geekzone about some quite nice little mini PC TV boxes - like the Pipo X7 and few other windows on an intel stick devices. They are sub $200NZD and would be absolutely flexible. I am seriously tempted to get a couple of these.

So basically, it probably is more beneficial for me to repair my computer then. I just wish technology would catch up to how we actually want to watch tv.

Be so nice to have a TV that did it all without having to plug in any other devices.

"In the real world as in dreams, nothing is quite what it seems" - The Book of Counted Sorrows

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MileHighKiwi

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#1236532 12-Feb-2015 13:21

Apparently there is an 'unofficial' TVNZ app for the Roku.

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?topicid=132212

toyonut

1508 posts

Uber Geek

#1236538 12-Feb-2015 13:27

We have this samsung blu-ray player on our tv and it works great. Gets the same apps as the TV's and is a cheap way to add smart TV functionality and blu-ray to a system.
They occasionally discount it to mid $100's as well like over new years when we bought it.
TVNZ, TV3, Lightbox, Youtube, Coliseum sports which we don't use, probably neon and nextflix eventually too.

Try Vultr using this link and get us both some credit:

http://www.vultr.com/?ref=7033587-3B