Need some advice on my streaming device

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Rikkitic

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#168599 19-Mar-2015 14:54

I thought I knew what I wanted but my head is spinning and I would be grateful for some wise advice.
What I thought I wanted was an old Windows PC with HDMI out to use as a streaming computer with my TV. I am on a tight budget and cannot afford much more than that. Then someone recommended a stick pc instead. I don’t know much about them but took a look at the link provided and did some more research and decided this might be a better option after all, except a few more ports would be nice. That led me to some mini PCs that are basically just stick PCs in a bigger box with the added ports. Is that what I need?

The problem I am having is that every time I think I have discovered what I want, I find something even better and the whole process starts over again. I have been at it a day and a night and my head is starting to hurt. The latest is that the mini PCs led me to one with HDMI input recording capability and that would really be useful as well. And yes, I do realise it won’t record HDCP, but it is still something I would like to have.

I feel like I am going around in circles. Should I just stay with my original idea and get a PC? Is the stick a better choice or are there drawbacks I should know about? What about the mini PC? What about HDMI recording?

Here are my choices so far. I would be very interested to know what you think of them. To start where I stopped, there is the Egreat A9, the mini PC with HDMI recording (http://blog.minipcdb.com/meet-egreat-a9-mini-pc-with-hdmi-in-recording-capabilities/). If this was running Windows instead of Android I would just sell my soul for the money and buy it. But I can’t get Android on my tablet to do what I need and I don’t want to hassle with it here.

Second to last choice is a Pipo X7 (http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Original-PIPO-X7-Mini-PC-TV-BOX-Quad-Core-Intel-Atom-Z3736F-2-16GHz-2GB-32GB/32280069429.html) or possibly a cheaper Wintel Box (http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Original-Wintel-Box-Win8-Mini-PC-64-Bit-Intel-Atom-Z3735F-Windows-8-Smart-Box-2GB/32268301704.html). And finally there is the link I started with, which is the stick PC that was recommended to me (http://www.aliexpress.com/item/2GB-RAM-MEEGOPAD-T01-Mini-PC-TV-stick-Quad-Core-Intel-Atom-Z3735F-Windows-8-1/32299983115.html).

So which is the best choice for me? All opinions are warmly welcomed.

(edited twice to correct layout problems)

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

marlinz

441 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1263799 20-Mar-2015 07:50

What are you wanting to stream ?

I am lucky enough to have a Samsung tv and a Spark account.

So we get Lightbox free for one year atm

I also have a Amazon Fire TV which i stream Netflix, Hulu through , i am very happy with the Fire TV streaming Netflix, its a huge step up from my WD Live TV I used to use in the past

Amazon Echo

Amazon Dot

Lifx Bulbs

Nexus 5X
Magic TV 3600
Sony EX700

Unblocking service
Amazon Fire TV x 2 = Netflix USA + Amazon Prime
Lightbox

Rikkitic

Awrrr
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#1263819 20-Mar-2015 08:36

That is part of the issue. Our taste does not run to mainstream so we are not really interested in sites like Netflix, Hulu, etc. I have found several sites that do appeal to us, like BBC, PBS, Arte and others, but these usually require different DNS proxies so the ability to easily switch between them is one of my requirements. I know how to do this with Windows. Any other OS would be a learning curve and I don't really want to get sidetracked with that. I just want to get this up and running.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

Stu

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#1263830 20-Mar-2015 08:59

Your best bet with the DNS issue would be to look at services such as UnoTelly. That's how I get my BBC fix. Then look at something like the Amazon Fire TV as mentioned above, or something windows based. I've been looking at some of the cheap windows devices also, but at the moment I'm lucky enough to have a laptop on hand solely for streaming. If I could free up the laptop by replacing it with something reliable, with a decent spec and under the $200 mark I might make the move.

People often mistake me for an adult because of my age.

Keep calm, and carry on posting.

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Toastiewarm

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#1263834 20-Mar-2015 09:09

I might be telling you how to suck eggs but have you looked at the roku? They have a huge channel selection for the more obscure channels? As an aside there is some PBS and BBC stuff on Netflix.

Only issue with the roku is the whole iplayer channel missing from the US version

littleheaven

2130 posts

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#1263855 20-Mar-2015 09:53

I think some sort of Windows device is probably going to suit you best, as it means you're not reliant on what apps are available on it. Plus you can run Kodi (XBMC). I'm using a number of things to cobble together the services I want, such as an Apple TV and a PS3 to get Netflix/Hulu/Lightbox/iPlayer/4oD. But I'm really keen to get my hands on one of the new HP Stream Mini boxes when they come out next month, because some of the services I want (like TVNZ On Demand) are currently only available on the big screen via a browser, and I don't have a smart TV. I too have been going around in circles a bit, choice-wise.

Geek girl. Freelance copywriter and editor at Unmistakable.co.nz.

timmmay

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#1263861 20-Mar-2015 10:01

You can set up a VPN on some routers, that might give you access to things like iPlayer from a smart TV.

Stu

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#1263890 20-Mar-2015 10:57

I just remembered, if you are looking for an easy DNS solution, the discount mentioned below may still be valid. I used it in January to sign up for a year.

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=164&topicid=143924

People often mistake me for an adult because of my age.

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Rikkitic

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#1263918 20-Mar-2015 11:19

I just posted a reply here but it disappeared somehow. I finally bit the bullet and bought a Pipo X7 mini-box. I have everything I need on my desktop so just want to replicate that next to the TV. Hopefully this will do the trick. Thanks to all for the tips and suggestions.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

littleheaven

2130 posts

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#1264024 20-Mar-2015 13:20

Rikkitic: I just posted a reply here but it disappeared somehow. I finally bit the bullet and bought a Pipo X7 mini-box. I have everything I need on my desktop so just want to replicate that next to the TV. Hopefully this will do the trick. Thanks to all for the tips and suggestions.

Let us know how you find it.

Geek girl. Freelance copywriter and editor at Unmistakable.co.nz.

Rikkitic

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#1264033 20-Mar-2015 13:39

I will but it may take a few weeks to arrive.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos