How to Stream NZ Netflix to a not-so-smart Panasonic TV?

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171 posts

Master Geek

#169782 25-Mar-2015 15:23

This is probably pretty basic but eludes me for the moment. So I'm looking for some expert advice.

I want to stream NZ Netflix over Wifi to watch on a 2013 Panasonic not-so-smart TV. The problem I have is that the Panasonic supplied NZ Netflix App, I am advised by Panasonic NZ, will not be available until mid May. So how can I watch Netflix NZ without the Panasonic supplied App?

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#1267694 25-Mar-2015 15:26

You can get yourself an AppleTV which has Netflix "channel" in it.

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#1267697 25-Mar-2015 15:27

Purchase an amazon fire tv through the affiliate link up the top. You can get a lot more than netflix as well. An appletv is an option but the firetv is a better device and cheap as well.

freitasm

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#1267700 25-Mar-2015 15:28

I have my Amazon Fire TV plugged into a six years old Sony LCD. It works pretty well...

MikeB4

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#1267701 25-Mar-2015 15:31

I am using Xbox One but that's a tad pricey for the task, the Xbox does it very well I just don't like the huge white tile it dominates the menu. Apple TV is a good option especially with the new price.

Stu

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#1267702 25-Mar-2015 15:36

I guess the Fire TV will need to make it's way here via Youshop?

Looks like a great idea for the OP. Thinking I might get one myself.

Any gotchas?

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#1267708 25-Mar-2015 15:51

Or a chromecast - $60 from the Warehouse.

freitasm

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#1267718 25-Mar-2015 16:08

Oh yes... The Chromecast is a good option but you have to use it with an Android device.

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#1267726 25-Mar-2015 16:10

PS3, Xbox, Laptop, Roku, AppleTV, Raspberry Pi, many options.... what do you have on hand ?

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DaveB

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#1267750 25-Mar-2015 16:33

freitasm: Oh yes... The Chromecast is a good option but you have to use it with an Android device.

Not necessarily ............. My son has Netflix on his Ipad and it streams to the Chromecast. I assume the same works with an iphone. Or as you say any old android device works fine (well better than any old apple device actually).

Wills1

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#1267934 25-Mar-2015 21:31

Wow that Amazon Fire TV looks like a great device. We currently have two Apple TV's although they are ok I find them slow. Probably to do with my 5mbps internet though.

Looks like the Fire TV is a well spec'd machine.

NonprayingMantis

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#1267940 25-Mar-2015 21:37

I thought Netflix was going to be available on all devices at launch? No?

Who wants to start the 'why does Netflix have a suicide wish' thread because they don't have a panasonic app available from day 1 for these models.

Stu

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#1267963 25-Mar-2015 22:02

That's probably more a Panasonic problem than a Netflix problem, surely?

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#1267993 25-Mar-2015 23:12

I have a 2012 Panasonic TV, and use the FireTV and Chromecast to watch Netflix. Performance of both is great.

It's just the 2012 & 2013 Panasonic TV that need to wait until May to get the Netflix app. The Netflix app is already available for the 2014 & 2015 models. http://www.panasonic.com/nz/consumer/tvs-home-theatre-and-audio/viera-televisions-learn/be-smart/netflix-faqs.html

I assume you are wanting to watch only the NZ catalogue of Netflix, and so will not be using your streaming device with a smart DNS service.

Searching is probably quicker on the chromecast (because of the touch screen keyboard interface on the tablet, phone is a bit too small for me). However the FireTV is still pretty quick, and much much quicker than searching for videos on the TV's built in YouTube app.
The chromecast buffers for longer than the FireTV, (like maybe 20 seconds longer than the FireTV. We have ADSL2 with Spark)
The FireTV has the capability to do a voice search via the remote, but when I last checked this is not yet available for the Netflix app. Netflix did say this would be available by Christmas 2014. I have used the voice search for Amazon Prime and it works really well even with the Kiwi accent, even my 6 year old son can use it.

Overall the FireTV is nicer, because it is faster to load up the movies and rarely buffers. However....

... if you are just interested in streaming NZ Netflix and other NZ streaming services (e.g. Lightbox will be supported in a few weeks), then the Chromecast would be my pick. At $61 it's great value, super portable, and there are plenty of group party games available, provided your friends bring over their smart phone/tablet to play on. My kids were even able to mirror plants vs zombies to the big screen, something they thought was pretty cool, however there was a lag, but would be due to the lower end router.

I really like the FireTV but it's been at my sister's house (so she can use my Netflix account) for a month and I haven't missed it yet. I will use it again once winter is here so that I can play casual car racing games with the kidson a wet night, and maybe stream new releases on Amazon Instant Video. If you are planning to use Amazon for streaming then hands down, the FireTV is the best device.

I haven't used an Apple TV, nor Roku so cannot comment on them.

marlinz

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Ultimate Geek

#1268038 26-Mar-2015 07:48

Wills1: Wow that Amazon Fire TV looks like a great device. We currently have two Apple TV's although they are ok I find them slow. Probably to do with my 5mbps internet though.

Looks like the Fire TV is a well spec'd machine.

I have a Amazon Fire TV , highly recommend it

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#1268074 26-Mar-2015 08:53

DaveB:
freitasm: Oh yes... The Chromecast is a good option but you have to use it with an Android device.

Not necessarily ............. My son has Netflix on his Ipad and it streams to the Chromecast. I assume the same works with an iPhone. Or as you say any old android device works fine (well better than any old apple device actually).

Yes, we are streaming to chromecast with both android and iPad (assume iPhone app works as well but wife hasn't asked yet :P )

The Irony is the windows metro app (imo) is the better of the Netflix apps to use/search etc but it doesn't support chromecast

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