Device for TVNZ \ TV3 On Demand and Netflix etc

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dakie

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Topic # 198661 18-Jul-2016 10:39

Hi Guys,

We tend to watch on Demand TV now rather than live TV, got rid of Sky and replaced it with Netflix.

I am wanting a device that I can use for On demand TV and also Netflix capable. Not sure if one of the Android media players would do the job or not. It would have to be simply as my wife is simple when it comes to technology.

What do you guys use?

xpd

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Reply # 1594326 18-Jul-2016 10:44

Could look at something like this - I was going to get one, but ended up picking up a HTPC cheap instead.

XPD / Gavin / DemiseNZ

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trig42

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Reply # 1594327 18-Jul-2016 10:44

I use the AppleTV (v4),

Whilst it doesn't (yet) have an App for TVNZ OnDemand, it does work via AirPlay from an Apple device (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch). TVNZ say an App is coming.

Apple TV does have Apps for TV3 and Lightbox and Netflix.

Another option, that works quite well, is a Samsung device with SmartHub - it will have all the Apps - TVNZ, TV3, Lightbox and Netflix (and maybe Sky FanPass too?). You can get Samsung Bluray players with SmartHub if you don't want to buy a new (Samsung) TV.

Wheelbarrow01

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Reply # 1594336 18-Jul-2016 11:06

trig42: I use the AppleTV (v4), Whilst it doesn't (yet) have an App for TVNZ OnDemand, it does work via AirPlay from an Apple device (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch). TVNZ say an App is coming. Apple TV does have Apps for TV3 and Lightbox and Netflix. Another option, that works quite well, is a Samsung device with SmartHub - it will have all the Apps - TVNZ, TV3, Lightbox and Netflix (and maybe Sky FanPass too?). You can get Samsung Bluray players with SmartHub if you don't want to buy a new (Samsung) TV.

Coincidentally I have been looking for a Samsung blu ray player with smarthub for this exact purpose, however it would appear Samsung have decided to stop selling Blu ray players in NZ as I can't seems to find one anywhere, and they are not even listed on their website anymore. Does somebody know for sure if they have exited the NZ market?

trig42

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Reply # 1594338 18-Jul-2016 11:14

Good point - nothing on their website.

littleheaven

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Reply # 1594424 18-Jul-2016 12:13

Yes, I'm also using the AppleTV4. Airplay for TVNZ works great, and the apps for Netflix, Lightbox, YouTube and TV3 are all on there. I also airplay Choice TV (quality is about as bad as the channel itself). I believe a Fanpass app is with Apple for approval too, if you want to rent the odd bit of Sport from Sky (I just subscribe when the Black Caps are playing) but you can already airplay that as well. It also has Plex so you can stream stored media from a computer. Plus you can rent movies from iTunes and use it as a music player with any number of radio apps (Pandora is available) or Apple Music. I have mine plugged into my home theatre system so the audio plays through the speaker setup rather than the TV. There are games too, if that interests you. Yes, it's an expensive option, but knowing how big the Apple app store has become on iOS, I am expecting the tvOS one to grow similarly which will make the AppleTV so useful. I got mine as soon as they came out last year. At the time I was using it in conjunction with my iPad, PS3 and HTPC to watch everything I wanted. Now I just need the AppleTV and the iPad. Oh, you can control it with a Harmony remote control, too, which is handy.

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muppet

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Reply # 1594437 18-Jul-2016 12:26

We bought a Panasonic PVR DMR-HWT260 that records Freeview and also has Freeview Plus (TVNZ/TV3 and Maori TV Apps) as well as Netflix and Qwikflix or whatever they're called. It can also view Youtube and some other "simple" online content like that.

Can record TV, play stuff from those services and also can play content from DLNA so all the stuff we've previously downloaded works too.

Maybe something to consider if you want a "wife friendly" device. I wrote a review here. My only complaint is it's a bit slow between pressing the Netflix button and Netflix being ready-to-do-something, that takes ~10 seconds.

Otherwise it works really well, we've replaced our MySky HDI with it and it's been pretty much a "drop in" replacement.