Decent quality media player

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ajw

1528 posts

Uber Geek

# 210311 22-Mar-2017 09:51

About nine months ago I bought a media player via Alixpress to just watch netflix as I don't want to upgrade my existing TV which is in good working condition. It is now starting to give me problems such as intermittent video dropout etc. I cannot justify spending $300 to $400 on a Apple Tv or even importing a Roku or Amazon Fire TV box.

New Zealand does not seem to offer much of a choice when it comes to media players to watch Netflix, Amazon TV, Lightbox etc. Are there any retailers in NZ that anybody knows of that sell these products.

I note there are Chinese players on Trade me but do not wish to get burnt again. I cannot justify buying a smart TV just to watch Netflix.

Thanks.

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1465 posts

Uber Geek

# 1745590 22-Mar-2017 09:54

7 people support this post

I watch Netflix (and YouTube and Lightbox and "other providers" with my Chromecasts. $60 each, can't complain about the price. I can cast to them from phone or PC. For the one attached to the TV in the bedroom, I have a landfill android handset I use as a remote for it.

davidcole

4556 posts

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# 1745633 22-Mar-2017 10:53

For a cheap solution the chromecasts are hard to beat. Even with teh annoyances of control (my personal pet peeve). Alternatively the experience on an Apple TV 4 is very good, and as you've pointed out is expensive.

It depends how much you value using NZ services (lightbox, 3 now, Fanpass) over youtube, netflix etc.

For a machine that doesn't allow access to NZ services but is a cheaper verison of an apple tv, the rokus are very good. I have a roku 3 as well, and it's a great device. Set it up as a UK device and you get access to a lot of their FTA content (with appropriate DNS/VPN).

Also anything you can get plex on will help

Previously known as psycik

OpenHAB: Gigabyte AMD A8 Brix, OpenHAB with Aeotech ZWave Controller, Raspberry PI, Wemos D1 Mini, Zwave, Xiaomi Humidity and Temperature sensors and Bluetooth LE Sensors
Media:Chromecast v2, ATV4, Roku3, HDHomeRun Dual
Windows 10 Host (Plex Server/Crashplan): 2x2TB, 2x3TB, 1x4TB using DriveBender, Samsung 850 evo 512 GB SSD, Hyper-V Server with 1xW10, 1xW2k8, 2xUbuntu 16.04 LTS, Crashplan, NextPVR channel for Plex ,NextPVR Metadata Agent and Scanner for Plex

robjg63

2991 posts

Uber Geek

# 1745639 22-Mar-2017 11:07

One person supports this post

Its pretty hard to get a device that will do all of the services well.

Amazon Fire TV is good - but you cant run the 'local' services (TVNZ/Lightbox etc) on it - The Amazon store only supports UK/USA.

Chromecast is not bad - But I have found some apps dont support casting properly - but it was a while back that I tried it last. If you have a PC/laptop on your network you can 'cast' the chrome browser to the chromecast - that makes it pretty flexible.

A basic android box would probably be the easiest/cheapest solution - but as you note there is a lot of rubbish around. I tried one and found the interface pretty horrible to use. They also seem to all have very old versions of android (usually 4.4 installed) and are often rooted - which prevents some apps from working properly.

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

turb

788 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 1745669 22-Mar-2017 11:41

How much can you spend?
Are you looking for decent quality as in the title or just something that works without the dropouts?

Interests: HTPC, Web App authoring.

ajw

1528 posts

Uber Geek

# 1745672 22-Mar-2017 11:44

turb: How much can you spend?
Are you looking for decent quality as in the title or just something that works without the dropouts?

Decent quality.

turb

788 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 1745684 22-Mar-2017 11:56

ajw:
turb: How much can you spend?
Are you looking for decent quality as in the title or just something that works without the dropouts?

Decent quality.

But less than $300?

Do you have a laptop with HDMI out?

Interests: HTPC, Web App authoring.

Stu

Hammered
5293 posts

Uber Geek

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Lifetime subscriber

# 1745685 22-Mar-2017 11:57

nVidia Shield TV? Just hooked one up and testing now.

Keep calm, and carry on posting.

Stu

Hammered
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# 1745686 22-Mar-2017 11:59

But yes, a tad over that $300 mark.

Keep calm, and carry on posting.

FineWine

983 posts

Ultimate Geek

Subscriber

# 1745693 22-Mar-2017 12:14

Love my Chromecast Ultra which I bought from Noel Leeming ($110) just before Christmas 2016. Does all I want: netflix, lightbox, youtube. I am using the Ethernet option (which the normal Chromecast does not have)

iMac 27" (late 2013), Airport Time Capsule + Airport Express, iPhone7, iPad6, iPad Mini2

Panasonic Blu-ray PVR DMR-BWT835 + Panasonic Viera TH-L50E6Z, Chromecast Ultra, Yamaha AVR RX-V1085

DeepBlueSky

437 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 1745737 22-Mar-2017 12:47

FineWine:

Love my Chromecast Ultra which I bought from Noel Leeming ($110) just before Christmas 2016. Does all I want: netflix, lightbox, youtube. I am using the Ethernet option (which the normal Chromecast does not have)

I would have to agree I don't personally own the ultra only the normal one, as my 4K Samsung TV has all the streaming services built in. Chromecast will do all of the above and Plex for any local material, they are portable (unplug and plug into a second TV) and relatively easy to use.

JonnyCam

554 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 1745777 22-Mar-2017 13:25

Xiaomi mibox3?

Can get from Aliexpress for $68 usd (same price I paid when I got one at walmart in the states)and has a bluetooth remote. Has google cats built in for not too much more than chromecast. No ethernet though, need usb adapter for that.

I also use a bluetooth game controller with it it for my PSX emulator.

Rikkitic

Lock him up!
10808 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

# 1745850 22-Mar-2017 14:10

One person supports this post

Here is an almost free solution that has worked well for me: hand-me-down dual core pc running Win7, cheap second-hand HDMI card bought on GZ, $20 wireless mini-keyboard/trackpad combo to navigate (free) browser from couch. A little more trouble to use than a simple app but better value for money you will not find. Download VLC and you also have a first-class media player as well as 'smart' TV box.

I don't think there is ever a bad time to talk about how absurd war is, how old men make decisions and young people die. - George Clooney

dolsen

1217 posts

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# 1745862 22-Mar-2017 14:37

FineWine:

Love my Chromecast Ultra which I bought from Noel Leeming ($110) just before Christmas 2016. Does all I want: netflix, lightbox, youtube. I am using the Ethernet option (which the normal Chromecast does not have)

Yeah, I like mine too. Cheaper for me with the coupon for non delivery of a cheap soda stream.

You can add wired network support to the other chromecasts for about $5 of parts from Aliexpress (otg cable $0.98, usb 2 network adapter $3.05)

reven

3447 posts

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# 1745866 22-Mar-2017 14:44

nvidia shield tv is my go to device now. a little pricey, but best android TV device out there.

had way to many issues with the mibox.

android tv is my favourite OS for HTPCs/media boxes etc. and ive used pretty much them all (except roku). android tv has a real slick interface.

but if you just want Netflix, just netflix, go with a fire tv stick. cheaper, good OS, easy to use. but if u want plex, kodi etc, nvidia shield tv is the best.

lchiu7

5169 posts

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# 1746007 22-Mar-2017 19:01

I recently purchased (from Amazon) a Samsung UHD player. I noted in a different post when booted up it showed all the NZ streaming apps, none of which I wanted.

So connected to a VPN to the US, reset and this time it showed all the US apps. I installed Netflix, Amazon, Vudu, Hulu, and a few others.

Very fast and great UI and as a bonus it has a great Plex client and since I run Plex on my media server, this gives me access to my content.

Can't install NZ apps now but since I don't have any NZ accounts, this was not an issue for me.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/rooms/32019730 Mention GZ to get a 10% discount

System One: Popcorn Hour A200, PS3 SuperSlim, NPVR and Plex Server running on Gigabyte Brix (Windows 10 Pro), Sony BDP-S390 BD player, Pioneer AVR, Raspberry Pi running Kodi and Plex, Panasonic 60" 3D plasma, Google Chromecast

System Two: Popcorn Hour A200 , Oppo BDP-80 BluRay Player with hardware mode to be region free, Vivitek HD1080P 1080P DLP projector with 100" screen, Denon AVRS730H 7.2 Channel Dolby Atmos/DTS-X AV Receiver, Samsung 4K player, Google Chromecast, Odroid C2 running Kodi and Plex

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