Geekzone: technology news, blogs, forums
Guest
Welcome Guest.
You haven't logged in yet. If you don't have an account you can register now.


ajw

ajw

1932 posts

Uber Geek


#210311 22-Mar-2017 09:51
Send private message

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


View this topic in a long page with up to 500 replies per page Create new topic
 1 | 2 | 3
BlueShift
1692 posts

Uber Geek


  #1745590 22-Mar-2017 09:54
Send private message

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
6029 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

  #1745633 22-Mar-2017 10:53
Send private message

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

Home Assistant: Gigabyte AMD A8 Brix, Home Assistant with Aeotech ZWave Controller, Raspberry PI, Wemos D1 Mini, Zwave, Shelly Humidity and Temperature sensors
Media:Chromecast v2, ATV4 4k, ATV4, HDHomeRun Dual
Server
Host Plex Server 3x3TB, 4x4TB using MergerFS, Samsung 850 evo 512 GB SSD, Proxmox Server with 1xW10, 2xUbuntu 22.04 LTS, Backblaze Backups, usenetprime.com fastmail.com Sharesies Trakt.TV Sharesight 


robjg63
4096 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

  #1745639 22-Mar-2017 11:07
Send private message

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
881 posts

Ultimate Geek


  #1745669 22-Mar-2017 11:41
Send private message

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

ajw

1932 posts

Uber Geek


  #1745672 22-Mar-2017 11:44
Send private message

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
881 posts

Ultimate Geek


  #1745684 22-Mar-2017 11:56
Send private message

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

Stu
Hammered
8333 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator
ID Verified
Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #1745685 22-Mar-2017 11:57
Send private message

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




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

 

 

Keep calm, and carry on posting.

 

 

Referral Links: Sharesies - Backblaze

 

Are you happy with what you get from Geekzone? If so, please consider supporting us by subscribing.

 

No matter where you go, there you are.


 
 
 

Cloud spending continues to surge globally, but most organisations haven’t made the changes necessary to maximise the value and cost-efficiency benefits of their cloud investments. Download the whitepaper From Overspend to Advantage now.

Stu

Stu
Hammered
8333 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator
ID Verified
Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #1745686 22-Mar-2017 11:59
Send private message

But yes, a tad over that $300 mark.




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

 

 

Keep calm, and carry on posting.

 

 

Referral Links: Sharesies - Backblaze

 

Are you happy with what you get from Geekzone? If so, please consider supporting us by subscribing.

 

No matter where you go, there you are.


FineWine
2981 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted
Nurse (R)
Lifetime subscriber

  #1745693 22-Mar-2017 12:14
Send private message

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)





Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.


DeepBlueSky
547 posts

Ultimate Geek


  #1745737 22-Mar-2017 12:47
Send private message

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
643 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

  #1745777 22-Mar-2017 13:25
Send private message

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
Awrrr
18657 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

  #1745850 22-Mar-2017 14:10
Send private message

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.

 

 

 

 





Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

 


 


dolsen
1476 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #1745862 22-Mar-2017 14:37
Send private message

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
3743 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

  #1745866 22-Mar-2017 14:44
Send private message

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
6470 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

  #1746007 22-Mar-2017 19:01
Send private message

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/h/wellycbd  PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.


 1 | 2 | 3
View this topic in a long page with up to 500 replies per page Create new topic





News and reviews »

Air New Zealand Starts AI adoption with OpenAI
Posted 24-Jul-2025 16:00


eero Pro 7 Review
Posted 23-Jul-2025 12:07


BeeStation Plus Review
Posted 21-Jul-2025 14:21


eero Unveils New Wi-Fi 7 Products in New Zealand
Posted 21-Jul-2025 00:01


WiZ Introduces HDMI Sync Box and other Light Devices
Posted 20-Jul-2025 17:32


RedShield Enhances DDoS and Bot Attack Protection
Posted 20-Jul-2025 17:26


Seagate Ships 30TB Drives
Posted 17-Jul-2025 11:24


Oclean AirPump A10 Water Flosser Review
Posted 13-Jul-2025 11:05


Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7: Raising the Bar for Smartphones
Posted 10-Jul-2025 02:01


Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Brings New Edge-To-Edge FlexWindow
Posted 10-Jul-2025 02:01


Epson Launches New AM-C550Z WorkForce Enterprise printer
Posted 9-Jul-2025 18:22


Samsung Releases Smart Monitor M9
Posted 9-Jul-2025 17:46


Nearly Half of Older Kiwis Still Write their Passwords on Paper
Posted 9-Jul-2025 08:42


D-Link 4G+ Cat6 Wi-Fi 6 DWR-933M Mobile Hotspot Review
Posted 1-Jul-2025 11:34


Oppo A5 Series Launches With New Levels of Durability
Posted 30-Jun-2025 10:15









Geekzone Live »

Try automatic live updates from Geekzone directly in your browser, without refreshing the page, with Geekzone Live now.



Are you subscribed to our RSS feed? You can download the latest headlines and summaries from our stories directly to your computer or smartphone by using a feed reader.