Decent quality media player

Forums › Online streaming services › Decent quality media player

1 | 2 | 3

935 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#1747296 24-Mar-2017 20:58

nvidia shield is peerless as a media player imo.

has us streaming services - but not so much nz.

that said you can install kodi (spmc is better imo as it adds hd audio incl atmos + dtsx + voice searchable library which is cool)

and then you could install exodus ....and you may well find that is all you need.

Samsung

Shop now on Samsung phones, tablets, TVs and more (affiliate link).

butlerboy

457 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1747317 24-Mar-2017 21:43

Have you considered a Samsung smart bluray player. Picked one up a year ago and it's great. Has Netflix, Lightbox, Neon, Fanpass, Youtube, TVNZ Ondemand & TV3 apps. Other option would be an Xbox 360, it has a Netflix app.

steve2222

493 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1772554 29-Apr-2017 19:26

dolsen:

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)

@dolsen

Can you provide a link to the specific AE parts - just want to make sure i get the right bits.

Cheers

dolsen

1474 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1772643 29-Apr-2017 22:01

steve2222:

@dolsen

Can you provide a link to the specific AE parts - just want to make sure i get the right bits.

Cheers

Here you go

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/USB-2-0-to-RJ45-Lan-Network-Ethernet-Adapter-Card-Asix-AX8872B-For-Mac-OS-Android/32411518502.html

and

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2016-Hot-sale-High-Quality-USB-2-0-A-Female-to-USB-B-Male-Micro-5/32652340791.html

Just unplugged my Ultra powersupply and used a normal power supply with these and the chromecast picked up the network correctly using them (I brought them before I decided to spend the extra for an ultra).

littleheaven

2120 posts

Uber Geek

#1772763 30-Apr-2017 11:00

A Chromecast is probably the best sub-$100 device you'll find, though if you use a DNS unblocker there's some extra fiddling around needed to get it to work (I'm not sure exactly what, as I only use mine for NZ content). You might be able to pick up a gen 3 Apple TV for cheap (they used to retail at $119) which will have some NZ apps pre-loaded and you can AirPlay most things. But it lacks the flexibility of an App Store. Possibly a Raspberry Pi running Kodi? I have no experience with them but there are plenty of enthusiasts in the HTPC forum who could guide you. The closest I have come to an all in one solution is the Apple TV4 at $269. I can watch every service I want on it, either through native apps or AirPlay. Not cheap but worth every dollar, IMO.

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

steve2222

493 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1772804 30-Apr-2017 12:05

dolsen:

steve2222:

@dolsen

Can you provide a link to the specific AE parts - just want to make sure i get the right bits.

Cheers

Here you go

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/USB-2-0-to-RJ45-Lan-Network-Ethernet-Adapter-Card-Asix-AX8872B-For-Mac-OS-Android/32411518502.html

and

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2016-Hot-sale-High-Quality-USB-2-0-A-Female-to-USB-B-Male-Micro-5/32652340791.html

Just unplugged my Ultra powersupply and used a normal power supply with these and the chromecast picked up the network correctly using them (I brought them before I decided to spend the extra for an ultra).

Thanks.

I don't have a Chromecast yet so was just trying to figure out how you hooked up those two items.

I understand the Chromecast itself has a micro USB female port with the power charger having a micro USB male plug to be inserted in the Chromecast.

So I can see you are plugging the ethernet adaptor (with a USB male plug) into the USB female on the OTG adaptor. The micro USB male of the power wall charger is then plugged into the female micro USB socket on the OTG adaptor.

But how are you then connecting the OTG adaptor with the Chromecast itself as the OTG has a USB male spare but the Chromecast is a micro USB female???

Sorry if this obvious, but I just can't follow how those two componets work with the Chromecast if the Chromecast has a micro USB socket.

Thanks

dolsen

1474 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1773645 1-May-2017 16:14

steve2222:

Thanks.

I don't have a Chromecast yet so was just trying to figure out how you hooked up those two items.

I understand the Chromecast itself has a micro USB female port with the power charger having a micro USB male plug to be inserted in the Chromecast.

So I can see you are plugging the ethernet adaptor (with a USB male plug) into the USB female on the OTG adaptor. The micro USB male of the power wall charger is then plugged into the female micro USB socket on the OTG adaptor.

But how are you then connecting the OTG adaptor with the Chromecast itself as the OTG has a USB male spare but the Chromecast is a micro USB female???

Sorry if this obvious, but I just can't follow how those two componets work with the Chromecast if the Chromecast has a micro USB socket.

Thanks

The otg cable has a female micro usb (existing power goes here), a male micro usb plug (goes into chromecast) and a standard usb female connector (network adapter goes in here).

Dunnersfella

4083 posts

Uber Geek

#1773656 1-May-2017 16:36

2nd hand Apple TV 2 or Apple TV 3...

Bazil

79 posts

Master Geek

#1773980 2-May-2017 07:19

Xiaomi Mibox is hard to beat I feel. It supports the appropriate DRM levels, and has built in chromecast. Also receives regular updates. Been using one for a few months now and very happy with it.

http://www.mi.com/en/mibox/

steve2222

493 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1774001 2-May-2017 08:15

Bazil:

Xiaomi Mibox is hard to beat I feel. It supports the appropriate DRM levels, and has built in chromecast. Also receives regular updates. Been using one for a few months now and very happy with it.

http://www.mi.com/en/mibox/

Bazil, did u buy yours direct from MiBox in the USA? If so did you use YouShop to send it to NZ and how much did YouShop cost?

Or did you buy via AliExpress in China?

Bazil

79 posts

Master Geek

#1774020 2-May-2017 08:56

Bought from Xiaomi USA via Youshop, cost was USD 69 + Youshop which I think was NZD 16 or so.

lchiu7

6461 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1775810 4-May-2017 18:34

driller2000:

nvidia shield is peerless as a media player imo.

has us streaming services - but not so much nz.

that said you can install kodi (spmc is better imo as it adds hd audio incl atmos + dtsx + voice searchable library which is cool)

and then you could install exodus ....and you may well find that is all you need.

Just bought as shield as a pressie for a friend in the US. He watches Netflix, Amazon and lots of content on his server. He could watch from the native share I guess or use Kodi which would help locate and add the metadata to his show. I will wait to see what he thinks of it.

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.

mpvincent

83 posts

Master Geek

#1794370 3-Jun-2017 22:35

My main TV is also not SMART and Im looking for a box that would do the following:

- TVone

- TV3

- Lightbox

- Neon

- Spotify

- Netflix

- Stream from DLNA server

Secondary importance:

- Freeview plus

- Bluray player

I have a PS3 which does some of above but doesnt do TV3, Neon, and streaming from DLNA can be an issue. And also doesnt do freeview plus.

I wonder how much of above an Apple TV4 can do? Also I see there are panasonic and samsung bluray players some of which have apps - do they have all of above? My concern with these (as with smart TV's) is that manufacturers dont keep apps uptodate where I imagine they would be more likely to with Apple TV?

Any advice would be great!

Mike.

littleheaven

2120 posts

Uber Geek

#1794392 4-Jun-2017 01:38

Apple TV4 can do everything from your top priority list either with native apps (TV3, Lightbox, Netflix, streaming from server) or airplay from an Apple device (TVNZ, Neon, Spotify). For Freeview Plus and Bluray you'd need one of the new Panasonic PVRs, probably. I use Plex on the ATV4 to stream from my Mac Pro. I think you can sideload Kodi, too, although I've never tried.

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

tdgeek

29577 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1794426 4-Jun-2017 09:29

littleheaven: Apple TV4 can do everything from your top priority list either with native apps (TV3, Lightbox, Netflix, streaming from server) or airplay from an Apple device (TVNZ, Neon, Spotify). For Freeview Plus and Bluray you'd need one of the new Panasonic PVRs, probably. I use Plex on the ATV4 to stream from my Mac Pro. I think you can sideload Kodi, too, although I've never tried.

Yep.The OP quoted $300 to $400, but the 32GB is $269. There will be a cost whatever the OP does, say it was $100. For $169 more, its setup and use. App Store. Airplay. Its a great one off, set it and forget it option. Fanpass app too

1 | 2 | 3