Cheap'n'cheerful box that will stream TV NZ on demand

Forums › Online streaming services › Cheap'n'cheerful box that will stream TV NZ on demand

seoras

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#243222 1-Dec-2018 18:48

My TV is 11 years old but a good one so I'm in no hurray to replace it. No USB but spare HDMIs.

I'd like to stream TVNZ on demand to it. Just that nothing else.

What are my best options, if I have any, for an old skin flint ?

Thanks

butlerboy

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#2137873 1-Dec-2018 19:09

One word..... Chromecast

davidcole

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#2137884 1-Dec-2018 19:46

Yeah chromecast.

I think the only other official box you can buy is an Apple TV or some smart Blu-ray players. But there’s a difference from a $69 chromecast and any media box up at the $200+ mark.

The difference is no remote. And you have to use a tablet, smart phone or computer to drive it

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seoras

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#2137886 1-Dec-2018 19:47

butlerboy: One word..... Chromecast

Do all versions of Chromecast support TVNZ? (1st Gen through to 3rd and audio/ultra)

I did try googling for the answer but the page I got was useless. http://tvnz.co.nz/video/tvnz-ondemand-supported-devices-5885648/photos

Fiddled with the url and found https://www.tvnz.co.nz/content/tvnz/ondemand/help/supported-devices.html

So the choice is the tech trinity of iOS/Android/MS. No support for other streaming boxes?

freitasm

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#2137907 1-Dec-2018 20:47

Why wouldn't you buy the latest gen anyway?

And yes, Chromecast...

seoras

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#2137910 1-Dec-2018 20:51

freitasm: Why wouldn't you buy the latest gen anyway?

And yes, Chromecast...

It wouldn’t get used on anything other than an old Sony at max 1080p and only for TVNZ once a week.
Why would I want the latest gen?

wazzageek

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#2137924 1-Dec-2018 21:02

Perhaps something like Dish TV 2100 would work for you? Link: https://www.dishtv.co.nz/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=52

I dont have the 2100 - so I cannot vouch for it, but a quick scan of geekzone brings up a review from 2015: https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=83&topicid=175623

(Personally I went the route of the AppleTV, as it just works and I don’t need a device to drive it - but its not cheap.)

engedib

254 posts

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#2137929 1-Dec-2018 21:26

I would get a Xiaomi Mi Box and run TVNZ Ondemand + Freeview using Kodi.

Quite a few other cool things you can do with the device (Youtube, Soundcloud, etc. basically any android app can be sideloaded)

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jamesrt

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#2137942 1-Dec-2018 21:51

seoras: Why would I want the latest gen?

Manufacturer Support and Warranty. Also TVNZ support going forward is likely to be targeting the newer devices should there be issues.

Technology becomes obsolete very quickly, and usually for a reason.

eracode

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#2137979 2-Dec-2018 04:09

seoras:
freitasm: Why wouldn't you buy the latest gen anyway?

And yes, Chromecast...

It wouldn’t get used on anything other than an old Sony at max 1080p and only for TVNZ once a week.
Why would I want the latest gen?

Be aware that the latest non-4K HD CC can still run off USB (as the original CC did) that you might be able to plug into USB on the TV - so that it only comes on when the TV is on.

The 4K CC Ultra can’t do that - needs a supplied mains wall-adapter to power it.

Not that you’d likely buy the Ultra - but just in case ....

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