Recommendations for smart-enabling a dumb TV

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Recommendations for smart-enabling a dumb TV

drjay

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#233840 5-May-2018 14:16

Hiya all

Looking for recommendations, please.

Both my parent and my mother-in-law have dumb TVs, for various reasons. They are all on fixed incomes now so big-budget purchases are out of the question, and therefore they wait for hand-me-downs from me.. which can be years.

I'm looking for recommendations for a single smart device that they can stream the content they want;

Plex
Netflix NZ
Lightbox
Youtube

They are all currently using Chromecast devices and generally these are "ok" but not great. There's always the odd issue with getting the casting working, the sound going out of sync, etc. We'd all prefer a stand-alone device of some sort.

The sort of devices I have in mind are things like Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV. I don't want to have to do anything like use a DNS unblock service or VPN for setup, so the Roku is out.

Any suggestions are welcome.

Cheers,

Jay

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#2008418 5-May-2018 14:24

drjay:

I'm looking for recommendations for a single smart device that they can stream the content they want;

Plex
Netflix NZ
Lightbox
Youtube

Apple TV4 would be my recommendation. On most TVs you will be able to turn the TV on and off with the remote as well.

Very user friendly, and have access to the apps you want, as well as a number of TV apps for NZ TV channels. (Like TVNZ, 3 etc).

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drjay

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Master Geek

#2008420 5-May-2018 14:28

jarledb:

Apple TV4 would be my recommendation. On most TVs you will be able to turn the TV on and off with the remote as well.

Very user friendly, and have access to the apps you want, as well as a number of TV apps for NZ TV channels. (Like TVNZ, 3 etc).

Lightbox is a big need (the show Outlander lol I'd be skinned if they couldn't watch it), and I have no experience with it on Apple. No concerns on your side with Lightbox access?

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drjay

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Master Geek

#2008446 5-May-2018 15:05

I got this as a recommendation from a Facebook group;

https://www.ebay.com/itm/132251634353

but am unable to confirm if Lightbox would install and work. I saw this thread https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=171&topicid=216601 which doesn't give me much hope.

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davidcole

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#2008449 5-May-2018 15:26

Apple TV would also be my recommendation.

A chromecast would also support most of those services but you do also need a smart phone (or laptop) to drive it.

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Rikkitic

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#2008453 5-May-2018 15:59

One thing I learned from fiddling with this kind of thing is that only a browser gives the kind of flexibility you want. I don’t know how far you could push your folks but there are cheap Android boxes on Aliexpress for around $30 or $40. The one I have is called S6 Pro. It actually works pretty well for the price. Kodi is free to download. The last version (17.6) works well out of the box and is easy to use and set up for non-experts. Install the Simple PVR URL from @Apsattv and you have (nearly) all the NZ Freeview channels as well as some Aussie ones (some are not geo-locked). You also have a whole lot of on-demand content if they ever feel like exploring further.

There are good android apps for other content, such as YouTube (better than the Kodi one) and Tubi (not geo-locked) if they would like to see some decent free films. Mainly though, there is the Chrome browser for HTTP content. It is easy to set up shortcuts for this in the Kodi favourites folder. Chrome should work for viewing Lightbox if the Android app doesn’t, as well as for other content.

All of this takes some effort to set up. It might or might not also be fiddly to use. I don’t have problems with it though some might. It is not quite the simple one-click user interface we all wish we had, but it gives maximum flexibility for minimum cost. The remote is fairly crappy and I added a $10 air mouse for improved range and flexibility.

If all this is too much, then you could consider Android only for Lightbox and Apple TV for the rest. It wouldn’t add much to the cost.

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jarledb

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#2008487 5-May-2018 17:03

drjay:

Lightbox is a big need (the show Outlander lol I'd be skinned if they couldn't watch it), and I have no experience with it on Apple. No concerns on your side with Lightbox access?

It seems to be like its available. From Lightbox.co.nz: How do I install the Lightbox app on my Apple TV?

I don't use Lightbox, so wouldn't know. But them having information on how to set it up on Apple TV4 would suggest it works.

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tdgeek

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#2008495 5-May-2018 17:52

jarledb:

drjay:

Lightbox is a big need (the show Outlander lol I'd be skinned if they couldn't watch it), and I have no experience with it on Apple. No concerns on your side with Lightbox access?

It seems to be like its available. From Lightbox.co.nz: How do I install the Lightbox app on my Apple TV?

I don't use Lightbox, so wouldn't know. But them having information on how to set it up on Apple TV4 would suggest it works.

Yep, it does. ATV4 has all the NZ apps, plus FanPass from Sky. Once TVNZ got on board, we are catered for.

Handle9

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#2008499 5-May-2018 18:01

Rikkitic:

One thing I learned from fiddling with this kind of thing is that only a browser gives the kind of flexibility you want.

...

If all this is too much, then you could consider Android only for Lightbox and Apple TV for the rest. It wouldn’t add much to the cost.

What flexibility does a browser add over what has been asked? All four requested services have very good native Apple TV apps. You personally may find you need a browser (your use cases seem to be well outside the mainstream) but for what's been asked for Apple TV is very good and apps are likely to be supported for a descent length of time.

I don't think Lightbox has an Android TV app - Android phones do but that's not a great use case on Android TV.

Dial111

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#2008503 5-May-2018 18:07

Handle9:
Rikkitic:

One thing I learned from fiddling with this kind of thing is that only a browser gives the kind of flexibility you want.

...

If all this is too much, then you could consider Android only for Lightbox and Apple TV for the rest. It wouldn’t add much to the cost.

I don't think Lightbox has an Android TV app - Android phones do but that's not a great use case on Android TV.

can confirm Android TV does have Lightbox app available from the GP store

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#2008504 5-May-2018 18:11

Dial111:

can confirm Android TV does have Lightbox app available from the GP store

Really? It's not listed on the lightbox page. If anyone has the apk I'd be keen to try it on the Fire TV.

Rikkitic

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#2008507 5-May-2018 18:17

Handle9:

What flexibility does a browser add over what has been asked? All four requested services have very good native Apple TV apps. You personally may find you need a browser (your use cases seem to be well outside the mainstream) but for what's been asked for Apple TV is very good and apps are likely to be supported for a descent length of time.

I don't think Lightbox has an Android TV app - Android phones do but that's not a great use case on Android TV.

If Apple has everything OP wants, then it is a no-brainer. My suggestion was for if it doesn't. Just trying to help.

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drjay

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#2008508 5-May-2018 18:18

Ordered this Android 7.1 TV thing based on the Lightbox app for Android TV being a bit more mature now (Android TV Lightbox App Progress?)

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jarledb

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#2008516 5-May-2018 18:34

tdgeek:

Yep, it does. ATV4 has all the NZ apps, plus FanPass from Sky. Once TVNZ got on board, we are catered for.

Just to be clear: TVNZ is on board, so we are catered for :)

Dial111

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#2008521 5-May-2018 18:45

Handle9:
Dial111:

can confirm Android TV does have Lightbox app available from the GP store

Really? It's not listed on the lightbox page. If anyone has the apk I'd be keen to try it on the Fire TV.

yep just searched it on the google play store on my x9000e android tv, comes preloaded via Sony apps but checked play store and it was there ready to install also

driller2000

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#2008524 5-May-2018 18:52

Mi Box international has the apps you are referring to for $100 NZD vs $250 NZD for an Apple TV.

The apps you requested are incl:

Plex
Netflix NZ (4k)
Youtube (4k)

And Lightbox can also be sideloaded (ditto SkyGo).

OS is AndroidTV which is perfect for media use - GUI is well laid out and fast - decent wireless remote - streams well over Wifi. (Note: No ethernet port built in - but can be added via separate usb dongle/adapter)

Highly recommended.

https://www.*earbest.com/tv-box-mini-pc/pp_1567874.html?wid=1349303

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