Best streaming media player for use with Netflix / Hulu in NZ?

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pryannz

26 posts

Geek

Topic # 94932 22-Dec-2011 10:24

Hi there. I have a US VPN (Strong VPN) running on a VPN router (DD-WRT) and Netflix account

I just wanted to get some feedback as to the best streaming media players to use in NZ for use with Netflix / Hulu and other premium US services.

Boxee Box
Roku
WD TV Live
Apple TV
Google TV

I recently purchased a WD TV Live Gen2 device in NZ (APAC model) only to find the hardware (chip) does not allow for Netflix, Hulu etc. So it will be going back to the store... found it to be a v-good device however.

So I am thinking I will have to get a US device via Amazon to ensure it supports Netflix?

Don't want to go down the HTCP route as the streaming media players take up so little space in comparison. Was tempted by the Dell Zino HD... but it has now done the way of the Dodo :-(.

Any feedback appreciated and I can give potential WD TV Live owners some insight into the device.

Cheers!!!

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Reply # 560607 22-Dec-2011 10:45

Xbox 360 with a US Windows live ID supports Netflix, Youtube, Hulu Plus and more Video feeds. Kinect is a lot of fun with Netflix and Hulu Plus.

If you had to choose from the above option, I'd go for the Roku.

Do whatever you want to do man.

garvani

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Reply # 560614 22-Dec-2011 10:48

Boxee will do what you want, you could also go down the Appletv route and put xbmc onto it, xbmc supports netflix through a couple of addon's. You shouldn't need to buy either from the US.

pryannz

26 posts

Geek

Reply # 560621 22-Dec-2011 10:59

Cheers guys. I was thinking about the Xbox especially with the new system update but only wanted to shell out about $200.

Slightly off topic is it still the case that MS (...still...) haven't pulled finger and allowed users to change the country on Live ID's? I guess setting up another one is no major, just not so convenient.

I wasn't aware to you can put xbmc on Apple TV so that could be the go also.

paulspain

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Reply # 560622 22-Dec-2011 11:00

Good question... actually we discussed it on the NZ Tech Podcast (Christmas special) this week. I have the Apple TV, Roku and Xbox 360.

Personally I tend to use the Xbox 360 the most simply because it does so many things including Windows Media Center extender (and the occasional game). It seems with a US Xbox Live Gold subscription (and US VPN) you see more video options every week or two currently. It is the most expensive and high end option.

If you're looking at pure economics then Roku wins. Pure simplicity then Apple TV due to local availability (but only for Netflix).

Paul Spain
Founder: Gorilla Technology, NZ Tech Podcast, Cloud Labs, UFB.org.nz

pryannz

26 posts

Geek

Reply # 560630 22-Dec-2011 11:18

Cheers Paul. I am subscribed so will dial into the podcast. Looks like Xbox is a winner so will just have to save up the pennies.

Would love to hear some $ saving naked DSL / VoIP solutions on the podcast if the interest is out there!

Thanks again all.

paulspain

411 posts

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Reply # 560631 22-Dec-2011 11:20

Good point about the Naked DSL / VOIP discussion. Will try and include that in the agenda for early in the new year. Thanks for the suggestion.

Paul Spain
Founder: Gorilla Technology, NZ Tech Podcast, Cloud Labs, UFB.org.nz

aaronr76

68 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 560709 22-Dec-2011 14:01

ive got a logitech revue i does netflix and soon hulu as well and a whole lot of other video streaming sites, you will need unblock us to watch some content im assuming you already knew that though

timbosan

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Reply # 560735 22-Dec-2011 15:11

Not meaning to pull the thread off topic, but isn't it a sad state of affairs in NZ when we have to have discussions around how to pull in content from overseas, because the situation here is just so bad? If only some TV/content exec's would read these threads, it might help us get more/better programming. I too have a VPN and would happily redirect this cost into NZ if I could get Hulu or something similar (and no, Igloo is NOT similar).

But back on topic - I have both an Apple TV, which does Netflix with my US iTunes Account, but also a HTPC which I see you didn't list - is this an option for you? Something low cost would do the trick if there is no DVB-T decoding to do. Setting the region to USA gets you a heap of 'Internet TV' channels, plus there is a plug-in for Hulu.

cgreenwood

196 posts

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Reply # 560768 22-Dec-2011 17:46

I wasn't aware to you can put xbmc on Apple TV so that could be the go also.

Be aware that Apple TV 2 is limited to an output of 720p so not full HD, I almost got one but in the end that was the deciding factor.

Dunnersfella

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Reply # 560845 22-Dec-2011 23:51

Are Netflix or Hulu available in Full HD then?

myopinion

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Reply # 560893 23-Dec-2011 09:47

If you have an iPhone or iPad and AppleTV you can stream Hulu to the Apple TV. With regards to HD streaming, you will need shedloads of data for that. 720P is fine for my eyes and I only rent SD and still go over my 40GB limit per month.

NonprayingMantis

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Reply # 560909 23-Dec-2011 10:12

timbosan: Not meaning to pull the thread off topic, but isn't it a sad state of affairs in NZ when we have to have discussions around how to pull in content from overseas, because the situation here is just so bad? If only some TV/content exec's would read these threads, it might help us get more/better programming. I too have a VPN and would happily redirect this cost into NZ if I could get Hulu or something similar (and no, Igloo is NOT similar).

Doubtful IMHO.
Realistically the number of people doing this is going to be very small, and the cost of fighting sky for content is going to be gigantic.
There is no way a business case for Netflix or similar will stack up here until Sky's content stranglehold gets regulated.
But that won’t happen because
a) Sky have a 'partnership' with TVNZ now, so their biggest opposition is actually in bed with them.
b) the rugby union won’t let it since so much of their income is generated by the money sky pay them for sport, and if sport was regulated (e.g. sky had to wholsale it at a regulated price) then they would not be willing to pay so much for it, and so the RFU, which has shakey finances at the best of times, would seriously struggle.

paulspain

411 posts

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Reply # 561841 27-Dec-2011 14:52

It seems there is an Xbox that suits the <$200 budget if you move quickly... http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=48&topicid=95028&page_no=6

pryannz

26 posts

Geek

Reply # 562155 28-Dec-2011 14:25

Cheers Paul. Thanks for the heads up!!

I took advantage of the Bond & Bond sale voucher: http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=48&topicid=95028&page_no=5 and took this in to The Warehouse... sure enough they matched the price. So for $174 got an Xbox 360 4GB.

Will shoot into DSE before Jan 2nd and get the Kinect for $99 which is the cheapest I have seen it for: http://www.dicksmith.co.nz/product/YG5401/xbox360-kinect-camera-and-bonus-adventures-game

So all up a Xbox 360 4Gb + Kinect for under $300.

Will test how the Netflix etc works when I am back within range of my VPN router.

The B&B offer is pretty good, ends 6pm tonight. Bond and Bond have sold out in the Auckland and Waikato regions but not an issue as The Warehouse will still match the offer as long as you have the sales flyer just print it out for the link above. Might pay to give them a call first however. You have until 6pm...

jake18

51 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 562233 28-Dec-2011 19:54

Am using unblock-us.com ( just change DNS settings ) streaming via my ps3 for netflix/vudu

had no issues streaming / speed issues

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