Advice Please ROKU3 or WD LIVE

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mochips

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Hi all members

I want to cancell my monochoice DSTV premium subscription.

I already have a 2MB Adsl uncapped line.

Questions I have:
1. Which would be decent device; I was looking at Roku3 or WD Live; are there any other reliable or decent devices?
2. Where can I purchase them from?
3. For content which options do I Have; I am only aware of Netflix?
 
Have you looked at the $99 Amazon Fire TV if you can find a way to ship it here. This is an android based machine that can run XBMC in addition to Netflix, Hulu Plus, YouTube etc. The Roku offers more channels than the FTV currently but nearly all of the decent content available is through subscription services. The Roku is a dedicated streamer and will only play content that has been specifically formatted for the device and has been approved by Roku and their cable partners. The WD Live is the best choice for playing stored content but has limited support for streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu Plus and YouTube etc.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1777175942&pf_rd_i=507846
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2703716
 
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Yotch said:
Have you looked at the $99 Amazon Fire TV if you can find a way to ship it here. This is an android based machine that can run XBMC in addition to Netflix, Hulu Plus, YouTube etc. The Roku offers more channels than the FTV currently but nearly all of the decent content available is through subscription services. The Roku is a dedicated streamer and will only play content that has been specifically formatted for the device and has been approved by Roku and their cable partners. The WD Live is the best choice for playing stored content but has limited support for streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu Plus and YouTube etc.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1777175942&pf_rd_i=507846
Click to expand...

Define "Limited support for Netflix etc..."? I don't feel Netflix or Hulu on any of my 5 Roku's is "limited".

Anyway, OP, in order - Roku, Fire TV then WDTV Live. I have not personally tried the FTV which is why I put it second, but sure it will eventually take first place.
The WDTV can take a HDD, but so much simpler to just run a Plex server and use the Roku. Not had ANY content it could not play yet.
I enjoyed the WDTV when I had it, but it don't compare to the Roku. Still got one laying in a drawer somewhere.

Would like to see 5 XBMC setups in my home sharing the same content server and carrying across my watched status from one to the next - and all I do is plug the thing in.
 
Mike Smit said:
Define "Limited support for Netflix etc..."? I don't feel Netflix or Hulu on any of my 5 Roku's is "limited".
Click to expand...

You're limited to only those applications

Below is an email from a customer who upgraded to Android

"On Roku 3 it reached its growth potential fairly quickly and I couldn’t get it to do what I wanted. I would say the DroidTV box is exactly what I needed for what I wanted to accomplish, and unlike the Roku I am not restricted with channels."

With so many media players and TVs, did you ever consider going the 4x4 HDMI Matrix route? It's the best thing I ever did

Oh and syncing to a central XBMC library is very easy to do with a little mysql knowledge.
 
AVSupply said:
You're limited to only those applications

Below is an email from a customer who upgraded to Android

"On Roku 3 it reached its growth potential fairly quickly and I couldn’t get it to do what I wanted. I would say the DroidTV box is exactly what I needed for what I wanted to accomplish, and unlike the Roku I am not restricted with channels."

With so many media players and TVs, did you ever consider going the 4x4 HDMI Matrix route? It's the best thing I ever did

Oh and syncing to a central XBMC library is very easy to do with a little mysql knowledge.
Click to expand...

The Roku's are dotted around the house so the HDMI switch would not really work for me. Used to have 4x2 in my game room until I upgraded to a Marantz amp with 7 HDMI's. So sorted there for a bit.

Do you have any idea (or link) what additional premium channels are available on the Droid TV? I have considered getting one (just because) but a bit put off Android media players after the few I have tried. Love Android on my phone and tablet but did not really work out as a primary viewing device for the family.
 
I haven't tried the WD, but I trust Mike's assessment. I've had a Roku 3 for a while now and it's been an extremely pleasant experience.

FireTV doesn't ship to SA (yet), so it's going to cost you more to get it here.

Also was introduced to a Roku channel that has ITV, so I can get my cricket fix :love:

IMG_20140425_200204.jpg
 
Mike Smit said:
Do you have any idea (or link) what additional premium channels are available on the Droid TV? I have considered getting one (just because) but a bit put off Android media players after the few I have tried. Love Android on my phone and tablet but did not really work out as a primary viewing device for the family.
Click to expand...

There are a number of Android IPTV applications available, but I've never needed to install any as all the available XBMC addons suit my viewing needs just fine. I trialled netflix and hulu but was disapointed with the available shows. The 1Channel XBMC addon is excellent!, and for children CartoonHD is awesome - No DNS required, all you need is an internet connection

I prefer XBMC over any other media player, so run the Standalone XBMC Linux firmware on my Droid

If you decide to get a DroidTV and it doesn't impress, we will gladly give you a full refund :)
 
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AVSupply said:
There are a number of Android IPTV applications available, but I've never needed to install any as all the available XBMC addons suit my viewing needs just fine. I trialled netflix and hulu but was disapointed with the available shows. The 1Channel XBMC addon is excellent!, and for children CartoonHD is awesome - No DNS required, all you need is an internet connection

I prefer XBMC over any other media player so run the Standalone XBMC Linux firmware on my Droid

If you decide to get a DroidTV and it doesn't impress, we will gladly give you a full refund :)
Click to expand...

I don't want to use XBMC. I have had media centers, Raspberry PI's, etc.. and given XBMC a fair chance. Just don't like it. Plex is a far superior centralised solution.
Am I able to try these channels out on my Nexus to see what they are like? If I like, I reckon I will grab a Droid TV from you ;)
 
Mike Smit said:
I don't want to use XBMC. I have had media centers, Raspberry PI's, etc.. and given XBMC a fair chance. Just don't like it. Plex is a far superior centralised solution.
Am I able to try these channels out on my Nexus to see what they are like? If I like, I reckon I will grab a Droid TV from you ;)
Click to expand...

You will need XBMC for the IPTV addons. DroidTV comes standard with Android, so you only need to launch XBMC when you want access. All your other IPTV apps can be installed alongside it

Best thing to do is install XBMC + fusion on a laptop or computer

Mail me at [email protected] if you need instructions

Take care
 
DrJohnZoidberg said:
I haven't tried the WD, but I trust Mike's assessment. I've had a Roku 3 for a while now and it's been an extremely pleasant experience.

FireTV doesn't ship to SA (yet), so it's going to cost you more to get it here.

Also was introduced to a Roku channel that has ITV, so I can get my cricket fix :love:

IMG_20140425_200204.jpg
Click to expand...

Any chance you can share the channel name? Or are you referring to the dishworld channel?
 
I picked up my first real Roku (a One) the other day for £39 (R700) and I'm really pleased with it. I'm sure the Roku3 is vastly superior but I really didn't want to shell out the extra money this time around.
 
How reliable is the History Channel on Roku? Im thinking of buying it just for that one channel.
 
weelzSA said:
Any chance you can share the channel name? Or are you referring to the dishworld channel?
Click to expand...

No, it's the FilmOnTV channel.

ghoti said:
How reliable is the History Channel on Roku? Im thinking of buying it just for that one channel.
Click to expand...

History Channel! You like your Ancient Aliens and UFO stories? :D I've installed it but never really used it, I'll check for you when I get home tonight.
 
DrJohnZoidberg said:
History Channel! You like your Ancient Aliens and UFO stories? :D I've installed it but never really used it, I'll check for you when I get home tonight.
Click to expand...

God no! They are terrible shows. I do however like Pawnstars, American Pickers and those type of shows :D

Also, how clear and stable is the Syfy channel?
 
ghoti said:
How reliable is the History Channel on Roku? Im thinking of buying it just for that one channel.
Click to expand...

Its OK. there aren't too many episodes of shows available (most cases there will be a few random episodes - S01E03, S01E13, S01E23 - kind of thing) unless you somehow have a History Account and are able to sign in?
 
ghoti said:
God no! They are terrible shows. I do however like Pawnstars, American Pickers and those type of shows :D

Also, how clear and stable is the Syfy channel?
Click to expand...

SyFy channel is useless. It's not really a Roku thing, it's the content. It's mostly just clips and behind the scenes things, not really a streaming service. I would use Hulu for SyFy shows, the Hulu channel is good if you're happy sitting through a few commercials.
 
weelzSA said:
Its OK. there aren't too many episodes of shows available (most cases there will be a few random episodes - S01E03, S01E13, S01E23 - kind of thing) unless you somehow have a History Account and are able to sign in?
Click to expand...

I thought it was the History channel live streaming :(
 
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