Best solution to watch Netflix

killerbyte

killerbyte

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Hi all

So a friend is getting VDSL (my suggestion after I discovered his area supports it) and now wants to look at Netflix.

I want a nice setup for him but also something sexy. I was thinking a Chrome cast with an Android tablet which is solely for use in the TV room.
Is there something else you guys can suggest? I haven't worked with Netflix before so I don't know what the best solution would be.

And before anyone asks he does not have any gaming consoles.
 
killerbyte said:
Hi all

So a friend is getting VDSL (my suggestion after I discovered his area supports it) and now wants to look at Netflix.

I want a nice setup for him but also something sexy. I was thinking a Chrome cast with an Android tablet which is solely for use in the TV room.
Is there something else you guys can suggest? I haven't worked with Netflix before so I don't know what the best solution would be.

And before anyone asks he does not have any gaming consoles.
Click to expand...
Roku 3 or Fire TV. Nuff said.
 
killerbyte said:
Hi all

So a friend is getting VDSL (my suggestion after I discovered his area supports it) and now wants to look at Netflix.

I want a nice setup for him but also something sexy. I was thinking a Chrome cast with an Android tablet which is solely for use in the TV room.
Is there something else you guys can suggest? I haven't worked with Netflix before so I don't know what the best solution would be.

And before anyone asks he does not have any gaming consoles.
Click to expand...

I didn't like the idea of needing two devices when one will do - Roku.
 
Hamster said:
So a Roku with a remote instead of a ChromeCast with a tablet then :p
Click to expand...
To be honest I didn't consider that because we can use the same remote that we use for the TV.
 
Personally I would rather look at one of the android devices like the MXIII or the M8. Hulu has just launched their free service on android which is very similar to the one on Windows machines. This is only available currently on Windows and android devices. Unfortunately both the Hulu and Netflix apps are limited to 480p on android at the moment but this could change. XBMC is also available on the android platform which will allow you access to a much larger library of free streaming content than on any of the other non android platforms.
http://liliputing.com/2014/07/now-can-watch-hulu-content-android-free.html

A few videos showing the capabilities of the M8 ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw--cBwO_fI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmSflCMN9Ls
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euIyyipiFQs
Local supplier of M8 (cheaper MXIII version arriving soon)
http://www.avsupply.co.za/product_info.php/droidtv-media-player-with-android-and-xbmc-p-664
 
Roku 3 hands down!

The guys recommending Apple Tv's clearly haven't tried a Roku.

I owned 2 Apple Tv's, gen 1 and 3 and neither can compete with my Roku 2 or 3.
 
killerbyte said:
Hi all

So a friend is getting VDSL (my suggestion after I discovered his area supports it) and now wants to look at Netflix.

I want a nice setup for him but also something sexy. I was thinking a Chrome cast with an Android tablet which is solely for use in the TV room.
Is there something else you guys can suggest? I haven't worked with Netflix before so I don't know what the best solution would be.

And before anyone asks he does not have any gaming consoles.
Click to expand...
rather get a device that doesn't need to be linked to a pc/ android phone tablet
How much he wants to spend? what other features he wants?
WDTV Live or Play
Roku 3
Apple Tv
Xbox 360 / one
Ps3 / 4
a TV / Bluray player compatible with Netflix
Laptop /PC connected to PC


ANd a few others mentioned on this thread and across other thread.
 
What Internet connection / speed do you need? I have also started to look into this using Apple TV.

Max ADSL speed I can get is 4096k but I have 2 lines.
 
I have recently ordered a roku 3. It's quick and easy to setup so far I am preferring it over the chromecast.
 
If he has a Samsung Smart TV, just install the native Netflix app. No extra devices, wires or remotes. Simplest setup and you don't have to buy anything else.

If he doesn't have such a TV, then +1 for the Roku.
 
Freaksta said:
I have recently ordered a roku 3. It's quick and easy to setup so far I am preferring it over the chromecast.
Click to expand...
I also prefer the Roku. Chromecast is fun to play with but I find it clunky to use compared to a dedicated device with a remote. Especially if you have a family that must make use of it.

Got Roku's dotted throughout the house (5 of them).
FarligOpptreden said:
If he has a Samsung Smart TV, just install the native Netflix app. No extra devices, wires or remotes. Simplest setup and you don't have to buy anything else.

If he doesn't have such a TV, then +1 for the Roku.
Click to expand...
Not sure about the current model Sammy's, but my 3 year old one was horrible to use with Plex. It did the job, but the menus were so slow and laggy.
 
+1 on what Mike said. The smart TV app "works" but it's painful to use because everything is so slow but at least it's just one remote.
Another option would be a raspberry pi as they support CEC so you can still use one remote (assuming TV supports CEC)
 
rorz0r said:
+1 on what Mike said. The smart TV app "works" but it's painful to use because everything is so slow but at least it's just one remote.
Another option would be a raspberry pi as they support CEC so you can still use one remote (assuming TV supports CEC)
Click to expand...
That is what I eventually did. Also tried out XBMC on the Pi. Very convenient having CEC.

Then I got a Roku 2 XS when it was released. My first response was HOLY ****. Night a day compared to the toys I had tried.

Now it's only Roku. No dedicated HTPC anymore. No Pi anymore. No TV app anymore. No Apple TV anymore. No PS3 anymore. No nothing but Roku.

I've pretty much tried everything in search of the best streamer. Only thing I am keen on trying that I have not - yet - is the Fire TV. This intrigues me.

One plus the Roku has over all of the other devices is the Roku can be tucked away out of site. One of the Roku's is even in the next room!
Oh - and an audio jack on the Roku 3 remote. Handy when wanting to watch something late at night in bed and wifey is sleeping.
 
Just for ****s and giggles I figured I'd try the "smart tv" plex the other day (after using rokus for some time) and I actually gave up on that idea before smart TV even loaded it took so long.
 
The two best devices for Netflix specifically is the ps3 and the Roku 3 because of the video and audio quality both apps cater for (both 1080p and 5.1). The Samsung smart TV app works but is limited to 480p and very noticeable and the Android app is limited . Bang for buck the Roku is tops for now with the headphone jack in the remote a bonus. If you have a plex server setup then you can get similar xbmc functionality (not as slick and polished) through the Plex unsupported app store with apps like LetMeWatchThis (1channel) etc. and access via the Roku. If you wanted flexibility however then the Android droidtv mx, mxiii and m8 from www.avsupply.co.za is the way to go for apps, games, web browser and other hacks.
 
SL1v3R said:
The two best devices for Netflix specifically is the ps3 and the Roku 3 because of the video and audio quality both apps cater for (both 1080p and 5.1). The Samsung smart TV app works but is limited to 480p and very noticeable and the Android app is limited . Bang for buck the Roku is tops for now with the headphone jack in the remote a bonus. If you have a plex server setup then you can get similar xbmc functionality (not as slick and polished) through the Plex unsupported app store with apps like LetMeWatchThis (1channel) etc. and access via the Roku. If you wanted flexibility however then the Android droidtv mx, mxiii and m8 from www.avsupply.co.za is the way to go for apps, games, web browser and other hacks.
Click to expand...

Strange, I get at least 720p on all HD shows in Netflix on the native app for Smart?
 
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