Netflix on the Raspberry Pi

Toxxyc

Toxxyc

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Hi guys,

So, I'm not TERRIBLE with computers, but I'm also not a full stack developer, so I'm not the most clued up dude on the planet. That's necessary to know before I explain my issue.

My wife is starting up a little daycare centre at home. For there, she'd like Netflix. We don't have a big-ass smart TV to stick in there and I also don't want to (theft risk), so I'm looking at using an Raspberry Pi 3 Model B I have at home. I've been Googling solutions to the above, but I'm coming up a bit short. In simple terms, I want the Raspberry Pi to run simple to use software (like OSMC), with access to Netflix and YouTube.

I've come across some solutions for Netflix, but they all seem to fail. I update the Pi with latest OSMC (18.5 or something like that), and then I download some packages and whatnot using the command line on the backend and then where I'm supposed to add the addon from the .zip file I downloaded, things go sideways and the addon fails to add. I Googled the issue and it would seem like the addon is too old, and something somewhere expired in 2019 somewhere to that solution can't be used anymore.

I then went and tried to download from other places and and and but no luck. So I'm asking - can someone here help me with a working guide to load Netflix on the Pi 3 in 2020?

YouTube isn't an issue, I've seen it works just fine in the browser on Raspbian, so I'll just need to get it on OSMC or whatever as well.
 
I got Netflix to "work" on a Pi 3B running LibreELEC a while ago. It was a pain in the ass to set up, didn't always work, and when it did play something it would be poor quality and buffer constantly. Would not recommend. If you want something simple to use for netflix and youtube I suspect a Chromecast would be the easiest solution.
 
Thing is, I already have the Pi. I would like to not spend more money, mostly because I don't have any more money to spend on this. All the monies went into getting the classroom set up correctly, fixing up the yard to be very kid-friendly, etc. etc.
 
R_D_V said:
I got Netflix to "work" on a Pi 3B running LibreELEC a while ago. It was a pain in the ass to set up, didn't always work, and when it did play something it would be poor quality and buffer constantly. Would not recommend. If you want something simple to use for netflix and youtube I suspect a Chromecast would be the easiest solution.
Click to expand...

I've tried the same on about 3 raspberry pis and the conclusion is always the same, the raspberries can't do Netflix properly. I have a Pi 3 model B, and that works for about 10 minutes after days of struggling to get it working, but it buffers and falls over very quick. Something like a Chromecast or Android TV box will be your best bet
 
I played around with LibreElec + Netflix when I got my Pi4 late last year, and didn't have issues. Installation was simple enough. Having said that, I didn't really use it for any sort of extended period of time and I haven't checked functionality since then, so not sure if the solution I used is still working. Will see if I can find the resources I used.
 
SykomantiS said:
I played around with LibreElec + Netflix when I got my Pi4 late last year, and din't have issues. Installation was simple enough. Having said that, I didn't really use it for any sort of extended period of time and I haven't checked functionality since then, so not sure if the solution I used is still working. Will see if I can find the resources I used.
Click to expand...

The Pi4 is a lot more powerful and has better memory bandwidth, Netflix would work slightly better, but not for an extended amount of time I think

@Toxxyc If you REALLY want to try it to see for yourself, I can assist in getting it set up and going for you, then you can make your own mind up
 
Would that work on Raspbian normal as well? I'm not the slightest fan on anything "lite" when it comes to software...
 
Toxxyc said:
Would that work on Raspbian normal as well? I'm not the slightest fan on anything "lite" when it comes to software...
Click to expand...

You want to have as little overhead as possible in terms of running anything on a Pi, so the "lite" software in cases like these that are used for specialized uses are preferred
 
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OK so that'll make Netflix run...smoother? It seems to me like Netflix might be a bit of a resource hog, but I've always though YouTube is even worse.
 
Toxxyc said:
Thing is, I already have the Pi. I would like to not spend more money, mostly because I don't have any more money to spend on this. All the monies went into getting the classroom set up correctly, fixing up the yard to be very kid-friendly, etc. etc.
Click to expand...
Format - install android

Done.
 
Toxxyc said:
Thing is, I already have the Pi. I would like to not spend more money, mostly because I don't have any more money to spend on this. All the monies went into getting the classroom set up correctly, fixing up the yard to be very kid-friendly, etc. etc.
Click to expand...
I was in a similar situation when I last tried to get it working. Maybe things have improved since then so couldn't hurt to give it another go. I think I've just reached a point where I'd rather fork out the R500 for a chromecast than go through the hassle.
 
Thor said:
Format - install android

Done.
Click to expand...
Android on a Pi? Is that a real thing now? Last time I looked into it there was only a very stripped down unofficial version that was barely functional.
 
Thanks dudes, will give the options a try. Android on the Pi sounds like a brilliant solution though, I know it allows Netflix and all other stuff to work really well so if it'll work on the Pi...
 
Alternatively replace the Raspberry Pi with a Google Chromecast
 
Buy an Apple TV and keep the blood sweat and tears inside your body instead. :)

Or just win Netflix on the tv.
 
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