Set-up internet-based Home Theatre

[Ancalagon]

I personally would not buy a Smart TV, because I prefer the idea of having my display be a dumb device that just displays content. Having a dedicated media streamer gives you more options, and allows you to replace that media streamer later. Also, there are things that you can do with a media streamer that you could never do with a smart TV, such as XBMC and in some cases Plex.

That being said, some Smart TVs have air gesture interfaces which I guess could be cool. But I dont really see the need.

Anyway, I have a Droid TV MX from avsupply.co.za, and a wireless air gyro mouse (Measy FC11 I think). Both are awesome. I havent tried streaming, but it works with local network playback just fine. I have an Openweb gold 4mb uncapped account, but my ADSL modem is syncing at 6144MBPs. I dont know if that means I can get up to 6MBPs from openweb. Anyway, its fast, but as I said I havent tried any streaming yet.

 

[goofball]

@goofball, what makes it better than what Smart TV's offer?
I guess I won't need to get a Smart TV then?

Is difficult to say man. It just feels alot better.
It's like doing photo editing on a mac instead of a pc. It just feels easier even though you basically do the same thing.

 

[SauRoNZA]

I haven't found a single "Smart" TV that doesn't feel as slow as a 386 trying to navigate the menus and isn't also significantly lacking in features.

Buy a dumb TV if you can and use a Roku or other media player device instead and save yourself the pain.

 

[marine1]

I haven't found a single "Smart" TV that doesn't feel as slow as a 386 trying to navigate the menus and isn't also significantly lacking in features.

Buy a dumb TV if you can and use a Roku or other media player device instead and save yourself the pain.

After using the Samsung home theater with smart feature I have to agree. It's slower than cancer on a 10mb line

 

[SauRoNZA]

Oh I don't even mean Internet wise.

Just the interface itself is slow and unresponsive.

 

[Electric]

R425/pm?

It's actually R515 or so in total including voice line rental.
That is with the 25 % off.

 

[marine1]

Oh I don't even mean Internet wise.

Just the interface itself is slow and unresponsive.

I think thats what I mean, but my god its terrible, wonder if all the TV's are like that? If so then its really a waste to get the smart tv

 

[SauRoNZA]

I've used it on the top if the range 8-series and although faster than mine still very far from being useful.

 

[Willie Trombone]

R425/pm?

R399pm including line rental and isp charge. Need to confirm now that I'm on 4Mbps tho. It was that with 2mbps before the upgrade.

 

[Awesum]

I use my Samsung Smart TV daily and I dont find the interface slow. Maybe because I haven't experienced a Roku.
I mainly use it for Netflix, Hulu, Vevo and Plex.

 

[Willie Trombone]

I use my Samsung Smart TV daily and I dont find the interface slow. Maybe because I haven't experienced a Roku.
I mainly use it for Netflix, Hulu, Vevo and Plex.

That's about the same as Roku. Other stuff isn't worth it. Roku isn't lightning fast either IMO... though I wouldn't mind trying an android box now I've tried Roku. Android will at least play direct from usb better.

 

[marine1]

Try a Roku. It's as fast as a pc

 

[tmak]

Thanks guys, from your shared experiences, getting a box does seem to be a better option than relying on a Smart TV. Although I'm wondering if an Apple TV would be a better option for me seeing that I'm already using a few Apple devices. I've read a couple of reviews comparing the current version of Apple TV and the Roku 3, the latter comes out tops hands down.

On a slightly different note, I had a look at a Soundbar at Dion Wired, Samsung 2.1 3D HT with wireless sub. Considering that I had been looking at the Sony Mgongo from Game (R8000) as an option, the sound bar seems like a much slicker and cheaper option (@R5500) for a home theatre. Anyone out there using this?

 

[Chevron]

Thanks guys, from your shared experiences, getting a box does seem to be a better option than relying on a Smart TV. Although I'm wondering if an Apple TV would be a better option for me seeing that I'm already using a few Apple devices. I've read a couple of reviews comparing the current version of Apple TV and the Roku 3, the latter comes out tops hands down.

On a slightly different note, I had a look at a Soundbar at Dion Wired, Samsung 2.1 3D HT with wireless sub. Considering that I had been looking at the Sony Mgongo from Game (R8000) as an option, the sound bar seems like a much slicker and cheaper option (@R5500) for a home theatre. Anyone out there using this?

So you don't need surround sound?

 

[tmak]

So you don't need surround sound?

The "techie" at Dion said that the Soundbar would pretty much give me that experience only with a lot fewer cabling.

 

[marine1]

The "techie" at Dion said that the Soundbar would pretty much give me that experience only with a lot fewer cabling.

How?

 

[Willie Trombone]

Price compare Roku to Apple TV?

 

[marine1]

Price compare Roku to Apple TV?

Who cares? If the Roku was double I would still buy it over apple. My Roku cost 1k I think

 

[Willie Trombone]

Who cares? If the Roku was double I would still buy it over apple. My Roku cost 1k I think

Bought in the US?
Agree that Roku trumps apple TV, but it's distribution in SA is poor.
I paid R1600 including shipping from Amazon.

 

[marine1]

Bought it second hand here on forum was never opened. Or at least never used.