Set-up internet-based Home Theatre

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.
 
tmak said:
@goofball, what makes it better than what Smart TV's offer?
I guess I won't need to get a Smart TV then?
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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.
 
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.
 
SauRoNZA said:
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.
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After using the Samsung home theater with smart feature I have to agree. It's slower than cancer on a 10mb line
 
Oh I don't even mean Internet wise.

Just the interface itself is slow and unresponsive.
 
I've used it on the top if the range 8-series and although faster than mine still very far from being useful.
 
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.
 
Awesum said:
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.
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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.
 
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?
 
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tmak said:
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?
Click to expand...

So you don't need surround sound?
 
marine1 said:
Who cares? If the Roku was double I would still buy it over apple. My Roku cost 1k I think
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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.
 
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