apple tv vs chromecast vs roku vs now tv for dining room telly?

Donnie

Donnie

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OK, wanting a tv in the dining room but want it to have netflix as I currently run netflix via the mac connected to hdmi and TV in sitting room.

So, my initial option was to buy a 27 inch smart tv and found the perfect one in currys yesterday at only £199, bought it, got it home and despite the fact samsung say it has netflix, it doesn't.
No app, no way to download the app either, google, the helpline and several software updates, firmware updates and hard resets later and nothing so I returned it and got my money back.

So, now im wary of any "smart" tv's.

Now I guess I have to get a normal hdtv and an external box but dont know whats best for me, Im initially thinking apple tv as we have the macbook, she has an ipad and we use iphones so its likely the easiest setup, and even if for some reason apple decide to drop netflix in the future its going to be simple enough to stream netflix from the laptop / ipad?

However, Im imagining theres plenty of people out there with either the chromecast or roku and just wondered if anyone had any major pros or cons for each system?
 
I have a Chromecast and it was the bees knees. Stream everything from the phone through various apps. There are some file formats like mkv that it can't play but most video apps are compatible now anyway.

I said "was" above because I bought an M8 Android box for the sitting room TV over the summer and this is now the bees knees. It has put fully functioning Android onto the tv and now when used with Plex and XBMC plus various other apps I have a stunning library of entertainment including live TV.

My advice would be if you just want Netflix and be tied into being told what you can watch then go down the Apple route but if you would prefer to have access to watch everything and anything then my advice would be either the Chromecast or better again M8 Box.
 
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from googling plex needs a computer on all the time or an NAS i believe, neither of which i understand :-/

im not too impressed with the chromecast to be honest after spending more and more time checking it out, cheap yes but reliant on phone or tablet for remote control, the ios app I checked gets crap reviews too so makes me nervous about it to be honest.

I don't see the apple option as being tied into anything, i just want to be able to have netflix on a tv in the dining room and im slowly coming to the conclusion that the apple tv may well be a "does what it says on the tin" solution given all our other household tech is apple, other than a sony tv in the living room.
 
Ballyman said:
My advice would be if you just want Netflix and be tied into being told what you can watch then go down the Apple route.
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Thats what I said!!

There is also the Google Nexus Player option which is a plug and play device like Apple TV but it is cheaper, more powerful, has more functionality and less restrictions.
 
I only wanted Netflix, so got a Roku. Plug and play. Plus it gives me catch up services (except ITV, you'll need a NOW box for that). I also use my Netflix account to view on my iMac, iPad and iPhone. Suits me to a tee, but it depends on exactly what services you are looking for.
 
Ballyman said:
I have a Chromecast and it was the bees knees. Stream everything from the phone through various apps. There are some file formats like mkv that it can't play but most video apps are compatible now anyway.

I said "was" above because I bought an M8 Android box for the sitting room TV over the summer and this is now the bees knees. It has put fully functioning Android onto the tv and now when used with Plex and XBMC plus various other apps I have a stunning library of entertainment including live TV.

My advice would be if you just want Netflix and be tied into being told what you can watch then go down the Apple route but if you would prefer to have access to watch everything and anything then my advice would be either the Chromecast or better again M8 Box.
Click to expand...

Have you got all the on demand players?

I dropped the m8 (now collecting dust) cause it only worked with Iplayer and my set top box has that in fact I moved to chromecast though it can't natively play on demand channels you can play them on laptop and stream it to the chromecast and only recently has its player played up.
 
Also got a Roku, you can get Netflix, also many other channels (inc Flickr & Youtube) - very responsive and can control from its own remote or my iPhone (with free app). :)
 
Tintin124 said:
Have you got all the on demand players?
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No, I dont use them at all. My tv viewing isnt really mainstram tv and apart from the news most of what I watch is streamed from Netflix or other apps. I have UPC for tv and they provide the on demand players as part of their Horizon package so herself uses that sometimes to watch missed soaps etc.

As far as I know the on demand players refuse to work if they detect a HDMI out signal a bit similar to SKy GO.
 
If you've got a mac, an ipad and an iPhone then I would definitely suggest the apple tv. I have one and find it brilliant. It is more fussy than the others in the file formats it reads, but it is a simple and quick affair for most media to convert to the correct file format ( I use IVI for this purpose).

After using a few others, I find the app tv the nicest interface, and the way it links to the iOS and OS X devices is brilliant.
 
Donnie said:
@Ballyman cant find a nexus player for sale anywhere so assume they are very new ?

@chadders which roku did you get, not bothered too much about not having iplayer :)
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I have the Roku 3. BTW it does have iPlayer, and Demand 5 etc. The only one missing (of note) is ITV player. As I said that is obtainable on NOW TV.
 
We have Apple TV in the front room and Roku in the media room. Apple TV is excellent; we stream most of our content either through the available channels, or via our iPads on airplay mode - which is genius.

The boys like the Roku as they can get the channels they like watching - Netflix mainly - but we also have the desktop wired to the TV as well for DVDs, Blu Ray and other online content.

Either would suit your needs.
 
chadders said:
I have the Roku 3. BTW it does have iPlayer, and Demand 5 etc. The only one missing (of note) is ITV player. As I said that is obtainable on NOW TV.
Click to expand...

I've got ITV player on my Roku 3
 
Cheers all, well looks like ive it narrowed down to the apple tv or roku3 for the tv in the dining room and can happily carry on using the macbook pro in the living room connected to the big tv via hdmi.

Now the only question is, once I decide which to go for, is there a way to also use it in the upstairs bedroom without buying another box?
 
I have 2 Chromecasts, and to me they are amazing... I can stream my music from Google Play through to my amp without the TV being on, I can stream my entire catalog of movies from my Synology NAS regardless of format, I can show my photos on the TV's with just a click and also cast my device's screen to the TV. And not to mention the Youtube casting, which my son will testify is almost too easy as I now have to fight for control of the TV.

I'm not saying the other devices don't perform the above, far from it, but the Chromecast that is plugged in the wall-mounted TV and is not seen by anyone just adds an awesome layer of functionality without having to conceal another box.

Did I mention I love my Chromecasts?
 
We've got a Roku3 and a Roku stick in the house and both a great. It even works with Plex, although I haven't tested that yet. The only thing missing from the Roku is Blinkbox.

We also just got a Samsung Smart TV and it does everything the Roku did except NowTV. But the Smart TV does do Blinkbox. I had to fathom Samsung's smart hub and adding Netflix as a favorite. Have you joined the Smart TV to a network and let it grab it's updates?
 
Yep Roku now has ITV Player :)
 
mrgubby said:
I've got ITV player on my Roku 3
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Really? I must investigate that. When I researched the Roku 3 before buying I was told it wasn't on it, and I didn't find it when I set "My Channels". I'll check that out today. If I can access it that'll be a bonus.
 
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