Cheap device for netflix (preferably HD)

shatpank81

shatpank81

shatpank81

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Absolutely sick of the constant dross on freeview
Was looking at netflix because there are a few shows ive never watched and interested in and also for daughter to watch some stuff
But after a cheap device to watch netflix, i have an xbox one and wii u but they are not and never will be connected to my tv
I was looking at the Apple TV now that its £59, but wondered is this the best and cheapest device for netflix?
 
will look at those, but device wise not really looked into it too much.
but my brother had it on his ipad yesterday and daughter loved a few of the cartoons on there and then looked for myself and noticed they have a lot of shows
with the chromecast/dongle type devices would being wireless only be an issue?
only ask because my virgin media router is right behind tv so a wired device would not be an issue
 
Chomecast is your cheapest option but if you don't want to faff around using a phone/tablet as a remote then the Roku streaming stick is around £39.

If you have Virgin TV and don't have a TIVO give them a call on retentions to see if they can change your package to include one for free/cheaper, that will give you UK Netflix. I think Youview has it these days too.
 
Hate to be "that guy" that's always recommending the Amazon Fire TV, but if you're got Amazon Prime already then it's great bit of kit to make use of the Amazon Prime Instant selection. Also lets you use Netflix - so bonus.

Failing that the Roku range are nice solid bits of kit. Definitely what I'd go with over Chromecast due to the fact the Roku works with a remote.
 
Would only be using it for netflix
Not sure on ATV because the airplay feature looks nifty if it works
Is there a device that allows netflix (in HD) but also can plug a usb stick and play films etc off that?
 
If you are wanting to play local media too then perhaps opt for a WDTV Live SMP. They can be had for ~£35 second hand and will play any file type you throw at it via network, USB hard drives, thumb drive etc plus give you Netflix. If you were buying brand new they are around £55 and you'd probably be as well just going for the Amazon FireTV at £65, although i think you need to root it to be able to play media from USB storage.
 
shatpank81 said:
Would only be using it for netflix
Not sure on ATV because the airplay feature looks nifty if it works
Is there a device that allows netflix (in HD) but also can plug a usb stick and play films etc off that?
Click to expand...

The Amazon Fire TV (AFTV) has a £2 app that lets you use it as an AirPlay target.

Being a complete Apple phone household I moved all my Apple TV's to AFTV's because of the built in YouTube streaming functionality it provides combined with the very rare occasion where AirPlay is the preferred option. AFTV will also let you natively stream Spotify from your phone.

Saying that, this is something the Roku devices can also do - but they can't act as an AirPlay target as they don't have the Android app required (as far as I'm aware)

Regarding USB Playback

I never understand this desire to play from a USB stick... It seems like a lot of work but it really couldn't be more straight forward to install Plex Media Server on your home PC (the same PC you're presumably copying the media to a USB stick from!) and then install the Plex Client on the device you want to steam to. Both the Roku and AFTV have Plex clients and the Media Server is free.

Seriously, got install it now and have a nosey. It's such a fab bit of software you'll wonder why you even considered playing your media back from a USB stick.
 
I tried Plex I thought it was a load of effort to do something that is far simpler with usb.

If you have smart tv it's even simpler. Just plug a hd into the TV.

Only problem with the smart tv for me is it goes out of date. Doesn't play new codecs and mine the netfix Client doesn't support profiles. A box like the Roku adds all this to a non smart tv.
 
Last edited:
OspreyO said:
I tried Plex I thought it was a load of effort to do something that is far simpler with usb.

If you have smart tv it's even simpler. Just plug a hd into the TV.

Only problem with the smart tv for me is it goes out of date. Doesn't play new codecs and mine the netfix Client doesn't support profiles. A box like the Roku adds all this to a non smart tv.
Click to expand...

Sorry, you're doing it wrong.

How do you update the shows on your HDD you plug into your TV? Take your HDD to your PC and copy your latest shows over?

How do you watch your shows on other TVS that don't have the HDD plugged in? Drag it around the house with you?

How do you keep track of what's watched and not watched? Continually have to check by watching the last episode?

And the ONLY problem is "your TV goes out of date" then even the bits you did have working now longer work.. That's ALL?? So your already lackluster implementation completely stops working and that's your "only problem"?!

Sigh... I thought this was a tech based forum, not a "I saw this Gadget show once so thought I'd buy a smart tv" forum :)

Oh well, to each their own.
 
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