Raspberry Pi2 or FireTV or Summat else?

Goose

Goose

Goose

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For a while now ive wanted to put an HTPC together and had only really been thinking in terms of buying all components and then putting it together. Having read a bit I now realise that I could probably buy something to meet my needs for a lot less money and get something a lot more space efficient.

My needs are actually pretty simple really, all i need from whichever device i get is a faultless Netflix experience and the ability to stream HD content from my PC (mkv's anywhere from 1 to 20 gig in size).

At the moment to use Netflix i have to use either my Virgin Tivo box or my PS3, which are both equally horrific to use. I also use the PS3 for playing my HD content which i have to copy to a USB stick because the PS3's wifi is shocking.

I've got an AC1750 router now so wireless streaming to an AC compatible device should be pretty good. I like the idea of getting a Pi 2 just because its good and geeky but I would imagine a FireTV or Pipo thingy would be a lot more straightforward. Having no experience of any of them I'm clueless as to which system would be the most powerful and offer the more pleasant user experience.


Anyway, sorry for waffling on, fire away with suggestions! :)

Thanks
 
Roku box + Plex Server on a PC to stream your MKV library. You can get all sorts of apps for the Roku, Netflix included.

Not sure what wireless spec the latest Roku boxes go up to however, so I'd tend to go with decent powerline adaptors to get a wired connection to it.
 
Nismo said:
Roku box + Plex Server on a PC to stream your MKV library. You can get all sorts of apps for the Roku, Netflix included.

Not sure what wireless spec the latest Roku boxes go up to however, so I'd tend to go with decent powerline adaptors to get a wired connection to it.
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Is the Roku good an powerful? I'm kinda hoping for a Netflix experience that's just as good on my main desktop rig.

One of the reasons i thought a Pi might be good idea is that it's going to be Windows 10 compatible and I could buy a wireless AC dongle. I think the electrics in my place are total gash so i dont know how well powerline adaptors will work.
 
Goose said:
Is the Roku good an powerful? I'm kinda hoping for a Netflix experience that's just as good on my main desktop rig.
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It's powerful enough to do what it needs to do i.e. be a media streaming device.

No idea what the Netflix App is like, perhaps best to look at reviews of it first to see how it compares.
 
Netflix on the FireTV is pretty spot on for me, Plex also works perfectly, better off using XBMC with it though (it's side-loadable and you can set up a llama script to replace an application listed on the home screen)
 
Ha! I didn't realise you could get Netflix on the Amazon Fire TV. I would have thought they would have attempted to block an app like that but good on them for allowing it without any issues.

The Amazon Fire TV is a great bit of kit that's really brought to life with a prime subscription. Remember you get a 1 month free trial every 12 months.

Roku (~£90) is another great wee device but the slightly reduced cost of the AFTV (£80 normally but £65 if you catch it in a sale!) makes it a winner for me.

Out of interest Cuchulain, why do you prefer XBMC over Plex on the AFTV? I need multi-room synchronization of my watched list and the client/server infrastructure is a massive bonus for organising content which, while possible, I just find a pain in the backside with XBMC.
 
Would I be right in saying that I could buy a firetv, install plex and stream from my media server to my mums house via the Internet? I know I would have to get it to login using my account but do I need the paid version of plex?
 
Can the FireTV or Roku make use of a Wireless AC dongle or do you absolutely have to use the inbuilt jobby?
 
ZXSpectrum said:
Would I be right in saying that I could buy a firetv, install plex and stream from my media server to my mums house via the Internet? I know I would have to get it to login using my account but do I need the paid version of plex?
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Not sure it works like that cause it scans for a server on your connection. You wouldn't be on the same connection? there is a "upload" / "sync" option but think it's Plex Pass only?

and not convenient having to upload it all?
 
I've got both a FireTV and a Pi2. If you want a nice all in 1 solution with on demand services the get the FireTV, otherwise get the Pi2.

Personally I think the Prime video service is rubbish, but you can take a look at it yourself and make up your own mind.
 
ZXSpectrum said:
Would I be right in saying that I could buy a firetv, install plex and stream from my media server to my mums house via the Internet? I know I would have to get it to login using my account but do I need the paid version of plex?
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Yes, this is what I do. My dad accesses my library using my plex login from his house. My upload is 7Mb and the quality is v.good.

You do need a plex pass subscription but you don't need a static ip address or ports opening (usually), the plex server takes care of that.
 
Buy a sky NOW Tv box (roku device) for £9.99 install plex onto it and away you Go perfect wireless streaming, one and only downside is its 720p only but never been a problem for me!

Never tried netflix on it tho.
 
NoobCannon said:
Buy a sky NOW Tv box (roku device) for £9.99 install plex onto it and away you Go perfect wireless streaming, one and only downside is its 720p only but never been a problem for me!

Never tried netflix on it tho.
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That sounds perfect for my mum. I cant find it for £9.99 though. 720p isn't a problem at all. Is plex just an app that can be installed or does it need to be installed like xbmc on an appletv?
 
I'd go as cheap as possible until a hardware based H265 decoder is released.

(I'm dreaming that it'll be in the Pi3 :p)
 
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