Raspberry Pi2 or FireTV or Summat else?

Goose · 9 Feb 2015 at 14:42

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

Goose · 9 Feb 2015 at 16:14

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.

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 · 9 Feb 2015 at 18:26

Can the FireTV or Roku make use of a Wireless AC dongle or do you absolutely have to use the inbuilt jobby?

Goose · 10 Feb 2015 at 10:28

Is anyone able to say if the Pi2 is going to be as fast as a FireTV or Roku etc.?

Goose · 10 Feb 2015 at 13:27

So a Pi 2 might make more sense then as I would imagine it would be more versatile?

Goose · 11 Feb 2015 at 15:26

Decided to just get an AFTV, will let you know how I get on

Goose · 12 Feb 2015 at 18:59

Got the FTV today and after a little play with i do quite like it but i have a couple of quick questions.

When using the Netflix app is it normal for it start off in crappy SD before finally going to HD after a minute or so?

Also, the voice recognition only seems to return result from Amazon Prime (which i dont have), is there a way to get it to return results from Netflix and iplayer etc.?

Thanks