Raspberry Pi2 or FireTV or Summat else?
- Thread starter Goose
- Start date
For a PI2 (£25) remember that to match the AFTV specs you'll need:
Memory card - £5
Power adapter - £5
Case - £5
WiFi adapter - £10
IR receiver and remote - £20
While it's not overly expensive (£70 all in) remember you can get an AFTV for £5 less if you hold out for a sale.
While yes the the PI2 will absolutely be more flexible, and a good investment to tinker with, the AFTV is a ready made all in one solution that will work out the box.
EDIT: On the specific note of the Pi being more versatile - I've actually got a fully functioning PC hooked up to my projector that has Plex Home Theater installed. While this machine is absolutely more than capable of allowing me to watch movies easily, 100% of the time choose to watch movies via the AFTV. In fact, I can't think of a single time where the AFTV has let me down, be it watching something from Prime, Plex, YouTube or mirroring my smartphone screen to show my friend something on the big screen.
It's like your smartphone. I bet you've got hundreds of apps installed but how many have you got on your home screen that you choose to use on a daily or even yearly basis? It all boils down to the right tool for the job and while versatility is nice if you only use one application what does it matter.
Memory card - £5
Power adapter - £5
Case - £5
WiFi adapter - £10
IR receiver and remote - £20
While it's not overly expensive (£70 all in) remember you can get an AFTV for £5 less if you hold out for a sale.
While yes the the PI2 will absolutely be more flexible, and a good investment to tinker with, the AFTV is a ready made all in one solution that will work out the box.
EDIT: On the specific note of the Pi being more versatile - I've actually got a fully functioning PC hooked up to my projector that has Plex Home Theater installed. While this machine is absolutely more than capable of allowing me to watch movies easily, 100% of the time choose to watch movies via the AFTV. In fact, I can't think of a single time where the AFTV has let me down, be it watching something from Prime, Plex, YouTube or mirroring my smartphone screen to show my friend something on the big screen.
It's like your smartphone. I bet you've got hundreds of apps installed but how many have you got on your home screen that you choose to use on a daily or even yearly basis? It all boils down to the right tool for the job and while versatility is nice if you only use one application what does it matter.
Last edited:
Maybe I'm missing something here but couldn't you just use a Chromecast?
Install Plex Media Server on your PC and then the Plex app on your phone and you have a way of streaming content from your PC. Then use the Netflex app on your phone to cast to the Chromecast.
Install Plex Media Server on your PC and then the Plex app on your phone and you have a way of streaming content from your PC. Then use the Netflex app on your phone to cast to the Chromecast.
Chromecast is an excellent piece of kit for exactly what you describe, and at £30 it's well priced.
However, I'd never personally have one in my house though as having to use your phone to control everything I'd find a pain in the backside. Physical buttons on the Harmony Smart Control are the way to go in my opinion.
Windows compatibility is really being missold by the media I think dont expect a nice UI and apps and stuff. Do expect a few hackers to put together a few single use programs which run on the windows kernel on it.
For what it's worth the Emprex remote is good value and is RF so range isn't an issue:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GC-000-EX
The Chromecast doesn't work like that. When you "cast" to the Chromecast you're sending it a link for it to fetch itself and process. They work perfectly well if they've got a stable and fast enough wireless connection. You can even turn off your phone once you've started something.
Totally this. It's more likely to run like Windows Server Core than anything else. Of course if we're wrong then that's just fine by me also - as long as we get the option for a GUI-LESS version
Ah, but then you don't have the option to use with some of the better all in one remotes. It does highlight a deficiency in the Harmony range however that while their devices are network connected, use RF to communicate themselves and support Bluetooth - actually using any of those protocols for anything productive isn't possible.
Ethernet cable and android remote app = £1!
I've tried numerous remote controls, and nothing comes close to the android app IMHO.
I think Logitech have dabbled with RF/Bluetooth. Still, you can get cheap IR receivers from around £5 if you don't mind it being shipped from China.
Horses for courses, I prefer a physical remote to pause something or change the volume rather than having to pick up my phone, unlock it, open an app and then hit pause. Plus I'd still need a separate remote for the Volume and TV
You're obviously not using the right Ethernet cable!
WARNING, THE SCREENSHOT BELOW IS REAL BUT MY COMMENT SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY! DO NOT BY THIS CABLE!
Anyway, yeah, there's always going to be some people that have all the bits and bobs meaning they don't require any of the additional things. Hell, I've got a Pi2 and even made use of my old case so didn't need to buy a thing. However, what I was costing up was a comparable device. WiFi is useful for a lot of people and the AFTV is a solid performer in this area. Not to mention the bundeled remote with the AFTV is a great bit of kit and the speach recognition is a nice little bonus that works really well.
Also, yeah, have to agree with Scottland - I've said it in many threads but nothing beats the tactile response of a remote over an app. I'm a massive fan of the Harmony Smart Control range but don't TOUCH the perfectly functional smartphone app that comes with it apart from when I'm managing the addition and customisation of devices.
Goose - you won't be disappointed with your AFTV but remember that Amazon have a great returns policy so don't be afraid to return it if it doesn't meet your expectations.
Associate
- Joined
- 12 Jan 2009
- Posts
- 2,331
- Location
- Staffs
We're certainly strongly looking into it from when I asked TwsT, so keep checking the site and forums for news and updates.
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
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
Not familiar with the Netflix app but this does appear to be the norm with a lot of streaming apps, where they try and get it to you sooner by dynamically starting with an SD feed. I think you might be stuck with that behavior unless you can find a setting within the app itself.
Voice search isn't limited to prime only results as I've seen it give me suggestions from the STV app. However I imagine this will be implemented on a per app basis so you'll need to chase Netflix up to implement the APIs I imagine.
Voice search isn't limited to prime only results as I've seen it give me suggestions from the STV app. However I imagine this will be implemented on a per app basis so you'll need to chase Netflix up to implement the APIs I imagine.