Spec me a Streaming Box

Marakith · 14 Feb 2015 at 23:10

Hello,

I currently have a NowTV branded Roku. I had Plex sideloaded into it. All was well until Now TV put their prices up and the selection was pretty poor, so I cancelled the sub and now just use it for Plex.

Since it's locked down, I'd like to look at replacing it with another Roku so that we can watch Netflix. So I thought about the Roku 3, but then got to thinking about all the other things that I'd want a box to do, such as:

Play Netflix and other streaming providers
Allow me to load in providers that stream live German-language TV
Be easy for the missus to use, responsive and reliable
Have a remote control
Ideally, but optionally, allow me to plug a USB HDD into the device to hold my media

What about these Android players I'm seeing about?

The second point is something I would be really keen to get sorted. The only way, it seems, to get German language TV (all the channels, not just the Taggesschau or DW) is to install another dish (we already have Freesat). I'd be happy to pay for a streaming service that gave me access to channels lie ARD, ZDF, RTL, SAT1 etc).

I appreciate some of these requirements are a little unusual, but I'm grateful for the advice.

.\\

Captain · 14 Feb 2015 at 23:42

What sort of budget do you have?

Amazon Fire TV sideloaded with Kodi will do everything you want, the only problem with the FTV is you can't plug an external HDD into it.

You would be better buying yourself a NAS drive instead of a portable HDD, this allows you to save all your media and access it from the Fire TV, or any device you have that can connect to Wifi.

danoliver1 · 15 Feb 2015 at 12:45

I use a synology nas and a wdtv live works a treat.

Marakith · 15 Feb 2015 at 17:53

Thanks for the pointers.

I've already got an old QNap but it won't serve the purpose I think.

I hadn't really considered Amazon Fire TV as thought it was a bit locked down, but I'll take another look...

As for the Kodi thing - I tried installing on my PC to give it a go, and found an app to stream German TV, but this didn't work. I wonder if they elapse?