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Old 15-01-2014, 09:26
TheCableGuy
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Anyone got any ideas. Got an xbox for the downstairs TV, but would like something for the bedroom. I was thinking a £50 Roku LT from Maplin:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/roku-lt-st...a-player-a58lf

Can anyone find anything cheaper? Its a shame I cant hack the NowTV box (essentially a Roku LT) to get Netflix to run. A £10 box would be great!
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Old 15-01-2014, 12:17
Philip Wales
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I personally like Apple TV (£80 or so from Amazon) as this allows you to change the DNS settings to allow other regions.
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Old 15-01-2014, 12:49
NirvanaGirl
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I personally like Apple TV (£80 or so from Amazon) as this allows you to change the DNS settings to allow other regions.
I agree with the Apple TV. It's just so easy to use & not too expensive. The fact that it allows you to use your iPhone or iPad to 'flick' things across to your tv is good too.

I just wish I had access to things like Hulu+
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Old 15-01-2014, 13:15
Philip Wales
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^^it does NG, you just set up an American iTunes Account, sign in with that and you get a host of new apps, the problem is paying for US based programming like Hulu+, there are ways but gets complex and expensive.
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Old 15-01-2014, 13:37
NirvanaGirl
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^^it does NG, you just set up an American iTunes Account, sign in with that and you get a host of new apps, the problem is paying for US based programming like Hulu+, there are ways but gets complex and expensive.
And I'm trying to reduce my monthly outlay on tv services , not increase it so I'll just back away from the tempting Hulu+ app on my Apple TV & be content with Sky Freeview, Netflix & Unblock US

Nearly £60 a month down to a tenner...I'm happy with that!
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Old 15-01-2014, 13:50
Philip Wales
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^^Yep thats my thinking, don't see the point ditching sky only to land yourself with other bills. My long term plan is to ditch sky altogether, and get rid of the TV license, saving about £600 a year, then I may look at other things like Hulu+ etc.
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Old 15-01-2014, 14:09
davor
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I'd recommend you to get an android thumb drive for around £20 online. Just plug it to a tv via HDMI, and you get a fully functional Android platform on your TV.
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Old 15-01-2014, 14:22
TheCableGuy
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I don't live in the UK, but I think that buying a Now TV box for £10 would be the best way to get Netflix, but not out of the box. The Now TV box can be hacked to allow installation of the original Roku firmware. That would void the warranty and would also disable some Sky features. If you are not tech savvy, I'd recommend you to get an android thumb drive for around £20 online. Just plug it to a tv via HDMI, and you get a fully functional Android platform on your TV.
Hi davor.

I know the Now TV box can be hacked to install Plex Media Player, but not the Netflix app as far as I am aware.

I am following this thread on XDA http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2384435 but so far none of the techies on the thread have got as far as flashing the normal Roku firmware.
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Old 15-01-2014, 14:27
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***edited***
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Old 15-01-2014, 14:35
NirvanaGirl
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^^Yep thats my thinking, don't see the point ditching sky only to land yourself with other bills. My long term plan is to ditch sky altogether, and get rid of the TV license, saving about £600 a year, then I may look at other things like Hulu+ etc.
I may well end up ditching the freeview too. I watch very little 'live' tv & could probably watch everything I want on terrestrial tv on catch up via BBC iPlayer etc.

I don't watch any soaps or anything & I honestly can't remember the last time I watched something on tv, as it was being aired. Over Christmas I'd imagine...I'll leave it for now though as it's probably like losing weight, if you do it all too fast it goes back on
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Old 15-01-2014, 14:36
TheCableGuy
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I was talking about the hack that would allow Now TV box to install the proper Roku firmware.
That's what I mean too. I don't think anyone has managed to do it yet. Do you have a link?
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Old 15-01-2014, 14:53
TheCableGuy
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I may well end up ditching the freeview too. I watch very little 'live' tv & could probably watch everything I want on terrestrial tv on catch up via BBC iPlayer etc.

I don't watch any soaps or anything & I honestly can't remember the last time I watched something on tv, as it was being aired. Over Christmas I'd imagine...I'll leave it for now though as it's probably like losing weight, if you do it all too fast it goes back on
I'm in the same boat. Never had a pay tv service myself, only Freeview. I could easily get by with just catchup services.

Did the free Netflix trial some time ago and didn't find much of interest, but recently they sent be another chance for a free trial and I'm finding more programmes/films I like to watch so will probably be carrying on a paid subscription.
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Old 15-01-2014, 15:13
x6461
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WDTV Play about £35 and even has a Netflix button the remote.
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Old 15-01-2014, 15:15
Philip Wales
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I reckon I could get away with "Catch Up" and "streaming services", it's just the push I need!! I have said if my sky box ever packs in, then yes won't get it repaired and it's my only way of getting a Live TV signal so the TV license will go too.

@CableGuy get Unblock Us too, for NF it adds a lot more content.
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Old 15-01-2014, 15:26
Philip Wales
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@X6461 can the WD have it's DNS changed?
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Old 15-01-2014, 16:02
io1901
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2nd Hand WII?
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Old 15-01-2014, 19:21
x6461
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@X6461 can the WD have it's DNS changed?
I don't own one ,but a quick check of the manual online states you can either use automatic or manual and enter your own settings it seems to be exactly the same as I have on my WDTV live and I alter the DNS at will on that on Ethernet,
No idea on WIFI set up as I only use ethernet .
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Old 15-01-2014, 19:24
gother
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@X6461 can the WD have it's DNS changed?
Yes there are full instructions on unotelly showing how to do it
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Old 15-01-2014, 21:41
justjax
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Anyone got any ideas. Got an xbox for the downstairs TV, but would like something for the bedroom. I was thinking a £50 Roku LT from Maplin:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/roku-lt-st...a-player-a58lf

Can anyone find anything cheaper? Its a shame I cant hack the NowTV box (essentially a Roku LT) to get Netflix to run. A £10 box would be great!
I'd definitely recommend the Roku over the Apple TV box. Apple is nearly twice the price of Roku and offers very little unless you plan on purchasing stuff from iTunes or mirroring some apps. Roku on the other hand has Netflix, Plex, iPlayer, 4OD, 5 Demand and NOW TV. You can also get a Roku LT 2nd hand on ebay probably for £15-20-ish.
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Old 16-01-2014, 08:38
x6461
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The only thing about the Roku is that at time of posting.

1 No Changing of the DNS

2 No profiles available yet on Netflix.

It is worth a £10 to buy the Now TV box just for the catch up services and buy something else for Netflix if either of the above is important to anyone.
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Old 16-01-2014, 08:42
TheCableGuy
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I'd definitely recommend the Roku over the Apple TV box. Apple is nearly twice the price of Roku and offers very little unless you plan on purchasing stuff from iTunes or mirroring some apps. Roku on the other hand has Netflix, Plex, iPlayer, 4OD, 5 Demand and NOW TV. You can also get a Roku LT 2nd hand on ebay probably for £15-20-ish.
I think I might go with this or the WD player. I used to like the idea of Apple TV when my household were all Apple, but I have moved to Android now, and the girlfriend is following soon (she's got a tablet, next an dropping the iPhone for an Android phone), so I have no need to use the Airplay function of an Apple TV.

I'll start looking at eBay for cheap Rokus. The NowTV box I have at the moment works great for Plex, 4od and iPlayer. It's just a shame no one has come up with a hack to get Netflix on to it!
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Old 16-01-2014, 08:46
TheCableGuy
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The only thing about the Roku is that at time of posting.

1 No Changing of the DNS

2 No profiles available yet on Netflix.

It is worth a £10 to buy the Now TV box just for the catch up services and buy something else for Netflix if either of the above is important to anyone.
Point one doesn't bother me too much. I haven't connected up via my US VPS yet, but I don't think there's too much difference in content.

Your second point interests me though. I assume you mean the profile names that appear when you login to the website or xbox? How does the recently watched stuff work on the Roku then - does it link it to the first profile, or all profiles? At the moment I've got three profiles - mine, my girlfriend and my parents (though I haven't set up their Tivo with my account yet).
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Old 16-01-2014, 10:00
The Phazer
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You can quite easily import a Chromecast for £35.

As long as you have a phone or a tablet with Netflix to select the content you're sorted.
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Old 16-01-2014, 10:13
x6461
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Point one doesn't bother me too much. I haven't connected up via my US VPS yet, but I don't think there's too much difference in content.

Your second point interests me though. I assume you mean the profile names that appear when you login to the website or xbox? How does the recently watched stuff work on the Roku then - does it link it to the first profile, or all profiles? At the moment I've got three profiles - mine, my girlfriend and my parents (though I haven't set up their Tivo with my account yet).
All the items from all profiles appear in the recently watched section.
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Old 16-01-2014, 10:50
Philip Wales
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Point one doesn't bother me too much. I haven't connected up via my US VPS yet, but I don't think there's too much difference in content. .
Sorry there's a massive difference in content, easily enough to justify the £3.00 or so to subscribe to Unblock or whoever else.
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