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Cheapest Netflix Player


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Old 16-01-2014, 12:16
dazb
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With regards to WDTV box i have the live version and its very slow to use even when trying to view youtube videos etc just feels so dated. The only plus side to it is yes you can change the DNS settings i did last night for netflix and i use wireless. I have never tried the WDTV play so i cant comment on that but one would hope that it would be better than the live version. Roku is another ball game the user feel is great and very fast to use netflix loads up in an instant as do all other apps. I purcahsed the Roku 2 because i wanted 1080p playback but if you not bothered with regards to that just get the 720p version. Only drawback is that you cannot change the DNS settings for netflix or you can but its very time consuming and does involve going into your router settings and also making a US account etc.
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Old 16-01-2014, 12:48
wakey
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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.
The problem with the PLEX app route is much of Netflix library doesn't allow HD streaming on a PC and the Plex App identifies as a PC so you will only get an SD stream
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Old 16-01-2014, 12:49
wakey
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With regards to WDTV box i have the live version and its very slow to use even when trying to view youtube videos etc just feels so dated. The only plus side to it is yes you can change the DNS settings i did last night for netflix and i use wireless. I have never tried the WDTV play so i cant comment on that but one would hope that it would be better than the live version. Roku is another ball game the user feel is great and very fast to use netflix loads up in an instant as do all other apps. I purcahsed the Roku 2 because i wanted 1080p playback but if you not bothered with regards to that just get the 720p version. Only drawback is that you cannot change the DNS settings for netflix or you can but its very time consuming and does involve going into your router settings and also making a US account etc.
You don't need a US account. A UK one will switch regions if the DNS settings are right
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Old 16-01-2014, 12:52
wakey
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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.
Roku 3 however does have profiles
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Old 16-01-2014, 12:54
wakey
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All the items from all profiles appear in the recently watched section.
No it doesn't. Only the master account shows
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Old 16-01-2014, 13:09
x6461
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No it doesn't. Only the master account shows
Sorry what I should have said is if you watch only on the Roku then all items viewed by all people will be visible in the recently viewed section the exception being the Roku 3.
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Old 16-01-2014, 15:03
alanwarwic
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...Its a shame I cant hack the NowTV box (essentially a Roku LT) to get Netflix to run. A £10 box would be great!
Does not the Plex server(PC/laptop) Netflix plugin stream Netflix to a NowTV with the Plex receiver app installed?
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Old 16-01-2014, 17:24
wakey
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Does not the Plex server(PC/laptop) Netflix plugin stream Netflix to a NowTV with the Plex receiver app installed?
You need the computer running Plex on at all times when you would want to use the NowTV box and it then will only stream in the quality the web version will stream it in which means for many titles SD only (as Netflix aren't allowed to stream many titles in HD on the web version for some reason, most likely for fear of piracy) . A native Roku app however will stream in HD on all titles where HD copies are available
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Old 03-02-2014, 17:20
ned flanders
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You can't get cheaper than for free on a wii! Go on the shopping channel and download the app for free, then just sign in. Et voila! Picture quality is great and can even change regions. My daughter thinks I'm the best dad in the world now!
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Old 03-02-2014, 17:38
Mr Madras
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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.
I gave up using Netflix wirelessly through an Android device. No matter how good the wifi connection, Netflix constantly dropped out, buffered every few minutes or picture quality dropped through the floor. Even with a wired connection and with a line speed of around 60Mbps, Netflix occasionally buffers but it's only occasionally. It could just be me and my home network not being up to scratch, but I don't have a problem with any other streamed service. I suspect Netflix either has server issues or is really fussy about line speed and line quality.
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Old 03-02-2014, 17:41
-GONZO-
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You can't get cheaper than for free on a wii! Go on the shopping channel and download the app for free, then just sign in. Et voila! Picture quality is great and can even change regions. My daughter thinks I'm the best dad in the world now!
Stating the obvious here, but to do that you've still got to buy the Wii first if you don't already have one.
So, which part of that was free again?
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Old 17-02-2014, 18:29
couchpotato2011
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Got the WDTV Play box for £39.99 from their site. I can change any Netflix region I want plus it has BBC Iplayer, Youtube and DailyMotion. Worth every penny so far. The HD looks great on my telly.
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Old 21-02-2014, 18:57
yumicho
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We were given a Chromecast for Christmas. It's mostly based out of the US, but if you're just looking for something to watch Netflix with (although you can do other things as well), it's pretty decent. Only thing is that you need either an active USB port on your telly or one on a nearby piece of electronics to power it as the power supply is American.

You can control your Netflix player with your phone, and you can do a handful of other things (Youtube, a handful of channels). The American version has Plex, but we've not tried it to see how it works. Another neat thing you can do with them is that you can cast your Chrome window onto your telly with it. The number of apps is increasing, but some won't be available here (like Hulu or Pandora). We don't really use ours much because we only have two HDMI inputs, and it's largely redundant with our PS3. But they were selling them for around £25-30 on Amazon around Christmas, so it's a good, budget option.

EDIT: Just did a look around on Amazon UK, and it doesn't look like it's there now. If you can get it elsewhere around that price, I'd recommend it if you are just looking to stream Netflix and a few other services.
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Old 10-03-2014, 09:14
Wayne Moule
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I've just bought a WDTV Live for £60 and it plays Netflix movies at 24P, meaning movies have smooth panning motions.

I've tried Apple TV/Google TV and they don't do this.
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Old 10-03-2014, 11:29
Philip Wales
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My Apple Tv does, the quality is superb.
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Old 10-03-2014, 13:11
Wayne Moule
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My Apple Tv does, the quality is superb.
Your Apple TV has 24P output to your TV?
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Old 10-03-2014, 13:29
Philip Wales
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Not sure, didn't say it did, but the quality is superb
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Old 10-03-2014, 13:55
-GONZO-
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Not sure, didn't say it did, but the quality is superb
Lol that's how your post comes across
Wayne ended on regarding 24p
I've tried Apple TV/Google TV and they don't do this.
And you replied with
My Apple Tv does, the quality is superb.
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Old 10-03-2014, 14:19
Philip Wales
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Opps yep your right regarding first post, my bad
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Old 11-03-2014, 21:47
JoseChung
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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.
Totally agree. This is what I have and it's a bargin.
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