Can anyone recommend any good, low-cost devices for watching Netflix & Amazon Prime etc. on the TV? (my bluray player does BBC but not these two, so have to use PC)
I use my PS3, but if you have Virgin (and probably Sky, but not checked) and use a TIVO box, you can access it through there, as there's a seperate channel for this. Seen it on Virgin, but I only have the V+ box and doesn't work for that.
Thanks all. Chromecast you seem to need some sort of android phone or ipad etc to control, is that right? I don't have any such device, so need something that you work direct with a supplied remote-control. Also don't have Virgin or Sky.
Thanks all. Chromecast you seem to need some sort of android phone or ipad etc to control, is that right? I don't have any such device, so need something that you work direct with a supplied remote-control. Also don't have Virgin or Sky.
Plug it into your laptop/PC and can stream netflix from that, you press one button at the top right of your browser and it streams it onto your TV
Roku stick has even better reviews. I have the roku 3 and it's a lovely bit of kit , so easy to use and doesn't rely on stuff being beamed across like the chrome cast. Plus it comes with a remote which the chromecast doesn't .
You could always look on ebay for someone selling a knackered ps3 that no longer plays discs (cost about £80 to replace the blu-ray laser). Since the ps4 came out I'd imagine they'll be plenty of these knocking around pretty cheap. As long as it powers up to the menu, you're good to go...............
If you decide to go down this route, make sure you ask the seller what's wrong with it if not clearly listed and explain what you want it for. Avoid if it states YLOD (yellow light of death)
You could always look on ebay for someone selling a knackered ps3 that no longer plays discs (cost about £80 to replace the blu-ray laser). Since the ps4 came out I'd imagine they'll be plenty of these knocking around pretty cheap. As long as it powers up to the menu, you're good to go...............
Edit: Or an xbox 360?
I am 99% sure you need a gold subscription to access services such as netflix (even though they are at a further premium) so that rules out the 360.
You could always look on ebay for someone selling a knackered ps3 that no longer plays discs (cost about £80 to replace the blu-ray laser). Since the ps4 came out I'd imagine they'll be plenty of these knocking around pretty cheap. As long as it powers up to the menu, you're good to go...............
Edit: Or an xbox 360?
I am 99% sure you need a gold subscription to access services such as netflix (even though they are at a further premium) so that rules out the 360.
PS3 then, just plug in and go. Plus if you use a PS3 you can log into Netflix of other countrys and get a better selection
I waited to see if Amazon were going to offer something, they haven't, so time to act. Is it a toss-up between Roku, Apple and Chromecast? Also it looks like neither can charge from HDMI port so what do you do about keeping the charged?
Like that Roku has a remote since I don't personally have smart phone etc. although rest of the family do. Apart from lack of remote, Chromecast seems best value. Don't like that The Apple box doesn't seem to do iPlayer or C4.
The Roku little boxes offer more streaming services than the stick. I have a Chromecast which is great for using with Plex (media server on my mac) and Netflix. Needs more apps.
Roku is more expensive but personally I would go for one of them. Have an Apple TV that was leaving present from my previous job, hardly use it.
I waited to see if Amazon were going to offer something, they haven't, so time to act. Is it a toss-up between Roku, Apple and Chromecast? Also it looks like neither can charge from HDMI port so what do you do about keeping the charged?
Like that Roku has a remote since I don't personally have smart phone etc. although rest of the family do. Apart from lack of remote, Chromecast seems best value. Don't like that The Apple box doesn't seem to do iPlayer or C4.
You can mirror it from an iPad though and the quality's very good.
Roku all the way. Got a Roku 3 last weekend, it took about 5 minutes to set up (no exaggeration) and then I simply selected the OD "channels" I wanted (4OD, iPlayer, 5OD and itv player.) and logged in to Netflix. I ended up signing up for Now TV too, mainly for the comedies.
There's loads of other channels that may take your fancy too, like TED talks.
The remote control is surprisingly good, and I did the obligatory angry birds session. The neat thing about the remote control is being able to plug headphones in to it. Especially useful with the Spotify app on there.
The only downside; as an Amazon Prime subscriber it would've been a bonus for Amazon Instant Video to be compatible. But that's a small inconvenience as I never use it anyway. (Rumours are that Sky, a big backer of Roku, put pressure to stop Amazon being unable to take advantage of it.)
I'm not a TV lover, and the truth be told I don't watch any TV really; only ever with the girlfriend. In fact I don't have a TV, I have the Roku plugged in to my big HD LCD that I run my computer on to. In the last week I've ended up changed surprisingly.
Comments
Otherwise I HIGHLY recommend one of these, takes 10 seconds to set up and can turn it on with one click of a button.
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/features/digital-home/3465401/google-chromecast-release-date-price-specs-devices-services-uk/
http://www.google.com/intl/en-US/chrome/devices/chromecast/
Chromecast you seem to need some sort of android phone or ipad etc to control, is that right? I don't have any such device, so need something that you work direct with a supplied remote-control. Also don't have Virgin or Sky.
http://www.cnet.com/uk/news/roku-streaming-stick-hits-uk-costs-50/
Edit: Or an xbox 360?
If you decide to go down this route, make sure you ask the seller what's wrong with it if not clearly listed and explain what you want it for. Avoid if it states YLOD (yellow light of death)
The roku stick is £50 and the chromecast is £30 isn't it?
http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/audio/digital-media-players/digital-media-players/roku-3500eu-streaming-stick-22067491-pdt.html
Apple TV or something else?
Is it a toss-up between Roku, Apple and Chromecast?
Also it looks like neither can charge from HDMI port so what do you do about keeping the charged?
Like that Roku has a remote since I don't personally have smart phone etc. although rest of the family do.
Apart from lack of remote, Chromecast seems best value.
Don't like that The Apple box doesn't seem to do iPlayer or C4.
Roku is more expensive but personally I would go for one of them. Have an Apple TV that was leaving present from my previous job, hardly use it.
There's loads of other channels that may take your fancy too, like TED talks.
The remote control is surprisingly good, and I did the obligatory angry birds session. The neat thing about the remote control is being able to plug headphones in to it. Especially useful with the Spotify app on there.
The only downside; as an Amazon Prime subscriber it would've been a bonus for Amazon Instant Video to be compatible. But that's a small inconvenience as I never use it anyway. (Rumours are that Sky, a big backer of Roku, put pressure to stop Amazon being unable to take advantage of it.)
I'm not a TV lover, and the truth be told I don't watch any TV really; only ever with the girlfriend. In fact I don't have a TV, I have the Roku plugged in to my big HD LCD that I run my computer on to. In the last week I've ended up changed surprisingly.