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    Roku, Chromecast, FireStick or something else

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Water Closet
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    • DashrenderD
      Dashrender
      last edited by

      What do you use, and do you like it?

      I'm trying out a Chromecast, and while the thought of using my PC or phone to control it may sound nice, compared to using my remote those methods are cumbersome.

      I've been using my Blueray player to watch Netflix and other services for years. I like using the remote to scroll through the options.

      What streaming device do you like?

      C 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
      • JaredBuschJ
        JaredBusch
        last edited by

        I have had an AppleTV since 2010 or so. Never really thought about getting anything else since they added AirPlay a few years back.

        I will get the new AppleTV later this fall. I am hoping someone will add in a native Plex compatible app since there will be an app store. I am looking to get Plex turned up on something here at the house to make it a bit easier to stream locally saved media in addition to the existing net streams I already use.

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • JaredBuschJ
          JaredBusch
          last edited by

          I know someone with a Chromecast, and I have used it. Works decent and adding the app to their iPhone suddenly let them through things to the (dumb) bedroom TV (where the chrome cast is) and also to their LG smart TV in the living room. So it was well worth it for them to be able to just move something from device to device.

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • scottalanmillerS
            scottalanmiller
            last edited by

            We've been an AppleTV household, as has been my father, since the first generation AppleTV released. So probably since 2007. I know that by 2008 we had already gotten AppleTVs for the extended family because they were using them to view our European travel pictures and the pictures from when our first baby was born in 2008. We've invested in newer generations since then and I am sure that we will be getting the new one that plays games now too. They are so cheap and work so well, hard to pass up.

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • C
              Carnival Boy @Dashrender
              last edited by

              @Dashrender said:

              I'm trying out a Chromecast, and while the thought of using my PC or phone to control it may sound nice, compared to using my remote those methods are cumbersome.

              Really? I'm surprised you find using a smart device like a phone more cumbersome than a dumb remote.

              I have two Chromecasts, one in the living room and one in the bedroom. Been really happy with them. I get a few glitches, though I think that is more a problem with the iOS app than the device itself. I have an iPod in the living room which I use to both control the Chromecast and to stream music to the hi-fi.

              DashrenderD 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • DanpD
                Danp
                last edited by

                We have a Roku 3, which works great for us. I can control it via my MX-780 remote or my smart phone.

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                • Minion QueenM
                  Minion Queen
                  last edited by

                  I have both an Apple TV and a Amazon Fire Stick. Love them both. Having Prime music is nice as well. I still don't like the ITunes Radio it stinks.

                  My only complaint about either of them is not being able to watch things that are on my NAS through them.

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • DustinB3403D
                    DustinB3403
                    last edited by

                    Channel Master DVR+ and my phone make a quite good pair to watch anything.

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • DashrenderD
                      Dashrender @Carnival Boy
                      last edited by

                      @Carnival-Boy said:

                      Really? I'm surprised you find using a smart device like a phone more cumbersome than a dumb remote.

                      I have to split my attention between the phone and the TV. Also, fast forwarding, pausing, etc are much easier to do in the dark because I know the placement of the buttons and what they feel like.

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • DashrenderD
                        Dashrender
                        last edited by

                        The Chromecast seems fine when you want to share something that's on your device, but if you just want to use a service like Plex or Netflix or Hulu, etc, doing so from a device like a phone/tablet/PC seems cumbersome.

                        Look at me, I'm taking a Scott approach to a dedicated device for a dedicated purpose... lol Had to laugh at myself.

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • DenisKelleyD
                          DenisKelley
                          last edited by

                          Love my Roku 3. Very nice and has all the channels I need.

                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • s.hacklemanS
                            s.hackleman
                            last edited by

                            I got too far out on the edge. I got the new Android TV Nexus Player. I love the interface and the device. However HBO Now and Amazon Prime isn't available on it yet, and Amazon may never be. Also, just had to RMA mine due to Audio sync issues. Once the bugs are worked out, it is great.

                            DashrenderD 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • DashrenderD
                              Dashrender @s.hackleman
                              last edited by

                              @s.hackleman said:

                              I got too far out on the edge. I got the new Android TV Nexus Player. I love the interface and the device. However HBO Now and Amazon Prime isn't available on it yet, and Amazon may never be. Also, just had to RMA mine due to Audio sync issues. Once the bugs are worked out, it is great.

                              Isn't there an Amazon Prime player for Android? or is that only for Amazon Fire stuff?

                              s.hacklemanS 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • NicN
                                Nic
                                last edited by

                                Get a mac mini. All the dedicated devices have drawbacks that will end up annoying you, like limitations in playback formats, lack of an app you need, or just being too slow and clunky.

                                scottalanmillerS DashrenderD 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • scottalanmillerS
                                  scottalanmiller @Nic
                                  last edited by

                                  @Nic said:

                                  Get a mac mini. All the dedicated devices have drawbacks that will end up annoying you, like limitations in playback formats, lack of an app you need, or just being too slow and clunky.

                                  We actually switched from a Mac Mini to the AppleTV originally. That's what we used 2003 - 2006 before the AppleTV came out.

                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • DashrenderD
                                    Dashrender @Nic
                                    last edited by

                                    @Nic said:

                                    Get a mac mini. All the dedicated devices have drawbacks that will end up annoying you, like limitations in playback formats, lack of an app you need, or just being too slow and clunky.

                                    LOL, the only Apple products that have ever been in my house were dead ipods that I managed to resurrect and then gave to my wife.

                                    I'd rather install a NUC windows machine.

                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • NicN
                                      Nic
                                      last edited by

                                      Yeah, PC media device works too. You just have to get a separate device for an IR remote, unless it has one built in.

                                      DashrenderD 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • DashrenderD
                                        Dashrender @Nic
                                        last edited by

                                        @Nic said:

                                        Yeah, PC media device works too. You just have to get a separate device for an IR remote, unless it has one built in.

                                        What? wait.. huh? .. ug.. oh yeah.. sigh!...

                                        Now to find software that will work for that too. lol

                                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • NicN
                                          Nic
                                          last edited by

                                          I didn't have too much trouble - just install the windows drivers and then program the Harmony One for the PC commands.

                                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                          • IRJI
                                            IRJ
                                            last edited by

                                            I have a Chromecast, Roku, and FireStick. The FireStick is by far my favorite. Sure it can't do everything a Apple TV can do or a Mac Mini, but its like comparing Apples and Oranges since they arent near the same price range.

                                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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