Roku, Chromecast, FireStick or something else
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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@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.
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We have a Roku 3, which works great for us. I can control it via my MX-780 remote or my smart phone.
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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.
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Channel Master DVR+ and my phone make a quite good pair to watch anything.
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@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.
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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.
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Love my Roku 3. Very nice and has all the channels I need.
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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.
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@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?
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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.
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@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.
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@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.
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Yeah, PC media device works too. You just have to get a separate device for an IR remote, unless it has one built in.
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@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
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I didn't have too much trouble - just install the windows drivers and then program the Harmony One for the PC commands.
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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.
