Learn me on smart set top boxes for NETFLIX

[Tiny Voices]

Also posted in the home theater forum.

I am in the market for a smart thingy to stream netflix. I have looked at many options such as:

Roku XD:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Roku+-+2...&skuId=2825041

NETGEAR Neotv:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/NETGEAR+...&skuId=3622326

I would like to keep the price below $90. The less expensive the better

I would also be open to a smart blue-ray player that is in budget.

This is going to be used in my apartment here at school in my bedroom. (we use the ps3 in the family room for netflix when the 4 of us want to watch something together.

The TV I use is a 26" LED Vizio that is only 720p.

Post up some experiences or products that you know are quality for money. Thanks in advance!

[Minker17]

For the price, you can also consider a Western Digital WDTV or for 10 bucks more, an Apple TV.

[Tiny Voices]

I think I'm leaning to the Neotv just because of the price. Nothing seems to be as highly regarded for the money.

[Hostile]

At home I have the following devices that stream netflix (not including computers, iphones/ipad):

Samsung TV (SmartTV)
Samsung Blu-Ray Player (SmartTV)
PS3
Xbox 360
Wii
WDTV Live

To be honest, the two Samsung products do the best job with the WDTV Live being a close second.

My parents have an older Roku box which probably does the best job out of any of the devices.

[twerked]

apple tv and haxxors it? i've been strongly considering this. and rumors are there's a new appletv (not THE appletv) being announced about the same time as the new ipad..so you'll probably be able to get the current gens for cheaper soon. or refurb for $85..http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC572LL/A

do you have an old laptop/other computer? could setup your own little htpc thing..

[Tiny Voices]

I'm not a big apple fan. I would rather spend $80 on something new than $80 on something refurbished.

[Hostile]

I would rather spend $80 on something new than $80 on something refurbished.

Someone doesn't know what refurbished actually means.

[twerked]

I'm not a big apple fan. I would rather spend $80 on something new than $80 on something refurbished.

i don't like apple either. the only apple product i have is an ipod, and there's a thread where i'm trying to find a replacement for it. but for $80, why the f not. i've almost impulse bought them while wandering around apple stores. and after finding that on the refurb store i might order it. free shipping too! although i may wait to see if they announce a new one and let it drop maybe more? once you hack/jailbreak it you can run plex, xbmc, and a ton of other stuff. check this site out

http://www.appletvhacks.net/

and apple's refurbs are damn near as good as new

[Tiny Voices]

I really don't plan to use this device for anything besides streaming netflix so I don't think I would be interested in hacking anything.

[joness0154]

Just wait until March 7th when there is a very good chance of a new AppleTV revision.

[Jesse]

copied from my other response:

I'd get the Roku 2 HD, which outputs 720p, but not 1080p.

It's on sale for only $49.99 with free shipping direct from Roku

http://www.roku.com/roku-products#3

[twerked]

I really don't plan to use this device for anything besides streaming netflix so I don't think I would be interested in hacking anything.

ahh..well yeah, probably overkill then. do you have a laptop/extra computer? could just use that via hdmi/vga out. leave the cable plugged into the tv all the time, and just hide it behind the tv when you're not using it

[Vision33r]

Roku does Netflix the best because original that's what the device was intended for.

Apple TV is 2nd, specialized Netflix app that's actually pretty slick.

Netflix on other streamers like WDTV Live are not bad but very slow because they have very weak and slow hardware.

If I have to choose, AppleTV jailbroken. Takes 3 mins to jailbreak and plays everything, uses the same processor as the iPhone4.

The Roku 2 is for grandparents, it's easy to use and very limited in features. The hardware is not very powerful.

Most people don't realize that their Android or iPhone can be hooked up to the TV and you can watch netflix app on your TV. Only thing you need is the proper HDMI adapter. $10-30

[Jesse]

Most people don't realize that their Android or iPhone can be hooked up to the TV and you can watch netflix app on your TV. Only thing you need is the proper HDMI adapter. $10-30

Using an MHL -> HDMI cable/dongle on my Galaxy Nexus to connect to my HT. Cost me like $11. It's pretty slick.

New TVs are even including an MHL port, which will charge your phone while connected.

[GahannaKid]

I have a WD Live TV and it works out well for me; I'm happy with the menu layout, speed, file recognition (if you ever get into that), and they update it rather frequently. I had a Sony streamer (technically I still do) but that was a POS.

[Hostile]

Netflix on other streamers like WDTV Live are not bad but very slow because they have very weak and slow hardware.

My WDTV Live has no issues with streaming my 4-6GB Blu-Ray rips from my home server nor streaming "HD" content from Netflix. It can get finicky with my 8-10GB 1080p Blu-Ray rips but they play fine more often than not.

[Vision33r]

My WDTV Live has no issues with streaming my 4-6GB Blu-Ray rips from my home server nor streaming "HD" content from Netflix. It can get finicky with my 8-10GB 1080p Blu-Ray rips but they play fine more often than not.

I think the only thing the WDTV needs is a faster processor. I think the current one runs at only like 333MHZ while the AppleTV has a 800mhz A4 with a very powerful GPU.

The Apple TV is obviously the most powerful box and it's unfortunate that some people don't like the brand and I could care less as long as it offers what I want.

It comes down to preferences, do you want something very simple with limited functionality or something more powerful and more features.

BTW, I did sell my AppleTV recently for a good profit because Apple stopped selling them. I imagine a more powerful version is coming out next week.

[Tiny Voices]

If I can get an Apple tv for 70-80 bucks its a done deal. Used or not I don't really care.

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk

[Impeccable]

ROKU the private channels will have you thanking yourself.

[Mike!]

If I can get an Apple tv for 70-80 bucks its a done deal. Used or not I don't really care.

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk

Out of stock ATM, but they do pop up on the Apple Store as Refurbs every now and then.

http://store.apple.com/ca/product/FC572LL/A

That's the Canadian store, I think they're $69 for the US when they're up there.

[joness0154]

I think the only thing the WDTV needs is a faster processor. I think the current one runs at only like 333MHZ while the AppleTV has a 800mhz A4 with a very powerful GPU.

The Apple TV is obviously the most powerful box and it's unfortunate that some people don't like the brand and I could care less as long as it offers what I want.

It comes down to preferences, do you want something very simple with limited functionality or something more powerful and more features.

BTW, I did sell my AppleTV recently for a good profit because Apple stopped selling them. I imagine a more powerful version is coming out next week.

I have both an AppleTV2 (soon the 3) and WDTV Live. You can't tell there is any difference in processor speed at all. The WDTV Live streams every bit as well as the AppleTV.

[Impeccable]

ROKU you'll love all the free content channels

[stratclub]

i have an original ROKU and for $8 a month and all the free content you certainly get a veritable buffet of content. I run it on WiiFii and speed is never an issue.

Does anyone know the difference between the origanal ROKU and ROKU 2?

[Impeccable]

ROKU 2 has a different chipset.

I hear when loading a video roku 2 will start immediate grainy then as it gains information from your connection it will raises the resolution. So no more retrieving screen, personally i love my 1st gen ROKU XDS the redesigned one with the same chipset as the origianl roku.

Your original has a power button?