Any of you guys use standalone streaming media players?

[23]

I just want to know what people's experiences are with these devices


Anything, Roku, NeoTv, AppleTV.. or whatever else is out there

Thinking of getting one for my bedroom instead of hooking a blu ray player that runs wireless and apps on it

[daflyboys]

Re: Any of you guys use standalone streaming media players?

I had the same question as you at one time and spoke with guys in the know who were primarily streaming. In order to cut cable, I went with the WD TV Live Plus HD (and you must have the Live versus other versions in order to stream). The other thing to consider is a Boxee and the Navi-X app. I also use XBMC for my PC.

Bought 2 refurbished for $110 (so basically almost one month of cable costs paying for it). I have one on my main flat screen so as to save wear and tear on my PS3 (though it will stream via my PlayOn application as well). The other is connected to a wireless extender in my upstairs bedroom (which definitely helps since my router is 2 floors below in my basement).

If you can get one new for around $70-75 that's a good deal, but my refurbed ones are working just fine. Well, actually, I had to send one back to WD, but they paid return shipping, etc. No hassles at all.

These boxes will net with your PC as well to play local media from any source on your network. However, they will not play every file type, but you would be surprised what they will play (.mkv files for example).

Make sure you check out the PlayOn application as well. I believe they still have the full 30-day trial. On the PlayOn site, they will link you to other sites of plug-in developers to expand its' use. The WD box will play Netflix, Hulu Plus, Blockbuster and other subscription type.

Not sure which deals on this page are still active, but the latest is about the best: http://slickdeals.net/newsearch.php?...=0&firstonly=1

[23]

Re: Any of you guys use standalone streaming media players?

I only read a little about that one but im really only interested in doing this for the tv instead of the entire network of computers and the tv

[RockinDaMike]

Re: Any of you guys use standalone streaming media players?

My friend has a Roku and its very cool. It runs fast and he has no complaints and it works perfectly for what you want. Most of the time its nextflix or amazon vids but he has hulu also but never checked out that program specifically but I'm sure it works the same.

Appletv I heard works well too from what I heard from friends but never seen it first hand.

[23]

Re: Any of you guys use standalone streaming media players?

You've seen the Roku in action Rockin?

[RockinDaMike]

Re: Any of you guys use standalone streaming media players?

You've seen the Roku in action Rockin?

Yes my friend has it and I played around with it a bit. I might get it for my living room that doesn't have an xbox. This is the model: http://www.amazon.com/Roku-XS-1080p-...6404384&sr=8-1


What's great about it from the time I used it:

-Plays Netflix/Hulu/Amazon Video/HBO GO/Youtube/espn3
-Plays NBA/MLB/NHL league pass if you are subscribed.
-private channels (i didn't really play with these but there a ton of channels you can pay for 1 time)
-You can connect a Harddrive/USB/Micro Sd card and can watch movies off of them.

Some other things I haven't tried but are cool is that you can play stuff off of cloud servers. NOt sure how good that is but sound very nice.

I did not find anything that I didn't like about it. My friend has said it freezes and resets from time to time so that would be annoying for sure.

To be honest if I wanted to cut cable/satellite this is a must to have. I'm actually considering it since I don't know what I would be missing by cutting directv other than sports events/showtime and seeing certain shows live.

[GAMEC0CK2002]

Re: Any of you guys use standalone streaming media players?

I have the WD Live that daflyboys has pictured earlier in this thread. I'm a fan. It plays everything I throw at it. Have a 3TB hard drive hooked up to it. Paid $50 a few months ago (wish I had spent a little more and gotten the wireless version).

[daflyboys]

Re: Any of you guys use standalone streaming media players?

I only read a little about that one but im really only interested in doing this for the tv instead of the entire network of computers and the tv

That's all optional. The WD box can work independent of your PC, but still needs the internet connection to stream in from remote sources such as Netflix, etc.

[23]

Re: Any of you guys use standalone streaming media players?

Yeah I have wireless internet so thats not a problem

Seeing this makes the choice even tougher since they both do similar things

Gamecock, so you can check your HDD content from it like tv shows?


This is almost a no brainer...and I used to think these things were useless lol

[daflyboys]

Re: Any of you guys use standalone streaming media players?

It has 2 USB input ports so you can even hook up an external HDD with content on it without any other hardware device.

[GAMEC0CK2002]

Re: Any of you guys use standalone streaming media players?

Yeah I have wireless internet so thats not a problem

Seeing this makes the choice even tougher since they both do similar things

Gamecock, so you can check your HDD content from it like tv shows?


This is almost a no brainer...and I used to think these things were useless lol

Yep. Just the hard drive (make sure you save files in the right folders to make navigating easy). Was putting mileage on my laptop, but the WD Live plays the files as well, if not better.

Its nice not having to pull out DVDs to watch tv seasons.

[SidVish]

Re: Any of you guys use standalone streaming media players?

Yes I've got that WD media player as well. It's awesome and very easy to use.

[23]

Re: Any of you guys use standalone streaming media players?

Dang... I was looking at either the Roku or the Netgear model since thats the modem I have but you guys are starting to convince me lol

I have a ton of stuff on an external HDD from my satellite box but it will only let me watch that stuff if its hooked up to the sat box

Good thing I have like 3 more HDDs a 500gb, a 1tb and a 2tb

[SidVish]

Re: Any of you guys use standalone streaming media players?

I don't think you can go wrong here. My buddy has a Roku and it's pretty cool too. I was messing with that thing for hours. That has apps so it depends if you want to use the internet as well.

I just picked up the WD media player because I have tons of movies and games that I watch pretty frequently. I didn't really need the internet part of it or care for the apps. But if you do there are tons.

[Leon]

Re: Any of you guys use standalone streaming media players?

+1 for the WDTV Live.

The newest version has built-in WIFI. I'm actually thinking of buying that and putting my older version (the one before the latest) in a different room.

As others have said, it plays everything I've thrown at it. The only thing you'd need is an internet connection or an external drive to play your content and you're all set. It also has an iOS remote app if you have such a device.