Streaming Devices - what's everyone using?

[alistairolsen]

After a long run of XBMC/Kodi and then just casting stuff from my phone with a Chromecast stick (now dead) I've been left browsing TV with an early firestick (shoved it in one morning after the Chromecast died and the kids were wearing me thin). It's laggy and horrible and Netflix has just stopped being supported so it needs to be replaced but I did like having a remote, native apps, a remote app on the phone and being able to "cast" (although I'm sure I'm not allowed to call it that).

What are people using/would they recommend?

• The Nvidia Shield always seems to come out well, and seems to be available new again - but is it long in the tooth and mainly liked for gaming features I'll never use?
• Google TV Streamer 4K comes out well
• Anything Amazon which is better than the basic stick seems to bring Alexa into my house
• I've never gelled well with Apple, but possibly there's an exception here as everyone seems to love the Apple TV?

Any advice?

Thanks

 

[Oggy997]

I use a 4k firestick, but my plex streams appear to be ending 720s before the end, which is s**t.
Will swap it with the upstairs one for a bit and probably set up one of these

 

[The Psychedelic Socialist]

After a long run of XBMC/Kodi and then just casting stuff from my phone with a Chromecast stick (now dead) I've been left browsing TV with an early firestick (shoved it in one morning after the Chromecast died and the kids were wearing me thin). It's laggy and horrible and Netflix has just stopped being supported so it needs to be replaced but I did like having a remote, native apps, a remote app on the phone and being able to "cast" (although I'm sure I'm not allowed to call it that).

What are people using/would they recommend?

• The Nvidia Shield always seems to come out well, and seems to be available new again - but is it long in the tooth and mainly liked for gaming features I'll never use?
• Google TV Streamer 4K comes out well
• Anything Amazon which is better than the basic stick seems to bring Alexa into my house
• I've never gelled well with Apple, but possibly there's an exception here as everyone seems to love the Apple TV?

Any advice?

Thanks

We have a Shield Pro running the Emby client (server hosted locally on a Windows PC). It's great for that, does refresh rate switching, and is easily powerful enough. Only downside is that at the minute we can't use iPlayer on it (some weirdness over the Play store) but it does the other streaming apps well.

Probably massive overkill if you're not gaming as you say, but I still have flashbacks to the days of f**king about with codecs endlessly to get anything playing so I thought overkill wasn't a bad thing.

 

[alistairolsen]

I don't mind overkill particularly, but I'm 38 with two kids rather than in my 20s now so I want something that 'just works' and will continue to, without excessive fannying around.

 

[The Psychedelic Socialist]

I don't mind overkill particularly, but I'm 38 with two kids rather than in my 20s now so I want something that 'just works' and will continue to, without excessive fannying around.

Other than iPlayer, it's been flawless. Even that is allegedly fixable with a factory reset but I just haven't been arsed to do it yet.

 

[leeds2592]

Never had any problems with my 4k firestick and I like that I can take it with me if we’re going away and I want to watch the football etc.

Nvidia Shield is what the provider used to recommend though

 

[alistairolsen]

Ordered an Nvidia Shield Pro on Amazon prime this afternoon, thanks for the replies gents!

 

[Oggy997]

Got some money you have

 

[alistairolsen]

It's 5 takeaways over a decade. I think the Chromecast and firestick were purchased in '16

 

[ChrisR]

I always use whatever the current best model of Roku stick there is for streaming services and connecting to my Plex server.

They are cheap, good format support, plus I like the simple UI . Not as fancy as others and maybe limited if you're into frigging about with things, but for me they just work and give a nice clean and simple UI.

 

[rctempire]

Got a plethora of different devices, favourites are the google ones and the formuler boxes for sure.
Integrates into plex and jellyfin nicely too.

 

[Steve]

Asking here as well as FS thread,

Those with IPTV?

Is the signal UHD for sports channels etc.

Been offered plug & play box £150 up front box & user/pass for access, then on going £80 a year.

Seen it live has way to much, can even select football team & it will link up all games to watch.

All the the latest films, box sets seems too much content.

Plug & play in UK & then take away when in holiday home.

The seems to good to be true ringing?

 

[Ray Gin]

PM @rctempire

 

[Oggy997]

Don't pay that much for f***s sake Steve

 

[Oggy997]

Some dude on here was definitely offering it cheaper https://cliosport.net/threads/google-4k-tv-stick-for-sale.852537/

 

[Steve]

Cheers @Oggy997 got a brand new 4K firestick never opened the box sitting in TV unit,

The one here looks like this, will probably get one to take home & if any good get another for my apartment.
Got a new 4K tv & only 2 English channels, plenty of dubbed films on the others.
Only got it so parents have something to watch when they use it,

 

[rctempire]

Asking here as well as FS thread,

Those with IPTV?

Is the signal UHD for sports channels etc.

Been offered plug & play box £150 up front box & user/pass for access, then on going £80 a year.

Seen it live has way to much, can even select football team & it will link up all games to watch.

All the the latest films, box sets seems too much content.

Plug & play in UK & then take away when in holiday home.

The seems to good to be true ringing?

Usual but jeezo that price is heafty at the start.

Depends what box it is? If its a formuler id say yes do it. but if not, nope.

Doesnt need to be a Firestick can use any android you wish (can go cheaper and have good results too)

Depends on service, most have SD, HD and FHD, "4k" streams are gimmicky and actually are FHD (1080p) you wouldnt notice in all honesty, people just like the sound of them.

Plus need the internet speed for them.

 

[rctempire]

Cheers @Oggy997 got a brand new 4K firestick never opened the box sitting in TV unit,

The one here looks like this, will probably get one to take home & if any good get another for my apartment.
Got a new 4K tv & only 2 English channels, plenty of dubbed films on the others.
Only got it so parents have something to watch when they use it,

View attachment 1748643

Just load this box with the right applications (although this looks mag box like) and will be absolutely fine for general use.

 

[Steve]

Just load this box with the right applications (although this looks mag box like) and will be absolutely fine for general use.

Yep, it’s a MAG544 W3 Linux OS

Years subscription, interface looks like this,

 

[rctempire]

Mag boxes are rather old these days and not able to vpn on top many of them, so if you get blocked, you are blocked.
Id get an android box myself and run it via that, means you can run vpn and supported apps if you feel the need.

 

[jonzz]

Tivimate has best interface imo

 

[rctempire]

Tivimate has best interface imo

However many services dont give out dns. But always ways around it shall we say.
If anyone needed help on that....