BD Player Netflix.ca ready & can stream MKV from NAS? - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

DJDiggler · 2011-02-17, 02:17 AM

I've been reading up on BD players and it's getting me confused... is there an easy way to tell if a player will stream MKV's from my NAS and is netflix canada ready? Netflix site just lists samsung and toshiba but no actual model #'s.

Can anyone recommend a player with this capability? I'll be using wired network and am hoping to keep it around $150 or lower if thats even possible.

David Susilo · 2011-02-19, 01:12 AM

Don't know about mkv streaming but Insignia can also do Netflix streaming.

MrBizi · 2011-02-22, 08:37 PM

I have the Samsung BD-C6500T, it has Netflix Canada (I am now on their 1-month free trial promo). Purchased it for around $160 at Future Shop.

The wireless connectivity can be at times flaky, if you're not tech-savvy this could be a PITA.

wm_cheng · 2011-03-01, 02:08 PM

The PS3 can do all that. It's Netflicks ready with its own app in the XMB. I stream MKVs from my desktop and Windows Home Server (Acer Aspire Easystore H340) via PS3 Media Server to my PS3 in the basement. Plus it's a BluRay / DVD player too. Although at $299, its at the high end of BluRay players, but it does have built-in Wifi (although I use a wired ethernet to stream 1080p stuff).

MitchPope · 2011-03-03, 09:01 AM

Just remember that MKV is only a container type, so you could have MKV files that may not play depending on how you encoded them even though your player supports MKV. For example, the OPPO BDP-93 won't play variable frame rate encoded H.264 files from Handbrake (the default for 0.9.5), but if you just set a frame rate (23.974 or 29.97) they work fine. So you may need to do a bit of testing, unless your NAS will transcode them for you.

(I second the vote for a PS3, it is more expensive, but if you plan on a lot of Netflix watching, until their exclusive deal with Sony ends, it's the only way to get 5.1 audio for movies.)

JohnnyCanuck · 2011-03-03, 11:37 AM

As a media centre, the PS3 is excellent, but it's a poor upconverter. If part of your scenario includes watching standard DVD's, many stand-alone BD players will be vastly superior to the PS3.

Also, many .mkv files do not play on a PS3 and need to be converted to a different container such as .m2ts. As well, PS3 cannot properly handle a .mkv file with multi-channel DTS. You need to trick the PS3 into playing it and the resulting file will not be playable on any other device.

In other words, sort out your exact needs before deciding. It's unlikely that a single player will meet all your requirements so you'll have to figure out the relative importance of each.

As for Netflix, take a very good look at their selection before deciding that it's a make or break item for your BD player purchase. I found their selection to be pathetic. I realize it depends on taste and that others have a different view. I wouldn't use Netflix if it $1.99/month, others think it's a great deal at $8.99. Take a good look at content and assess its value to you before deciding that it's a must have for a BD player. It very well might be, but make the assessment based on your own research into what Netflix actually offers.

DdDave · 2011-04-26, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrBizi

I have the Samsung BD-C6500T, it has Netflix Canada (I am now on their 1-month free trial promo). Purchased it for around $160 at Future Shop.

The "D" series of Samsung players are out now, the BD-D5300 series can do both Netflicks and MKV files, according to the Samsung website. I'm looking at getting one of these, but I'm still a couple weeks away from purchasing. You have to get a higher model for wireless and/or 3D capability.

2011-02-17, 02:17 AM	#1
DJDiggler Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Leduc, AB Posts: 1,105	BD Player Netflix.ca ready & can stream MKV from NAS? I've been reading up on BD players and it's getting me confused... is there an easy way to tell if a player will stream MKV's from my NAS and is netflix canada ready? Netflix site just lists samsung and toshiba but no actual model #'s. Can anyone recommend a player with this capability? I'll be using wired network and am hoping to keep it around $150 or lower if thats even possible. __________________ Epson EX71, Tosh HD-A2, Denon AVR590, Athena P4100, Infinity P362,C250,P162. RCA L42WD22, Pio VSX1016, Athena LS50

2011-02-19, 01:12 AM	#2
David Susilo Veteran Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: in my home theatre Posts: 3,418	Don't know about mkv streaming but Insignia can also do Netflix streaming. __________________ THX, ISF, Control4 Certified Professional; CEDIA Trainer

2011-03-01, 02:08 PM	#4
wm_cheng Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 251	The PS3 can do all that. It's Netflicks ready with its own app in the XMB. I stream MKVs from my desktop and Windows Home Server (Acer Aspire Easystore H340) via PS3 Media Server to my PS3 in the basement. Plus it's a BluRay / DVD player too. Although at $299, its at the high end of BluRay players, but it does have built-in Wifi (although I use a wired ethernet to stream 1080p stuff). __________________ Panasonic PT-AE2000U\|Elite Cinetension2 100"\|Yamaha RX-V3900\|PS3\|Paradigm Monitor 7\|Bose AM-10s\|Polk PSW350

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2011-02-22, 08:37 PM	#3
MrBizi Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 38	I have the Samsung BD-C6500T, it has Netflix Canada (I am now on their 1-month free trial promo). Purchased it for around $160 at Future Shop. The wireless connectivity can be at times flaky, if you're not tech-savvy this could be a PITA.

2011-03-03, 09:01 AM	#5
MitchPope Rookie Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Aurora, ON Posts: 29	Just remember that MKV is only a container type, so you could have MKV files that may not play depending on how you encoded them even though your player supports MKV. For example, the OPPO BDP-93 won't play variable frame rate encoded H.264 files from Handbrake (the default for 0.9.5), but if you just set a frame rate (23.974 or 29.97) they work fine. So you may need to do a bit of testing, unless your NAS will transcode them for you. (I second the vote for a PS3, it is more expensive, but if you plan on a lot of Netflix watching, until their exclusive deal with Sony ends, it's the only way to get 5.1 audio for movies.)

2011-03-03, 11:37 AM	#6
JohnnyCanuck Moderator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 4,645	As a media centre, the PS3 is excellent, but it's a poor upconverter. If part of your scenario includes watching standard DVD's, many stand-alone BD players will be vastly superior to the PS3. Also, many .mkv files do not play on a PS3 and need to be converted to a different container such as .m2ts. As well, PS3 cannot properly handle a .mkv file with multi-channel DTS. You need to trick the PS3 into playing it and the resulting file will not be playable on any other device. In other words, sort out your exact needs before deciding. It's unlikely that a single player will meet all your requirements so you'll have to figure out the relative importance of each. As for Netflix, take a very good look at their selection before deciding that it's a make or break item for your BD player purchase. I found their selection to be pathetic. I realize it depends on taste and that others have a different view. I wouldn't use Netflix if it $1.99/month, others think it's a great deal at $8.99. Take a good look at content and assess its value to you before deciding that it's a must have for a BD player. It very well might be, but make the assessment based on your own research into what Netflix actually offers.