Media extender recommendations - Netflix and PC files - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

dabell · 2012-08-16, 09:24 PM

My old nearly dead Xbox 360 (non working dvd) just died completely and I need a replacement solution for Netflix and streaming movies from my PC. I have not seen clear information on the Roku - can they stream from my computer - or is other $$ needed to be spent? Does anyone else have recommendations?

I like the idea of a low power use solution, however an old used xbox may be my best use of $$.

audacity · 2012-08-16, 10:07 PM

I'm not aware of a device that does a better job than a Xbox for this. I looked around (and I'm not very price sensitive) and found that WMC + Xbox 360 extenders offered a great combination of OTA + video library + streaming videos (oh, and games).

dabell · 2012-08-17, 12:55 AM

I agree about the xbox , my main xbox is for everthing, this was a secondary ($50 purchase) and harder to find cheap right now.

I am looking at either Roku 2 XD or WD TV Live - both can do netflix, PC (roku with add-on), HDMI + std composite out, WD has advantage of enthernet and more supported formats it appears.

jshel101 · 2012-08-17, 08:45 AM

You might want to consider a jailbroken ATV2. This will do everything you want, and more. But in a better interface than a WD Live, IMO

Mexicanuck · 2012-08-17, 09:34 AM

I have a Roku 2 XS, PS3, jailbroken Apple TV2 and ATV3.

Of those, I find the Roku to be the best for the combination of Netflix and streaming local media. The Roku has a Netflix "channel" and a Plex channel making both of these tasks easy. This, combined with unblock-us and Hulu Plus gives us more media, easily accessible, than we can watch.

I know there is a Plex client for the jailbroken ATV2, but I have not been able to get it to work. There is no Plex client for the unjailbroken ATV3. The ATV2 is limited to 720P while the Roku 2 XS and ATV3 are 1080P.

I recently had the opportunity to pick up an ATV2 that I have jailbroken. I think I am likely to sell it and use some of the money to get another Roku 2 XS.

hugh · 2012-08-17, 10:18 AM

WDTV Live is also an excellent device. I have the hub and the 3rd gen devices.

I also have a jailbroken ATV2 which to date has been excellent. I am dropping the ATV2 though because it is limited to 720p and it appears the Plex client is not being updated.

Great thing about these devices (WDTV, ROKU, Apple TV ) is low power usage.

ac · 2012-08-17, 05:41 PM

I really like the WDTV. The Xbox has some limitations, in that you have to maintain your gold account to play certain file types and Netflix. The WDTV also has broader support in terms of file types.

dabell · 2012-08-17, 10:33 PM

Thanks for the feedback - picked up a WDTV today, happy so far - quick, easy setup. My only wish at this point is that the A/B/C/D buttons could go right to an app/service - ie Netflix, Videos from Computer. Box has the WAF due to the small size, not fan noise, etc. Bit of a bonus as well that I can move it to an old tv we have (composite only) to stream, however I need to find an extra power adapter for that out of a pile of "spares".

As an aside - Xbox for me with a old box worked well as we have a family gold - me, kids - the extra account was for the old box.

slash · 2012-08-17, 11:31 PM

I love my boxee box. Works great.

willise · 2012-08-18, 08:20 AM

I have an original WDTV Live that used to work fine, but started stuttering, skipping, and losing audio. I replaced it yesterday with a new, 2011 WDTV Live and have the same issue. The ATV2 plays flawlessly from the same room.

There are many reviews concerning the WDTV and stuttering, I have found during my quest to resolve this issue. Since the ATV2 plays everything OK from the same room, I have to conclude the problem is the WDTV.

My $0.02

dabell · 2012-08-18, 03:45 PM

So far performance is great, just using the wired connection right now though. One of the nicest features so far is the free ipod/android remote control app , zero config, just run it while connected to the same network as the WD Live box.

supergenius · 2012-08-20, 01:58 PM

I think you made the right choice. I have nearly every kind of streamer in my house (WDTV older version, Roku LT, boxee, LG Smart TV, all gaming consoles) and I just picked up a new WDTV Live for my bedroom to replace my Roku. The Roku is great for streaming online content (Netflix, Hulu, Amazon) but its not great for playing personal media. There are channels you can install but they require tinkering and installing server side software and the WAF is poor for these channels. IMO, the new WDTV Live has the best of both worlds re: streaming online content plus great support for personal media.

If only WD would add Amazon VOD, it would be perfect!

JohnnyCanuck · 2012-08-20, 03:32 PM

Other than the LG ST600 (which is what I'm looking at replacing) anything that supports both Plex and DLNA? I know Roku does a great job with Plex but doesn't support DLNA.

mmason31 · 2012-08-21, 03:51 AM

Thanks for this thread folks... I have ordered a Wdtv and look forward to comparing it to my Boxee!

Mike

j0dest3r · 2012-08-28, 08:17 PM

And here I've been kind of holding out for a Roku stick that are supposed to be coming out in a few months. It sounds like the WDTV Live is the clear winner however. Anymore feedback? Is it almost as flexible as a HTPC that I'd love to shutdown?

2012-08-16, 09:24 PM	#1
dabell Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sooke,BC Posts: 621	Media extender recommendations - Netflix and PC files My old nearly dead Xbox 360 (non working dvd) just died completely and I need a replacement solution for Netflix and streaming movies from my PC. I have not seen clear information on the Roku - can they stream from my computer - or is other $$ needed to be spent? Does anyone else have recommendations? I like the idea of a low power use solution, however an old used xbox may be my best use of $$.

2012-08-17, 09:34 AM	#5
Mexicanuck Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cowichan Bay, BC Posts: 1,381	I have a Roku 2 XS, PS3, jailbroken Apple TV2 and ATV3. Of those, I find the Roku to be the best for the combination of Netflix and streaming local media. The Roku has a Netflix "channel" and a Plex channel making both of these tasks easy. This, combined with unblock-us and Hulu Plus gives us more media, easily accessible, than we can watch. I know there is a Plex client for the jailbroken ATV2, but I have not been able to get it to work. There is no Plex client for the unjailbroken ATV3. The ATV2 is limited to 720P while the Roku 2 XS and ATV3 are 1080P. I recently had the opportunity to pick up an ATV2 that I have jailbroken. I think I am likely to sell it and use some of the money to get another Roku 2 XS. __________________ "Don't quote me on this." - Anonymous

2012-08-17, 10:18 AM	#6
hugh Member #1 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Toronto Posts: 47,492	WDTV Live is also an excellent device. I have the hub and the 3rd gen devices. I also have a jailbroken ATV2 which to date has been excellent. I am dropping the ATV2 though because it is limited to 720p and it appears the Plex client is not being updated. Great thing about these devices (WDTV, ROKU, Apple TV ) is low power usage. __________________ As of January 2012, I am no longer the owner of the Digital Home website. If you have questions about the operation of the site, please contact VSAdmin. For personal inquiries contact me at the Hugh Thompson website.

2012-08-21, 03:51 AM	#14
mmason31 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Posts: 13	Thanks for this thread folks... I have ordered a Wdtv and look forward to comparing it to my Boxee! Mike __________________ The World As I See It http://bulldog31.blogspot.com

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

2012-08-16, 10:07 PM	#2
audacity Veteran Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: 127.0.0.1 Posts: 1,799	I'm not aware of a device that does a better job than a Xbox for this. I looked around (and I'm not very price sensitive) and found that WMC + Xbox 360 extenders offered a great combination of OTA + video library + streaming videos (oh, and games).

2012-08-17, 12:55 AM	#3
dabell Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sooke,BC Posts: 621	I agree about the xbox , my main xbox is for everthing, this was a secondary ($50 purchase) and harder to find cheap right now. I am looking at either Roku 2 XD or WD TV Live - both can do netflix, PC (roku with add-on), HDMI + std composite out, WD has advantage of enthernet and more supported formats it appears.

2012-08-17, 08:45 AM	#4
jshel101 Veteran Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Calgary Posts: 1,712	You might want to consider a jailbroken ATV2. This will do everything you want, and more. But in a better interface than a WD Live, IMO

2012-08-17, 05:41 PM	#7
ac Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Vancouver Posts: 179	I really like the WDTV. The Xbox has some limitations, in that you have to maintain your gold account to play certain file types and Netflix. The WDTV also has broader support in terms of file types.

2012-08-17, 10:33 PM	#8
dabell Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sooke,BC Posts: 621	Thanks for the feedback - picked up a WDTV today, happy so far - quick, easy setup. My only wish at this point is that the A/B/C/D buttons could go right to an app/service - ie Netflix, Videos from Computer. Box has the WAF due to the small size, not fan noise, etc. Bit of a bonus as well that I can move it to an old tv we have (composite only) to stream, however I need to find an extra power adapter for that out of a pile of "spares". As an aside - Xbox for me with a old box worked well as we have a family gold - me, kids - the extra account was for the old box.

2012-08-17, 11:31 PM	#9
slash Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 82	I love my boxee box. Works great.

2012-08-18, 08:20 AM	#10
willise Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 293	I have an original WDTV Live that used to work fine, but started stuttering, skipping, and losing audio. I replaced it yesterday with a new, 2011 WDTV Live and have the same issue. The ATV2 plays flawlessly from the same room. There are many reviews concerning the WDTV and stuttering, I have found during my quest to resolve this issue. Since the ATV2 plays everything OK from the same room, I have to conclude the problem is the WDTV. My $0.02

2012-08-18, 03:45 PM	#11
dabell Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sooke,BC Posts: 621	So far performance is great, just using the wired connection right now though. One of the nicest features so far is the free ipod/android remote control app , zero config, just run it while connected to the same network as the WD Live box.

2012-08-20, 01:58 PM	#12
supergenius Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Calgary Posts: 764	I think you made the right choice. I have nearly every kind of streamer in my house (WDTV older version, Roku LT, boxee, LG Smart TV, all gaming consoles) and I just picked up a new WDTV Live for my bedroom to replace my Roku. The Roku is great for streaming online content (Netflix, Hulu, Amazon) but its not great for playing personal media. There are channels you can install but they require tinkering and installing server side software and the WAF is poor for these channels. IMO, the new WDTV Live has the best of both worlds re: streaming online content plus great support for personal media. If only WD would add Amazon VOD, it would be perfect!

2012-08-20, 03:32 PM	#13
JohnnyCanuck Moderator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 4,645	Other than the LG ST600 (which is what I'm looking at replacing) anything that supports both Plex and DLNA? I know Roku does a great job with Plex but doesn't support DLNA.

2012-08-28, 08:17 PM	#15
j0dest3r Veteran Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,617	And here I've been kind of holding out for a Roku stick that are supposed to be coming out in a few months. It sounds like the WDTV Live is the clear winner however. Anymore feedback? Is it almost as flexible as a HTPC that I'd love to shutdown?