Streaming device advice

Sundance_Kid

Hey folks, currently have a standard HD TV, a few years old but still working, it is NOT a Smart TV but it has a few HDMI ports.

Currently if I want to stream something I connect my laptop to the TV via a HDMI cable.

What devices that are reasonably cheap would you recommend I purchase that would be handier than having to hook the laptop up to the TV?

The internet router is in the next room so would be using wifi.

Thanks

TomOnBoard

Sundance_Kid wrote: »

Hey folks, currently have a standard HD TV, a few years old but still working, it is NOT a Smart TV but it has a few HDMI ports.

Currently if I want to stream something I connect my laptop to the TV via a HDMI cable.

What devices that are reasonably cheap would you recommend I purchase that would be handier than having to hook the laptop up to the TV?

The internet router is in the next room so would be using wifi.

Thanks

Amazon fire tv stick

evolving_doors

Chromecast
bout 30eur

allthedoyles

We have chromecast built in . its works well. Kodi might be mentioned here but is is not handy.

corkie

There is New version of the chromecast (with bluetooth) due to be announced on the 9th.

https://www.cnet.com/news/pixel-3-new-chromecast-pixel-slate-more-everything-we-expect-from-google-event-this-tuesday/

The new slate (Chrome OS) sounds interesting, if not to expensive, as it also runs android apps. (As my Nexus 9 is slowly failing on me).

Sundance_Kid

corkie wrote: »

There is New version of the chromecast (with bluetooth) due to be announced on the 9th.

https://www.cnet.com/news/pixel-3-new-chromecast-pixel-slate-more-everything-we-expect-from-google-event-this-tuesday/

The new slate (Chrome OS) sounds interesting, if not to expensive, as it also runs android apps. (As my Nexus 9 is slowly failing on me).

Thanks folks. It seems to be between the Fire Stick and Chromecast.

Presume no real difference and just a matter of choice?

Would mainly be using for Netflix and this website I pay a subscription to that I can stream the odd football match from.

TomOnBoard

Sundance_Kid wrote: »

Thanks folks. It seems to be between the Fire Stick and Chromecast.

Presume no real difference and just a matter of choice?

Would mainly be using for Netflix and this website I pay a subscription to that I can stream the odd football match from.

The main differences are:

FireTV Stick:

1. + Its a standalone device. While you can cast to it from a laptop, you don't need to.
2. + It has its own remote control, and can also be operated from your Android phone.
3. + It has Alexa voice navigation (if you want that... I find it quite irrelevant on the Fire Stick TBH. On my Fire HD8, its great..)
4. - It is only available to UK addresses (if bought from Amazon UK). This can be dealt with by using AddressPal or ParcelMotel etc.
5. - It will need you to use a DNS Proxy or VPN so that a) it can load its Home Page (or so I find anyway) and/or b) watch BBC and ITV streaming. There are other benefits for Netflix users, but I don't think I'm allowed to mention them here.

Chromecast:

1. + Easy to use
2. - Need a casting device to cast to it- In my case, (admittedly with a Gen 1 device) I also have bandwidth and internal WiFi issues with it and much more buffering than with Fire TV Stick.

All in all, I prefer the Fire TV stick- so much so that I now have 2 and seldom use the Chromecast. I use a DNS proxy and find that most of the TV world is literally my oyster.

Sundance_Kid

TomOnBoard wrote: »

The main differences are:

FireTV Stick:

1. + Its a standalone device. While you can cast to it from a laptop, you don't need to.
2. + It has its own remote control, and can also be operated from your Android phone.
3. + It has Alexa voice navigation (if you want that... I find it quite irrelevant on the Fire Stick TBH. On my Fire HD8, its great..)
4. - It is only available to UK addresses (if bought from Amazon UK). This can be dealt with by using AddressPal or ParcelMotel etc.
5. - It will need you to use a DNS Proxy or VPN so that a) it can load its Home Page (or so I find anyway) and/or b) watch BBC and ITV streaming. There are other benefits for Netflix users, but I don't think I'm allowed to mention them here.

Chromecast:

1. + Easy to use
2. - Need a casting device to cast to it- In my case, (admittedly with a Gen 1 device) I also have bandwidth and internal WiFi issues with it and much more buffering than with Fire TV Stick.

All in all, I prefer the Fire TV stick- so much so that I now have 2 and seldom use the Chromecast. I use a DNS proxy and find that most of the TV world is literally my oyster.

Thanks for your detailed reply.

Do I need to setup a VPN account to use the Firestick? Is this an additional cost?

For the Chromecast I would use my phone to direct it.

Ultimately I want as little buffering as possible, in your view is there likely to be less buffering with the Fire than the Chromecast? I know ultimately it comes down to internet strength.

Snake Plisken

Sundance_Kid wrote: »

Thanks for your detailed reply.

Do I need to setup a VPN account to use the Firestick? Is this an additional cost?

For the Chromecast I would use my phone to direct it.

Ultimately I want as little buffering as possible, in your view is there likely to be less buffering with the Fire than the Chromecast? I know ultimately it comes down to internet strength.

No VPN required for Netflix etc btw there is a new firestick launching next month I think usually there is a jump in specs I would hold off until release of that

TomOnBoard

Sundance_Kid wrote: »

Thanks for your detailed reply.

Do I need to setup a VPN account to use the Firestick? Is this an additional cost?

For the Chromecast I would use my phone to direct it.

Ultimately I want as little buffering as possible, in your view is there likely to be less buffering with the Fire than the Chromecast? I know ultimately it comes down to internet strength.

Buffering is not just about 'internet strength' although that's crucial... The power of the device and its settings such as cache size and regular emptying etc., play a part as well as the the speed of delivery from the source.

I can only speak for myself and found that the Fire left me with a more streamlined streaming experience and for others in the house who weren't particuarly laptop aware, the Fire is easier to use.

My Firesticks seem to need to be able to tell Amazon UK that they are UK located before the Home page will load. So, in my case, yes- the Proxy is needed for the Fire. That said, I have had the DNS Proxy for a number of years anyway for other good reasons.

OldMrBrennan83

I'd buy the Chromecast. They both work but I personally wouldn't want to tie into any Amazon stuff.

batistuta9

Sundance_Kid wrote: »

Thanks folks. It seems to be between the Fire Stick and Chromecast.

Presume no real difference and just a matter of choice?

Would mainly be using for Netflix and this website I pay a subscription to that I can stream the odd football match from.

find out what ways you can watch from the website. i used to sub to one that had an app, kodi addon, etc.

chromecast's are really good for apps that have casting built in - netflix, youtube two main ones - or if the player on a website will let you cast.
otherwise you're going to have to cast the screen on your phone, meaning you cant use it for anything else. which isn't ideal at all

an android box is another option

Taltos

I’d splash a little and go with the Nvidia Shield TV.
Comes with chrome cast build in.
You can access Netflix and get access to some free streamed games

Very nice piece of kit

TomOnBoard

Taltos wrote: »

I’d splash a little and go with the Nvidia Shield TV.
Comes with chrome cast build in.
You can access Netflix and get access to some free streamed games

Very nice piece of kit

Lovely piece of kit alright..But is it that much better to warrant a price of €200+?

Taltos

Depends what you put on it. I’ve only scratched the surface but am loving it.
Hate the remote mind but the unit itself is a piece of work, even without a gaming PC to stream from.

biebiebie

Horses for courses.
We have 2 Chromecast.
Used to be used extensively.
However since we got the Firestick the Chromecast are gathering dust.

biebiebie

Patww79 wrote: »

I'd buy the Chromecast. They both work but I personally wouldn't want to tie into any Amazon stuff.

I have never used any of the preloaded Amazon stuff.
Just add Kodi, configure and away you go!

I find the Firestick provides a fantastic streaming experience for the price.
Plus the remote control is so cleverly designed it makes both navigation and entry a breeze.

TomOnBoard

biebiebie wrote: »

I have never used any of the preloaded Amazon stuff.
Just add Kodi, configure and away you go!

I find the Firestick provides a fantastic streaming experience for the price.
Plus the remote control is so cleverly designed it makes both navigation and entry a breeze.

Do you have to use a DNS Proxy to get the menu Home to load?

TomOnBoard

Snake Plisken wrote: »

No VPN required for Netflix etc btw there is a new firestick launching next month I think usually there is a jump in specs I would hold off until release of that

Is that new version the 4K one? If so, it would be overkill for OP's situation. I'd be concerned that it would download at 4K (and hammer broadband bandwidth in the process) and then have to downsize to 720p or 1080p to suit the Telly.

android mi box do very nicely imo

OldMrBrennan83

TomOnBoard wrote: »

Lovely piece of kit alright..But is it that much better to warrant a price of €200+?

I don't use either, or even know what the former is, but if you want Plex or hooky TV then the shield is for you. There is nothing else posted about in the Shield thread here.

OldMrBrennan83

biebiebie wrote: »

I have never used any of the preloaded Amazon stuff.
Just add Kodi, configure and away you go!

I find the Firestick provides a fantastic streaming experience for the price.
Plus the remote control is so cleverly designed it makes both navigation and entry a breeze.

I don't want to get tied in to that while Alexa/Amazon service system anyway, everything I have our use is Google.
Never found a use for Kodi either on my shield TV.

Wanderer78

Patww79 wrote:

I don't want to get tied in to that while Alexa/Amazon service system anyway, everything I have our use is Google. Never found a use for Kodi either on my shield TV.

Kodi is a pain in the hole, stb emu is where it's at

OldMrBrennan83

Wanderer78 wrote: »

Kodi is a pain in the hole, stb emu is where it's at

Between, Netflix, Amazon, and All4 I'm covered for anything I watch. That said, I never watch films.

Wanderer78

Patww79 wrote: »

Between, Netflix, Amazon, and All4 I'm covered for anything I watch. That said, I never watch films.

all good services alright, but i dont like paying for stuff:D

biebiebie

TomOnBoard wrote: »

Do you have to use a DNS Proxy to get the menu Home to load?

No, just plug and play
Like I say I don't use any of the Amazon stuff. Just the main menu to launch Kodi.

Snake Plisken

TomOnBoard wrote: »

Is that new version the 4K one? If so, it would be overkill for OP's situation. I'd be concerned that it would download at 4K (and hammer broadband bandwidth in the process) and then have to downsize to 720p or 1080p to suit the Telly.

No it looks like the standard firestick same price and if OP's max resolution is 1080p I doubt it's going to push 4K content down through the stick.

Discodog

I have a similar question to the OP. I watch a bit of online footie via Chrome & a Chromecast from my pc to the tv. I have no interest in content. Sometimes the sound breaks up & I am wondering whether something like the Firestick would be better.

All I would be doing is logging in to a website & then streaming to the TV

Sundance_Kid

Ordered the Fire Stick this morn, 39.99GBP on Amazon.

Will see how it goes.

Cheers for all replies and advice

Sundance_Kid

Hi, just setup the firestick there.

Where can I find the amazon app store to search for the bbc iplayer app?

I see a lot of categories under apps but dont see one for the amazon app store or bbc iplayer.

The only similar app i can see is Amazon Shopping for Fire TV but it says unavailable, as if i cant download it.

Thanks

TomOnBoard

Sundance_Kid wrote: »

Hi, just setup the firestick there.

Where can I find the amazon app store to search for the bbc iplayer app?

I see a lot of categories under apps but dont see one for the amazon app store or bbc iplayer.

The only similar app i can see is Amazon Shopping for Fire TV but it says unavailable, as if i cant download it.

Thanks

Have you signed up for a proxy service or a VPN? You wont get iPlayer if Amazon/BBC is not fooled into believing that your IP Location is in the UK.

Sundance_Kid

TomOnBoard wrote: »

Have you signed up for a proxy service or a VPN? You wont get iPlayer if Amazon/BBC is not fooled into believing that your IP Location is in the UK.

Thanks for your reply.

No I havent, however would have thought I could at least see the option to try and download bbc iplayer but dont have that.

TomOnBoard

Sundance_Kid wrote: »

Thanks for your reply.

No I havent, however would have thought I could at least see the option to try and download bbc iplayer but dont have that.

Its all down to IP location...

Put the Downloader app on the fire and Google the required site to download the .apk for iPlayer directly onto the stick.

TomOnBoard

PM sent.

_Whimsical_

Try logging into amazon on the pc and purchasing the bbc app(not really purchasing as it's free), then installing it on the firestick from there.