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Thread: Suggestions for 'Smart TV' STB?

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    Default Suggestions for 'Smart TV' STB?

    So let's say hypothetically that I had several terabytes of movies / TV shows on a network storage drive, and only 'dumb' TVs...

    What I'm looking for essentially is a mains-powered Set-Top-Box with HDMI output and a WiFi connection to my LAN, with some kind of firmware / software capable of displaying a menu of available files, and of course a Full HD media player to play them.

    An internet browser is not essential as I have computers for that (and I don't really want another keyboard laying around), but obviously a remote control would be a must.

    I guess I could build something with a Raspberry Pi but I'm more interested in a plug'n'play solution. Any suggestions?

    Thanks in advance,
    Andrew



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    Chromecast and a iPhone app called 8player......that’s what I use. Your network storage would need to support DLNA.

    Not the only option but suits me.
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    Yep, my NAS supports DLNA.

    The only thing that turns me off Chromecast is needing a phone or PC to control it, kinda defeats the purpose as I could just connect the PC direct to the TV.

    I'm looking at the Roku Streaming Stick+



    ...but the form factor sucks for a wall-mounted TV

    Andrew

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    try a xcruiser 1000 got it alll

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    Bigfella237 (27-05-18)

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    At the risk of being accused of being an Apple fanboy, may I add the Apple TV 4k as an option.
    The interface is lightening fast and the Plex app opens up a whole new world of streaming from your NAS.
    I had two ATV3s and decided to upgrade after installing a number of ATV 4k units for customers.
    Have retired the ATV3s and now have two ATV 4k 64 GB models and could not be happier with the performance.
    I have twelve windows PCs and my three daughters have Macs; have to admit that the Macs never give me one moment of worry.
    Apple control the hardware and software and consequently their ecosystem is incredibly robust. You do pay over the top for such robustness; but the peace of mind is a blessing.
    The lifespan of any so called "Smart TV' or its equivalent STB is very short lived; be prepared to constantly upgrade. A couple of hundred dollars is rather insignificant for an entertainment device.
    Have to agree with you about the Chromecast device; all the heavy lifting is done externally. Hopefully your NAS is powerful enough to support transcoding, or else you will need to dedicate a PC as a server.
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    What's wrong with simple Android TV Boxes running Kodi. You can easily install Kodi on something as simple as an Amazon TV Stick.

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    Telstra TV does just about everything....

    Sent from my CLT-L29 using Tapatalk

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    Bigfella237 (31-05-18)

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    Telstra TV is either an extra $20 per month in a bundle or $192 outright purchase...



    And it looks to me suspiciously like a re-badged Roku product, even down to the purple tag thing...



    ...except the Roku equivalent is a third the price...



    Andrew

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    It's not the equivalent unfortunately...

    Roku boxes have USA apps, Telstra TV has Netflix, foxtel go on dedicated buttons and all the Aussie TV catch-up apps. Plus Stan and a digital FTA tuner and the Roku media player (dlna) and utube.



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    Telstra TV is a crippled Roku box. I got one when I changed to Cable Internet. Didn't want it. Just part of the bundle. Signed up for the Foxtel trial but made sure to cancel before it expired. No use to me. Having said that, the Box itself is an excellent product. Digital tuner included. Can use it for TV. Certainly not wasted. But for what Bigfella wants it is probably overkill.

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    Yep, to be honest I'm not interested in any of the ongoing costs of those subscription services... been there, done that, bought the T-shirt.

    Foxtel has good content (especially sports) but if I have to pay to watch TV then I shouldn't have to put up with ads as well... one or the other, Rupert.

    As for Netflix, I disagree on principal with the way they re-edit the content, often cutting off the beginning of a show to add their own splash-screen.

    Plus I have internet access on about half-a-dozen different devices within arms reach right now, I really don't need another. The main thing I'm looking for is the ability to stream my locally stored content in a less clunky way than extending a PC desktop onto a TV screen, which I can do now, it's just a PITA having to go to the PC instead of having a remote sitting on the couch.

    Andrew

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    Even without using Netflix etc the Telstra TV box does it all in one box, well apart from blu ray via USB.....

    Just make sure you get the Telstra tv2.

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