anyone used or are using one of these TV streaming box thingies

like this ROKU gizmo... if so are they any good ??

 

I've got the Roku.....brilliant bit of kit.

Don't be mistaken by the channels that they list, there are loads of unofficial channels that are easily and legally added.

If you purchase one, let me know and I'll share my experiences.

 

thanks for that ... which one would you recomend

I see 4 versions all going up in price... is there really any need for the top one does it make it that much better ?

 

Re: thanks for that ... which one would you recomend

I got this one, from Argos......

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5323294.htm

 

Get one and avoid the150 quid a year bbc tax.

 

can you really do that

I thought that if you had a TV then you had to have a Licence too.

 

Re: can you really do that

As it stands only if you watch 'live broadcasts'.

If your streaming you'll be predominately on catch up telly.

If you do fancy some live action then they wouldn't know unless you tell them.

 

but again I thought that

if you had a TV that is capable of receiving then you had to have a licence for the said equipment... Now all TV's are capable of that .

 

so you recomend a TV streaming box then

guess its a matter of opinion as to which is best or which suits the individual... How hard is it to get the Sky sports day passes on these and do you actually need sky to do so or does these gizmo's allow you to do it.

 

Re: but again I thought that

I thought so too, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

"You need to be covered by a valid TV Licence if you watch or record TV as it's being broadcast."

"Exception: If you only watch catch-up services online, then you don’t need a licence. For example, you don’t need one to use BBC iPlayer, or ITV player, to catch up on programmes after they have been shown on TV."

http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/topics/technology--devices-and-online-top8/

 

well so far the ROKU seems to be best for my needs

I gave up on SKY several years ago. I do use the Iplayers/catch up TV things on my PC and laptops/s but was wanting to be able to do this with our main TV ... these thingies seem just the job, have they been out long.. shows what a caveman I really am I guess.

 

I have the cheaper purple lite version cost me 40 notes. Also got a raspberry pi running xbmc ... The Roku is nice, like Pasta says there are other channels not on the official channel list, they are private channels though I am very curious what Pasta has found that is of much use.

I am sure they are out there but I have not come across many.

Let me know Pasta ...

 

thanks for that Jay

appreciated

 

Re: but again I thought that

NowTV box for a tenner - apparently it can be hacked and used like a Roku (as it basically is a Roku) but I haven't tried it.

If you want something completely open with endless expansion possibilities then get a Raspberry Pi and install "Raspbmc" with Navi-X - needs a bit of technical knowledge to set up (I watched a few tutorials on YouTube) but I doubt anything else out there offers the same features.

If you want something plug and play then I suppose Apple TV's are much better than they were - used to just be a platform for buying stuff on iTunes, but I've messed with my mates and it seems decent enough. I'm just guessing but I doubt an Apple TV will play some of the popular HD formats used for "sharing" films such as MKV files so if you get your media that way, definitely avoid. (maybe tomfun can clear that up)

I've heard WD TV Live boxes are good as well, always being updated with new features and open to all the popular file formats. I looked into these extensively before deciding to try and "grow my own" with the Raspberry Pi.

 

Re: thanks for that Jay

Before you go ahead with a Roku, check out the android TV sticks, dongles and boxes. Basically turns your telly in to a Android computer like you'd have on a phone or a tablet. It'll stream all the channels a Roku does, and many, many more plus you can play games, surf the net, whatever.

 

my head is whirling now

I am convinced I want summat on these lines ... but also summat Our Lass will be able to use , she is no thicko by any means , but does have a bit of technophobia at times . So I need something that even JLWBL would be able to understand... that's gotta be a huge ask... and if he reads this then I am in for a "Bitch slapping" so don't you go 'whistle blowing' here ... "Ya hear me "

 

Re: my head is whirling now

If you want something that JLWBL will understand, get one of these.

http://www.toysrus.co.uk/Babies-R-Us/Toys/Activity-Toys/Bruin-My-First-TV-(0067271)?searchPosition=4