Comments
strangebutalsogood t1_jb6q88c wrote
I simply connect a PC directly to my TV.
daneshpastry t1_jb6s7z8 wrote
I use the latest Chromecast. Works fine for me - but I'm not one to use the homepage for suggestions - inside the streaming apps are better for that.
What I don't understand is why it, and I assume most other streaming boxes are the same, is the processor SO slow. It feels no better than using a box from 10 years ago.
Also I hate the remote. But I can use my phone.
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Galactic_Danger t1_jb6ukhk wrote
I like my Apple TV. No lag on any app, which was my big complaint with my built in fire tv I was using previously. I got it on sale for around $100 which was probably still overpriced, but its been nothing but smooth.
PM_ME_FUNFAX t1_jb6v8r2 wrote
I have the latest Chromecast as well. I don't mind the remote except for the dedicated YouTube and Netflix buttons but your right about everything being slow.
xopranaut t1_jb6vj80 wrote
TLDR: too many ads, too many apps/subscriptions. But it’s not all bad news:
> There are two kinda-sorta exceptions to the rule here: Apple and Nvidia [Shield]
TravelinDan88 t1_jb6y11h wrote
Roku is still pretty damned solid. I use the stick with a wifi remote and only get non-intrusive ads for Roku channel and occasionally something else on the home screen only. This guy is just a dope.
BigShoots t1_jb6yfo7 wrote
What does he want these things to do, exactly?
I have a first-gen Roku and a first-gen Chromecast. Both work just fine for me.
elister t1_jb6z1ro wrote
Ive owned 2nd and current gen nVidia Shields. Its nice to have Ethernet and USB in a device, but the last OS upgrades introduced ads that are annoying. You exit Kodi, Plex, VLC, etc and it seems to hang there for a few seconds as its try to load up a new ad. Sure you can load up a custom launcher, but tap the home button and it exists the launcher and starts dishing you up ads.
For those that pirate content, the ads basically tell you when a movie has been released on a torrent site.
Also dedicated buttons on remotes, for the Shield its the Netflix button. I'm always accidentally touching it and I get to spend 10-15 seconds waiting for it to load so I can exit out of it. Even if I subscribed to Netflix, I would still accidentally click on it by mistake all the time. I am told you can re-map the button, but the app costs $3-4 I think.
I have owned the following
2nd Gen AppleTV. WDTV Live. Raspberry Pi (OpenELEC). Windows7 PC. Chromecast w/GoogleTV. Xiaomi Mibox and S version.
Gotta stress how the Shield is a better product.
daneshpastry t1_jb6zsv8 wrote
I find it really slippery - so the same thing happens. I change the channel - put the remote next to me - then trigger it when I move. It's SO sensitive. I'd be happy to go back to IR.
pseudocultist t1_jb6zzgf wrote
Apple TV is fine. Actually better than fine if you use HomeKit. Pricey but that’s their way. Considering the other ones subsidize the price with ads. It’s a necessary trade-off I guess.
FireOpalCO t1_jb71jr5 wrote
Author bemoans smart TVs and says he’s stuck with set-top boxes and how there are no good options for streaming apps.
Not sure what exactly David wants a streaming box to do that my PS5 doesn’t already.
Disastrous-Spell-135 t1_jb78pr9 wrote
Simply
Edit: lol you peoples living rooms must look like ass, HDMI cables and towers all over the place to save a few euros on an apple tv or shield
strangebutalsogood t1_jb794rw wrote
Yes
Edit: my living room looks just fine, thanks. Cable management is a thing.
Delta8ttt8 t1_jb79647 wrote
An hdmi will carry video and audio. Grab a Logitech Wifi mouse n keyboard. What else do ya need? If your pc is so Far away from the tv then you have a big living area. Buy another pc. If you have a smaller area then money might be tight and it’s a worth investment.
PM_ME_FUNFAX t1_jb7acv8 wrote
Yeah mine has a habit of walking off. It's just small enough to fit in any kind of crack in the couch
itsmetfell t1_jb7c1y3 wrote
Roku!
rogerdodger77 t1_jb80xuw wrote
Remember boxee box
OpWillDlvr t1_jb816o3 wrote
Waiting on a good, "free" OTA solution to replace the Fire Recast. Not a huge fan of Firestick, but the price is right for now.
Dirk_The_Cowardly t1_jb85lbn wrote
My Fire HD 4k is great and I run like 5 services through it and works so much better than my smart tv software.
I have 4 tv's with it. Awesome over smart tv, Roku, or other crap.
muscletrain t1_jb85sfv wrote
I stream everything originally had the Intel ComputeStick from years ago and just replaced it with one of the many options on Amazon. For about $250CAD you can get a stick that plugs directly into your HDMI Slot with 8GB RAM + 128GB space and is smaller than my cellphone, full windows 10 or 11 and just stream whatever you want...It really is simple. Plug a Bluetooth keyboard with the mouse pad combo and you never need to worry about streaming things again.
BrassMankey t1_jb89297 wrote
Meh, I used to be a huge fan of Roku and promote it, but they recently added a lot more ads, and rearranged their interface breaking favorite channels to make it much harder to channel flip when ads come on.
vibrance9460 t1_jb8avvl wrote
Apple TV is great. The article leaves out the ability to instantly broadcast my Phone, iPad or Mac screen to my TV screen. We have one in the boardroom at work and it’s so easy for people to share their numbers to the screen from their personal device.
At home I access my music library through my home theater system, watch my home movies and video from any device on my TV with a single button push. I can play games on a PS five controller as well
Closetedcousin t1_jb8c9xd wrote
_SB1_ t1_jb8k4kz wrote
Ok boomer
Vampiric2010 t1_jb8kzks wrote
They could build a PC as a streaming box. I'm sure that will go well :)
Say10sadvocate t1_jb8q4nz wrote
I got a specific TV that I could install Kodi straight onto.
My streaming box doesn't exist, but it's fantastic. Lol
SpecialNose9325 t1_jb8qxlk wrote
This post has got me to google the prices of these streaming boxes, and holy inflation. They are $200-$300. I own a Chromecast Gen2 that I got for $30 7 years ago and was contenplating the GoogleTV upgrade cuz it was a $50 which is decidedly more expensive in my eyes.
SpecialNose9325 t1_jb8r5u6 wrote
The lack of reason to upgrade is actually astounding. I have a second gen Chromecast cuz I have a really old TV. Most new TVs come with some smart stuff built in. If you really want a remote, a Google TV is $50. I dont see the appeal for these $250 streaming boxes that do nothing more than a Chromecast.
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NeuHundred t1_jb8tb5x wrote
Really? My interface feels like it hasn't changed in ages. There's one banner ad on the menu page, but any other ads are coming through the apps themselves.
plastic_eagle t1_jb8wvpe wrote
An Apple TV does not suck, even a little bit. But it is quite expensive.
doubled240 t1_jb91qei wrote
fishywiki t1_jb94f1h wrote
I use one in an old TV in the bedroom and have just gotten another for another aging not-so-smart TV. They are better than the streaming boxes, but they all (boxes and Chromecast) suffer from the dreadfully poor performance - I don't know what processors they use but for a few cents more they could just as easily have something that is reasonably nippy.
Tehnomaag t1_jb97trk wrote
I have Nvidia Shield Pro.
I am pretty content with that. As a bonus, I can play my PC games through the Steam Link app in my living room as well, it even takes Xbox controllers.
justthisones t1_jb98dkw wrote
Tbf anything that isn’t behind one-two button presses while sitting down seems difficult to many people nowadays.
jjj49er t1_jb98n9i wrote
I use Unified Remote on my phone to control my computer. It has mouse and keyboard functions, but also custom remotes for whatever app you're using to watch the video.
acf6b t1_jb99pvc wrote
Stupid waste of an article. There were companies that tried to come out with high end machines, apple has their mini Mac, Valve and Nvidia have their boxes, if they sold well the actual streaming companies would have followed suit. I have the Roku Stream Bar, which is a sound bar with the Roku in it, no one buys it….. consumers just want cheap streaming boxes, so of course the companies will only make those.
spartanjet t1_jb9blv6 wrote
I just run everything through gaming consoles
bear60640 t1_jb9bttl wrote
Two buttons?!!!! What am I, getting paid by big TV???!!!
disappointedvet t1_jb9crub wrote
Ridiculous article. The streaming boxes we have offer incredible content at a ridiculously low cost. No, they don't do everything the writer complains about wanting, but there's no good reason to make a box with all those capabilities. There's no money to be made as the large majority of consumers don't need, don't want, and wouldn't pay for it.
Jerkofalljerks t1_jb9d64n wrote
Don’t see a purpose for it. I didn’t see anything on Apple TV+, I’ve got Rokus and they do a great job.
OnlyFreshBrine t1_jb9e6h7 wrote
Boxy Brown?
NoUserNamesLeft98 t1_jb9ec4t wrote
We have a couple Rokus + ad blocking at our router. No joke, the router blocked 130,000 ad requests from the 2 Rokus last week, and a lulzy 183,000 a couple weeks previous. I have no idea why they do this, but 183,000 is about 1 request each per second.
Diabolikjn t1_jb9f6hl wrote
I have the 4k Apple TV that is hard wired. Fucking great box. Love it.
Disastrous-Spell-135 t1_jb9fbyb wrote
And for 150 dollares i can just use a apple tv, don’t even need a mouse and keyboard
Jerkofalljerks t1_jb9fr90 wrote
Wow. I pay for ad free
UserInside t1_jb9gsmb wrote
Zetavu t1_jb9jpjm wrote
Same, I just ignore the main selections and go to the apps directly. Sideload Kodi for my own collection off my NAS and I am good to go. My Soni has Android TV which is just tolerable enough so I leave it there but all other tv's have been turned "dumb" and use Firetv devices.
KublaiKhanNum1 t1_jb9jvg3 wrote
I agree my Apple TV 4K is awesome. So much better than the Roku I used to have. And the integration with other Apple products makes it convenient. I can throw pictures and video from my iPhone up on the TV and also pause the show from my Apple Watch. There is a full virtual remote on my iPhone as well.
But most importantly no stupid ads.
Gaeus_ t1_jb9kzzk wrote
Switch to Moonlight/Sunshine on the software side if you want to game on your shield. You'll thank me later.
Gaeus_ t1_jb9l5jo wrote
The GoogleTV one is probably the best value for your buck.
toddklindt t1_jb9ml2d wrote
I have Rokus behind a PiHole. They generate a lot of traffic. I think the majority of it is telemetry, as opposed to requests for ads. That being said, I think Roku behind PiHole is about perfect. There are no ads, and its search will let you search for a show and it will tell you which service it's on. I prefer its spartan interface to one that's busy, or has a grid. I rarely channel surf. When I watch TV it's deliberate. A grid does me no good.
ChrisWithanF t1_jb9vdsz wrote
Apple TV is the best of the bunch for sure
daneshpastry t1_jb9x7kl wrote
I'd be happy to spend more for a "premium" version - but then they announced the non-4K model so I don't see that happening. :(
NomadJones t1_jb9ydiy wrote
The article whines and whines, but doesn't even mention the option of sideloading, especially on fire sticks.
heybart t1_jba6ekn wrote
PC apps like Netflix aren't limited to 1080p?
FlamingoNeon t1_jba8euv wrote
My shield pro isn't great. It's very laggy, and feels old and sometimes just crashes. I can't understand why it doesn't feel as snappy and nice to use as my chromecast.
strangebutalsogood t1_jbagw8q wrote
The official Netflix app lets you stream in 4k on desktop, but usually if I find that the streaming quality of any movie is below my standards then I'll find it by other means and play it directly.
muscletrain t1_jban6uv wrote
And then what pay for all your subscriptions ? I just open a browser and stream whatever I want..there is no cables showing the apple tv box is probably 3 times as big and much more restricted. People also have stuff like PLEX servers setup they're not having a tower sitting on the floor with an HDMI cable running to it....
Or download any other streaming app like Moonlight to your smart TV.
Chingois t1_jban8zx wrote
I have had zero problems with Apple TV. It’s awesome to be able to just cast a video i’m watching or look at photos from my phone to the TV in one step.
Holofoil t1_jbarqmu wrote
Mini pcs have been a thing for a while now. You can even get cheap ones for like a 100$ that don't throttle on 4k video.
AkirIkasu t1_jbavdxy wrote
Weirdly the biggest problem with a PC media center is that you will need to power it with an outdated Intel chip, use Intel's integrated GPU, run windows and a proprietary player if you want to watch 4K Blu-Ray discs on it, because they use a draconian DRM scheme which was Intel-exclusive until Intel decided they weren't going to build it into any of their chips anymore.
TheRogueMoose t1_jbaxlji wrote
Which one do you have? The Shield Pro was an absolute unit for it's time.
Maybe load up some monitoring software? Could be overheating due to bad thermal conductivity. Thermal pads and paste go bad over time.
heybart t1_jbazcc2 wrote
I used to use a PC hooked to my TV to play media, then the Android TV devices just got too competent for me to bother. Even a $20 Walmart Onn can play 4K blu ray remux from network drive at a fraction of power usage
texaslegrefugee t1_jbb14xc wrote
Thanks for your contribution.
AkirIkasu t1_jbb34xt wrote
Yeah, this just affects you if you want to watch your movies the way the industry wants you to. In reality most people who care are probably using MakeMKV at this point.
maqikelefant t1_jbb5hcc wrote
>for it's time.
Problem is that time was years ago now; the Shield lineup hasn't been updated at all since 2019. Doesn't surprise me they're struggling to keep up now.
FlamingoNeon t1_jbb705f wrote
I have the shield pro.
Disastrous-Spell-135 t1_jbbejgy wrote
Yes, i pay for some subscriptions. I am not watching some janky fucked up browser stream in my home theater, thank you.
And for my digitised bluray collection i have a plex server. What, you think the apple tv cannot play a simple plex stream? The best plex player out there is only available on iOS, Infuse.
theo2112 t1_jbbh9op wrote
Are they pricey? A new appletv costs $150. Let’s assume you don’t even have an iPhone, so some of the “apple” features like airplay, HomeKit, etc don’t even matter. Is that really expensive for a box that will give you AT LEAST 3 years of use every single day?
It will always have the latest apps and updates (small exception being google video apps, but those features come) because of the huge install base and higher end hardware. The interface is better than every other competitor and has zero in your face ads (the closest thing is the top bar if you select TV as a top bar app, but that’s almost a feature) it doesn’t suck up your habits and data and is kept updated overtime.
It’s expensive in comparison to the other junk in the space, but that’s just because those are subsidized by the ads and tracking. And they’re rarely updated, and the experience sucks, and, and, and.
DVD players were always more than $150 until the very end. Nobody said they were expensive and they only could do one thing.
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TPMJB t1_jbcjl8x wrote
You have to do a lot of custom work to the shield to make it not display ads. I have a custom launcher and the regular launcher disabled.
I mean it works great this way, but it's annoying
soggybiscuit93 t1_jbcmrz0 wrote
I'm curious about PC as streaming box. Say this is your scenario: You come home, you want to watch one episode of a show on Netflix, and then an episode of a show on Hulu. What does that process look like for you?
Do you have to boot the PC? Launch software? How do you launch and easily switch between apps?
strangebutalsogood t1_jbcyapo wrote
My computer is always on and my desk is fairly close to my living room TV so I just walk over and load things normally. I usually have a few pages and apps open with various things queued up and just drag the window over when needed. It's powerful enough that I can stream to my TV and continue using the computer for other things if needed. Also I have a VPN to watch content from the UK and NZ etc, and some other ways to have whatever content I want on the computer so I find the experience of having it connected to my TV very freeing.
I also have a remote mouse/keyboard app on my phone that connects to my computer so I can control it from anywhere in my apartment.
This works well for me because I live in a small apartment, when I live in a larger place I'll still have the media computer but probably set it up more like a server and set up an ethernet HDMI hub to drive the TVs.
Ironically, I actually have a smart TV loaded with all the streaming apps and whatnot, but I find the user experience quite terrible and only use it as a last resort if for some reason the computer is out of commission.
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thesilverbear t1_jbdcu8m wrote
My God, yes. "First World, Bullshit Problems for 100, Alex."
cranktheguy t1_jbdfpoh wrote
I bought my Shield in 2015, and it's still the streaming box I use in my living room (though I did have to replace the remote). It's lasted longer than a couple of TVs. And somehow 7 years later it's still the best option.
a5mith t1_jbewub6 wrote
If you have the original 2017 Pro, replace the hybrid HDD for a proper SSD, the process is a bit convoluted, but is significantly easier if you have the ability to bit for bit clone a drive either using hardware or software due to the boot sector being a bit picky.
My only complaint now is it's starting to show its age in regards to video formats. Dolby Vision content is green/purple, although this may actually be my LG C9 even though some Dolby Vision content plays fine via the Xbox series x, no support for VP9 Profile 2 so no HDR within YouTube.
If they made a new one with a user serviceable SSD or NVME, decent specs and support for current/future codecs, I'd buy it on the spot.
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xopranaut t1_jbgj7eb wrote
Heh, I know the feeling. I drifted from Linux to Apple about 15 years ago and my life got sooo much essier.
WhiteRau t1_jbh7dr5 wrote
buy a Pi4 and never look back.
[deleted] t1_jbhhe6d wrote
Buy something new and never look back.
I_Was_Fox t1_jbj832j wrote
I have never owned nor wanted to own a streaming box. My consoles have all the apps a streaming box has and more. And if I didn't have a console, my TV apps would work fine
Axman6 t1_jbn43cw wrote
Do you get Dolby Atmos/Vision or equivalent HDR and audio doing that?
strangebutalsogood t1_jbn746v wrote
Not with my current setup but the image quality is still very good, and the tradeoff is worth it for the amount of control I get. I run the audio to a vintage receiver and drive two sets of large Boston Acoustics speakers, so the audio is excellent.
StrategicBlenderBall t1_jbo0e7n wrote
Apple TV+ has some great content, but the actual hardware is by far the best of the bunch. I used to use either my PS4 Pro or Fire TV HD, but once PlayStation TV died and the Fire TV just slogged through basic use, I went to an Apple TV and never turned back.
zzazzzz t1_jbs935y wrote
its becuse you block it, it requests an ad, connection gets holed. so it retries to fetch the ad ad infinitum.
schmaydog82 t1_jc56b83 wrote
They’re just kinda slow, even at their price points they should be a little snappier than they are
joshr03 t1_jc87sfi wrote
Nvidia shield is fine.
joshr03 t1_jc8815v wrote
They had an article on reddit being down within an hour.
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Alt_Center_0 t1_jcfvkwu wrote
In 2021 there was a firestick update and it messed with my dumb tv's settings. Now its been 1.5 years and my tv does not support any streaming devices
PhucDacBiet t1_jcj4v85 wrote
Remember the boxee days?
SuddenlyElga t1_jcosjgq wrote
Really? My FireTV sticks are perfectly fine.
Lucky-Carrot t1_jcq3kge wrote
change your launcher. there are several ones without ads and it’’s much smoother, i use wolf launcher, so it resembles a traditional tile set up more as well.
Lucky-Carrot t1_jcq3opz wrote
boxee was great, and i miss that the remote had an alpha keyboard on the back.
rkhbusa t1_jcsvxnq wrote
I have a shield pro it’s a bona fide piece of shit. I originally bought it when cheap Amazon streaming boxes with slightly better than raspberry pi specs were the norm, I wanted a streaming device with a little more processing power that would stand the test of time and not be as laggy and temperamental as what was currently on the market. Enter Nvidia shield a $300CAD (should have been a down payment on a new console) that gets you this sleek awkward angled streaming device that gets laggier than an iPhone 6 after updates.
I unplug my Nvidia Shield more often than my toaster because it freezes up so much. It pales in comparison to the onboard “Smart” component of my new LG tv.
If you need a streaming device just get a fire stick and just don’t say anything important or controversial in the TV’s room again. 👂
Archy54 t1_jdnrr1i wrote
Which one was that
kenlasalle t1_jb6puwa wrote
Sounds like the folks at the Verge wish to complain again.
Moving on...