Movie Streaming
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- craigatkinson
I'm wondering how's best to do this. Streaming films wirelessly to my tv - not fussed about mac / phone etc.
Apple tv is netflix only and their catalogue is very old seemingly.
Who's good in the uk?
- monospaced0
Apple TV lets you stream anything from your computer as long as it's in the right format (converting downloaded movies and importing into iTunes isn't that hard). It also has access to Hulu+ (in the US at least). And if you don't mind paying, Apple's movie library lets you rent/buy streaming movies for a standard price (same as on demand or whatever). Otherwise, the Roku is supposed to be the badass in this area with access to SO MUCH MORE of your available library.
- craigatkinson0
so the roku is basically the same as the apple tv without access to itunes? itunes you can only rent for a day or two after starting to watch the film? - No stream on demand? Netflix and love film are way behind! Nowtv seems ok, starts getting pricey though.
- I also agree that Netflix should allow "on demand" streaming of new releases (for a price).monospaced
- monospaced0
Well, if you're watching the newest releases, you're either going to have to download them illegally, or rent them. When you rent them, it's usually the same story regardless of where: you get a day or two to watch after starting the film (this isn't unique to Apple by any means). So, yeah, the Apple TV certainly allows for "stream on deamnd," just like your cable company, or Amazon.
The Roku, while it doesn't have direct access to the iTunes store for movies and shows, I believe allows easier access to your computer library and MANY, MANY more viewing "channels" to choose from when compared to Apple TV. Another difference is that the Roku doesn't allow direct streaming from iOS devices that i know of.
- ftrc0
last weekend i got to install a raspberry pi xbmc box. and it is quita awesome
- how much did that cost in the end, with all the parts, to get it fully functioning (wireless too)?monospaced
- d_rek0
Do you want to stream through a service (ie: netflix, itunes, amazon)? Or do you want to stream local content from your PC/Mac to your TV?
Lots of ways to do both, just depends on what you want to do.
I usually stream locally download content wirelessly from my iMac to my PS3 using PS3Media server. HD quality can be tricky and is prone to stuttering, but it's mostly a matter of fine tuning your settings.
- craigatkinson0
I'd rather pay a monthly fee and be able to watch what I want when I want - disk free. Seems there aren't many good options for recent films?
- d_rek0
@craigatkinson
iTunes has pretty much every new release i believe (that is whatever is out on dvd / rental). Netflix slowly gets new releases - at least that was the case when I was with them. I'm not sure how amazon prime's library is looking these days.
I rent movies through Xbox Video and they are all HD rentals. It works out to about $5/rental. No subscription fee though, just the crap MS point system.
- craigatkinson0
hm, maybe its just itunes then but then it seems daft not to just buy the dvd for a few £ more!
- But DVD is shit quality (480) compared to HD formats.monospaced
- craigatkinson0
yes maybe, i'm no fanatic though
- elahon0
We use our PS3 to stream Amazon Prime and Netflix. Plus it plays BluRay and games.