Best TV streamers
 

I have been searching for a device that can supplement or replace my Roku and Amazon Fire sticks, which I will transfer to my bedroom TV.

For my lounge, I am looking for a TV streamer which will let me access as many legal TV streaming services as possible and also let me use the internet on my TV.

It appears that the Nvidia 16 GB Shield TV streamer probably does it all, but at a premium price. Given that I'm not interested in gaming, would an H96 Pro Plus Android 7.1 be just as good for my purposes?

If anyone can help, I'd be very grateful!

Re: Best TV streamers
 

It should be OK. It's also worth noting that TVaddons at present only uses verified legal sources for all their addons for KODI now. They cover a very wide range of world wide legal streaming services.

https://www.tvaddons.co/kodi-addons/category/video/

Re: Best TV streamers
 

Thanks for that, pip. I will trawl through that addons list to see what decent material exists before making a decision! I haven't done much with Kodi on my smart TV yet but there didn't seem to be much on there that was accessible.

Re: Best TV streamers
 

Because some streamers had some apps and not others, I went down the route of getting a Samsung Bluray player three years ago and bought a newer one last year. Has all the legal services on it: iplayer, ITV, CH4, 5, Netflix, Amazon, Talktalk, Plex and more. Both players also have a web browser on them.

When I say all apps, all except one major exception: Now TV.

Re: Best TV streamers
 

Yes, I think the main advantage is the web browser, so we can use the internet on TV.

Unfortunately, it looks as though the majority of the apps I already have on different devices, but pip intrigued me with the reference to programmes from all over the world. I guess I'd need a VPN for that!

Re: Best TV streamers
 

Not for all of them but certainly for a few.

I use VPNArea 69 countries, most with multiple servers and you can connect up to 6 devices. The price is right too (I wish I was on commission for this!).

$9.90/ mth.
$50/ 6 mths.
$59/ 12mths.

Re: Best TV streamers
 

Thank you, pip. I will be paying for a streaming device (if I decide to get one) with my Amazon gift vouchers, but I don't think I will be able to justify to my wife any further monthly expenditure on entertainment, given that we also pay subscriptions to VM, Netflix, Now TV and Amazon!

I wouldn't want to sacrifice any of those subs for a VPN as I think that would reduce the amount of good material that is available to me.

Shame, because I do find this a fascinating area to explore.

Re: Best TV streamers
 

Amazon Fire now offers the internet as well, so it's beginning to look as if a streaming box is even less of an advantage for me, given that I don't want to go down the illegal sites and geo-blocked avenues.

I think my existing devices and subscriptions provide me with all legitimately accessed content in the UK that I need.

Re: Best TV streamers
 

I have the latest Roku Streaming Stick + and whilst generally it's pretty good there are a few areas Roku need to improve.

The Amazon app needs upgrading to the latest that's on other devices.

The UI needs sprucing up a little

Search needs to encompass all sources of content available on the device.

Re: Best TV streamers
 

I agree, I'm surprised in particular that Roku haven't yet upgraded Amazon, but I still think it is a very good streaming service.

Re: Best TV streamers
 

IMO the best device would be a mini windows pc you'll get everything on that including nowtv and vm player if you have vm tv.

Re: Best TV streamers
 

Interesting, theone - I haven't looked at this type of box yet. I will take a look at the options, thank you.

Re: Best TV streamers
 

I have been reading up a bit on VPNs with a view to purchasing one and I was wondering if it was best to apply this to my router.

I have also become aware that a VPN may prevent you from accessing Netflix (but I don't know whether this is only related to geo-blocking or whether it would prevent me from even accessing our domestic version).

It would be very helpful if anyone could clarify the position on this. There seem to be so many issues to consider, and it is difficult to separate the trivial ones from those that are rather more serious.

Re: Best TV streamers
 

Very good question. To me, a VPN adds extra cost that could be spent on content.
From a bargain basement angle, if you have Netflix and Now TV, what would a VPN provide that those two don't?

Re: Best TV streamers
 

I was interested in seeing the current affairs programmes in Australia, where my family live, as well as the US, and occasionally in other countries.

It's just for the removal of geoblocked sites, but not for paid-for content, as I have a good choice of that with my subscriptions already and do not wish to deny the studios producing that material the benefit of the subscription money, which would harm the industry.

Re: Best TV streamers
 

My friend uses a VPN to access the US version of Netflix which provides significantly more content than the UK version. His account still seems to work OK. It just means he can't get some UK orientated content unless he reverts back to UK settings.

Re: Best TV streamers
 

I'm using Zattoo if we're talking about Internet TV. It's an app so you can install on any device, including your Android. One tip, try the free version first to see if you like it before committing the premium. I used to use the TV app on iPhone but it doesn't provide good content as Zattoo, besides it has to link to many other apps in order to watch just one news or movie. So I don't like it as much.
I also have Amazon Prime account to stream movies, even though all my friends suggest me to change to Netflix cause' there are more interesting series. Let's see, I'll decide when my subscription finishes.

Re: Best TV streamers
 

Yes, both Amazon and Netflix are excellent, although I do think Netflix currently have the better choice of good original TV series.

Re: Best TV streamers
 

Yeah I'm watching few series on Amazon but I think you can also get those series on Netflix, Stranger Things for example.

Re: Best TV streamers
 

Yes, Stranger Things and Stranger Things 2 are both free on Netflix.

Re: Best TV streamers
 

I thought everything was free after you'd paid your subscription :confused:

Re: Best TV streamers
 

It is free on Netflix once you've paid your subscription. However, that is not always the case with Amazon, which charges for those programmes and films for which it has not acquired the rights.

Re: Best TV streamers
 

So who is the free Netflix content aimed at? Non subscribers to temp them to sign up?

Re: Best TV streamers
 

I'm not sure if you understood me.

If you subscribe to Netflix by paying the subscription, everything you watch on it comes with no further cost.

If you subscribe to Amazon by paying the subscription, you can watch Amazon Originals and a selection of other content for which they have secured the rights without further cost. However, you can also watch films and TV series for which Amazon don't have the rights on a PPV basis.

Re: Best TV streamers
 

Free is a poor term to describe Netflix's service. It is an all-inclusive service or all-you-can-eat service.
By contrast, Ratuken is a PAYG service and Amazon is a combination of both.

Re: Best TV streamers
 

DRM can raise it's ugly head when it comes to choosing streaming hardware.
Android has Googles Widevine DRM and some official media apps will only work if the box is certified to a certain level thanks to the media cartels insistence. Same reason you can't use the Sky or Virgin streaming app on a rooted phone. Spotify just goes to a blank screen when run on a box without the right DRM level.

At the same time Google are not interested in certifying people unless they are a huge player, even if the manufacturer sells millions of devices. It's all about control.

While the Nvidia shield is certified and will play back Netflix 4K, Youtube HD and Amazon Prime, another similar spec android box won't. Amazon might not stream at all and Netflix will be stuck at standard def on that box. So if official apps are important, consider that when looking for a box.

The Amazon firestick was popular because it was a cheap android stick with the drm so it would run all the official apps, despite there being much better hardware out there for a cheaper price.

I have seen the DRM come back to bite them though and people stung by DRM on their android box just pirate instead of paying for the service like they intended. Wanted to pay but instead ended up using Kodi addons, tv streaming apk's or something similar.