Cable sucks, So... HTPC, ROKU, KODI or ?

T

The-Tmann

Supreme [H]ardness
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I am finally coming to realize cable TV really sucks

I was just going to build a HTPC for the first time <<<
but saw this post...

"I loved my HTPC back in the day when there really wasn't any streaming content and everything was recorded TV and movies/TV ripped on my NAS. A HTPC made perfect sense then when it wasn't very difficult to get it working properly.

Today recorded TV and playing ripped movies from local sources is really niche. Everyone has moved to streaming services for content and none of the HTPC apps are even decent at consuming them."

So... HTPC, ROKU, KODI or ?

I want "simple so my wife can use it", and the most options for pay-service and web based content.
What do you people recommend to stream all the services and / or view web based content on my new HDTV?

thanks in advance for the advice
 
How important are live sports to you?

The one thing nice on a htpc is finding "less then legal" streams of sporting events.

I recently bought a smart tv that has all of the services built into it so for me that works. My dad has a roku and loves it. Definitely wife friendly. I did get my tech challenged wife to use WMC and Plex on our htpc so it is doable!
 
sports is not a must...
I know what you mean though with the "special" streaming
 
I cut the cable about a year and a half ago and never looked back. I like a variety of shows, movies, some live content , news and even a few commercials now and then just for the hell of it.

I picked up Sling TV for a variety and mix of content ($19.95), I also have Netflix as an free add-on from a friend, I have Amazon Prime for 2 day delivery and the streaming content is basically free, I recently added Hulu Plus ($7.95) for their content and CBS All Access ($5.99) for live content and good shows.

All of this going through my Roku 3 ($79.95). Simple, intuitive remote and all of the streaming services are pretty much the same layout, so learn one, you know them all.

I'll be dropping Amazon Plus when the time is up, Prime and Netflix carry almost the same shows. Hulu Plus has limited commercials, not too many and short in duration. There is a new commercial-less service from Hulu for around $11 bucks a month.

The Roku has about 2000 channels available, some are top grade, some are free and some are crap, but you have a large selection to sort through....you won't lack choices.
 
Do you and your wife want OTA channel capability as well or no? Is your wife going to be on board with having to dink around with a keyboard/mouse to go abc.com so she can watch one of her shows is something to consider (unless the Roku covers this now for major networks?).

I realize this is leading away from your question, but we pared down our cable package significantly when we bought a house and also bought a TiVO to take care of the DVR and streaming options. We are on the Internet Plus plan with Comcast that has basic cable (w/ HD), HBO, Streampix and Internet. Mine was $29 for the first year, now I pay $50 for everything after the twelve-month promo expired. Add in the TiVO costs puts it a $65/month which is near the price for internet for a lot of people.

It has ended up being a good content balance for us between what comes in on the DVR and what is available to stream. We were previously paying $130 a month for U-verse TV/Internet so she could watch HGTV/DIY Network and I could watch the Walking Dead on AMC along with shows on HBO. I buy a season pass for TWD and we are both glad to never see House Hunters / Property Virgins ever again.

You don't get as many streaming options vs a HTPC/Roku, but Amazon/Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu Plus, and Vudu are built-in. The TiVO does a good job with grabbing stuff to watch as well and ALL THE CONTENT that it can see is available to search / make recordings against (which makes it better than a Roku for that ability IMO). It is the greatest thing since sliced bread, especially now that they have their Onepass feature that lets you create universal lists that catch both streaming content and/or DVR recordings. The WAF factor is hard to beat with a TiVO too especially with the content provider dickery that goes on (see Hulu Plus for example). Plex is also available now to stream to TiVO, but I'll admit that I have not tried it yet.

If you do want to cut the cord and want OTA then there is a TiVO Roamio with only the OTA antenna for $50 + $15/month fee.

If you don't have Comcast then please disregard my entire post unless Charter and the other cable companies have something comparable.
 
I stopped paying for cable TV about 3 years ago. We have subscriptions to HuluPlus, Netflix (+2 DVD's) and now AmazonPrime. We don't tend to watch a whole lot of TV anyway, and there is a good varriety between all 3 services that we are never saying "there's nothing to watch". I do have an HD antenna to catch local news, but we rarely use it.

As far as our streaming devices go. We use a PS3 in the living room because we have a dumb DLP TV, and a RokuHD in the bedroom. That's it. I'm probably going to be buying a new Roku4 when those come out as well as an new TV for the living room, I think now is the best time to upgrade.

Monthly bill;
$45- Internet
$8 - Hulu
$20 - Netflix + DVD's
$8 - AmazonPrime
------------------------------------
$63... way cheaper than the $99 minimum the cable companies are wanting.
 
I have a Google Chromecast.

With mobile devices, you can stream anything to it that has an app that supports it... Netflix, Hulu, etc. You can also cast videos, pictures, etc.

And for the computer there is a Chrome browser extension that lets you cast any web page. I haven't messed with anything else for the computer so not sure what else is available.

Not as "high end" as something like a Roku, but it is also only $35.
 
Amazon Prime, Netflix and Hulu Plus are on just about every type of device now. Most of mine have them. I don't use Hulu Plus very much. I have PC with tuner for the web content that isn't available via apps. I also have Chromecast, Roku Stick (free with a 3 month Sling TV contract), and Sling TV. I got Sling TV primarily for the sports. There isn't a contract so I can stop any time.

Otherwise, I record OTA on Windows 7. I'm close enough to the towers that I have all common network tv. I use xbox 360 for the media extender.

I've thought about switching to something else, but mine all works.
 
I have a Roku 1 and the new 2 .. yesterday I bought the new Roku 4 with 4K ..so if you plan to stream 4K over your Roku then your TV has to have HDCP 2.2 on it's HDMI 2.0 or no 4K streaming and then you need a very good wifi of 11mbps ..

Now I have a Sharp 50" 4K that can stream Netflix 4K on it's on wifi without the need of Roku 4 and is really the better way to go with it built in apps. so I would suggest a TV with built in Roku or get the new Roku 2 for 1080p veiwing and buy a 4K TV with the build in apps to stream 4K over it's own wifi to bypass the need of HDCP 2.2 and HDMI 2.0.

My plan with the Roku 4 was to use it on my Seiki SE42UM 4K TV but I found out the hard way that it does not have the needed HDCP 2.2 on the HDMI 2.0 and will not display 4K from the Roku 4. the TV has HDCP 1.4 on the HDMI 2.0.
 
Do all Roku 4 have the USB port? in the pics on this one it has a microSD slot under the HDMI but i dont see any USB port?

51yPo%2BwdNuL._SL1500_.jpg


[EDIT] just found this

NOTE: USB port only available on select Roku TV models, Roku 4 (model 4400), Roku 3 (model 4200, 4230), Roku 2 (model 4210), Roku 2 XS (model 3100).

Can't find it in stock on amazon dooh!
 
I have a Roku, a Blu-Ray HTiaB (Home Theater in a Box) and an HTPC.

I wound up yanking the Roku. The HTPC pretty much gets everything I need.
The only thing it doesn't have in there is a Blu-Ray drive. Plus, I'm TOTALLY sick of commercial Blu-Ray player software. Thus, the HTiaB.
 
Chas said:
I wound up yanking the Roku. The HTPC pretty much gets everything I need..
Click to expand...

Except the video quality you get from the browser are noticeably worse when you use a stream box.

---------

I have an HTPC that handles my DVR and local media, and a Roku for streaming content and playback of the local media.
 
Mostly on topic --

For simplicity and the way it fits into our viewing habits, we're getting rid for the HTPC and going with a Roku. We've been using the Roku Stick in the evenings I bought for the 'home gym' TV downstairs and it more than meets our needs.

For upstairs I want to hardwire in the Roku, so I'm looking at either the 3 or 4. Any benefits other than 4K (which I don't have) with the 4 over the 3? Yeah, faster CPU, more cores - the stick has handled evrything fine so far, so the extra $30 worth it?
 
Why do you need a Roku 3 even?

Do you need an RF Remote and a the ability to plug headphones into it?
 
Last edited:
The Lurker said:
Why do you need a Roku 3 even?

Do you need an RF Remote and a the ability to plug headphones into it?
Click to expand...

Looking at the 3 or 4 for the RF remote for placement options is what it boils down too. Functionally, there really isn't much difference between any of the Roku devices.
 
I'd go read the Roku 4 reviews. It apparently is having some growing pains for some people.
 
jimh425 said:
I'd go read the Roku 4 reviews. It apparently is having some growing pains for some people.
Click to expand...

Reviews are bit "all over the place" from what I've found. The biggest advice I've read is if you have the 3, no real need to upgrade to the 4. If you don't have a Roku, then the 4 is where you want to be.

Still torn as to which one to get.... May come down to a coin toss.
 
Honestly, I love the Roku 3. I used to have a huge NAS + HTPC set up but I ended up leaving it at home with my parents. I spun up a Plex server on my desktop and just use the Roku 3 on the TV mainly for Netflix and Prime Video, and if nothing good, I'll go to my movie and TV library on Plex.

It's simple, no maintenance, and the remote + headphone feature is really nice.
 
Ordered the 3, newest rev / current build. Should last us a good long while. Will be here Friday, but won't have the opportunity to get it all set up until Sunday since we've got the social calendar booked up Friday and Saturday.
 
somecallmeTim said:
Ordered the 3, newest rev / current build. Should last us a good long while. Will be here Friday, but won't have the opportunity to get it all set up until Sunday since we've got the social calendar booked up Friday and Saturday.
Click to expand...

I'm really interested to know how the setup goes. I want to get a Roku 3 for my parents (their TV does have some apps built-in like Hulu Plus and Netflix, but the interface is slow and awful) and I want to be sure they can actually use it outside of my immediate presence.
 
use sling and OTA to watch sports, netflix and amazon prime otherwise. We had hulu plus but since discovering the nbc app that we can watch blacklist 3 days after it airs we dumped that. Sling is nice, just wish it had more business channels.
 
King of Heroes said:
I'm really interested to know how the setup goes. I want to get a Roku 3 for my parents (their TV does have some apps built-in like Hulu Plus and Netflix, but the interface is slow and awful) and I want to be sure they can actually use it outside of my immediate presence.
Click to expand...

Set up is pretty slick. Speed is better than the Roku Stick. The voice search works pretty well.
 
somecallmeTim said:
Reviews are bit "all over the place" from what I've found. The biggest advice I've read is if you have the 3, no real need to upgrade to the 4. If you don't have a Roku, then the 4 is where you want to be.

Still torn as to which one to get.... May come down to a coin toss.
Click to expand...

Ehhh, I have both. No real difference (I have a 4k TV and am a sucker for set top boxes .... *looks at Roku 3/4, Atv 3, Amazon Fire 4k......I have a problem) ..........

Of them all so far the Roku is the best, got the Fire TV for a hockey streaming service only (Was pissed at having delayed streams, a real factor when you are on a hockey IRC channel when watching them.....and the only way on a TV is to have Kodi, fire TV is the best / easiest way of accomplishing this.)

If you have questions on any of em, shoot me a PM.
 
W.Feather said:
Ehhh, I have both. No real difference (I have a 4k TV and am a sucker for set top boxes .... *looks at Roku 3/4, Atv 3, Amazon Fire 4k......I have a problem) ..........

Of them all so far the Roku is the best, got the Fire TV for a hockey streaming service only (Was pissed at having delayed streams, a real factor when you are on a hockey IRC channel when watching them.....and the only way on a TV is to have Kodi, fire TV is the best / easiest way of accomplishing this.)

If you have questions on any of em, shoot me a PM.
Click to expand...

I went with the Roku 3 - wife loves it, shit just works. Once we get power back I'm going to finish setting up the Plex sever.
 
Yes it does. I can say the 4 has some intermittent issues, and Plex is great (Love it and have a life time...) but their UI could use some ... TLC>.....
 
i tried kodi recently but it wasnt reliable enough for me, maybe i didnt set it up right but theres no way i would depend on it
 
Check out the Shield TV. It's got a lot going for it. AC wireless, gig Ethernet, usb 3 (supporting external hard drives, and tv tuners down the road), micro SD and some other stuff, I'm sure I'm forgetting. Oh, and 4K output. Also, I've discovered that it's CEC compatible, so my TV remote controls it just fine for standard ui stuff.
 
total0wnage said:
i tried kodi recently but it wasnt reliable enough for me, maybe i didnt set it up right but theres no way i would depend on it
Click to expand...
There could be a lot of reasons for that, otherwise Kodi wouldn't be so popular if it were unreliable for everyone.

Ruoh said:
Check out the Shield TV. It's got a lot going for it. AC wireless, gig Ethernet, usb 3 (supporting external hard drives, and tv tuners down the road), micro SD and some other stuff, I'm sure I'm forgetting. Oh, and 4K output. Also, I've discovered that it's CEC compatible, so my TV remote controls it just fine for standard ui stuff.
Click to expand...

I'm not necessarily recommending it as i do not own it, but Shield TV is becoming a very popular option, here's a few big discussion threads on it:

- http://www.avsforum.com/forum/39-ne...937-nvidia-shield-android-tv-set-top-box.html

- http://www.avsforum.com/forum/26-ho...al-nvidia-shield-console-htpc-discussion.html

- https://forums.geforce.com/default/board/159/shield-android-tv/

- http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=228158

- http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=220297
 
SJetski71 said:
There could be a lot of reasons for that, otherwise Kodi wouldn't be so popular if it were unreliable for everyone.



I'm not necessarily recommending it as i do not own it, but Shield TV is becoming a very popular option, here's a few big discussion threads on it:

- http://www.avsforum.com/forum/39-ne...937-nvidia-shield-android-tv-set-top-box.html

- http://www.avsforum.com/forum/26-ho...al-nvidia-shield-console-htpc-discussion.html

- https://forums.geforce.com/default/board/159/shield-android-tv/

- http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=228158

- http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=220297
Click to expand...

I have quite a few friends that absolutely love their Shield TV units. They are one of the few that can do HDCP2.2 content at 4K right now and very rarely if ever show any signs of slowdown on browsing content or playing it back.
 
SJetski71 said:
There could be a lot of reasons for that, otherwise Kodi wouldn't be so popular if it were unreliable for everyone.
Click to expand...

i might give it another shot and try to find a better tutorial or get help from someone. i was thinking there was so much hype because from time to time you can watch a big fight for free or some other pay per view, i didnt think people were dependent on it for day to day watching
 
I have a fire stick and have been having issues with Plex. Apparently it does a poor job decoding audio streams so certain movies that are streamed from my PC have no audio. Would a Roku 4 maybe solve that?
 
total0wnage said:
i might give it another shot and try to find a better tutorial or get help from someone. i was thinking there was so much hype because from time to time you can watch a big fight for free or some other pay per view, i didnt think people were dependent on it for day to day watching
Click to expand...
At the very least you can have it installed alongside any other program you use. But the one big reason is content, there's lots of, cough, gray market content. It's just a matter of finding the right discussion forums to point you in the right direction (something i've only begun researching). There's also a stripped down version of Linux that was built just to run Kodi, it's called OpenElec.

boss6021 said:
It sounds as though the Nvidia Shield is having issues as well with audio.
Click to expand...
All solutions have their own issues, it's just a matter of choosing your poison wisely. Nvidia Shield covers many of the bases at the moment along with follow-up support.

Edit: slightly off topic, Here's how you can get DVDfab lifetime for free (decrypts blu-rays too): http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1883691, good till Dec 7th.
 
SJetski71 said:
All solutions have their own issues, it's just a matter of choosing your poison wisely. Nvidia Shield covers many of the bases at the moment along with follow-up support.
Click to expand...

Oh, no doubt. I had thought about picking one up today. I am happy with my current HTPC+Plex server setup for the time being. I have just been looking for something a little more friendly for the kids/wife. Now only if Intel would correct their driver issues, I would be all set with the current HTPC.
 
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