OT: AppleTV, Roku, or BluRay that can stream?

[MonkeyCheese]

Been trying to decide the best way to stream some tv/movies into my home.<div>
</div><div>I'd like the device to be able to get Netflix and Hulu+. I don't think AppleTV has those, but I know Roku can get Netflix, Hulu+, and Amazon on demand. Trying to decide if that trumps AppleTV or not. Or there are many BluRay players out know that let you stream those as well, right?</div><div>
</div><div>Does anyone have any real world experience with the above and can lend some inside perspective?</div>

 

[AssEndDawg]

but I probably wouldn't recommend it. Apple just isn't serious about it. The most frustrating thing for me is that movies come out and you can rent them for only a few weeks. After that Apple tends to switch them to "Buy Only". Pisses me off every time.

I have some friends with Roku and they seem to really like it. If I were buying something new that's probably the route I would go. I wouldn't buy a BlueRay player unless you already have a BlueRay collection (and if you do you need to just punch yourself in the face). If you must have a BlueRay player that streams stuff it seems smarter just to buy a PS3.

 

[Beretta.sixpack]

netflix sux.....If apple ever adds Hulu, im discontinuing netflix.....I want the new releases....and netflix simply doesnt have them.....neither does iTunes, which Apple Tv carries both of.....

Apple TV did just add MLB and NBA TV, but hell, you can get those thru cable...so, whats the point?....I was talking to a apple store person that has 3 apple TVs, and he has high hopes of apple adding Hulu, but that is not company official.....

I wouldnt got the blue ray either......if I get another one, I get Roku...

 

[Optimus Prime 4]

but it's about the best BluRay player on the market, as it can automatically get firmware updates. I watch HD movies on netflix through it, and it has a Hulu app too. Whenever my DVR is empty I go straight to Netflix and can always find a movie or TV series to watch.

 

[MonkeyCheese]

Apple TV did just add MLB and NBA TV, but hell, you can get those thru cable...so, whats the point?....I was talking to a apple store person that has 3 apple TVs, and he has high hopes of apple adding Hulu, but that is not company official.....

I wouldnt got the blue ray either......if I get another one, I get Roku...

I'm thinking Roku....it's a hella cheaper than a PS3. And about the part I highlighted above, I'm trying to figure out how to go without cable and the only thing I can see missing is some sporting events. So much is available through ESPN3 now, I'm tempted to boot the cable orsatellite. Most any tv show can be on Hulu right now (ABC/NBC/FOX) and CBS can be watched on their website as well. Most of what I watch isn't "live" tv anyhow. Record it and watch it later when kids are in bed or on the weekends. <div>
</div><div>Just trying to save money and not miss much of what I like to see.</div>

 

[Foronce]

it is still really new and not sure if it is easy to use or not, but I would look into before any of those 3.


live streaming could be an issue, if you are into that

 

[AssEndDawg]

it is still really new and not sure if it is easy to use or not, but I would look into before any of those 3.


live streaming could be an issue, if you are into that

As much as I love some Google products they have a bad habit of throwing a halfway decent idea in the market without any planning and offering zero support. GoogleTV is a hot mess right now, they are balking on weather or not they will even continue with it, and the people who have it get absolutely no help for the numerous issues it has. I was excited when Google announced but they executed this very poorly. If Google continues with it I would wait at least a couple of more years while they figure out what the hell they are doing.

 

[Beretta.sixpack]

put it on the market, and can do nothing with it....

its almost as if everyone is waiting to see what apple is gonna do, and then they will copy them....but, I dont think Apple really wants to lead this part of the industry....

Google TV is great in theory, but still very limited......hopefully all these companies are working on this stuff, bc it all came out way too soon.....

 

[Seinfeld]

1. Simply hook you laptop/PC up to your tv
2. Buy a tv with built in internet capability and tv widgets
3. Buy a Blu-ray player with internet capability and tv widgets
4. Stream through Wii, Xbox, or PS3
5. I don't believe it's available yet, but there are a lot of rumblings of Direct TV adding some sort of customizable widget service soon that would include services like Netflix, Hulu, etc.

Of the above methods that I've tried, my simplest way and my personal favorite is getting a tv with the built in internet capability. There's a 47" Vizio LED with built in wireless right now for about $700 and it's really nice being able to do the things that you mentioned without even having to turn on a second box. Of course, there are smaller and cheaper ones you can get also.

If you have any need at all for a new laptop, there's a deal running right now where if you buy a new laptop that's at least $700(I think), you get a free Xbox 360. This would give you a device to stream your shows/movies, a good game system, and a new PC.

Since you clearly said that you're trying to save money and I'm guessing you're not looking to blow $700, the cheap route would either be an internet ready Blu-ray player or a Roku box. You should be able to go either way for $100 or less.

All that said, I love Hulu but as mentioned, it's big drawback is lack of sports. ESPN3 is a nice new addition, but believe me when I say that it doesn't show nearly everything that you're going to want to watch. For movies, Netflix instant watch seems to be the way of the future according to Netflix, but I don't know when they're going to get serious about it. They add movies to it seemingly just twice/year and they currently have somewhere in the neighborhood of only 7-8% of their entire catalog on instant watch. Like you, I've been considering dropping satellite lately, but these other services still have a ways to go before I can do that.

 

[GimpyDawg]

I think Netflix looks awesome on my TV too. I also like looking at my photos and music (via iTunes).

 

[AssEndDawg]

if you have bought in to iTunes pretty heavily there are some bonuses to the AppleTV. I have a good many movies and a huge music library so I will probably always have an AppleTV. Thus the iPhone and the iPod and the iEverything I own. If I were starting fresh though I would probably use Roku and buy music DRM free and open format off Amazon.

 

[MonkeyCheese]

I would watch Hulu more than anything I bet. I know that ESPN3 won't have all I'd actually want to watch, esp when it came to MSU basketball/football. But for TV I think Hulu-plus would handle most of my needs. I could hit up Amazon On Demand (have you ever looked at it) for some shows that I really needed to. And some friends tell me they will find some tv stuff on the torrents. But I'm not sure how safe those are or not. (any input?)<div>
</div><div>I did see a friend use his AppleTV last week. It looked pretty smooth. He said he used to have the harddrive based AppleTV but now just has the one that's slightly bigger than a deck of cards. And the ease of moving around the menu system was impressive. He could swap between iTunes rentals, Netflix, YouTube, etc pretty seamlessly. So I don't know how it all looks with a Roku player.</div><div>
</div><div>I have considered just a laptop or computer to plug into my tv. I just got a new tv around Christmas though, and it's not internet ready. If I were buying one right now, I'd look for that option. But I got a good deal on a tv and struck while the deal was on.</div><div>
</div><div>Sometimes for some sports you can find a website that will stream it. If it's just me watching, i don't mind watching it on my laptop or computer. Sure, not HD quality (sometimes far from it), but not terrible either.</div>

 

[AssEndDawg]

but unless you paid to convert all your old stuff it still has DRM. I refused to pay AGAIN just to release the copy protection under the assumption that some day they would just take it off for free. So far I have been wrong.

I have a media center PC hooked up to my TV and a Network Attached Storage server in my closet where all my DVDs are ripped. Yes, I am a uber-geek. I use Hulu Plus like crazy and if it wasn't for the sports I would probably turn my DirecTV off. Alas, I can't do without my live sports.

 

[MonkeyCheese]

but unless you paid to convert all your old stuff it still has DRM. I refused to pay AGAIN just to release the copy protection under the assumption that some day they would just take it off for free. So far I have been wrong.

I have a media center PC hooked up to my TV and a Network Attached Storage server in my closet where all my DVDs are ripped. Yes, I am a uber-geek. I use Hulu Plus like crazy and if it wasn't for the sports I would probably turn my DirecTV off. Alas, I can't do without my live sports.

A friend of mine has a similar set up it sounds like. He'll get a movie from Netflix or Redbox and rip it, then take it right back and watch it later. You say you have this set up w/ a PC, but seem to be all in with Apple otherwise. Is there a way to have a similar system set up with it all being Apple products? I think my friend's system (with media center) can actually record live tv for him like a DVR.