Apple TV alternatives

By acido00
in Hardware Hangout

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acido00

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Hello friends,

 

I saved some $$ to buy an Apple TV, however I saw it was not updated since long time ago and seems pretty much limited.

 

What I'm looking for:

  • Cheap (Less than $150)
  • Customizable (Ability to install apps - Twitter, Skype, Facebook, Youtube, etc)
  • Small and compact (I do not want to put a big brick on my TV stand)
  • Compatible with Mac and Windows and IF possible from iOS and Android.
  • Screen mirroring, or similar to AirPlay, I do have some movies and family pictures on my computer and cell phone and sometimes I want to put it in the TV, so all family can see them from the living room.

 

 

any suggestions?

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Grand Master

Sikh

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I would recommend a Roku 3. Its the latest and it supports your need to install apps. If it wasn't for that I would still recommend an apple tv.

 

I do however like the ability to plug headphones into the roku's remote and listen to audio that way. This would be helpful for late night tv shows when everyone is sleeping and the 5.2 system can't be on even at the lowest volume level.

  • link6155, +E.Worm Jimmy and Mindovermaster
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Grand Master

Mindovermaster Global Moderator

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I would recommend a Roku 3. Its the latest and it supports your need to install apps. If it wasn't for that I would still recommend an apple tv.

 

I do however like the ability to plug headphones into the roku's remote and listen to audio that way. This would be helpful for late night tv shows when everyone is sleeping and the 5.2 system can't be on even at the lowest volume level.

 

I have a Roku 3 as well as a Roku XS. Use on in my room TV, and other in living room TV. I just only use Netflix, but still, it's great. :)

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link6155

Posted
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You could get a Raspberry Pi, but it's not for those who aren't tech savvy. You can install XBMC on it, which has lots of channel including Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube (but not skype). You can get Skype by simply installing it outside of XBMC. As for casting to the Raspberry Pi, here's a guide for how to set that up: http://bbrks.me/rpi-minidlna-media-server/

 

This is a cheap alternative to Apple TV, but at the same time it's harder to setup.

  • The Evil Overlord
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+mram Subscriber²

Posted
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Posted

Apple TV is great for streaming channels like most of the alternatives, but what really makes it cool for me is streaming from my computer, so I can have a master library of media in iTunes and share it via the apple TV devices I have in the house.  Mostly those aren't listed on the comparisons, but it's kind of a big deal.  Is there anything like that in the Windows space?

Grand Master

Sikh

Posted
Posted

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the new Nexus Player.

seems like the best option to me right now. I'd personally say it's better than Roku as it's an open platform

I almost thought about mentioning it and then I remebered why I didn't buy one, lack of Ethernet port is ######ing stupid.

Say what you will but any serious streamer would be wired up. The lag time I get on wireless on my chrome cast Apple TV and rpi is just dumb. I have n and AC routers and it's still useless. I know wireless isn't perfect that's why at least a 10/100 port is doable. But apparently google thought it wasn't a good idea, idiots.

  • Order_66 and +E.Worm Jimmy
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Grand Master

+E.Worm Jimmy Subscriber¹

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Posted

I almost thought about mentioning it and then I remebered why I didn't buy one, lack of Ethernet port is ######ing stupid.

Say what you will but any serious streamer would be wired up. The lag time I get on wireless on my chrome cast Apple TV and rpi is just dumb. I have n and AC routers and it's still useless. I know wireless isn't perfect that's why at least a 10/100 port is doable. But apparently google thought it wasn't a good idea, idiots.

 

 i don't know about you guys, but a serious media player should have usb input too.    so i can watch media that someone brings to me (usb stick or eternal hard drive).    in any format popular in last 10 years.

Grand Master

Sikh

Posted
Posted

i don't know about you guys, but a serious media player should have usb input too. so i can watch media that someone brings to me (usb stick or eternal hard drive). in any format popular in last 10 years.

I agree. That's why I also have that option. Xbmc on a pi is my ultimate streaming machine but an Apple TV or Roku is super easy to use for the norm.

Grand Master

+E.Worm Jimmy Subscriber¹

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I agree. That's why I also have that option. Xbmc on a pi is my ultimate streaming machine but an Apple TV or Roku is super easy to use for the norm.

 

 

so we argee..    the nexus player is a cripple.   ;)

 

and that is why i don't recomend it to anyone.

 

 

 

 

btw, not to start another topic....

 

 

it has being years... so i am out of date.     i want a box that can play ANY video format i though at it, and that has HDMI output, Ethernet,  USB input.     what are the suggestions?    running android for apps i great, but not necessary...

 

is the Pi fast and can be setup to also stream from my PC?       i might have to research that.  but i am old and lazy now, i don't want to spend hours customizing stuff.  plug and play for me is better.

Grand Master

Praetor

Posted
Posted

so we argee..    the nexus player is a cripple.   ;)

 

and that is why i don't recomend it to anyone.

 

 

 

 

btw, not to start another topic....

 

 

it has being years... so i am out of date.     i want a box that can play ANY video format i though at it, and that has HDMI output, Ethernet,  USB input.     what are the suggestions?    running android for apps i great, but not necessary...

 

is the Pi fast and can be setup to also stream from my PC?       i might have to research that.  but i am old and lazy now, i don't want to spend hours customizing stuff.  plug and play for me is better.

 

i have an Android TV pen, those cheap Chinese ones (<100?) and it just works. I installed Plex on it and it just plays all my multimedia library plus all the android apps i use.

 

cons: only wifi, but there are some models that use ethernet as well.

Grand Master

+E.Worm Jimmy Subscriber¹

Posted
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i have an Android TV pen, those cheap Chinese ones (<100?) and it just works. I installed Plex on it and it just plays all my multimedia library plus all the android apps i use.

 

cons: only wifi, but there are some models that use ethernet as well.

 

it is ok, my living room is way far from my modem.    i love cable but i am ok with  wifi too.   plex....   now that i like.    

 

 

as i said i was living with pc in the living room for years, so i am completely out of date on the modern solutions...

 

can you give me a link to a product so i can see what it is? pen sounds wierd... a stick already sounds limited... but PEN?

Grand Master

Praetor

Posted
Posted

it is ok, my living room is way far from my modem.    i love cable but i am ok with  wifi too.   plex....   now that i like.    

 

 

as i said i was living with pc in the living room for years, so i am completely out of date on the modern solutions...

 

can you give me a link to a product so i can see what it is? pen sounds wierd... a stick already sounds limited... but PEN?

 

lol it's a stick, it's almost 3AM in here and i'm pretty sleappy :)

  • +E.Worm Jimmy
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Grand Master

Sikh

Posted
Posted

People outside of America call a usb device / flash drive a pen drive.

So that's what he meant.

@earthworm: Xbmc on pi takes all of 5-10 minutes. Takes about another 15 mins max to get if the way you want it. After that you just need a simple wireless keyboard. I use a Logitech k450 I believe it is. It has a trackpad built on and it's pretty small so it's nice

  • +E.Worm Jimmy
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rfirth

Posted
Posted

Windows Media Center works very well as a DVR, and could be a free alternative if you have a spare PC sitting around. Integrates well with Netflix and Hulu and your standard cable channels.

 

This can be paired with an Xbox 360 (if you like) which has more media apps and can be used as a Media Center extender. You can pick up a brand new Xbox 360 for $99 these days, which is a good deal even if you don't play games. You could get an even better deal if you buy used.

 

Remember, you don't need Xbox Live Gold anymore to use the entertainment apps on Xbox.

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