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What about going even smaller and getting something like a Chromecast? I believe they can stream from Plex, all you really then need is your phone to start playing and point it at the TV. 

 

Netflix is supported too

 

Not many good deals going on other than a Now TV 3 month Entertainment pass if you do go Chromecast.

Chromecast is wireless though which i want to avoid

Sc302 does roku need plex to transcode files if streaming over network

It needs the plex app.  The web browser does not work even a web browser from a tablet (pushing the stream to the roku) does not work.  Tried a few workarounds prior to succumbing to purchasing the app.

Hmmmm lol can you link to nfs shares?

It isn't much for the plex app.  Just add it to the cost of the roku3.   There is perpetual and there is plexpass...if you are a plexpass member it is part of your agreement, if not then you pay once and it is yours.  I believe once it is on your account you can use it for whatever other devices are on your account. 

I use a WDTV and it's pretty good, connects to my samba shares and runs netflix (finally Australia gets it) really well. It's slow to boot up but I hear most of these things are. I just never turn mine off.

 

If I were to get a replacement in the future it'd probably be a Pi2 with all the bells and whistles. I hear good things about Roku but I've never used it personally.

I have a WDTV Live and WDTV Live Hub.

I don't know what revision my WDTV Live is but it supports Netflix, unfortunately isn't updated anymore.

My experience with the WDTV Live is that it is awful. It crashes all the time, Netflix barely works.

When it works, it plays videos great but it is a gamble and restarting takes forever as it rebuilds the library everytime.

 

WDTV Live Hub on the otherhand is stable as. Plays everything the Live does and it is faster. Unfortunately it doesn't support netflix.

It is also discontinued in the UK.

 

I personally would look for one of those Android players and get Kodi running it. Hands down the best media player.

Not for the feint of heart, but I took a gamble and bought one of these from Hong Kong:

 

http://www.cnx-software.com/2014/12/26/ipc002-is-an-ultra-thin-windows-8-1-mini-pc-with-a-7000-mah-battery/

 

Working very well after installing Windows 8.1 Pro 32 Bit & Plex. Only draw back is the single antenna configuration but it does use the higher spec Broadcom chipset instead of the underwhelming Realtek option found on other such Z3735F devices / tablets (my previous tablet had one, wasn't great). I have a USB based network adapter available if I run into any issues (but I have yet to).

 

I've watched a few of my films (1080p / DTS 5.1) without any issues.

 

Working with my old Formosa RC118 remote from my Windows Media Center days, which I am more than happy about :D

 

Being Windows, I can set it up to be whatever I want it to be or install Ubuntu if there's not a Windows option. If you have the correct BIOS installed, you an also run Android 4.4.4.

 

I have both Roku 3 and WDTV Live Hub, and I can tell yo that Roku 3 is the best out there, WDTV Live used to be great a few years back but these days not so much, they haven't upgraded the software in ages, haven't added any new apps and it's very basic, Roku with Plex rules them all.

  • 3 weeks later...

wow this thread has been going on a long time... and you still haven't decided? wow lol.

 

and what's wrong with Roku UI? It's the best of all the smart tv platforms and I've tested 3 of them

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