AKICILJ: Connecting the TV to the Internet

[carbonel]

Thanks to Greg Cotton, I now have two more holes in the floor, and the Internet goes from the office to the living room, where the television is. (At least, I think it does. I haven't actually done anything that would test this hypothesis.)

Which means that I'd like to be able to take advantage of the new capabilities. The two devices I know about are AppleTV and Roku, but I expect there are others. I'm looking for information and recommendations.

What I know I'd like to be able to do is watch Netflix and possibly Amazon content -- I have a Netflix subscription.

The other possible issue is that whatever device I have, I'd prefer it not plug directly into the TV, if possible. I have a DVR from DirecTV, and I'd much rather go through that. I think the TV does have an additional HDMI plugin, but I don't want to have to mess with that kind of switching. I already have to do unnatural things to get to the DVD player.

Advice? Suggestions?

(What I really need is a "dealing with technology" icon; the TiVo one is anachronistic, since I had to give up my TiVo a few years ago.)

Comments

[dd-b.livejournal.com]

Most of the Blu-Ray player boxes support Netflix streaming. Modern Tivo boxes do. Other DVR boxes seem mostly not to, that I can tell (mine from Comcast doesn't). (And some modern TVs support Netflix directly, but presumably you're not changing out TVs over this.)

I'm not knowledgeable about any magic that can be done feeding one device through another. Luckily my TV has 4 HDMI inputs, so I'm only half-full with the DVR/cable box and Blu-Ray box plugged in.

A computer with DVI or HDMI video out could also drive the TV, if you wanted to go that route. You'd need to finagle sound separately I think.

[buttonlass.livejournal.com]

Well of the devices I know of, none are capable of both Netflix and Amazon subscriptions. We have Netflix running through our Wii.

[msmoat.livejournal.com]

I have a Roku player and it streams from Netflix, Amazon, Hulu and assorted other free services such as Pandora. I chose Roku rather than Apple TV because I wanted both Netflix and Amazon. Apple TV will do Netflix and iTunes, but not Amazon. (Roku can't talk to iTunes--I use my computer for an iTunes content.)

My Roku is connected to my TV with an HDMI cable. My TV switches between HDMI and other inputs very easily, but I know other TVs can be a hassle about that. I don't know about connecting the Roku player into an input through your DVR, although it should theoretically be possible.

[carbonel]

Thanks for the info. It's sounding like Roku is the winner.

Another thing that Roku streams is MLB.tv, which means that I can have access to all the Cubs games when I want to see them -- if I decide to re-up. I had it last year (computer-only), and I didn't get my money's worth. Turns out that I listened to a lot more Cubs games on radio (for $15/year) than with the full picture version, because I could listen to the radio version while I was working, whereas the full version required all my attention.

I got it at a discount last year; if they offer the same discount ($80 vs. $120, IIRC), I think I'll give it a try.

(And the radio version of the Cubs just won't be the same this year; Ron Santo, the long-time announcer, died last year.)

[ckd]

Semi-related advice: the Logitech Harmony remotes are great for situations where you have to switch inputs on things (in my case, the TV and the stereo receiver both have multiple inputs that need to switch for the DVR, PS3, and AppleTV).

It does sound like the Roku is the right direction for you on this.

[carbonel]

Maybe that's the way to go. I use HDMI1 for watching with the DVR, but I have to switch to another input for watching DVDs, and I'd have to go to HDMI2 with a Roku, I suspect.

Right now, I'm using the DVR remote for most things, the TV remote to change the input and aspect ratio or whatever it's called (i.e., zoom or normal; widescreen DVDs and torrented shows work best on zoom), the DVD recorder remote for most DVDs, and the unlocked DVD player remote for Region 2 and .avi DVDs. That's four remotes in frequent use, plus the VCR remote occasionally. It's a juggling act.

On a totally unrelated note, are your ears burning? I unexpectedly came across your name in skogkatt's LJ.

[ckd]

Looks like the current bottom-line Harmony is the 300, at $40. I have the Harmony One and love it, but it wasn't cheap.

(And I am amused by the continued cross-overs of my social circles, though fandom to fandom isn't really surprising; OTOH, this is not going to help me convince skogkatt that I actually don't know everybody.)

[drewan.livejournal.com]

I suggest buying a Mac Mini. It gives you access to Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, and pretty much any other online content streaming you could want. Plus you can watch any other acquired video content through it.

The one downside is that there is no Blu-Ray compatibility with it if you need that.

I've had my Mac Mini connected to our LCD for over two years and it's worked wonderfully.

[carbonel]

There's also the little issue that the cheapest Mac Mini I found on a quick Google search was $699 -- which is seven times the price of a Roku.

If money were no object...

[ckd]

I was considering getting a Mac Mini recently as a HTPC, but with the amount of time it's been since the line was updated added to the recent release of new MacBook Pros with Thunderbolt I've decided to wait until the next model. (With luck, it'll have Thunderbolt and I can get a good-sized storage array hooked up to it.)