Looking for a roku replacement..
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zolo111




Posts: 128

PostPosted: Fri, 18th Aug 2017 02:09    Post subject: Looking for a roku replacement..
So I've had a chromecast & a roku streaming stick for the past 2 years, will give both to family members.

I'm looking for a new streaming device that supports the following:

Allows side loading of games, supports bluetooth gamepads + free plex player, youtube, netflix.

It has to be easy enough for my wife & 5 year old son to control, so something that has an easy remote like a roku would be great.

I don't have any console, should I go for something like a used PS3? Is it easy to mod/ sideload games?

Or build an htpc from left over parts, been trying to find a reason to upgrade my gaming pc (3570k, 16gb ram, 980Ti, Crucial m4 256GB).

I had an htpc before, my wife hated using a bluetooth mouse & KB; been happy with roku level remote control.

It will be connected to a vizio 55" 1080p set.

Budget up to $300. Edit: unless building an htpc is the best option, then I'll up the budget.


Thanks!
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Morphineus
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Posts: 24883
Location: Sweden
PostPosted: Fri, 18th Aug 2017 03:12    Post subject:
Nvidia shield, NAS (something like the QNAP TS-251+ or a Synology), an Intel NUC (better option than building HTPC), Raspberry pi (bit weaker than the previous options), A gazillion android devices,...

Most devices you'll be able to make into a fisher price streaming device (Kodi and plex work almost everywhere), plenty of remore controllers out there that work with most devices. You could also use a smart phone.
Check https://flirc.tv. if you already have controllers that you are happy with.

The options are vast.


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Bob Barnsen




Posts: 31974
Location: Germoney
PostPosted: Fri, 18th Aug 2017 08:07    Post subject:
You can also mod the Amazon Fire TV Sticks to allow installation of third-party .apks. Though it probably is not even needed, if you just want to use it as a Plex-Player.
And it comes with a remote.


Enthoo Evolv ATX TG // Asus Prime x370 // Ryzen 1700 // Gainward GTX 1080 // 16GB DDR4-3200
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Aeon




Posts: 8700
Location: Netherlands
PostPosted: Fri, 18th Aug 2017 08:23    Post subject:
I'd go for the Nvidia Shield. I got it myself and it's great and it has all you need.


Intel i7 6700K, RTX470 Super, Kingston HyperX Fury 32GB
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TheZor
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Posts: 5991

PostPosted: Fri, 18th Aug 2017 16:24    Post subject:
Aeon wrote:
I'd go for the Nvidia Shield. I got it myself and it's great and it has all you need.


Same, can warmly recommend it.
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Morphineus
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Posts: 24883
Location: Sweden
PostPosted: Fri, 18th Aug 2017 18:46    Post subject:
Look into all options first though. Shield is lazy, good... but lazy. Razz


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zolo111




Posts: 128

PostPosted: Fri, 18th Aug 2017 19:45    Post subject:
A NAS, raspberry pie would be under powered for my needs I guess since I want some gaming ability. What I want is a device that can play sideloaded games + streaming capability, otherwise I'd buy another roku if all I wanted was just streaming.

Nvidia shield looks great, but it seems that most games don't support the gamepad natively unless the devs added support. Any first hand experience with sideliading games to the shield? What is needed to add gamepad support to a game?

I'm still reading on the Amazon Fire TV Stick and other options mentioned here.

Thanks alot Smile
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Morphineus
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Posts: 24883
Location: Sweden
PostPosted: Fri, 18th Aug 2017 20:15    Post subject:
Can't you just get a Steam link for the gaming and do the sideloading (wth does that mean btw? I only heard the term as in installing packages from non official sources.) on your main rig as you would have to do with streaming?
Sometimes splitting up the tasks make more sense than a one device solution.

Nas can be pretty powerful though, but yeah they are not gaming machines and they can cost quite a bit. I use a NAS+TV with DLNA for my media. For gaming on the couch I just use my consoles and Steam Link.


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Tumitishdu




Posts: 1021

PostPosted: Sun, 20th Aug 2017 03:21    Post subject:
Dunno about gaming but I bought Beelink GT1 Ultimate, and it is a solid piece of work. Loving it.
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zolo111




Posts: 128

PostPosted: Sun, 20th Aug 2017 04:56    Post subject:
Sideloading as in move apks to the device via es file explorer or something & install. Probably splitting the tasks would be a good idea too.

The shield seems like an all in one device in terms of what I need. But the androidTV app support seems lacking, i.e. most games require touch interface from what I've bee reading.

So if I wanted something to play sideloaded games (i.e free/cracked) using a gamepad, a used PS3 would be a better idea?

I'm not looking for top of the line games, some silly toddler games + light games for me (racing) when being lazy on the couch. Does the PS3 play netflix, youtube @ 720p/1080p & plex with no trouble?

I'm not looking for a device to stream my gaming pc games to the tv.

I'll start reading about the Fire TV Stick now too Smile
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Morphineus
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Posts: 24883
Location: Sweden
PostPosted: Sun, 20th Aug 2017 13:30    Post subject:
I'd advice against a PS3, used it quite a bit. Was my first streaming device. Fairly simple, has Netflix, Plex,... but it's also a closed system. The programs work decent on it, but the loading is a bit on the slow times compared to other devices.

These days it just lags a bit behind on the features compared to most media boxes that sell as cheap as a used PS3. Makes only sense if you want it mostly for the games library/PS Store.


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AwE




Posts: 1686

PostPosted: Sun, 20th Aug 2017 21:57    Post subject:
The shield ist a great device if you want all in one. Very good Kodi Support, too.
This device ist powerfull enough for most Android emulators and you can use almost any gamepads available.
PlayStation, Dreamcast, N64, NES, SNES, Megadrive, Nintendo DS, Amiga, etc. + many good Android games.
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zolo111




Posts: 128

PostPosted: Mon, 21st Aug 2017 03:02    Post subject:
Thanks everyone for the help, just grabbed a shield TV 16gb. Will play with it for a couple of days and see how it goes Smile
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