Author Topic: Set top box to rule them all?  (Read 2417 times)

Set top box to rule them all?
on: September 26, 2016, 14:51:45 PM
Hi gents.

Ive just moved to Sky from BT which means the set top box no longer has Netflix on it (and nor does my TV).

What should I plug into my TV to make it smart?

I have a PC plugged into it which just runs Plex and ROMS, ideally I'd like to move that somewhere else.

Are there any boxes with really slick interfaces (wife friendly) which run: Plex, Amazon, Netflix and ROMS?

Amazon Fire - no Sky Go
Sky - No Netflix
PC - No slick consolidated interface that I know of?

I feel like an unhindered android box should be able to do it but Im not sure any are solid enough yet.

For the ROMs ideally I'd like to be able to plug in my USB Xbox 360 wireless dongle so I can play wirelessly.
Formerly sexytw

Re: Set top box to rule them all?
Reply #1 on: September 27, 2016, 20:26:17 PM
Hi gents.

Ive just moved to Sky from BT which means the set top box no longer has Netflix on it (and nor does my TV).

What should I plug into my TV to make it smart?

I have a PC plugged into it which just runs Plex and ROMS, ideally I'd like to move that somewhere else.

Are there any boxes with really slick interfaces (wife friendly) which run: Plex, Amazon, Netflix and ROMS?

Amazon Fire - no Sky Go
Sky - No Netflix
PC - No slick consolidated interface that I know of?

I feel like an unhindered android box should be able to do it but Im not sure any are solid enough yet.

For the ROMs ideally I'd like to be able to plug in my USB Xbox 360 wireless dongle so I can play wirelessly.

I use Roku for plex and on demand TV, not sure if you can get sky Go but worth a check, no idea what will run ROMs though..

Nvidia shield might be worth a look perhaps, but again no idea what is and isn't supported

Re: Set top box to rule them all?
Reply #2 on: September 29, 2016, 19:27:45 PM
Xbox One has apps for Netflix, Amazon, Sky Go, Plex, BBC, Hulu, etc.
Get creative with US DNS & US Subscription ( lots of account shops on the web - like ZAR but spelt backwards ) you can get NBC Sport (live premier league), HBO, Showtime, Starz, encore, movieplex etc. - unfortunate no NBC
So tons of TV available.
Also the Xbox One S has the advantage of being the cheapest 4k HD Blu-ray player currently available.

Re: Set top box to rule them all?
Reply #3 on: October 01, 2016, 21:17:12 PM
Interesting.

Does anyone have any experience of micro Windows 10 boxes? Seems like it would do everything but I dont know if there's an interface that would work with a remote (to access each 'app' without having to use keyboard, mouse).
Formerly sexytw

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Re: Set top box to rule them all?
Reply #4 on: October 02, 2016, 19:22:55 PM
Interesting.

Does anyone have any experience of micro Windows 10 boxes? Seems like it would do everything but I dont know if there's an interface that would work with a remote (to access each 'app' without having to use keyboard, mouse).
I use Win 10 and one of these (usually £20):
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00XJ3LVPI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Re: Set top box to rule them all?
Reply #5 on: October 02, 2016, 21:28:51 PM
My concern is the wife friendliness of that kind of setup. As soon as a keyboard or mouse is required its basically too much tech.

Currently I have an IR adapter for my PC which only runs plex. That works quite nicely but there's no way to switch to other apps neatly.

Id really like an interface like android or fire, but with the flexibility of windows behind it, there must be something out there but I havent found it yet.

My other option is to work out how to get 4 player N64 roms playing on an android stick.

Formerly sexytw

Re: Set top box to rule them all?
Reply #6 on: October 03, 2016, 16:45:59 PM
My concern is the wife friendliness of that kind of setup. As soon as a keyboard or mouse is required its basically too much tech.

Currently I have an IR adapter for my PC which only runs plex. That works quite nicely but there's no way to switch to other apps neatly.

Id really like an interface like android or fire, but with the flexibility of windows behind it, there must be something out there but I havent found it yet.

My other option is to work out how to get 4 player N64 roms playing on an android stick.



build your own html webpage & run a browser in full screen.
I wouldnt rule out the XBOX - you can use smartglass app on a phone/tablet as a remote. You can also pin apps to your front page. Also supports TV guide, etc. if you run your TV box through it.
Last Edit: October 03, 2016, 16:51:31 PM by Eggtastico #187;

Re: Set top box to rule them all?
Reply #7 on: October 03, 2016, 16:50:52 PM
how about
http://www.xpadian.com/

or a rip off from the MAC Launchpad

http://winlaunch.org/


Re: Set top box to rule them all?
Reply #8 on: October 03, 2016, 21:03:24 PM
Cheers. Winlaunch looks like a good option if I go for windows. I dont think I need any of the other features which the xbox gives to justify the extra box. 

I think Ive found a way of hooking up my xbox 360 controls to an android box, which helps with the 'always on' appliance style I cant to try and achieve.

I'll have a play with a £30 or so M8S based box and see how it goes.
Formerly sexytw

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