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I have a customer who is a retired lady approaching 70 who has heard about and now wants Netflix. She has ADSL, a desktop computer and a TV with no smarts or apps in it.
I have a couple of Google Nexus TV/Player (made by ASUS) in use at home, but these are no longer made. Reading up on Chromecast she would need a device (iPhone/iPad/Android whatever) to have the Chromecast App installed, said device would stream the Netflix and push it out to the Chromecast.
What a load of shite that is. What can I buy, that can connect to the internet, login to Netflix and play it through HDMI for her?
Help?
Michael Martin
Australia
"I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible."
- Mr.Prakash One Fine Saturday. 24/04/2004
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Michael Martin wrote: What can I buy, that can connect to the internet, login to Netflix and play it through HDMI for her?
An rPi?
Marc
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Marc Clifton wrote: An rPi?
I've 2 x Raspberry Pi 2 and 2 x Raspberry Pi 3 sitting here. Have you used anything specifically for this? OpenELEC (running Kodi) on a Pi is great for running your local digital library but doesn't seem to support Netflix or similar/
Michael Martin
Australia
"I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible."
- Mr.Prakash One Fine Saturday. 24/04/2004
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Hmm, I was thinking that something like using the LXDE desktop with a Firefox (or maybe Chrome) browser should be able to connect to Netflix, though I'm not sure about the codex, and what I've been reading about getting Firefox or Chrome running on the rPi is a bit dubious.
Marc
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Geez, I should have just googled "watch netflix on an rpi". There's at least one video on how to create a home theatre with an rPi.
Marc
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Marc Clifton wrote: Geez, I should have just googled "watch netflix on an rpi". There's at least one video on how to create a home theatre with an rPi.
I'll have to check later if it is one of the many I found for this. Was hoping someone here had actually done it so they could recommend from experience.
Michael Martin
Australia
"I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible."
- Mr.Prakash One Fine Saturday. 24/04/2004
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I use a ROKU. Works very well; no idea if you can get them in that godforsaken country you call Oz. 
Or a cheap laptop and an hdmi cable and laptop keyboard. Or a very long hdmi cable from her pc to the TV.
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R. Giskard Reventlov wrote:
I use a ROKU. Works very well; no idea if you can get them in that greatest place on earth you call Oz. |
Just looked them up, seem to be he same as the Chromecast, use your phone or similar to stream to the ROKU. Have I got that arse backwards?
Michael Martin
Australia
"I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible."
- Mr.Prakash One Fine Saturday. 24/04/2004
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No, chromecast 'casts' content from a device to the TV, a ROKU has 'apps' (channels), including Netflix and is connected to the internet by wifi or Ethernet. Works really well. The RKU (here) has upwards of 35000 channels to choose from of varying content and quality. I use HULU rather than Netflix as it has better TV offerings.
I don't think an elderly person will get on with chromecast but should be ok with a ROKU or Amazon Firestick or AppleTV. I know that because the MIL knows how to use them!
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R. Giskard Reventlov wrote: No, chromecast 'casts' content from a device to the TV, a ROKU has 'apps' (channels), including Netflix and is connected to the internet by wifi or Ethernet. Works really well. The RKU (here) has upwards of 35000 channels to choose from of varying content and quality. I use HULU rather than Netflix as it has better TV offerings.I don't think an elderly person will get on with chromecast but should be ok with a ROKU or Amazon Firestick or AppleTV. I know that because the MIL knows how to use them!
Thanks. Just looked them up here in Oz. Place in Melbourne has them, I'm in Sydney, they start at >AUD$100.00 here and I would have to wait for shipping.
Michael Martin
Australia
"I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible."
- Mr.Prakash One Fine Saturday. 24/04/2004
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There's quite a few Roku models - one accepts voice (ca. US$100), but I've a streaming stick, which seems to be heading down towards $40 (RF controller: doesn't need line-of-sight). There's Roku several models. Also, refurbs.
That, and a digital antenna, is all we use for TV in our house. Haven't missed cable.
| Ravings en masse^ |
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| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
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I used a PS3, overkill I know, the PS3 had all the smarts and connected to netflix. Caveat - you may not be able to stream content if the bandwidth is too low. Cairns broadband sucks!
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity
RAH
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Mycroft Holmes wrote:
I used a PS3, overkill I know, the PS3 had all the smarts and connected to netflix. Caveat - you may not be able to stream content if the bandwidth is too low. |
Not going to be worth getting an Xbox or PS3/4 for this, she won't get any value for it. All the devices that used to exist don't any more except Apple TV, not letting her get that.
Mycroft Holmes wrote: Cairns broadband sucks!
Told you to leave the 19th century and move here to NSW, but did you listen? Nooooo, got o stay near family. Families are so over rated.
Michael Martin
Australia
"I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible."
- Mr.Prakash One Fine Saturday. 24/04/2004
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Just being curious, why not the chromecast + smartphone? Does she find it hard to operate the phone? I think it would be like a remote control.
My mom who is near enough 70 finally caved in and started using a smartphone, and has got to be quite good at it (meaning she comments on faceboook photos and answers skype calls). Prior to that she only had a fixed telephone, so quite an improvement
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Nighthowler wrote: Just being curious, why not the chromecast + smartphone? Does she find it hard to operate the phone? I think it would be like a remote control.
I think that like me she would think it faarrrkkkking retarded to use your phone to access Netflix and then have another device connected to the TV to get the content there.
Michael Martin
Australia
"I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible."
- Mr.Prakash One Fine Saturday. 24/04/2004
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Why? All you are doing is using your phone as a remote control - and one that only shows you "relevant" buttons, rather than the "where's the elephanting mute button on this sunshine?" I have to play with the TV remote... 
Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay...
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OriginalGriff wrote: Why? All you are doing is using your phone as a remote control - and one that only shows you "relevant" buttons, rather than the "where's the elephanting mute button on this sunshine?" I have to play with the TV remote...
Are you not streaming the content through the phone?
Michael Martin
Australia
"I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible."
- Mr.Prakash One Fine Saturday. 24/04/2004
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No, not with streaming video - you tell the Chromecast where to access the stream. Once you have started it, you can turn the phone off completely if you want - it won't affect playback (but ... you won't be able to fast forward!)
Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay...
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Addendum: if you are casting local content (from the phone, or a NAS file rather than a DLNA source) it streams via the phone, so you can't turn it off.
Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay...
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<fireproof coat on>
AppleTV, does the same as the Roku, just not as well. But it'll handle Netflix just fine
</fireproof coat off
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Your one mistake was taking the fireproof coat off. BURN THE HERETIC! 
On topic though: there are a ton of good suggestions. I'd go the rPi route but that's because I'm a masochist always looking for something I can write an article about.
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I would too.
But a rPi with a box and a remote wouldn't be any cheaper than the AppleTV.
And were talking about a 70 year old woman. 
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In the rPi case at least you could provide adequate customer service though 
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If that's your business idea.
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LOL
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