new rate plans are coming for netflix users. i have been a steady member since 08 and on and off before then. i have the netflix app on my evo3d and although i don't use it on a regular basis it is nice to be able to pull up when i am stuck somewhere bored and kill some time. i am looking at pricing and to stream and have 2 movies out at the same time i am going to jump to about 20 dollars. for that price i can use blockbuster online and take in some games. also able to drop them off at the store and exchange them out (limited). anyone thinking about switching? or anyone using blockbuster online now and if so are u able to stream from your phone like netflix. blockbuster is one of the apps i took off as soon as i got my phone because i wasn't going to be using it
Well you are saving for online use so that is good. For DVDs I never thought Netflix was that great. Don't rent DVDs that often and when I do it is usually when I have guests over. In that case we decide on a movie and I head over to the local redbox and get it for $1. Can even reserve it on my phone with the redbox app so I know it will be there. Can't do that with DVDs by mail. Not condoning it, but there are other ways to get a DVD.
Netflix is good
Considering the path Blockbuster is taking as a company, I'd prefer not to put my money into a sinking ship.
Netflix, or check your local library - a lot of times they rent movies for free, and have a pretty vast selection.
I bought a Fire TV Stick for $19 when they offered it to Prime members for $19 because, well, it was $19.
The Stick works a lot like the Nexus Player. It's very snappy and navigates menus quickly. The Fire TV stick plays movies and TV shows instantly. No hesitation, no buffering, no determining download speed. And it's hidef quality. Instantly.
When playing music on the Amazon music player it shows the words of the song while playing automatically.
But the compelling point is content price. I have a Prime account so a lot of content is included in the price. I was able to play Hunger Games: Catching Fire immediately and for free. On Nexus Player it would have cost $20. I was able to play an episode of the Good Wife for free. It would have been $2 on Nexus.
Yes, it doesn't have cast. But I have a Chromecast to take care of that.
I think my Nexus Player will become a gift for one of my kids.
TabGuy said:
I bought a Fire TV Stick for $19 when they offered it to Prime members for $19 because, well, it was $19.
The Stick works a lot like the Nexus Player. It's very snappy and navigates menus quickly. The Fire TV stick plays movies and TV shows instantly. No hesitation, no buffering, no determining download speed. And it's hidef quality. Instantly.
When playing music on the Amazon music player it shows the words of the song while playing automatically.
But the compelling point is content price. I have a Prime account so a lot of content is included in the price. I was able to play Hunger Games: Catching Fire immediately and for free. On Nexus Player it would have cost $20. I was able to play an episode of the Good Wife for free. It would have been $2 on Nexus.
Yes, it doesn't have cast. But I have a Chromecast to take care of that.
I think my Nexus Player will become a gift for one of my kids.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you hate to say it, then dont.
If you want the Amazon ecosystem then nexus player isn't the best bet yet. I got a stick as well, and it's remote seems better, but it feels lagging to me
I purchases a fire stick as well but I don't think it has 802.11ac support which is a must for me since it doesnt have an Ethernet port. I streams tons of 15GB content using xbmc. But I'm glad its working for you, how do you consume content if you don't mind me asking? Plex, xbmc with addons like genesis?
TabGuy said:
I bought a Fire TV Stick for $19 when they offered it to Prime members for $19 because, well, it was $19.
The Stick works a lot like the Nexus Player. It's very snappy and navigates menus quickly. The Fire TV stick plays movies and TV shows instantly. No hesitation, no buffering, no determining download speed. And it's hidef quality. Instantly.
When playing music on the Amazon music player it shows the words of the song while playing automatically.
But the compelling point is content price. I have a Prime account so a lot of content is included in the price. I was able to play Hunger Games: Catching Fire immediately and for free. On Nexus Player it would have cost $20. I was able to play an episode of the Good Wife for free. It would have been $2 on Nexus.
Yes, it doesn't have cast. But I have a Chromecast to take care of that.
I think my Nexus Player will become a gift for one of my kids.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire has been on Netflix for a little while now. So, that's not a particularly good example.
Can the Fire TV Stick run XBMC/KODI and play high bitrate 1080p files with DTS smoothly?
I personally don't care about premium content beyond Netflix. I have Amazon Prime and never even watch it.
I actually do have kodi loaded on my stick, and have tested some files with no issues. It's nice. It's not as powerful as the nexus player and more locked down
Returning
I agree completely with the OP. I have a ouya, chromecast, fire tv stick and fire tv all running and I have put more time trying to get xbmc to run smoothly on the NP than any other device put together. I have tried every build possible with zero to no luck resolving constant force closes during streaming from sources like genesis, freezing, not being able to use it yet as a launcher, lack of apps and netflix on it is the worst. The only thing I have found to work good on it is google play content. Mines being returned and ill take the cash loss from the shipping just to get this thing gone since I have it on kijiji at cost price with zero response. Worst device of the year imho
I think that's a bit hard. Especially when you think that this device is out since merely two weeks..
ks2hot4u said:
I agree completely with the OP. I have a ouya, chromecast, fire tv stick and fire tv all running and I have put more time trying to get xbmc to run smoothly on the NP than any other device put together. I have tried every build possible with zero to no luck resolving constant force closes during streaming from sources like genesis, freezing, not being able to use it yet as a launcher, lack of apps and netflix on it is the worst. The only thing I have found to work good on it is google play content. Mines being returned and ill take the cash loss from the shipping just to get this thing gone since I have it on kijiji at cost price with zero response. Worst device of the year imho
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose. I've been using WDTV Live boxes and you don't know the meaning of pain. Lots and lots of issues...
If I were you you, I'd RMA the unit back to Google. Google will send you a brand new one. Don't open it! You'll have a much better chance of selling it on Kijiji as new un-opened.
ks2hot4u said:
I agree completely with the OP. I have a ouya, chromecast, fire tv stick and fire tv all running and I have put more time trying to get xbmc to run smoothly on the NP than any other device put together. I have tried every build possible with zero to no luck resolving constant force closes during streaming from sources like genesis, freezing, not being able to use it yet as a launcher, lack of apps and netflix on it is the worst. The only thing I have found to work good on it is google play content. Mines being returned and ill take the cash loss from the shipping just to get this thing gone since I have it on kijiji at cost price with zero response. Worst device of the year imho
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its early days for android l and think you are jumping the gun. The np has just been rooted and expect to see good things develop in the near future. Performance wise it is faster than most of the devices you own. I installed xbmc 13.2 on it with advanced settings and it works ok, not rock solid but reasonable. I will admit Navi-X is rocky, but does work sometimes.
Worst device of the year is a bit far of a reach especially when you are looking at it for XBMC use. On that end it may be a simple thing of its too new of a product.
For the value the fire stick could be a better buy if you are in the US. In canada Prime instant video means nothing, you could probably tinker with your router and work through that but sometimes you just want to be go the simple non hacking route.
Personally i am enjoying the nexus player very much. but if you are looking for xmbc streaming or the amazon eco system then yeah go for the fire tv stick. grab a chrome cast as well for good measure.
ks2hot4u said:
I agree completely with the OP. I have a ouya, chromecast, fire tv stick and fire tv all running and I have put more time trying to get xbmc to run smoothly on the NP than any other device put together. I have tried every build possible with zero to no luck resolving constant force closes during streaming from sources like genesis, freezing, not being able to use it yet as a launcher, lack of apps and netflix on it is the worst. The only thing I have found to work good on it is google play content. Mines being returned and ill take the cash loss from the shipping just to get this thing gone since I have it on kijiji at cost price with zero response. Worst device of the year imho
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? This is worrying, I have an ouya and xbmc works great on it, was going to buy a nexus player for downstairs though as fancy one and Wifi is bit flaky on ouya.
Does xbmc not run great on it?
A device with a locked bootloader, it will never be better than one with bootloader open. Because you will always be forced to do only what the manufacturer wants. If they want to remove XBMC they will do it in a second, like many other things. Thanks to Google Nexus Player is a true Nexus device with an open bootloader and the potential is a million times greater than the Fire TV. Specially with a new and modern OS like Android 5.
Sorry for the intervention and i suggest to vote with your wallet. Do not buy a device with a locked bootloader if you like Android.
Will get better
Not only is it new hardware, but it's new software also. I'm sure kodi will eventually run perfect on it and google will patch up android L...
zulu99 said:
A device with a locked bootloader, it will never be better than one with bootloader open. Because you will always be forced to do only what the manufacturer wants. If they want to remove XBMC they will do it in a second, like many other things. Thanks to Google Nexus Player is a true Nexus device with an open bootloader and the potential is a million times greater than the Fire TV. Specially with a new and modern OS like Android 5.
Sorry for the intervention and i suggest to vote with your wallet. Do not buy a device with a locked bootloader if you like Android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed. It's the community of developers, small and large that makes this OS so great. I don't see much progress in the Fire TV forum and its been out for months.
I think my point was missed. I ordered the NP first day. Love my nexus 5, have a nexus 7 flo installed in my dash which replaced the nexus 7 2012 that was there before it. I run xbmc on all my nexus products without a hitch. Received the NP last Wednesday, as soon as I plugged it in I sideloaded Chainfires tool, installed es explorer and used the official xbmc x86. Right off the get go it seems slow and laggy, it has a few hiccups using addons but no biggy. The biggest issue for me in xbmc is streaming content from 1channel, icefilms and genesis during a 22 minute episode xbmc crashed 4 times and returned me to the launcher. I tried spmc, tvmc, fired tv xbmc, Kodi alpha 1,2,3,4, and now 5 all with multiple configurations they all crash frequently. The remote is cheap and lacks a menu button, 1gb ??,no spdif, no ethernet, no full size usb (although I had no issues with OTG and a hub), Netflix broke so hard I had to do a factory reset, and the chromecast integration is laggy and bug ridden. Might have good potential in the future but as of right now I would much rather use the 25 dollar fire stick. Only tested one game asphalt 8 and the fire tv blew it out of the water. This isnt a debate of the potential of the device or what it might do in the future with roms its about out of box usage with current methods and mods. The ouya lacks in areas but out of the box ran 10x better and especially after with cyanogen. The reality is I received my firetv rooted it loaded xbmc and backups 20 minutes later up and has ran with no issues, received the fire tv stick a bit slower than the box but still set up and running in 20 minutes and no issues. To me thats enough, I have a rma and hate that I waited anxiously for over a month to have the thing ship and destroy any conceived expectations of a good working fire tv contender.
I'm running Kodi on mine streaming even 3D content at high bitrates no problem. I recommend the Helix Beta. Downloadable as an APK at: kodi.tv/download (choose the android beta x86 version).
I agree with ks2hot. I have issues with xbmc/kodi 14 beta 1,2, &4 on the NP. For whatever reason I am getting FCs. My firestick has had beta2 on it and is rock solid. I am sure they will figure out the issue and fix. The NP is a better box in most every other way though, but if I am playing a movie via xbmc I will choose the stick for now
volwrath said:
I agree with ks2hot. I have issues with xbmc/kodi 14 beta 1,2, &4 on the NP. For whatever reason I am getting FCs. My firestick has had beta2 on it and is rock solid. I am sure they will figure out the issue and fix. The NP is a better box in most every other way though, but if I am playing a movie via xbmc I will choose the stick for now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I too have had issues with XBMC 13.2, kodi betas 1-5 and now the nightlies - but only if I enable addons. Straight kodi has had no problem streaming hours of a random sampling of my 600+ blu-ray rips, 100+ television shows and my music collection from my synology nas. Once I start adding addons, the thing gets unstable pretty quickly - I haven't narrowed down which addons to date.
The Nexus Player is the first production lollipop set top and devs haven't had much time updating for it. Google also has some clear bugs to deal with on the box. Even with those caveats, however, I love the NP. That its easily rooted, has simple support for a ton of peripherals (such as any of my bluetooth ps3 controllers), hard drives, extended storage for games, etc... the list goes on. The ability to sideload and use hundreds of thousands of apps with ease is also a huge bonus while we wait for devs to code leanback interfaces and games.
A relatively open system will *always* be preferable to a closes system in my mind. The Nexus Player is a keeper, even as it is right now for me.
Elrondolio said:
I too have had issues with XBMC 13.2, kodi betas 1-5 and now the nightlies - but only if I enable addons. Straight kodi has had no problem streaming hours of a random sampling of my 600+ blu-ray rips, 100+ television shows and my music collection from my synology nas. .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks good to know..I will get rid of all my addons and see if that helps. Once we get the expanded storage thing figured out the NP is going to be a beast.. Its already a phenomenal device
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1236278-REG/lg_lgr105_ausats_360_cam_spherical_camera.html
Also 360 VR for $199 too.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1236279-REG/lg_lgr100_ausats_360_vr_smartphone_headset.html
Any news on the dac add on from bang and Olufsen?
If it wasnt for how bad the reviews are for the 360 vr I would be tempted to order it. Especially with how much I dislike the gear vr I ahve sitting here next to me.
Woah 199 for the VR? It got horrid reviews.
B&H Photo also has bundles with the G5 and both the 360 VR & 360 Cam for $799.99 - pretty good deal if you want them both.
And I saw the 360 VR did get mixed reviews, but I really think the lightness and lack of clunkiness (ie not having to dock your phone in the headset) are what can make the difference. To me, the mobile VR solutions shouldn't be trying to compete with Oculus Rift yet - I think trading off some immersiveness/quality might be worth it at this point for the lighter frame and greater ease of mobility. This isn't a headset for playing deeply immersive computer games - it's for carrying around with you and enjoying a little VR on the go wherever you are.
That said, I am hoping to be able to try one out somewhere before I think about ordering.
~Troop
if you own the US version of the G5, the B&O module is not compatible with your device. it's terrible news...
I'm using the LGR105 and it's not too bad. Realize it has limitations. The app, however, is horrible. The 20 minute video is 2.5 Gigs and you must transfer it through the app to get a useable video. But the app won't transfer the video because it can't fit 2.5 Gigs into 7.5 Gigs of available space on the phone. I also have 8 Gigs free on my SD card. The developers don't want to be bothered. First they said "Download the new version, we fixed that problem" which obviously they didn't, as I'm running the new version. Then they said that it's my problem. Totally useless. What good is a camera when you can't view the pictures you've taken?
I have the VR and it fit's better and is lighter then a cardboard with a phone inside.
The screen is not very good, I can count the pixels... and the phone drains fast and gets very hot using it.
I only tried it the day I got it for free with my secondhand phone, you need to install LG friends and all kind of LG 3d specific apps and from what I know it only works with those apps..
Nice try LG, but it's a waste of money..
I'm sorry but I can never figure Google out? So they seem to discontinue the device then continue to give it all the latest and greatest updates? The Nexus player fills a nitch as thou I love my Shield Android TV I really do not want to shell out the $200.00 for a second one for the bedroom. The price point at least made the Nexus Player a strong contender for the entry level customers to Android TV and offered a product which could compete with Roku and Fire TV within that $100.00 range. So for mere speculation do any of you see another product in the works to fill the empty space the current Nexus Player is leaving? The Chromecast is a nice product but surely not a replacement for the Nexus Player.
wastate2014 said:
I'm sorry but I can never figure Google out? So they seem to discontinue the device then continue to give it all the latest and greatest updates? The Nexus player fills a nitch as thou I love my Shield Android TV I really do not want to shell out the $200.00 for a second one for the bedroom. The price point at least made the Nexus Player a strong contender for the entry level customers to Android TV and offered a product which could compete with Roku and Fire TV within that $100.00 range. So for mere speculation do any of you see another product in the works to fill the empty space the current Nexus Player is leaving? The Chromecast is a nice product but surely not a replacement for the Nexus Player.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are basically asking for speculation on what Google plans to do with their place in the set-top-box market.
.... They will do what they must to maintain their place = new nexus player. Eventually
Sent from my LG-H811 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Amazon Firestick works for me. Too many problems with the Nexus player freezing up.
wastate2014 said:
I'm sorry but I can never figure Google out? So they seem to discontinue the device then continue to give it all the latest and greatest updates? The Nexus player fills a nitch as thou I love my Shield Android TV I really do not want to shell out the $200.00 for a second one for the bedroom. The price point at least made the Nexus Player a strong contender for the entry level customers to Android TV and offered a product which could compete with Roku and Fire TV within that $100.00 range. So for mere speculation do any of you see another product in the works to fill the empty space the current Nexus Player is leaving? The Chromecast is a nice product but surely not a replacement for the Nexus Player.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fact is that there isn't a replacement. None measure up in all aspects. Some work like Amazon Fire TV/Stick and Roku. But the Nexus doesn't have limits and has long term support via Google or the Community. Full android, Xposed, Eliminating Ads*, sideloading ALL apks, latest Android version and all around future proofing makes for an experience unmatched by any other set-top box besides a Shield TV. Even the Hardware is better than the others and can handle x265. As well as OTG support for external hdd, mouse/keyboard, webcam, ethernet adapters. Even the bluetooth more open.
Part of me wants to get a 2nd NP but I already have 2 Chromecast. So I'm waiting for the 2nd Gen.
*Screw ads and the moral dilemma others claim. I pay for paid versions of every app applicable and support developers. I don't however want my content and viewing experience interrupted by other things.
As a webcam usually goes on top of a monitor, this is the nearest topic to post in
So. I got a Logitech HD Webcam C270 back in 2013 for about €18 and figured after 9 years it was time for an upgrade. The foot has broken off so it doesn't properly stand on my monitor any longer and the image is quite poor compared to any modern selfie camera on a phone.
Boy was I surprised how messed up this market has become! THEY ARE STILL SELLING 720P WEBCAMS! And not only are they still selling poor quality webcams, they are charging big bucks for them too! I can apparently still buy the same C270 I got back in 2013 for €35 today! Looking at the cheapest 1080P version on the Logitech website, which is a C920S HD PRO, it costs €100! There are €100 smartphones with better cameras! The most expensive Logitech webcam in that list is €250 and that's far from the most expensive one out there.
I can get a pretty good deal on a Razer Kiyo X (€40), which is reviewed as one of the best. Worth it? Better alternatives?
What happened to webcams anyway? After 2 years of video meetings you'd think there would've been some progress in this area but that doesn't seem to be the case. I'd probably even get better results transforming my old OnePlus One into a webcam, no? At least that supported [email protected] BACK IN 2013 for about the same price of 4K webcams today!
Timmmmaaahh! said:
As a webcam usually goes on top of a monitor, this is the nearest topic to post in
So. I got a Logitech HD Webcam C270 back in 2013 for about €18 and figured after 9 years it was time for an upgrade. The foot has broken off so it doesn't properly stand on my monitor any longer and the image is quite poor compared to any modern selfie camera on a phone.
Boy was I surprised how messed up this market has become! THEY ARE STILL SELLING 720P WEBCAMS! And not only are they still selling poor quality webcams, they are charging big bucks for them too! I can apparently still buy the same C270 I got back in 2013 for €35 today! Looking at the cheapest 1080P version on the Logitech website, which is a C920S HD PRO, it costs €100! There are €100 smartphones with better cameras! The most expensive Logitech webcam in that list is €250 and that's far from the most expensive one out there.
I can get a pretty good deal on a Razer Kiyo X (€40), which is reviewed as one of the best. Worth it? Better alternatives?
What happened to webcams anyway? After 2 years of video meetings you'd think there would've been some progress in this area but that doesn't seem to be the case. I'd probably even get better results transforming my old OnePlus One into a webcam, no? At least that supported [email protected] BACK IN 2013 for about the same price of 4K webcams today!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using this Webcam on top of a monitor, but also 3 others(build in into a HP Elite book, Lenovo ThinkPad, Philips 272B7 Monitor) and indeed, the built in one's of the notebooks are better(sharper), only the one from the Philips Monitor is the worst(not so sharp).
The price is good, the mounting very versatile and the mic is fine. For the price
If you don't want pay that cost and use android smartphone, you can use DroidCamX, this app uses a smartphone and wifi signal o USB cable for transfer video to your PC, I use this for stream games on YT with OBS.