The Roku box may be great for online streaming, but you need special media-server software on your computer, or to connect a USB drive to the Roku box, in order to play your downloaded files. Be sure to check the manufacturer's website if you don't see the service you want. Some manufacturers call online streaming services "online streaming partners," "apps," "channels," or simply "services." While there will be a list on the streamer's packaging, firmware updates often add new services. Downloaded Media Libraries: If your main interest is connecting to Netflix, Hulu, Vudu, Amazon, and other video services, or to play music from Pandora, Rhapsody, MOG, or Spotify, look for a media streamer with the online services that interest you. Able to handle most any file format, I would recommend this player for advanced users because the menu navigation and lack of automation can be quite confusing for other family members. One media player that offers customization is Netgear's NeoTV 550. The Boxee has an extensive ability to search, get recommendations from other users, and share what you are watching with others in your social-media universe, plus it has a massive index of "channels" and "apps." Those features fill the screen and can confuse a novice or timid user. Other media streamers like the Boxee Box are full-featured yet have a long learning curve. The WD TV Live has large icons and simple menus, making it a good choice for novice users. The Roku box is probably one of the simplest media streamers to set up and navigate. Customization and Features: If you have family members who are nervous tech users, there are media players and streamers with simple menus and basic remote controls that are relatively easy to use. So what's the best way to watch movies and TV shows, listen to music, or play slideshows from online sources or your own stored media files on your home-theater system? Which device should you buy? Or, should you simply get a new TV or other component with streaming services built in?ġ. You can quote me on this distinction, but there is little agreement or consistency in whether a device is called a media player or a media streamer. However, media streamers often are not DLNA certified. Those that can play your own files have an app that connects to the media library on your computerand with some fancy setup work, it can connect to external hard drives and network-attached storage (NAS) drives as well. With a few exceptions, most media players can also connect to online services in addition to playing your own media files.Ī media streamer connects to online services and may or may not play your saved media files. "Media player" is a DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) certification indicating that the device will communicate with and play the files from a DLNA-certified media server. A media player connects to your home network to play movies you have saved on computers and hard drives, which act as media servers. ![]() Media players are often called media streamers, but I make a distinction between the two. Do you only want to stream video and music from the Internet? Do you want to watch Netflix or Hulu, or do you like to find unique videos and video podcasts? Have you saved music, photos, and/or videos on your computer that you want to stream to your TV? The first step in deciding which one to buy is to know why you want it. ![]() There is a growing number of media players, media streamers, and other devices that can access Netflix, Hulu, and your own saved media to watch on your TV.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |