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Cheapest Netflix capable device - user friendly!!!! (for old people)

Nvidiaguy07

Nvidiaguy07

Platinum Member
Were getting my grandparents netflix and need the easiest possible way they can use the streaming service.

My first option is an older PC I have lying around. Its a SFF HP, that takes DDR2 RAM, so i think its new enough to be able to stream netflix. (probably not in HD, but not a huge deal because I doubt they can tell the difference)
The biggest problem with this is im sure this is gonna be much more complicated to them than using a different device. Even with a media center, i think it would still be too hard for them. Plus I would have to buy a remote for it, program it, and teach them how to use it. Definitely not ideal.

The next thing I would consider is something like apple TV, or the google boxes. Or maybe even the WD live tv media player little box.

I like the second option because im sure some of them are user friendly, and
come with a remote.

Other things I could consider are maybe a Wii or a 360. But again im not sure if those might be too complicated for them.

Im open to any other suggestions, but remember, my main focus is ease of use.
 
- Blu-ray player - some also play Amazon
- Roku - www.roku.com - also plays amazon Prime free content
- Apple TV - also plays iTunes

With a 360 they need a $40 Live Gold subscription just to play Netflix. It's the PS3 that plays it free (even with PSN down).
 
For ease of use you want to go with Roku. The downside of Roku is other online service and other media support is lacking, but for netflix, it rules. The remote is simple and there is really nothing to configure. One other great thing about the Roku is it will update the firmware itself and there is nothing for the end user to worry with. I have an 80yr old father that is always getting the tv on channel 3 when the satellite service only works on hdmi input 1 because he hits the wrong buttons. He also hates that red light on the front of the DVR because he doesn't know what a DVR is and why it is recording, DISH sold him one that he will never use . If Roku works for him it can work for anyone. Roku is power it on, select netflix, and select what to watch.
 
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Turn on Wii, pick up wiimote and press A - point to and click click netflix channel, confirm loading the channel. Content loads and you are presented with instant queue and new releases as well as other genres to browse. Click show/movie you want, click play. Not really complicated.

Id vote wii
 
Nvidiaguy07 said:
Were getting my grandparents netflix and need the easiest possible way they can use the streaming service.

My first option is an older PC I have lying around. Its a SFF HP, that takes DDR2 RAM, so i think its new enough to be able to stream netflix. (probably not in HD, but not a huge deal because I doubt they can tell the difference)
The biggest problem with this is im sure this is gonna be much more complicated to them than using a different device. Even with a media center, i think it would still be too hard for them. Plus I would have to buy a remote for it, program it, and teach them how to use it. Definitely not ideal.

The next thing I would consider is something like apple TV, or the google boxes. Or maybe even the WD live tv media player little box.

I like the second option because im sure some of them are user friendly, and
come with a remote.

Other things I could consider are maybe a Wii or a 360. But again im not sure if those might be too complicated for them.

Im open to any other suggestions, but remember, my main focus is ease of use.
Click to expand...

Roku, hands down. It is dead simple to set up and use. At $70, it's one of the cheapest options around as well.
 
mfenn said:
Roku, hands down. It is dead simple to set up and use. At $70, it's one of the cheapest options around as well.
Click to expand...

Second.

My mom uses a Roku, and streams wirelessly with pretty much no learning curve. If she's not feeling up to being in her living room, she plugs the box into her bedroom TV.

Daimon
 
Roku!

I bought a Samsung Blu-Ray player about a month ago, primarily as a Netflix streaming device and only secondarily for Blu-Ray. Netflix operation was slow, remote control clumsy, and prone to hitting the wrong button that would cause a long delay before you could get back to where you were.

So I bought a Roku XDS. Extremely easy to use, reliable, far better menu system, no pauses while playing back.

In both cases, ethernet connection rather than WiFi gave a better picture.

So I would strongly recommend a Roku device, which is also cheaper than a BD player.
 
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I realize an HTPC isn't exactly ideal for you, but on a related topic, the E-350/zacate platform is supposed to be able to handle netflix, but I don't know if the issues with netflix HD over Silverlight been resolved (or, was that just a misconfiguration issue to begin with)?

Apparently it wasn't quite fast enough to run it without dropping frames 100% of the time.
 
sweet, probably gonna try out Roku. For the price you cant go wrong. I do have questions thought about its ability to play other types of media.

I would consider buying the best version because it has removable storage, but what type of files can it handle? and can i play 720p mkv or avi files?

If so I might pick up a few of them.
 
Another vote for the Roku. Even the remote is simplistic. Everything you select is on the screen using arrow keys and a select button.
 
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