- Nov 18, 2005
- 28,799
- 359
- 126
So I'm coming to the realization that a native Windows 8 and/or Windows Media Center solution does not exist to incorporate Netflix, HBO GO, and Amazon On Demand services without compromise.
By that, I mean a solution that allows each service to be navigated to using a remote (Harmony) and otherwise provide a fairly fluid, "integrated" environment.
Sure, there's the Netflix WMC plugin, and of course the Win8 "Metro" app (the latter being the only option if you want 1080p and 5.1 streams) - but there are no HBO Go and Amazon apps.
I haven't tried it, but I've even heard a mixed opinion on the Win8 Netflix app, in regards to Harmony/WMC remote support.
With that said - what about something like the Netgear NeoTV Prime? It has an HDMI Input (I haven't paid that much attention to GoogleTV, perhaps they all do?), so you can use a cablebox through HDMI In and pass it all through 1 HDMI out.
Which would be ideal, because adding more input switching is not what I want right now, nor do I care to upgrade my receiver to make it easier (only has 2 HDMI inputs).
Would something like this make it less convoluted to browse through media using the Harmony remote and access "on demand" content, and easily switch to the HTPC for live and recorded TV (and/or whatever else I care to do on the pc)?
I was entertaining the idea of Roku and the like, but that would require a dedicated input and force the use of switching between inputs.
The thing I like about the small media box route, be it a GoogleTV or Roku or whatever... is that, I imagine, they consume far less energy than, say, a PS3. Which, for Netflix and Amazon, I could use my PS3 just fine - but that's going to suck down more energy and I am trying to be conscious of energy use. If I can't get it done on my HTPC, which is always on, I don't want to run something like my PS3 which is going to suck down at least as much as the HTPC itself, if not a fair bit more. I love Netflix on the PS3, and Amazon is there too, though still no HBO - that. and doubling energy use just to get a few extra streaming services seems counter-intuitive. If the NeoTV doesn't require that much more juice, I'd much rather that route. Then again, if I can just get the HTPC itself for everything - that's the ideal route.
edit:
I've been reading that HBO Go was never a full app on Google TV, more or less a link - and that as of a few months ago, it's officially been broken for everyone on recent GoogleTV platforms.
Is there ANY way to get HBO Go onto my TV, be it through PS3, my Windows 8 HTPC (w/ Windows Media Center) or a third-party streaming box?
There is the idea that any streaming box should have an HDMI Input as well as Out, so that I can access the HTPC/cable when desired (90% of the time) and then switch to streaming services.
By that, I mean a solution that allows each service to be navigated to using a remote (Harmony) and otherwise provide a fairly fluid, "integrated" environment.
Sure, there's the Netflix WMC plugin, and of course the Win8 "Metro" app (the latter being the only option if you want 1080p and 5.1 streams) - but there are no HBO Go and Amazon apps.
I haven't tried it, but I've even heard a mixed opinion on the Win8 Netflix app, in regards to Harmony/WMC remote support.
With that said - what about something like the Netgear NeoTV Prime? It has an HDMI Input (I haven't paid that much attention to GoogleTV, perhaps they all do?), so you can use a cablebox through HDMI In and pass it all through 1 HDMI out.
Which would be ideal, because adding more input switching is not what I want right now, nor do I care to upgrade my receiver to make it easier (only has 2 HDMI inputs).
Would something like this make it less convoluted to browse through media using the Harmony remote and access "on demand" content, and easily switch to the HTPC for live and recorded TV (and/or whatever else I care to do on the pc)?
I was entertaining the idea of Roku and the like, but that would require a dedicated input and force the use of switching between inputs.
The thing I like about the small media box route, be it a GoogleTV or Roku or whatever... is that, I imagine, they consume far less energy than, say, a PS3. Which, for Netflix and Amazon, I could use my PS3 just fine - but that's going to suck down more energy and I am trying to be conscious of energy use. If I can't get it done on my HTPC, which is always on, I don't want to run something like my PS3 which is going to suck down at least as much as the HTPC itself, if not a fair bit more. I love Netflix on the PS3, and Amazon is there too, though still no HBO - that. and doubling energy use just to get a few extra streaming services seems counter-intuitive. If the NeoTV doesn't require that much more juice, I'd much rather that route. Then again, if I can just get the HTPC itself for everything - that's the ideal route.
edit:
I've been reading that HBO Go was never a full app on Google TV, more or less a link - and that as of a few months ago, it's officially been broken for everyone on recent GoogleTV platforms.
Is there ANY way to get HBO Go onto my TV, be it through PS3, my Windows 8 HTPC (w/ Windows Media Center) or a third-party streaming box?
There is the idea that any streaming box should have an HDMI Input as well as Out, so that I can access the HTPC/cable when desired (90% of the time) and then switch to streaming services.
Last edited by a moderator:
Facebook
Twitter