Streaming to TV: Netflix, Amazon, PC/HDD

[Born2bwire]

I know about the WD HD Plus and the Roku, but is there a new goto device to do the following:

Stream Netflix in 1080P.
Stream Amazon VOD.
Stream from some network or local source like a PC or USB hard drive.

Basically I want to straem the standard Internet sources and also my own files in HD. The only device I have heard of is the WD Live Plus but the reviews are rather mixed. Is there anything better that you guys can suggest? I think that I have heard of something from Sony.

EDIT: Forgot about the new HT PC forum. Mods feel free to move this there if more appropriate.

 

[Mloot]

I have a Sony SMP-N200, which I believe does everything you are asking for.

 

[Born2bwire]

That's the best that I could find too. The WD looks the best but it lacks the Amazon VOD (which I want since I am considering on getting a prime account). Can you tell me more about the Sony one? I only ever hear about the WD and Roku stuff. For example, do you get both HD and Dolby Digital in Netflix with the Sony one?

 

[smitbret]

I had the exact same dilemma. If the WD Live Hub had Amazon VOD it would be perfect. I suspect it will be an option with a future update, but when that'll occur......?

But really as a device that will play just about any video file over network or DLNA and has a great mix of services and features, I don't think I could have made a better choice.

 

[Born2bwire]

I had the exact same dilemma. If the WD Live Hub had Amazon VOD it would be perfect. I suspect it will be an option with a future update, but when that'll occur......?

But really as a device that will play just about any video file over network or DLNA and has a great mix of services and features, I don't think I could have made a better choice.

Yeah, I think I'm going to go with the WD Live. It's annoying that I seem to have to make compromises on every device. One problem why I don't want to go with the Roku is that my receiver does not take in HDMI, so I can't have access to the Dolby Digital feeds.

 

[smitbret]

The Roku is a great box for online streaming, probably the best out there. However for local streaming, the WD boxes are in a whole different league.

If your budget isn't too tight, you might want to check out the Boxee Box or Dune player.

 

[Born2bwire]

The Roku is a great box for online streaming, probably the best out there. However for local streaming, the WD boxes are in a whole different league.

If your budget isn't too tight, you might want to check out the Boxee Box or Dune player.

The Boxee Box wasn't as prominent for me in the reviews so I haven't given it much thought. I guess the main problem for me, is that I am still unclear about what the advantages would be in going with the Boxee over say the WD Live.

 

[smitbret]

Well stamp me stupid. I thought Boxee supported Amazon VOD. I checked the list and I am surprised at how few devices are supported.

Other than a really top notch interface, I can't really see an advantage. If the price of the Boxee didn't bother you, I would suggest the WD Live Hub since it includes a 1TB HDD and can act as its own DLNA server to other DLNA devices in the house.