WD TV and Roku 3 Questions

[Dos_Box]

I've just ordered a WD TV on Friday as I wanted someting a bit smaller than my media pc to connect to my DLNA NAS box as well as allowing me to watch Netflix. I had been planning to buy one back in March but put it off.

Now I've just found out that WD have apparently dropped the Netflix client in May!

I've also just found out that my second choice of device, a Roku 3, now has a Crunchyroll and Netflix app as well as now supporting DLNA which it didn't earlier this year when I looked.

So, my question is this, has WD really dropped it's Netflix app for the WD TV box and are Roku 3 devices as good as they look and support DNLA seamlessly (I've played with a WD TV but not with a Roku)?

In which case I'll return the WD and order the Roku of they are that much better.

Edited August 11, 2014 by Dos_Box

[Arthur]

has WD really dropped it's Netflix app for the WD TV box

Dropped from the WD TV, but not the other models.

 

[Dos_Box]

Yeah, I can't understand why they'd drop it from just one device from their range. Very strange

[InterwebsGuy]

I have two Roku 3's. Wonderful little boxes and use very little power. I have had no issues with DLNA streaming to them - or 'casting' from iOS devices with their App - though the majority of my steaming is done via Plex to them.

I've used Netflix and all the catch up TV apps on them, and they have all been a positive experience.

 

I really love my Roku's, money well spent I feel.

[Dos_Box]

Well, my device arrives today. Apparently the Netflix app was only removed from the very latest WD TV's. Mine may be an older clearance item (from Dab's own eBay store).

If it isn't what I expected I'll see if I can get a refund or sell it off and get a Roku 3.

It'll mean having to convert a whole load of mpeg2 films to mkv on my NAS though

[Arthur]

It'll mean having to convert a whole load of mpeg2 films to mkv on my NAS though

Do you mean H.264, since MKV is just a container and supports MPEG2 video?

 

Could you use Plex to transcode the videos on the NAS into a suitable format for the Roku on-the-fly?

[jinnantonnixx]

How strange. I've got a WD TV Live and it's great. Netflix in 1080 is great - makes DVDs look poor.

 

The WD TV Live plays everything without transcoding - something to consider.

[Brimstone]

I've got 4 x Roku 2/3 boxes and use them to stream using Plex from my Mac Pro all around the house, as I did this before Dec 2013 the Plex app was free on the Roku App Store - it's now a chargeable app for Plex.

 

If you need to re-encode files the site below is very good...

 

ROKODING | Video Encoding for the Roku

[Dos_Box]

Well, it doesn't have Netflix as it's a new model where they have discontinued support for it.

I've ordered a Roku 3 instead