Netflix set-top box (gift idea)?

Qingu

I want to get my dad some kind of a device that functions like the XBox 360's Netflix streaming thing, but without the rest of the Xbox 360.

Is there some kind of standalone Netflix device that will stream "instant watch" movies to your TV?

Thanks, friends!

EggyToast

You mean like the Roku thing?

Coworker of mine has it and is a big fan.

Qingu

Yis, that was what first came up on a Google. I've never even heard of it, though.

Also, what are the relative merits of having a Netflix/Blu-Ray player? I don't think my dad has a blu-ray, though he has an HDTV.

dacount97

I have no experience with them, but Roku is supposed to do that.

Here is the site - http://www.roku.com/

John Matrix

Maybe you could combine a gift? Some Blu-ray players have netflix and pandora streaming capabilities built into them.

Bionic Monkey

Thanatos had a thread in the Tech Tavern asking about BD players, and several of the offers included Netflix and other types of streaming. If your dad has an HDTV, I really think this would be the best route to go, since it would future-proof him, should BD actually hit critical mass.

lunchbox12682

The roku is great and is expanding what they can stream past just netflix.
For instance, they have MLB steaming, if you're a baseball fan.
The PS3 is obviously more expensive but does BR and netflix well too.

RUNN1NGMAN

HD TiVos have Netflix too.

EggyToast

If you wanted to get a Blu-Ray player with Netflix streaming, that would also be a good gift -- and the Netflix streaming is very straightforward in all of them. I believe for most all you need to do is enter in your account info and that's that -- it'll connect to the internet and register with your account. It's the same idea behind the 360, PS3 disc, Roku, etc.

I've got a friend who has a blu ray player that does the Pandora/Netflix/etc thing and he loves it. He uses it for Pandora and Netflix more than for blu ray. It's really just a matter of cost -- I don't think any of them do Netflix poorly.

illig

just FYI, Netflix streaming requires decent download/upload speed... if your parents happen to have the basic internet package, the image quality will downright suck... check this before buying to avoid wasting money

Bionic Monkey

illig wrote: »

just FYI, Netflix streaming requires decent download/upload speed... if your parents happen to have the basic internet package, the image quality will downright suck... check this before buying to avoid wasting money

Eh, depends on who they're getting it through. I have basic Comcast cable, and I get full bars on everything I stream, whether it's HD or not.

JimJimBinks

I have a Roku box at home and love it.
It connects to my router via wifi. Both HD, and standard def programs on netflix look great. The Amazon VOD store is also really damn good. It's the best $99 I'd ever spent on a video device, and I hear it's cheaper now. I don't have the best internet connection at home, and the only time I've seen a program re-buffer after the initial buffering at the beginning was when I was running bit torrent.

Count Funkula

I also have a Roku box at home and it works great, even with my "slow" DSL internet connection. Netflix offers a free disc to let you stream on your PS3, otherwise the blueray player idea sounds good too. $99 for the Roku HD box is a pretty nice deal.

Arch

Get him a ps3!

they are like super cheap now