A couple of fun discoveries

[susandennis]

TiVo was an early way to download Netflix. In fact, back in the day, it was the only way. But, it sucked. Netflix just wasn't streaming ready. 2 hour movies took 4 hours with 2 hours of intermittent buffering. I canceled my Netflix account. Then TiVo upgraded and Netflix upgraded. And finally I got my Netflix account back.

Now TiVo is now a fancy, feature rich slow turd making just getting to the Netflix goods a major PIA. Today I started watching something and then wanted to check something on TiVo. Stopping and starting Netflix was just painful.

So... I decided to look at using my smart TV. My Samsung smart TV has never been too smart but, turns out, it is WAY smart enough for Netflix and Netflix's routine for linking up to my smart TV is easy peasy.

Nice.

Also, I watched the neatest documentary about two yodeling lesbian twins in New Zealand - Untouchable Girls. I'm not totally in love with the Topp Twins.

Comments

[catmomma.livejournal.com]

we use our Tivo for Netflix almost daily. Used to have buffering issues but now it almost never slows down.

[susandennis]

Do you have the premiere version of TiVo or one of the earlier versions?

I have no buffering issues any more but the freakin' premiere software is so slow. For regular TiVo functions, it's a bitch but for things like Netflix, it's just too laggy to even mess with.

Once the selection starts it's fine but getting to the selection is a bitch.

Maybe I'm just too impatient.

[catmomma.livejournal.com]

My Tivo is 3-4 years old. I think it is the first HD one.
Unfortunate when electronics get so bogged down with extras that they do not work well for what you want them for.

I am in search of a new camera and I am finding this issue. The one I have takes pictures, that is all. It's replacement does audio, video, photo shop type extras etc. I just want a newer version of what I have that TAKES PICTURES.

Ben calls this issue "feature creep".

[susandennis]

Yeah, my older TiVo (the one in the bedroom) works fine with Netflix and everything else.

The hotdamn latest and greatest sucks monkey balls. THE only reason I love it is that it has 4 tuners.

But the rest is an army of feature creeps!

[catmomma.livejournal.com]

yep I have now totally talked myself out of a new Tivo. This one only holds 80 hours and records 2 at a time but damn if that is not enough for me I need to find other hobbies!

[jawnbc]

I am currently setting up Samsung Smart TV #2, having bought my first 6 weeks ago. While the app selection for the NZ "store" is thin, the functionality is overall very strong. I've moved the 32" LED 3D model into the bedroom and am configuring the 42" LED in the living room.

Samsung NZ is running a promo: with each Smart TV purchase you submit some paperwork and get a free compatible wireless keyboard and mouse (which are just standard Microsoft accessories) AND a free Skype camera. I've used Skype on the other telly several times--very cool.

Nettflix doesn't really do anything for me, but I've never been a movie renter: I've rented like 10 in my entire life.

There is no cable TV in NZ. None. 4 realz. So faced with expensive satellite ($45 a month for 20 channels; hardware extra. So I'm doing all IP TV, which is costing me the princely sum of $3 a month for BBC World.

I apologize for the tangent :(

[susandennis]

No appology needed... I keep forgetting you are in New Zealand! If you see the Topp Twins, do tell them 'hi' and ask that they come to Seattle, plz.

And your rant is quite informative. I wonder if I can get a keyboard that will work with my Samsung. That would make a huge difference. My problem now is logging onto their website and then their TV site and then their app site and then to the individual apps... all from the 9 digit remote.

Maybe I should give it all another look. Getting onto the Netflix today was pretty easy!

I'm going to go back to the setup and see if I can train me and/or the TV and if a keyboard might help. Thanks!!

[jawnbc]

Any wireless or USB keyboard should work.

[katbyte.livejournal.com]

I watched that documentary, too. So, a smart TV is excellent with Netflix? I need to look into that. I could get rid of my Roku box!

[machupicchu.livejournal.com]

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Huh. I totally agree about stopping and starting Netflix via TiVo -- ridiculous pain in the ass. But as I recall, I have the same TV you do, just with a smaller screen. I had no idea I had a non-TiVo option for Netflix. I'll have to look into this. (I suppose this makes sense since my new Blu-Ray player, which was also as basic as I could possibly get it, also has Netflix functionality, now that I think about it. I still haven't tried it.)
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