Easiest Netflix Streaming Device

[Zomp]

I'd like to get my parents an easy Netflix streaming device.  They have a Samsung LCD TV but they got it before the smart TV boom.  Their house is equipped with Wifi.  I'd like the most bang for the buck but I think I'd like to spend $150 or less.
 
Whats my best option?

 

[SirPsychoSquints]

Roku is about $100 and is extremely easy.

 

[Dollar]

Do they use any Apple products (iPads, iPhones)?  If yes, I would say Apple TV for sure.  If not, I would say either Apple TV or Roku.

 

[Omar's Wacky Neighbor]

It's not the device that's hard, it's if they feel comfortable switching the inputs on the TV.
 
Otherwise, just grab a cheap stick and install just the netflix app on it.  IOW, offer them no choices to KISS.
 
http://www.cnet.com/news/fire-tv-stick-vs-chromecast-vs-roku-streaming-stick-battle-of-the-sticks/
 
(BTW, those prices should be lower than in the article)

 

[Curll]

Roku is about $100 and is extremely easy.

Aye.
 
A Roku 3 is a great investment. Grab the Netflix app, pop in your info, and you're ready to go.
 
Plex is a fantastic download that'll let you watch shows on the internet (Daily Show, Colbert, Food Network, and more) and play stuff you've downloaded onto your PC. 

 

[SumnerH]

Netflix is a no-brainer for any of the modern devices. The two standouts to me are:

Roku 3 for the widest selection of external services (Amazon, etc) http://www.amazon.com/Roku-3-Streaming-Media-Player/dp/B00BGGDVOO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416708588&sr=8-1&keywords=roku+4
WDTV Live wifi 1080p for the best support of local media http://www.amazon.com/Live-Media-Player-Wi-fi-1080p/dp/B005KOZNBW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416708494&sr=8-1&keywords=wdtv+live+smp

Both under $100.

 

[brs3]

I've had a Roku for close to 3 years without an issue. I've moved and changed internet providers, and didn't miss a beat. If all things are equal, the Roku is easy. 

 

[singaporesoxfan]

Whatever input device you choose, do this:

Find a bright red or orange sharpie. Color the remote button that allows them to change inputs. Print out a label and label the button TV or Netflix.

 

[Omar's Wacky Neighbor]

Whatever input device you choose, do this:

Find a bright red or orange sharpie. Color the remote button that allows them to change inputs. Print out a label and label the button TV or Netflix.

I used bright nail polish for all of my parents' remotes' buttons.

 

[Corsi]

I just got the Amazon Fire Stick the other day and think it's great.  I got it for $19 presale, but I believe it sells for $39 retail.
 
edit: Selling for $24-25 at Best Buy and Staples
 
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/amazon-fire-tv-stick/9999119.p?id=1219460752591&skuId=9999119
http://www.staples.com/Amazon-Fire-TV-Stick/product_1434022?cmArea=home_box1#desc_content

 

[Blacken]

WDTV Live wifi 1080p for the best support of local media http://www.amazon.com/Live-Media-Player-Wi-fi-1080p/dp/B005KOZNBW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1416708494&sr=8-1&keywords=wdtv+live+smp

Avoid these. They're not bad hardware, but the UI is stupid and frustrating.

 

[teddykgb]

And he wants something simple for his parents, so local media and plea and shit really aren't differentiators.

As others have said you have to solve the input problem more than anything. Roku and Appletv are both fine if you can get them to the input.

 

[SumnerH]

Avoid these. They're not bad hardware, but the UI is stupid and frustrating.

 
I haven't found anything that plays more codecs than the WDTV options, short of a full-blown pc.  If you're mainly streaming from remote services the Roku is the way to go, but if you have a lot of local media the WDTV is much nicer than fighting with transcoding options, all of which suck.  My parents use one, and would give up in frustration trying to run Plex or something and transcode all their media.

 

[Omar's Wacky Neighbor]

If all he wants is Netflix, why are there so many suggestions for $100 devices.  $25 for a stick, load nothing but Netflix onto it, and call it a day.

 

[bosoxsue]

Be sure before you get the Roku 3 that they have the right inputs on their TV; I have an old "it's good enough" TV that came for free with the shelving unit I wanted in my living room; it isn't modern enough for a Roku 3, so I got a Roku 2. It is a cinch to use, though.

 

[ngruz25]

I second the Amazon Fire TV Stick recommendation. If your parents are anything like mine, they'd welcome a dedicated remote. All they'd have to do is hit the input button on their TV remote, then click on Netflix. Or Amazon Prime.

 

[Zomp]

I ended up going with the Roku 3.  They can also use my amazon prime membership to get their catalog as well as Netflix, and pops may want some of the sports subscriptions.
 
Thanks everyone!

 

[Zomp]

So now that they have the Roku 3, I'm considering getting one seeing how awesome it is.  Any must have channels? I'm already a Netflix and amazon prime user.

 

[johnmd20]

So now that they have the Roku 3, I'm considering getting one seeing how awesome it is.  Any must have channels? I'm already a Netflix and amazon prime user.

 
HBO Go and Showtime, if you have the movie channels.(it would be nice if they added CinemaxGO and StarzPlay, but I don't believe they are available on the Roku) And Hulu plus, if you have Hulu. Amazon Music, if you have your music on the cloud.(i do) And Pandora.
 
But I would guess I use netflix and amazon for about 85% of my Roku time.

 

[SumnerH]

So now that they have the Roku 3, I'm considering getting one seeing how awesome it is.  Any must have channels? I'm already a Netflix and amazon prime user.

 
You should PM Zomp and ask him, he got one a few weeks ago:
 
 

I ended up going with the Roku 3.  

 

[Omar's Wacky Neighbor]

So now that they have the Roku 3, I'm considering getting one seeing how awesome it is.  Any must have channels? I'm already a Netflix and amazon prime user.

Just turned it on, so I can go down my channels:
 
 Crackle has some nice stuff for a free channel;
 
Disney, HBO GO, Plex If you HTPC or torrent, SyFy, Pandora, TuneIn, FoxNow, WatchDisney, WatchESPN, FXNow, (basically, pretty much any channel that has real cable TV content), some nice weather channels, NowhereTV (gives me News12 here in NJ without subscribing to TWC/Comcast).
 
If it's free, try it, and delete it if you don't like it.  I could recommend other channels, but they just repackage movies/shows/archives readily available already for free on the internet:those are the channels/apps you want to try out and play around with.
 
Epix is giving free service to everyone thru March 8 to devices only (not to cable boxes), so that's be worth google-ing for two free month.