Netflix on non smart tv

busybee100

I've just posted the same question on the techie forum and been redirected.



I don't really want to buy another piece of kit. We have android phones, Now TV boxes, laptops and tablets. The TV has a USB port.

Is my only option laptop to TV using a USB cable?

Or is there an app for anything we have that would cast Netflix? Or can I side load something to a Now TV box?

pappa_golf wrote: »

the now TV box is a Roku box that is made in white and flashed with Sky,s own software.


a std Roku box can use Netflix and is a "app" available from Roku




in order to use a Roku branded box in black , you just plug it in , however you have to spend 5 mins reflashing the software to the std Roku stuff if you want to use the white "sky" branded one

There's no Netflix app on our black Now TV box.

So do I just need to add Plex to view Netflix?

Cornucopia

busybee100 wrote: »

I've just posted the same question on the techie forum and been redirected.

I don't really want to buy another piece of kit. We have android phones, Now TV boxes, laptops and tablets. The TV has a USB port.

Is my only option laptop to TV using a USB cable?

The USB port is not for this kind of interface. (It's for attaching a storage device for displaying photos & video, and depending on the TV, simple recording).

The TV will have other interfaces - most typically, SCART, Phono and HDMI. For most modern STBs and similar devices you will need HDMI. If your TV does not have this, your choice of STB may be more limited.

With the range of devices you already have, a solution should be easy. Have a look at the devices previously mentioned in this thread: Amazon Fire HD, Chromecast, Now TV, Roku. Since you already have one of those devices, look into using that. Alternatively, the Amazon device is well respected and Chromecast uses an Android phone as its remote (reducing clutter).

Or is there an app for anything we have that would cast Netflix? Or can I side load something to a Now TV box?

There's no Netflix app on our black Now TV box.

So do I just need to add Plex to view Netflix?

If you want to customise a Now TV box, refer to the link provided earlier in the thread.

Laptops will play Netflix from the browser. Other devices will have a Netflix app available from their app stores. The question then is how to link those devices to your TV.

busybee100

I've side loaded Plex to the Now TV box. I've put the Plex server on to my laptop. The Roku is linked to my Plex account on the laptop. What next?

busybee100

Sorry that was a bit rude. I really wish I knew what I was doing. I feel as if there's a vital piece of information encrypted and I can't unlock it.

pappa_golf

create a roku account and get the app?

RaiderHammer

How about Apple TV box? Anyone using that for Netflix? That box as a Netflix app pre installed?

MoneyMate

Just worked for me

http://www.topcashback.co.uk/venere/

R34GTT

RaiderHammer wrote: »

How about Apple TV box? Anyone using that for Netflix? That box as a Netflix app pre installed?

I have one and Netflix is pre installed. The previous generation Apple TV (3) is £59. If you have an iPhone or iPad then this has the added bonus of allowing you to AirPlay videos and music as well as mirroring your screen.

Another MSE thing with Netflix on Apple TV is that if you start your Netflix subscription using an Apple TV it will be billed through iTunes, thus allowing you to pay for Netflix at a 20% discount as there are often iTunes gift cards available at 20% off. I load up my iTunes account with enough credit to last a few months.

R34GTT

busybee100 wrote: »

I've side loaded Plex to the Now TV box. I've put the Plex server on to my laptop. The Roku is linked to my Plex account on the laptop. What next?

Side loading Plex will not enable you to install the Netflix app. That only lets you use Plex to stream videos stored on your PC and added to the Plex library.

To install the Netflix app on a NowTV box you would need to reflash the NowTV box to turn it into a normal Roku box. The previous poster discussing this was talking about turning the original NowTV box (white) into Roku LT box (black). You have the latest NowTV box (black) which you need to turn into a Roku 2 box (also black).

busybee100

Ah, I'll go have another look. Thank you for taking the time to post.