While the Chromecast brand has become almost as ubiquitous as Google itself, its time has come to an end. Now, the Google TV Streamer 4K has taken its place, and with it comes a new rectangular design. Alas, Google’s dongle is dead.

With improved hardware, broad streaming support and better smart home integration, this lightweight hub has a lot to offer if you’re buying your first streaming device. But while the previous iterations were an affordable entry point into video streaming, the higher price on this new product may be a hard sell for customers considering an upgrade.

Chromecast vs. TV Streamer: What’s the difference?

Google’s TV Streamer is an amped-up iteration of the Chromecast with Google TV, that’s powered by Android 14. Hardware upgrades, including doubling the amount of RAM to 4GB, translates to performance improvements across the board – and you can tell.

Navigation feels smoother and snappier, whether you’re using the remote or voice commands, load times are quicker and audio/visual quality is excellent. It’s still not the fastest kid on the block and kind of clunks along from time to time, but you’d hardly call it slow.

Storage space has also quadrupled with 32GB available for apps and media files (photos, videos etc). It’s a substantial upgrade, though storage is still limited compared to other streamers, like the Apple TV 4K, which offer substantially more.

As well as Wi-Fi 55, Google has added a gigabit (high-speed) Ethernet port. This is a welcome addition as cables, unlike Wi-Fi, are far less prone to dropouts that can interrupt streams and reduce picture quality. But while the lack of Wi-Fi 6 support is disappointing, Wi-Fi 5 is still more than up to the task of handling high-quality, 4K streams.

Overhauled design

The dongle era is over, as Google has now opted for a larger, flat rectangular streaming box with rounded edges. While older Chromecasts were designed to sit discreetly behind your TV or computer monitor, the TV Streamer has a rather sleek appearance that looks right at home on a TV cabinet.

But the bigger box makes the TV Streamer a little less travel-friendly than its predecessors. Where Chromecasts could easily plug into the HDMI port of a hotel TV, the Streamer is a bit too heavy to leave hanging back there. Though still light and portable, you’ll need to pack a longer HDMI cable if you want to connect on the go.

At almost 14cm, the updated remote is also a little larger, with a few minor adjustments. Volume control, for example, has been moved from the side to the front which feels easier to use, especially for people with limited dexterity. Otherwise, it’s more or less unchanged.

The navigation pad and buttons are limited to the essentials – home, mic (for voice commands), power on/off etc. As well as dedicated Netflix and YouTube shortcut keys, Google has included a customisable ‘star’ button to quickly open an app of your choice.

Finding your favourites

If a streaming service exists, then it’s probably supported by Google. All of the major options, and plenty of specialised ones, are available, including Netflix, Disney+, ABC iView, Tubi and Plex to name a few.

The home screen acts like a streaming hub, listing content from a variety of services that you may enjoy, alongside new releases, movies and shows to continue watching and so on. Google’s approach to the amalgamated content feed is one of the better examples around, though it’s not without its quirks.

New and trending recommendations tend to be quite good after Google gets a handle on what you like to watch. It generally pulls an equal amount of recommended content from streaming services that you are and aren’t subscribed to, but the latter can be a bit annoying.

Fortunately, you can turn this so-called feature off. After that, the TV Streamer will only recommend content from your existing subscriptions. Meanwhile, content that you’ve rented or purchased is stored in a separate ‘libraries’ tab, which helps keep the home screen clutter free.

The ‘continue watching’ section, which pulls content from all of your subscriptions, is quick and easy to access. But content doesn’t consistently appear in this list, sometimes forcing you to navigate to the app to pick up where you left off, which defeats the point of a home screen hub.

Using voice to search for movies and shows is one of the highlights of this streamer. Not only are voice commands accurate and responsive, they’re really fast. In fact, these commands might just be the quickest way to get around.

Searching multiple streamers

A rather consumer-friendly feature is the range of search results from different apps. The TV Streamer will list all available streaming options, whether they’re subscription based, available for rent/buy or free with ads.

For example, Seinfeld is available on Netflix, without ads, and on 9Now for free, albeit with commercials. The TV Streamer lists the paid and free services when you ask it to “stream Seinfeld”. This may be a tad cynical, but you’d expect tech brands to prioritise paid options these days, so it’s great to see Google highlight free alternatives as well.

A smart home hub

In many ways, the Google Streamer feels like a culmination of Google’s ongoing efforts to turn streaming devices into smart home hubs. It’s easier than ever to communicate and control supported devices on your network – such as smart lights, security cameras and smoke alarms.

Though these controls have been available in older models, the interface, integration and response times are a bit more robust here. Adjusting your lights or viewing security camera feeds from the same hub as your movie streaming apps is much easier than reaching for your smartphone, for example. Where these commands might have felt like a bit of a novelty with your phone, they’re genuinely useful, and faster, via the Google TV Streamer remote.

Of course, this is all dependent on whether the smart devices around your home can play nice with Google’s preferred smart home connection standards – Matter and Thread. If not, you may not be able to fully utilise the smart hub features on offer.

Supported streaming formats

Though plug-and-play is a perfectly viable option, the TV Streamer supports a range of audio and HDR formats for home theatre enthusiasts. This is also dependent on what your TV supports and what the streaming service provides. Options include:

• High-dynamic range (HDR): HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, Hybrid log gamma (HLG).
• Audio: PCM, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos.

Should you buy the Google TV Streamer?

This really depends on the state of your streaming setup. The TV Streamer is a great device in its own right. It’s fast, easy to use, has a sleek design and support for just about every streaming app under the sun.

Smart home integration is great, especially if you’re already invested in Google’s ecosystem. It may be worth picking up if you’re thinking about expanding the range of smart devices in your house.

However, the argument for upgrading from an existing Chromecast isn’t all that convincing. The performance jump is more of a slight hop forward and certainly not quite enough to justify the RRP if you already own the last-generation Chromecast. In this case, it’s best to wait for a sale.

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On this page:

• Our expert testers
• How we choose what we test
• How we test
• Scoring

Our expert testers

Our testers have years of expertise in testing video equipment and streaming devices. Their focus is not on experienced viewers who already favour streaming, but people who regularly watch free-to-air or pay TV and are interested in trying out a new avenue for finding movies and TV shows.

In the case of this test, we reveal which services are easiest to use, sign up to and stop using. We also look at how easy it is to find new content once you get going.

How we choose what we test

In this test we’re looking at the biggest streaming services in Australia, based on subscription and user numbers, and brand recognition. We also cover some smaller and niche services, as well as the free catch-up apps run by each of the major broadcasters.

How we test

All services are tested for ease of use on the Android TV platform running the available version, except for Apple’s services, which were tested using an Apple TV 4K device.

Previously tested services undergo a spot check to cover any updates to the features and specifications (such as price and app support) and changes to the aspects that make up the ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating. If a service has undergone significant changes then we completely re-test it from scratch. If not, then there may be slight adjustments to the scores to reflect minor tweaks to the interface.

Layout and stability score

We look at how easy it is for new users to navigate a service, and whether it crashes regularly or loses internet connectivity.

What to watch score

This score considers how easy it is to find content that appeals to you, either by automatic suggestion or by manually searching.

Sign up and cancel score

Our testers assesses how easy it is to sign up to and start using a service, plus how easy it is to cancel your account.

Playback control score

This is based on the level of control you have to navigate a movie or show while you’re watching it.

Scoring

We give every streaming service a ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating so you can see at a glance which are the best and worst performers.

This overall score is based on the following criteria:

• layout and stability (40%)
• what to watch (35%)
• sign up and cancel (15%)
• playback control (10%).

The post How we test movie and TV streaming services appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

On this page:

• How we choose what we test
• How we test streaming devices
• Scoring

How we choose what we test

Our experts want to help you find the best way to enjoy streaming shows and movies on your TV with minimum fuss and without spending a fortune. This is particularly important for people who own older TVs that may work fine but don’t support all of the latest streaming apps and features on offer.

We choose devices from popular brands with a prominent market presence, many of which are already part of a larger product ecosystem from companies including Google, Apple and Amazon. All of the devices in our test are 4K capable.

How we test streaming devices

Ease of use

We check how easy it is to set up the device and how intuitive the on-screen display and menu system are to carry out various tasks. Our experts search for content, browse available content, check parental controls, and look at casting and general navigation. They also look at additional features you can find in these devices that may not be supported by other platforms, such as a universal search function.

• Searching: Is the search tool easy to find? Are predictive results useful? Does the operating system show results from all available services? Is voice searching effective?
• Browsing content:ÌýIs suggested content/recommended viewing prominent and useful? Does the amalgamated content feed show content from all available services and is it comprehensive? How many content categories are there, are they useful and is it easy to continue watching content?

Remote control

This is a broad assessment of ease of navigation and whether the controls are comprehensive. The remote should have buttons big enough to press without touching the adjacent ones as well as clear labels, ideally with different shapes to quickly associate with different tasks that illuminate for low-light use.

Standby energy

A measurement is made with the unit in standby mode. Models that measure greater than 2W score 0%, 2–1.5W score 20%, 1.5-1W score 40%, 1-0.7W score 60%, 0.7-0.5W score 80% and 0.5W and below score 100%.

Power consumption in use and yearly running cost

Power is measured while streaming HD content on Netflix. Power consumption may vary very slightly depending on the service and video resolution. The annual running cost is calculated at 40c per kW/h based on 14 hours in standby and 10 hours in use per day.

Scoring

We give every device a ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating so you can see at a glance which are the best and worst performers to get catch-up TV and online subscription content onto your TV.Ìý

This overall score is based on the following criteria:

• ease of use (50%)
• remote (40%)
• standby energy (10%).

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When you buy a piece of digital content like a movie or a video game, you can be forgiven for thinking you own it. After all, you paid for it, and it sits right there in your digital library.Ìý

But many of the digital goods you thought you owned can be snatched away at any time, as customers of Telstra Box Office recently found out.

Telstra Box Office customers left in the lurch

Telstra announced earlier this year that the service would be shut down on 30 June 2024 and be replaced by Fetch, which Telstra has acquired.Ìý

If you’ve paid for movies over the years through Telstra Box Office and built up your own personalised catalogue, you may be able to move some of it to Fetch.Ìý

But that’ll only work if you join the Telstra-hosted version of Fetch, which is delivered through a set-top box. If you’ve paid for Fetch through another service provider you’re out of luck. And if you’re aiming to move your treasure trove of movies to a service provider other than Fetch, that’s a no-go as well.Ìý

But the real kicker for those wanting to hold on to their Telstra Box Office collection is that you’ll now have to pay either $396 upfront to buy the Fetch box or a minimum of $16.50 per month to access the movies you already paid for. (These are the prices for the Fetch ‘Mighty’ option.)Ìý

This has come as a rude shock to customers of the soon-to-be-no-more Telstra Box Office, which doesn’t charge any subscription fees.Ìý

A common issue: Other examples of disappearing access

Telstra is far from the only offender when it comes to shutting off access to content you thought you owned, and it’s not the only telecom to have made a deal with Fetch TV.Ìý

One ÌÇÐÄVlog Community member, for instance, was taken by surprise in 2022 when they discovered their Fetch TV subscription was locked to their Optus account.Ìý

When Optus started raising prices, they wanted to move on to a new internet service provider (ISP) and planned on buying Fetch TV off the shelf. Then they learned that the Fetch content they had paid Optus for could not be transferred over.Ìý

“I never would have bought any content if I had known it was locked to the ISP. It’s certainly not a normal expectation that this is how it would work,” they said.Ìý

People have also expressed outrage at losing access to films on UltraViolet (which shut down in 2019).

Earlier this year, another victim of digital disappearance laid out the issue in stark terms.Ìý

“I have been a subscriber to Gourmet Traveler for over a decade. All my magazines are in one place. They have released a new update. It only holds two years. All my [back] issues are gone.”Ìý

Sony PlayStation owners must have felt a similar sense of helplessness when the company announced that its deal with Warner TV was kaput and Warner’s Discovery channel content would be vaporised from the platform at the end of 2023.Ìý

In the end, that didn’t happen, but the threat that the axe could fall at any time still hangs in the air.

Video game T&Cs even worse

Video game platforms are another example of creeping non-ownership. Their terms and conditions can read like a contract drawn up by a tyrant.Ìý

Microsoft T&Cs covering Xbox and Minecraft, for instance, make it clear that the company is not letting you own the digital goods you paid for, it’s merely licensing you to use them.Ìý

In keeping with other digital goods providers, there’s a certain hubris in the way the company expresses its all-encompassing powers: “Microsoft may stop distributing any digital good, or add to or reduce the capabilities for any digital goods, at any time”.Ìý

It’s a rule that applies “even if the price or payment due for a digital good is zero”.Ìý

The popular US-based video game platform Steam makes a similar claim, saying its content and services “are licensed, not sold. Your license confers no title or ownership in the content and services”.

What these platforms giveth, they can summarily taketh away.Ìý

‘The internet of landlords’: Renting access to digital mediaÌý

Dr Christopher O’Neill, a research fellow at Deakin University and an expert on digital media, says the concept of digital ownership has never been more tenuous. Denying access to the content you paid for appears to be the way forward for the tech titans.Ìý

“This is becoming a very common practice, as we move into an era of what is termed ‘rentier capitalism’ or what a colleague of mine calls ‘the internet of landlords’,” O’Neil says. (A rentier in this context would be a business that generates ongoing income from the unilateral ownership and control of assets.)Ìý

“Increasingly, users of digital platforms such as Netflix, Steam, Telstra Box Office and others are paying not for actual goods, but only access to the platform itself. In a sense, you are paying rent to be allowed to have access to the platform, rather than paying to personally own individual items. This access is completely at the discretion of the provider, and the conditions of this access can change at any time.”Ìý

If you sign up to Netflix looking to watch a certain series and the next season moves to another streaming service, for instance, you’ll have to sign up to the new service to continue watching.Ìý

“The rentier model puts much more control in the hands of platforms than was the case in previous models of entertainment distribution,” O’Neil says. “Consumers no longer own copies of entertainment media, but the permission to access these copies – and this permission can be revoked essentially at the platform’s discretion.”

Is taking your digital goods away even legal?Ìý

The ACCC ‘s five-year digital platform services inquiry is set to end in 2025 and so far has looked into competition among digital platform providers and how it affects consumers as well as issues around social media providers and online retailers.Ìý

While the inquiry is also considering market trends “that may affect the nature and characteristics of digital platform services”, the regulator is not currently considering the issue of consumers losing access to digital goods.Ìý

Nevertheless, we asked the ACCC whether this growing phenomenon could amount to a contravention of consumer law.Ìý

A spokesperson told us that would depend on how clearly the terms and conditions were communicated.Ìý

When goods or services are offered under a licensing arrangement, “businesses should be transparent and upfront prior to purchase about any restrictions or conditions on the licence, particularly those that impact consumers’ continued use of the relevant product or service,” the spokesperson says, adding that it “may be misleading where a business omits key information that impacts on consumers’ decisions to buy the business’s goods or services”.Ìý

Of course, any upfront transparency is often buried in the fine print. But the contracts we blindly agree to may themselves be subject to legal challenge.Ìý

Contracts that allow a business “to unilaterally change the arrangements that consumers haveÌý entered into” may raise unfair contract term issues, especially if you have to pay more to keep what you already paid for, the ACCC spokesperson says.

Taking your business elsewhere

At the moment, these are legal hypotheticals that won’t reunite you with your digital goods. In the meantime, customers always have the right – and the power – to take their business elsewhere.Ìý

Dr Verity Trott, a lecturer at Monash University’s School of Media, Film and Journalism tells ÌÇÐÄVlog that whether or not your content suddenly disappears one day can depend on the provider.Ìý

“There are models around that don’t suffer from these issues. Companies such as Apple, for instance, offer more stability in their services.”

“If one makes a purchase they are often able to retain access even if they end their subscription.

“A similar model exists with Audible. I don’t think losing access to purchased digital goods or being asked to repeatedly pay for the same goods is something people are happy to accept.”

The post Do you own the digital books, movies and games you’ve paid for? appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

But in 2023, the streaming market is far more fractured. There’s more competition and, as a result, far greater choice. There’s Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, Stan, Binge to name just a few. So many to choose from…

That’s why we’re directly comparing two of the services – Netflix and Disney+ – right here, to help you choose which subscription makes the most sense for you.Ìý

A quick note before we start. This comparison is based on content and content alone – meaning you can expect a fair amount of subjectivity!Ìý

For a comprehensive, objective review based on performance, stability and usability, ÌÇÐÄVlog also has you covered. Read more on how each streaming service stacks up according to those metrics.

Now we’ve got that covered, let’s begin.

If you like movies…

This is a tough call.

The first thing to note is that Netflix usually has around twice as many movies as Disney+ in its library. So if you’re looking for straight up volume, you should probably go with Netflix. Netflix has also invested a lot of money in producing original movies, some of which are Oscar winners.

But Disney+ has a very specific set of movies in its growing library. It has Marvel, Star Wars, and – of course – the Disney collection. You’re unlikely to see these flicks on other services, so if you’re a fan of any of the above, you should probably shell out for a Disney+ sub.

Also, it’s well worth mentioning that, in Australia, Disney+ has access to the Star back catalogue. Obviously a number of these movies are rotated in and out according to licensing agreements, but right now Star has access to a solid amount of critically acclaimed movies like ‘Heat’, ‘The Martian’, ‘Banshees of Inisherin’ and more.

Hard to make a judgement either way here.

If you like TV shows…

You should probably go with Netflix. Not just for the sheer volume, but also for the quality. Netflix has a deep, powerful library of high quality TV shows and Disney+ struggles to match it.

Not only that, but Disney’s attempts to create TV shows based on its massive repertoire of intellectual property has been hit and miss. There have been hits like ‘Andor’ and ‘Loki’, but shows like ‘Moon Knight’ and ‘Secret Invasion’ have been fairly disappointing. Long story short, if you’re looking for TV to binge, Netflix is your best bet.Ìý

If you like documentaries…

This is another tricky one. But when push comes to shove, you’re probably best going with Netflix.Ìý

Netflix’s incredible library of documentaries is arguably one its strongest features. True crime, nature, history… Netflix has all avenues covered.Ìý

That being said, Disney+ is no slouch in the documentary department either. It has access to the National Geographic library, which is jam-packed with fantastic content. It’s a slightly different style of documentary compared to Netflix, but well worth watching nonetheless.

If you like sport…

Definitely go with Disney+. Disney+ has access to ESPN’s incredible 30 for 30 series, a critically acclaimed sports documentary stalwart. There are also great individual series, including ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ and ‘Matildas: The World at Our Feet’.

If you’re into sport, we highly recommend subscribing to Disney+

If you have kids…

We recommend going with Disney+.

Netflix has a spectacular suite of shows and movies for children – but Disney is Disney.Ìý

With Disney+ you have access to multiple movies from Disney’s legendary back catalogue, plus Pixar movies, and a great selection of fantastic kids’ TV shows. The quality and volume is almost overwhelming.

If you like anime…

You should probably go with Netflix.

Netflix has invested heavily in anime over recent years. Not only does it have a great collection of licensed shows, it also has a decent amount of original content, such as ‘Cyberpunk: Edgerunners’. But the best part? Netflix gives you access to the incredible Studio Ghibli movie library. End of argument.

Disney+ is making inroads here – it has an anime category and looks to be in the process of building it out. But Netflix is miles ahead in the anime department for now.

But ultimately…

The choice is yours! It’s usually best to have a quick check of what’s available on each service to get an idea of what you prefer. Content aggregators such as provide up-to-date summaries of what’s available on all streaming platforms.Ìý

It always makes sense to rotate. Don’t be afraid to swap subscriptions, or suspend them in order to try another service for a few months. It’s also worth noting that there are many streaming services out there, like SBS On Demand and ABC iView, that are completely free.Ìý

The post Netflix vs Disney+: Which streaming service should you choose? appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

In 2023? It’s a different game. The streaming market has splintered. Now there’s so much choice it’s almost overwhelming. We have Netflix, we have Prime Video, we have Disney Plus, we have Stan, we have Binge…

It’s a lot.

That’s why we’ve decided to spend a bit of time going through the big streaming services, to help you decide which one to choose.

In this article we’re comparing the two most popular services: Netflix and Prime Video.

A quick note before we begin. This comparison is based on content and content alone. Because of this, there’s going to be a fair amount of subjectivity involved.Ìý

For a comprehensive, objective review based on performance, stability and usability, ÌÇÐÄVlog also has you covered. Read more on how each streaming service stacks up according to those metrics.

Now we’ve got that covered, let’s begin.

If you like movies…

You should probably go with Prime Video.

While Netflix has a huge library of movies, Prime Video wins out here in terms of sheer volume. According to our quick check on streaming guide JustWatch, Prime Video has around 7900 movies available to watch, compared to Netflix with around 4300.

Movies, especially older, classic movies, are one of Prime Videos main strengths. It’s worth mentioning though that Netflix has a fantastic, ever-growing back catalogue of original movies – some of which are .Ìý

At ÌÇÐÄVlog we always say it’s worth rotating services after a few months. While Prime Video is probably best overall for sheer volume of movies, Netflix has a few can’t-miss flicks also.

If you like TV shows…

You should probably go with Netflix.

In terms of volume, Netflix edges out Prime Video. We’d also argue that it’s superior in terms of quality, despite some poorly received original TV shows recently.

But Prime Video isn’t miles behind. There are plenty of great TV shows on Amazon’s streaming service, including critic favourite, Deadloch, an Australian murder mystery set in Tasmania.

If you like documentaries…

You should probably go with Netflix.

According to the numbers, Prime Video has more documentary content than Netflix. But that includes a lot of fairly sub-par reality TV content. If you’re looking for high quality documentaries – be it nature, true crime, or historical – Netflix is king.Ìý

Netflix has invested heavily in world-class documentaries, and it shows. Its documentary library is arguably reason enough to stay subscribed.

If you like sport…

You should probably go with Prime Video.Ìý

Neither Netflix nor Prime Video are really that good for sports fans. It’s best to go with Kayo or Stan Sports if you’re looking for live sport.Ìý

That said, Prime Video has a fantastic library of fly-on-the-wall documentaries about sport, particularly its All or Nothing series. So, ifÌý looking for sport-related shows, best to go with Prime Video.

If you have kids…

We think it’s worth going with Netflix here.

Netflix has one of the best libraries of children’s content out there, with a great mix of original programming and licensed content. Maybe only Disney Plus can compete on quality.

If you like anime…

You should go with Netflix.

Netflix has been quietly accumulating a great library of anime. At the time of writing there are classics like ‘One Piece’ and ‘Hajime no Ippo’, alongside the legendary Studio Ghibli library.Ìý

But Netflix has also invested in original anime programming. This means you have access to cutting edge new anime shows like ‘Cyberpunk Edgerunners’ that you can’t watch anywhere else.

Anime fans will find a lot to love on Netflix.

But ultimately…

The choice is yours.Ìý

It’s always best to check what’s available on each service to get an idea of what you prefer. Content aggregators such as provide up-to-date summaries of what’s available on all streaming platforms.Ìý

And it always makes sense to rotate. Don’t be afraid to swap subscriptions, or suspend them in order to try another service for a few months.Ìý

It’s also worth noting that there are many streaming services out there, like and , that are completely free.Ìý

The post Netflix vs Prime Video: Which streaming service should you choose? appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

But in the years since Netflix launched in Australia in 2015, the streaming market has splintered. Want to keep up-to-date with all the latest shows? You might need subs for at least three services. Possibly even five or six!

It all feels a bit unsustainable. You can’t subscribe to everything. At some point you need to choose and we’re here to help you make that choice.

According to content aggregator , Netflix is still the most popular streaming platform in Australia, but Stan is giving it a run for its money. We’ve decided to compare the two – on the basis of content and content alone. This is obviously extremely subjective and dependent on personal taste. But if you’re looking for more detailed, objective reviews based on performance, stability and usability, ÌÇÐÄVlog has you covered. Read more on how each streaming service stacks up according to those metrics.

But if you want to know what’s best based on the movies and TV shows available, stick around.

Which has the most content?

Based on the sheer volume of content available on both services, Netflix wins out comprehensively. According to JustWatch, Stan has around 1500 movies and 600 TV shows; Netflix has a rotating library of around 4300 movies and 2500 TV shows.Ìý

But as we’re all aware, quality often usurps quantity. So let’s break things down a little.

If you like movies…

This is fairly tight, but I’d probably go with Netflix.Ìý

Movies can be tricky to find via Netflix’s user interface, but there sure are a lot of them. Stan is no slouch either. In a lot of ways Stan’s varied and accessible library is better value, depending on your tastes. It can be hard to quantify, but I’ve lost track of the times I’ve wanted to rewatch a 70s or 80s classic and somehow found it on Stan.Ìý

If you like documentaries…

You should probably go with Netflix.Ìý

Netflix features an incredible suite of original documentaries, both in terms of movies and series. There’s true crime Netflix originals like Making a Murderer and The Keepers, alongside world-class sports documentaries like The Last Dance and Untold. Not to mention top-notch nature documentaries like Our Planet and My Octopus Teacher. The range and quality is unmatched by Stan. Prime Video competes fairly robustly with Netflix in the documentary genre, but Stan is nowhere near.

If you like sport…

You should probably go with Stan.

You have to – which is extremely annoying – but Stan has an ever-evolving sport section that’s bordering on decent. It features a lot of rugby and coverage of all the tennis grand slams. The crown jewel, however, is soccer. Stan Sport currently has the rights to show the major European soccer competitions, including the UEFAÌý Champion League and the UEFA Europa League. Netflix has stayed very committed to not pursuing live sports on its platform.

If you have kids…

You should probably go with Netflix.

Netflix has an entire section dedicated to shows aimed at children. Most streaming services do this, but only Disney Plus and Prime Video can match the volume and quality of Netflix. Not only does Netflix have a rotating cast of licensed classics, it features some really unique, beautifully made Netflix originals. Shows like Ask the Storybots and Emily’s Wonderlab are both fun and educational. You can’t ask for more than that.

If you like Australian TV…

You should probably go with Stan.

Again, this one is tight. Netflix has done a great job of bringing Australian content to its service, most notably resuscitating 90s cult classic Heartbreak High and giving it a 2020s makeover.Ìý

But when it comes to local content, you’d expect the Australian-based Stan to win outÌý. We’ve got Rake, Underbelly, Utopia – we’ve even got The Flying Doctors. There’s a lot to choose from if you’re feeling patriotic about television.

If you like anime…

You should probably subscribe to Crunchyroll – but also Netflix!

Netflix has been quietly accumulating a diverse portfolio of popular anime shows, but beyond that, it’s also producing some genuinely exciting Netflix Originals. Cyberpunk Edgerunners wasn’t just one of the best anime shows released in 2022, it was arguably one of the best TV shows of 2022, period. has also been extremely good in 2023. Perhaps best of all, a subscription to Netflix gives you access to almost every movie released by the legendary Studio Ghibli. That’s some good value.

If you like fantasy…

You should probably go with Netflix

Netflix is lacking a big hitter fantasy show like Game of Thrones or Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, but low-key has a deep roster for fans of the genre. Shows like The Witcher,ÌýShadow and Bone and The Sandman are among the highlights, but that’s just scratching the surface. If you’re into fantasy, you need a Netflix sub.Ìý

But ultimately…

The choice is yours! It’s usually best to have a quick check of what’s available on each service to get an idea of what you prefer. Content aggregators such as provide up-to-date views of what’s available on all streaming platforms.Ìý

It always makes sense to rotate. Don’t be afraid to swap subscriptions, or suspend them in order to try another service for a few months. It’s also worth noting that there are many streaming services out there, like SBS On Demand and ABC iView, that are completely free.Ìý

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On this page:

• Why you should network your home
• How to set up a home network
• How do connect your devices to the network
• What are the different versions of Wi-Fi?
• Do you need a router or switch?
• How to expand your network
• How to link your devices to one another
• How to keep your network secure

Not only are there games consoles for fun and laptops for work, we also want to browse the internet from the comfort of the lounge, stream a movie on our smart TV, and control everything using our smartphone, tablet or voice-controlled smart speaker.

Why you should network your home

This all comes down to ease of access and streamlining control over devices in your house. A fully-networked home opens up three key time-savers.

Media streaming: Your media content could be on your old PC in the study, your smartphone, a network attached storage (NAS) drive or on a USB stick connected to your TV or Blu-ray player, or it could be in the cloud. For example, we can now watch a TV show from a DVD or Blu-ray disc or on a media player or via online streaming services such as iView, Netflix or iTunes. We can view it on an iPad, Android tablet or even a smartphone. A networked home makes it easier to enjoy your content without even thinking about where it came from as it all comes to you over your home network. 

Data sharing: Home networks make it much easier to share data between devices such as transferring photos from one computer to another, or wirelessly printing documents in a separate room. You won’t need to worry about USBs or external hard drives.

Home automation: Many new ‘smart’ devices and appliances such as TVs, fridges and lights can be monitored and operated with a smartphone, tablet or smart speaker using voice commands via local and remote networks.

How to set up a home network

The first step to creating a good home network is to identify the ‘WAN’ (wide area network) port on your router, which looks the same as the other ports but is intended only for your NBN modem. 

It’s usually labelled and colour-coded differently too so it’s easy to pick out. The other ports are for your wired devices which can generally be attached in any order.

Think about what equipment you want to attach to the network, and where it will be placed in the home in relation to the position of the router. Grab a pencil and paper, and draw up a diagram of your network. That way, you can work out exactly what you need to connect it all. 

Working out which networked products will be wired and which will be wireless is important for cabling as well as knowing where there may be any interference for the wireless performance. For example, while you may think placing a wireless printer less than 10 metres from the router will be no problem, it could be a big issue if the wireless signal has to travel through two brick walls.

Writing down all the relevant names and network IDs can also be handy during set-up. The modem, for example, may be constrained by an existing phone port, which is often not in the centre of your home. And it’s a good idea to have the modem and router (and any equipment that will attach directly to the router) together. 

If you’re using a lot of wireless products and not many things that need to be plugged in via a cable, try to position the router near the centre of the house where its signal can reach the rest of the home without too much trouble. If this isn’t possible, you may have to add a modem access point at the other end of the home or consider a mesh networking system.

How do connect your devices to the network

Ethernet (hardwire): Also known as a direct connection, this allows you to hook supported devices directly into your modem or router. Though this ensures a stable connection, and the potential for more data to transfer at a higher speed, it’s pretty impractical as you may have to quite literally drill into the walls. If you’re building a house, or your modem/router is close to some devices, try to use Ethernet. Make sure you install the highest rating available to avoid any data transfer bottlenecks as technology improvements lead to faster connections over cable. 

The two most common cable ratings to consider are Cat5 and Cat6. Cat5 has been around for nearly 30 years, back when few would have imagined the data speed demands of the average home. If you’re installing cable for your home network, make sure it’s at least Cat6 (it should show Cat6 on the cable) to make sure it can handle current high broadband data transfer rates.

Wi-Fi: Almost any new network-capable device can connect to Wi-Fi, though there are some exceptions, particularly if you’re using very old office equipment like printers. Many modern appliances will only connect to a wireless network, including control devices such as your smartphone or tablet. This is the most practical solution as it doesn’t require physical fitting throughout the house, though it does have some drawbacks. Wi-Fi can drop out and the bandwidth tends to sit below Ethernet, so you may have trouble streaming high quality audio or video, and connections may sever from time to time.

Mobile network: An alternative to Wi-Fi, though one that could be even less stable depending on where you live. We suggest limiting mobile network use to controlling smart devices as media streaming over a mobile network will quickly chew through your monthly data allowance and network performance for data transfer is also less consistent than either Wi-Fi or Ethernet.

Bluetooth: Another important part of the home entertainment mix, but not the network mix. The purpose of Bluetooth is to connect one device directly to another rather than a wider network. For example, you may have a Bluetooth speaker that can connect to your smartphone.

A combination of these options is ideal, but Wi-Fi will suit almost all situations, provided you don’t require excessive bandwidth 24/7.

What are the different versions of Wi-Fi?

There are several versions of Wi-Fi and any devices you have such as a smartphone or iPad will indicate its transfer speed as either 802.11a, b, g, n, ac or ax . This is usually specified on the product box.

The first few versions (802.11a – 802.11g) are fairly slow and were introduced around 2000 and are generally no longer considered of much use except for backwards compatibility to support devices like old wireless printers. When looking for your next wireless device, make sure it supports at least 802.11n.

You should expect your new device to support the 802.11ac or ax standard. Apart from an improvement in data transfer speeds, you also get a much wider range and better support for the different radio frequencies such as 2.4 and 5 GHz.

Recent changes in denoting Wi-Fi standards has helped provide some direction as to the speed and range based on simple numbers rather than the confusing combination of 802.11a/b/g/ac etc. The 802.11n standard is also called Wi-Fi 4 with faster standards simply following suit, so 802.11ac is Wi-Fi 5 working on the 5GHz radio frequency, and Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) is the quickest commonly available standard and is becoming more common with the latest range of routers. 

Wi-Fi 1, Wi-Fi 2 and Wi-Fi 3 are only to be used for old devices, but Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6 networks should still be able to deal with these slower Wi-Fi standards.

Do you need a router or switch?

You might have also heard the term ‘switch’ in relation to networking. A switch is much simpler than a router, but it has one important advantage: it can handle mixed speed networks.

Wireless devices aren’t affected by any changes in network data speed, but if you have computers that can communicate at gigabit speeds and you connect them to a router that doesn’t support it or has another device connected to it using 10/100, they’ll fall back to the slower 10/100 speeds.

However, if you connect them via a switch, they’ll communicate at the faster speed or whatever is the best speed available. You’ll need to connect the switch to a router or sometimes directly to the NBN modem.

How to expand your network

We’re living in an increasingly wireless world, but there are still devices that need a physical network cable, such as computers, printers and NAS drives. Wired device connections are limited to the number of Ethernet ports on the back of your router, which is usually four or sometimes eight.

If you run out of ports, you can buy another router or Ethernet hub and expand your network by simply putting one of the cables from one router or switch into the next available port.

Wireless devices can be added to your network quickly and easily and are only limited to IP address availability (which means well over 200 devices).

How to link your devices to one another

These days, most network capable devices from home entertainment to kitchen appliances, can automatically detect, and connect to, your network. This requires some sort of app or desktop program, but it can generally save you the hassle of having to tinker with IP addresses and so on. Many media streaming devices use DLNA, for example. Just make sure your connection device and smart appliance are on the same network.

Just like the internet, every machine must have a unique IP address. Local networks usually default to 192.168.1.X or 10.0.0.X. All you really need to know about this is that the second last number represents a subnet, and that for your computers and devices to see each other easily they have to be on the same subnet. For example, a computer on 192.168.1.2 will see another computer on 192.168.1.8 without you having to do any fiddling.

If you’re wondering where the values for 192.168.* and 10.0.* are chosen, they are traditionally reserved for private networks, which is why your router or modem will come preconfigured on an address like 192.168.1.1.

You’ll usually access the router control panel through a browser by typing in the IP address for the router. It’s almost always 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. 

ÌÇÐÄVlog tip: The default login is often ‘admin’ for user and ‘password’ for password, but check the manual to be sure. Once you’ve set everything up, make sure you change the username and password to help keep things secure.

The Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA)

The Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) protocol was introduced to help simplify the process of sharing content around the home, allowing connected devices to ‘talk’ to one another as seamlessly as possible over a wireless or wired network.

Companies supporting DLNA include Microsoft, Panasonic and Sony. Apple is the notable omission from the DLNA consortium, but as with all things Apple, there’s an app for that, which gives iPad and iPhone users similar DLNA functionality to that of Android users. 

Apple also has its own ‘alternative’ called AirPlay, which is more or less the same but not quite as open. A search for ‘DLNA viewer’ in Apple’s App Store will show available programs.

A quick look at your TV’s network settings will confirm whether it has DLNA support. While it was once fairly common, our testing has found more and more TV manufacturers are removing support for DLNA as they see alternatives such as streaming providing an easier option. 

How to keep your network secure

Getting a wireless network up and running in your home is simple; keeping it secure from unwanted eyes takes a little more effort, but it’s worth the effort nonetheless. Wireless routers usually provide additional security measures such as firewall protection and stronger encryption to help keep unwanted intruders from accessing your home network. Wireless routers normally offer one of several security standards, including WEP, WPA and WPA2. WEP is the least secure of the three and WPA2 is the most secure.

Changing the default password

You should first change the default password and administrator login name when setting up your wireless router. Depending on the router, the passwords can be as simple as ‘password’ or ‘1234’ and the username might be ‘admin’ or ‘user’. The default security names could also be the name of the product, such as NETGEAR or Linksys. These may be easy for you to remember, but they’re also easy for potential freeloaders or hackers to crack when searching for unsecured Wi-Fi connections.

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The Nvidia Shield TV andÌýShieldÌýTV Pro are rare options to add the Android TV operating system (OS) to an existing TV. Usually, your only option is to buy a TV with Android’s OS pre-installed.Ìý

Unlike their predecessors, these two media boxes don’t ship with aÌýShieldÌýgame controller, nor are they focused on streaming games from a PC to another screen.

They do still have gaming support, but these newer models focus on giving you a better audiovisual experience thanks to some clever video upscaling and high-definition audio.

They also both have built-in Chromecast 4K, which means you can control playback with a phone or tablet.

What is Android TV?

Android TV is an operating system (OS) designed for smart TVs. As part of the Android ecosystem, it has a large range of apps for gaming, productivity and entertainment, as well as easy access to your Google Play Movies & TV account for rentals and purchases.Ìý

Its user interface includes built-in Chromecast support so you can stream content from your phone, tablet or other device to Android TV.

Shield TV vs Shield TV Pro

These two media boxes fromÌýNvidiaÌýare quite similar, with the Pro boasting more RAM and double the storage, although at 16GB it’s nothing like you would expect from a traditional PVR. The Pro also has two USB 3.0 ports for running a plex media server, plugging in external storage drives directly, and corded game controllers.Ìý

The basicÌýShieldÌýTV has a microSD slot for storage expansion and a button to help you locate your remote control – two things theÌýShieldÌýTV Pro lacks.Ìý

Shield TV compared

While the two biggest players in the TV market (LG and Samsung) do not use Android TV, the Android OS is used with many Sony TVs, as well as HiSense and other smaller players.Ìý

There aren’t many Android TV set-top boxes that add this useful OS to an existing TV soÌý the main competitor to theÌýShieldÌýTV and TV Pro is probably the $99 Google Chromecast Ultra.

On paper, the Chromecast Ultra offers a lot of Android TV-like features for significantly less cash. When casting from a phone or tablet, Chromecast lets you stream 4K video and music from most of the big-name services, the latest models let you use your phone as a controller when streaming a game to your TV, and you can screenshare your phone or PC browser. It can also be controlled via Google Assistant.Ìý

So what does Android TV via aÌýShieldÌýTV bring to the table that Chromecast can’t already do?

While some Android games can be played via Chromecast, few build in that support. Screen-sharing can also be a cumbersome work-around rather than a pleasant user experience. There’s also a noticeable delay when controlling video playback via Chromecast, and regular users won’t be strangers to their phone randomly disconnecting.

On top of that, Chromecast isn’t famous for video and audio quality, although the Ultra is head and shoulders above the non-4K basic model.

While Chromecast’s list of features is impressive, Android TV via aÌýShieldÌýTV has the same features with better video and audio quality, and a more enjoyable gaming experience. TheÌýShieldÌýremote is also a useful asset.Ìý

Stronger Google Assistant support would make theÌýShieldÌýTV experience even better.Ìý

Speed

When controlled via Google cast by a phone, we found theÌýShieldÌýTV andÌýShieldÌýTV Pro launched apps and media titles faster than the Chromecast (2nd generation) with similar playback responsiveness.

However, when navigating theÌýShield’sÌýAndroid TV menu using the remote, the unit really shines, with smooth menu animations and lightning response times.Ìý

A slow start up is the only real downside toÌýShieldÌýTV compared with a Chromecast, taking about six seconds longer.

Video and audio quality

BothÌýShieldÌýTVs can stream in 4K or HDR (high dynamic range) at 60 frames per second (FPS), and use an AI-enhanced upscaling thatÌýNvidiaÌýsays is superior to the regular upscaling built into most TVs, though it’s limited to 30 FPS.ÌýÌý

They also support both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos for high quality video and surround sound on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney Plus.Ìý

Unfortunately, because of the COVID-19 lockdown we weren’t able to try out the 4K or HDR support, nor could we compare them side-by-side with a Chromecast Ultra – only a Chromecast 2nd generation. But even for a 1080p (full high-definition) video stream, there’s a definite improvement in video quality when using aÌýShieldÌýTV or TV Pro.Ìý

Colours from bothÌýShieldÌýTV models were more vibrant and realistic than our Chromecast’s. The bluish tinge streaming from a Chromecast applies to some darker/black areas of screen and the soft, milky texture it can apply to low-light scenes were less obvious.

Audio, too, had more punch, but not so much you should go running out to replace your Chromecast for the sound alone – remember that this is still streamed audio.

GamingÌý

Gaming using a controller via Android TV feels like a real console, if you were a casual gamer. You can play single-player, local multiplayer or online multiplayer, depending on the title.Ìý

The Google Play store has plenty of free titles, as well as freemium and cheaper games. This makes it a good option for families with young kids who don’t want to fork out on a full gaming console.Ìý

The remote can be used as a wireless controller, but it lacks the fine touch of a real controller. You can also connect Bluetooth controllers to either box – including those from a PlayStation 4 or Xbox One – and up to two USB controllers on theÌýShieldÌýTV Pro, which is a nice touch.Ìý

We had to change the USB settings to enable the second USB controller, and wireless Xbox One controllers won’t connect unless they”re from the Xbox One S or later, though you can plug them in via USB.

Even hardcore gamers shouldn’t lament thanks toÌýNvidiaÌýGameStream – a service that lets you stream some games installed on your computer. Here, your PC does all the work, while you view and control it from theÌýShieldÌýTV or TV Pro.

It’s a good concept and works well most of the time. However, while some major titles like Counter Strike: Global Offensive and Fortnite are compatible, game support overall is limited. Also, your PC needs a compatible GeForce RTX or GTX graphics card.

Google Assistant control

TheÌýShieldÌýTV and TV Pro have Google Assistant built in, but it’s a bit hit and miss. To issue voice commands, there’s a mic in the remote that activates at the push of a button. However, you can’t trigger it hands-free by saying, “OK, Google”, making it much less useful than a Nest control hub.Ìý

The only way to activate hands-free voice activation is to buy the 2017 editionÌýNvidiaÌýShieldÌýgame controller.

TheÌýShieldÌýTVs seem to respond to voice commands about as accurately and quickly as a Nest Mini smart speaker, but with some idiosyncratic gaps. You can tell them to open Netflix and play a specific movie or TV show, but can’t ask them to skip forward, back or to a specific timestamp. You can launch the Stan app via voice, but you can’t tell aÌýShieldÌýTV to play any of the titles. A Nest Mini can do all these things.

We also suggest changing the device name if you’re going to control it via a Google smart speaker. Google Assistant seems to have a lot of trouble identifying “Shield” as a name. You’ll more likely end up getting a web search response about a random topic, or Google informing you it can’t play the early 2000s TV show The Shield from your synced streaming services.

The remote

TheÌýShieldÌýremote is comfortable to hold and easy to use. The upper right button opens the menu by default, but you can reprogram it to open any of your installed apps. There’s also a dedicated Netflix button, which makes things easy if you use that service.

Say goodbye to lost remotes thanks to a locator that beeps loudly when activated. For the basicÌýShieldÌýTV, there’s a locate button on the box itself above the HDMI port. For the TV Pro, you have to download theÌýShieldÌýTV app or ask a Google smart speaker to “startÌýShieldÌýremote locator”.

While the built-in mic’s Google Assistant has some limitations, it makes it painless to launch any app quickly, without needing to navigate menu screens by hand.

As mentioned earlier, it can also act as a gaming remote, though its serviceability is determined by the games you play.Ìý

Finally, for the Chromecast fans in the room who might have forgotten how useful a remote can be, it’s refreshing to instantly stop and start videos again, rather than activating your phone’s screen first or taking the extra time to ask a Google Nest speaker to do it for you.

And the remote never disconnects, so you always have playback control.

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On this page:

• Making sense of the home network jigsaw
• Serviio
• Plex
• Serviio vs Plex: Which one is right for you?

Home network – wired or wireless

The first step is to create a home network – wired or wireless – with a router and a modem so that your computer and smart TV can ‘talk’ to each other to share your content. Next is an audit of connected devices that could be part of your network. A network usually needs a ‘server’ (but not always) – a computer that streams (or ‘serves’) content to ‘clients’ such as TVs and other networked devices.

Connect devices to the network

To start joining the dots, connect the computer to your router using a wired connection with an ethernet cable, if possible. Unless you’ve run cable through your house to make a wired network, connected devices such as smart TVs, games consoles and Blu-ray players located further away from the router can connect wirelessly (using Wi-Fi). A powerline adapter (ethernet over power) can also be used to extend a wired network. Mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones will also connect to the network using Wi-Fi.

Make your devices play

The smart TV should support the plug-and-play protocol called DLNA that allows devices on the network to ‘see’ one another and ‘talk’ to each other to share content. DLNA is used in a huge array of home entertainment and computing products including TVs, tablets, computers, audio players, network speakers, NAS (network attached storage) drives and printers.

The Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) protocol should show up in the TV’s setting and is supported by Microsoft as well as most major electronics companies. See dlna.org/consumer for more information.

What about Apple?

Apple isn’t part of the DLNA so you’ll need to run third-party streaming server software such as Serviio or Plex on your computer to stream movies and TV shows stored on your computer or NAS drive (although the NAS drive may be able to run a server of its own) to your smart TV.

Another option is Apple TV which can play shows on your TV that you stream from your PC or Mac through iTunes. It’s also possible to use a server app such as AirVideo HD that runs on an iPad or iPhone to stream shows to your TV via your Apple TV. The latest model Apple TV (fourth-generation) lets you install streaming server apps on it, including AirVideo HD and Plex.

What sort of network do you need?

1. Windows Media Center network

A PC running Windows Media Center connected to a router and a smart TV or internet-connected device – such as a games console, Blu-ray player, DVD player, PVR recorder or an AV receiver – can construct a basic home network to stream content.Ìý

However, Microsoft announced mid last year that it had finished with Media Center and would not support it in Windows 10. If you have an earlier version of Windows and you install Windows 10, Media Center will be removed. In this case, you’ll need streaming server software such as Serviio or Plex.

2. Streaming media home network

If you have movies and TV shows along with digital photos and music on your home computer and you want to watch one or more stream on your smart TV or mobile device, then you’ll want a streaming media home network. This will let you browse content and watch videos from online sources such as YouTube, PBS and TEDTalks. Your content can all be stored on the computer that is connected to your router, and the other devices can be connected (wired or wirelessly) to your network to watch on multiple devices.

If you have a PVR connected to the network, then content recorded from free-to-air TV can be watched on any network-connected TV (as long as it supports DLNA).

Streaming server software such as Serviio or Plex is needed to stream content from external hard drives and, if you have two or more TVs, you can watch content on either TV. Photos and music can also be streamed to the TVs and other smart devices such as games consoles.

3. The Internet of Things (IoT)

If you want all of your devices to talk to one another through wires, then you’ll need to plan it out first. A wired network can connect to hardware devices including TVs, PVRs, DVD players, network music streamers and speakers as well as some internet-connected appliances. It’s possible to stream shows, music, TV, radio and photos throughout the network to all your devices including smartphones and tablets and even access content remotely when away from your home using streaming server software such as Plex and Serviio.

Making sense of the home network jigsaw

If you want to expand your network beyond Windows Media Center, then you’re going to need to make friends with streaming server software such as Plex or Serviio. There are others, such as Twonky, but we’re going to cover these two in this article.

Serviio

• Serviio (free/Pro $US25) is compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux and can stream SD and HD video as well as audio and images to any DLNA device. To download, go toÌý Ìý
• Subtitles can be played through Serviio, including in the SRT format.
• Media files compatible with Serviio include audio formats MP3, WMA, ACC, Flac and OGG. Video formats include MP4, AVI, MKV and WMV.
• Transcoding changes the file type (from AVI to MP4, for example) in real time. Serviio is able to transcode files (as long as the computer is powerful enough) so that they are compatible with your TV or other playback device.
• Metadata is the information about files, and with films it can include director, genre, year of production and any other keywords that describe the file. Serviio can extract this information from the file or from websites with film information to help categorise the content.Ìý
• Thumbnail images of files are displayed in the menu to help with searching and identifying the content.
• Online videos can be viewed from RSS feeds, live audio/video streams and web page content.
• Serviio Pro includes MediaBrowser for watching shows through a browser, which is useful when using devices that don’t have DLNA and for viewing content remotely. Pro also lets you apply restrictions to control access to folders and use third-party apps such as ServiioGo (Android only) for streaming content.

Serviio how to

1. Install Serviio on your computer. Serviio includes a console that runs on your computer and is the interface for customising the application; and it also installs the server component that allows it to stream content to your devices.

2. Get to know Serviio console The Status tab shows that the Serviio server is running and lists playback devices. The Library shows the content folders. Delivery has settings for remote access and for transcoding and subtitles. Metadata controls how Serviio searches for file information. Presentation lets you choose which categories are shown for organising files. Remote allows external viewing. Console settings controls language and updates.

3. Choose playback devices Serviio includes a list of devices such as TVs, DVD players, media players and games consoles with pre-set profiles to choose when you first get started. If you have an LG TV, for example, it’s advisable to choose the LG TV profile to ensure the TV can play supported media formats through Serviio.

4. Set your library Go to the Library tab and click the Add local button to select folders on the computer that will be part of your multimedia library. Choose the file type for that folder using the video, audio and image icons and choose whether the metadata should be retrieved.

Plex

Plex (free/$6.50/month for Plex Pass) will run on Windows, Mac and Linux as well as iOS and Android devices. To download, go to .

Compatible devices include the Chromecast, Android TV, Xbox, PlayStation, Roku and some NAS devices. You’ll need to install a Plex app on these devices, some of which are free, others you have to pay for. Plex Pass provides a range of extra features such as offline viewing, cloud sync to watch content stored in DropBox, OneDrive and several other storage services and photo sync from mobile device to home Plex server.

Plex Apple TV app will display Plex content on the Apple TV home screen and a lot more.

For detailed help instructions, go to theÌý.

Playlists can be created and recently-added content and last-watched shows highlighted on the dashboard called ‘On Deck’.

Channels is the way to find online videos on sites including TEDTalks and PBS.

Plex how to

1. Download the computer version (or the NAS version if that’s where you’re going to run it) and then open the application. It contains the server app, which manages the library, and a player application. You’ll need to install Plex apps to playback on other mobile devices.

2. Sort your media It’s best to separate your different types of media as Plex identifies them according to your file structure. Do a bit of media housekeeping and put music, TV shows, movies, photos etc. in their own folders before you start.

3. Assign media then open Plex on your computer and it will show your home library. Next, use the + sign to add media to your library. Choose the type of media, such as movies, photos or music, then add a folder.

4. Navigate to Channels to select online videos and audio to stream from places such as SoundCloud, Vimeo, Ted and numerous other sources, although access will depend on your location if it’s geoblocked.

5. Customise Use Playlist to make custom lists of music or videos for specific purposes.

from Settings > Server > Remote Access. You’ll need to first create an account and sign in so you can watch content files externally. To find out more, go to the .

Plex key points

• Plex is slightly easier than Serviio for first-timers because it has detailed, step-by-step instructions including a video tutorial on setting up.
• Plex runs in a browser, unlike Serviio, which runs through its own console application, and it has a more visual, attractive layout that displays thumbnail images of the content.
• Content titles such as TV show and movie names can be edited, and episode summaries added.Ìý
• There’s no need to choose devices for playback from the list in the console, unlike Serviio.
• You can watch shows through Plex in the browser on your server computer.

Serviio key points

• The Serviio console has all of the settings in one window (the console), which is simple to navigate.
• The Serviio console runs in its own window and not in a browser, unlike Plex.
• Serviio doesn’t require sign in, unlike Plex, which needs sign in to help devices connect to your Plex server and can restrict access to content by user.
• Serviio and Plex use similar categories such as ‘director’, ‘genre’ and ‘series’ to show files on playback devices.Ìý
• Serviio and Plex alternatives include Kodi, MediaPortal and Twonky.

Serviio vs Plex: Which one is right for you?

• Serviio is a good choice if you want a free media server, remote access through a browser rather than an app, and want to adjust settings through the console such as for transcoding and subtitles.
• Serviio could be off-putting if you are worried about knowing how to add file paths to locate your content.Ìý
• Plex is a good choice if you want a more graphical, Netflix-style interface, individual apps that you’re willing to pay for and more user-friendly set-up instructions.

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