'Easiest' Way to View Netflix for a Pensioner - Easy Navigation System

pclyne on 08/03/2018 - 20:08
Last edited 08/03/2018 - 23:52 by 1 other user

The elderly in-laws would get much enjoyment out of Netflix.

Whilst there are many ways of viewing netflix, many of them are difficult to navigate around in for an older person. A laptop streaming to a chromecast would go south so quickly….

If you know of a particularly easy to use netflix navigation interface (perhaps on a the new netflix/dvd palyer by…. OR the SuperEasyToNavigateNetflixBox as made by….) then I would welcome your input.

They have NBN and wifi already so basically what 'box' has the easiest controls?

They also have a big telly that they know how to use - by preference I would not like to buy a new TV for them (the learning curve on Netflix will be enough)

Even if you can help me narrow it down to a few to consider, that would be a great start

Thanks in advance.

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Comments

  • coxjon on 08/03/2018 - 20:15
    +2

    3rd gen Apple TV, or 4th gen and buy an old remote without the awful touchpad :)

    Can’t really go wrong once it’s set up, back, forward, play. So simple! (Not cheap though)

    • thatonethere on 08/03/2018 - 20:46

      Yeah Apple Tv is best. Had great take up with the older gen with this.

      Chromecast is ok but fiddly.

    • Quantumcat on 09/03/2018 - 00:05

      This, and if the TV is left on standby it can be turned on by pressing any button on the remote (which wakes up the apple tv which wakes up the TV)

    • Goldcoater on 09/03/2018 - 20:40

      I've got an old Apple TV, and I used to love it before my son installed his Xbox (which still gets Netflix). I would definately recommend for older person. My mum has a smart TV and it works great but not that different to Apple TV. I remember I paid about $100 about 5 years ago.

  • robbyjones on 08/03/2018 - 20:16
    +5

    Easiest way is to buy a Netflix enabled Smart TV, once you set it up it's as easy as hitting the Netflix button. We bought one from JB Hifi.

    • [Deactivated] on 08/03/2018 - 23:13

      Yeah ours has a big netflix button and a microphone so you can yell a song at the tv and it brings up the youtube video. It also instantly changes to the Ps4 when you turn it on as its a Sony tv. Its a Sony Bravia x8500d.

  • Slippery Fish on 08/03/2018 - 20:29
    +3

    If they have a tv Telstra tv works well. You would need to set up and use a Telstra internet account to sign up with.

    I had them set up a fake broadband account tied to my mobile via live chat to use it, so no cost there if you got telstra mobile just takes 10 mins.

    Also good was the fetch mighty I bought my mother who is so tech unsavy that just about everything she touches breaks and you need to fix it rofl.

    She signed up to a movies pack for $1 a month and is happy.

    • realfancyman on 08/03/2018 - 21:44

      Ditto. You can actually get a Telstra ID using Crowdsupport which is eligible for the Telstra TV. Let me know if you need more details

      • Slippery Fish on 08/03/2018 - 21:46

        And I think Telstra tv 2 also has an aerial so they can have it all in the one system.

        If it helps I press a button on my Telstra tv and that brings my 4yo Aldi tv out of standby mode.

        Ymmv obviously.

        • realfancyman on 08/03/2018 - 21:48
          +1

          Yeah it does. Easy to find these cheap on eBay and gumtree as Telstra give them away for free on the expensive plans.

          RE the remote: think only certain TVs do that, my new one does but the old one didn't

        • Presence on 08/03/2018 - 22:05

          @realfancyman:
          I have one and I'm actually impressed. The TV aerial pass through and the electronic program guide make it very very easy to use.

        • samcro on 09/03/2018 - 16:42
          +1

          You need to have a Telstra Broadband connection for the live TV though. It's disabled if you are with another provider. Trust me, I have one and it keeps reminding me I need a Bigpond Internet account. The apps still work though.

  • peterpeterpumpkin on 08/03/2018 - 20:43
    +2

    On a semi-related note. Modern product developers have really dropped the ball when it comes to providing straightforward devices for the elderly and impaired.

    Every interface these days has 10 ways to get lost with no obvious way back. And when will clickable ads come out that don't send even mild dementia sufferers on a long winding journey?

    • Presence on 08/03/2018 - 22:06
      +1

      I think icons are also a lot more confusing for people who don't use modern devices regularly.

  • barbarella on 08/03/2018 - 21:57
    +1

    Yep…a smart tv…with the Netflix app installed

  • MeesusEff on 09/03/2018 - 00:01
    +1

    I think best way to scroll through Netflix is via gaming consoles as it's way easier to scroll with the analog stick than pressing on the remote button

  • BobD on 09/03/2018 - 08:26
    +1

    I have a couple of so called smart TVs with Netflix apps. They are super easy. Before I got the smart TVs I used to rely on my Panasonic Blu-ray players for Netflix access. It was easy, just power up, press the Network button on the remote and then select Netflix (or YouTube etc.). Navigation was done using the standard remote and was reasonably intuitive. However, this was about 2 years back since I last bought a Blu-ray player. They may be different now. My players have both wifi 2.4GHz and Ethernet 100. I prefer Ethernet as I have a couple of 8 port gigabit network switches but one of the players uses wifi. The wifi isn't easy to set up because of my password's 20+ characters of weirdness and the on-screen keyboard. It's performance is rock solid even with a zillion other wifis in the local area. I only used Panasonic but I recall that other brands (Sony) had Netflix apps also. The Pana players also have HDMI-CEC which allows control from the TV, although I never used it.

  • bdl on 09/03/2018 - 09:05
    +1

    I also like Android TV inbuilt for remote users - because they can install Teamviewer and run it and you can monitor what they're doing remotely. Good if you're having to provide remote support. Other benefits vs external STB - Netflix auto updates, less remotes, less cables and things to go wrong.

  • Nickels n Dimes on 09/03/2018 - 22:16
    +2

    I would recommend in order of ease of use:

    1. a recent model TV with Netflix support built-in (simply setup network connection, input account details and go!);

    2. TelstraTV box (if they have Telstra broadband, otherwise probably not worth the hassles);

    3. Android box (You can purchase an very fast and capable 4K Android6/7 box, eg. Xiaomi MIBox ~$100 on ebay) very affordable, easy to use and great compatibility with other devices such as GoogleHome and apps, a wireless keyboard is worth adding if you don't want to pair a phone;

    4. AppleTV (3rd gen ~$150, 4th gen ~$230, 4K ~$290), easy to use and has great compatibility with iPhone/iPad if you already have them, not so easy if you want to use Android devices, or non-Apple apps, and the remote is pretty annoying to use (especially for apps other than Netflix, it's best to pair your iPhone and use Airplay Mirroring).

    5. Chromecast, cheap as chips ~$50, has a very limited set of apps you can use your phone to control it or add a GoogleHome (+$60-140), which makes it quite easy. Bear in mind, though the Chromecast has limited potential if you want to add other apps there are only a handful available, but you can ScreenMirror or ScreenCast from Android devices to your Chromecast very easily allowing you to use an app on your Android phone that's not available on the Chromecast.

  • casho on 21/03/2018 - 11:07

    Also look into talking to AppleTV remote or google mini etc. "Hey Siri, play downton abbey" etc.

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