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Lovefilm and AV receivers


DaFoot

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I'm looking into AV receivers at the moment as my old DVD/home theatre box seems to be on its last legs.

 

I have a Lovefilm account with postal discs, which is great but I'd like to see if I can get the streaming service working via either an AV receiver or a DVD player.

 

I notice a number of receivers list an ethernet connection for streaming from the interwebs, but they don't seem to list specific services in the specs.

 

Do these devices generally support Lovefilm or does it vary by brand?

 

Of the networkable receivers I'm looking at I'm down to 2 I think....

Yamaha RXV673

Sony STRDN1030

 

I've not been able to find a definative answer yet whether either of these support Lovefilm's streaming product.

 

The silver lining to them not supporting Lovefilm would be I can look at models that cost much less!

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I can't see any reason why the Sony won't allow them. The only issue i had with my Sony av reciever is that you had to have a Sony usb dongle as it doesn't have ethernet,neither does the dvd player.

I don't think the receivers have decoders for tv programmes so the download would be via your dvd/tv.(on mine you can only access the internet via the Sony dvd player - or tv )

 

I would think the optimum would be decent bluray with internet(£80 Richer sounds) and a home cinema set up (£160 from Richer sounds)

looking to buy excatly the same as a pressie for daughter.

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The Sony I mentioned does have ethernet, so connectivity to the internet isn't a problem. It's just a matter of whether it has some Lovefilm application included or not.

 

Do disc player come with internet / streaming capability these days then?

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Do disc player come with internet / streaming capability these days then?
Unless I am mistaken, all BD players have an Ethernet connection - part and parcel of the BD spec, to access web-delivered extras (I could be wrong, am open to correction of course).

 

Many recent Blu-Ray players have web-streaming apps (Lovefilm, NetFlix, Youtube...). LG, Panasonic and Sony for sure.

 

Most not-so-recent BD players can stream from a local (LAN, rather than web-) source.

 

It's a question of checking reviews and specs at manufacturers' websites.

AV receivers will stream audio, they won't stream video. I've not seen any that can stream video in the way you're assuming.
I have heard of some (Pioneer, maybe Marantz as well) that have a local (LAN) streaming capacity, but it's hazy (not a feature I'm looking for/want in an AV amp, so not paid particular attention to it).

 

There was a good post by Location114 in the 'smart TV' thread recently, which neatly summed up the issue: most manufacturers are trying to cram so many features in every last bit of kit, that you end up with a collection of gear near the TV (TV itself, AV amp, BD player, HD recorder, console, etc.) which all have the same 'connected' features!

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Look what my friend Google found ;)

 

SONY BDPS490 NETWORKED 3D READY BLU-RAY/DVD PLAYER WITH INTERNET VIDEO

 

The Sony BDP-S490 is a networked, 3D ready Blu-Ray and DVD player <...>

 

Apart from Blu-ray and DVD discs, the BDP-S490 also supports CDs, SA-CDs and MP3 music formats and MPEG4, Xvid and AVC-HD high definition video formats. You can also play files from USB devices or connect the '490 to your home network through its wired ethernet connection, or wirelessly with the optional UWA-BR100 wireless adaptor (see the accessories tab for details) and you can download BD-Live content such as games, deleted scenes or trailers for compatible discs and also watch streaming video - such as iPlayer and Channel 5 television on demand, YouTube, or even Lovefilm or Netflix subscription services - through Sony's Bravia internet video service. You'll also be able to stream movies, music and photos over your home network from devices such as computers, NAS drives or any other DLNA certified device. On top of all this, online movies and Youtube clips look crisper and clearer than ever, thanks to Sony's enhanced picture technologies. You can even wirelessly 'push' photos, music and video from your smartphone or tablet onto your TV screen, and 'throw' web pages between devices.

 

Google Shop, he says you could get aaall that for around £75! :o

 

Bargain, or what?!?

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So it seems an internet enabled DVD player for the Lovefilm and less £ on receiver is the way to go, perhaps the Sony Sony STRDN820 instead of 1030. Time to go have a chat with Richer Sounds!
I'm not sure that's the best strategy, but it is one.

 

In order of 'importance', personally I go:

 

£££ on speakers

££ on amp

£ on player/other

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