I'm thinking about getting my mom a Amazon Fire TV, Roku 3, or something else as a Christmas gift for her. What's my best option for under $100? Preferably, I want to get it either during online Black Friday or Cyber Monday sales. I I needs to play YouTube and Netflix content very well, but also being able to do other web like stuff would be nice since she doesn't have a computer and my dad's computer is practically a 24/7 Netflix machine.
Two quick maybe/maybe-not options: PS3: http://www.gamestop.com/ps3/consoles/playstation-3-40gb-refurbished-blast-from-the-past-system-bundle/118871 $160, and a refurb, but you can probably get the $60 back by selling the bundled games on eBay. PSTV is $80: http://www.gamestop.com/ps4/accessories/playstation-tv-system/115547 however from what I've been able to gather though it'll install Youtube and Netflix it can't actually use them (I know we have at least one PS TV owner on the forum, chime in?)
PSTV...judging by its reception, it doesn't really seem like it's worth it. The PS3 reburbished might work well for my mother. I've let her borrow my PS3 in the past for Netflix.
Been having a look at these on demand boxes recently for my mum and the one that appears to be the best is the Roku 3. Amazon Fire TV would be more ideal but there are only a handful of apps at the moment and with their more closed platform compared to the Roku means there is just going to be less variety. Also IIRC Roku has a media player for you to play your local media while you have to jailbreak the Fire TV to put XMBC to do that. At the end of the day it really comes down to what you mainly want it for.
YouTube app is downloadable in US and UK but doesn't work on the PSTV, although I assume that this will be remedied with a patch at some point if anyone cares. Netflix is downloadable in the US (not the UK), but doesn't work anyway. These things may be patched in time, but seeing as there isn't a Netflix app on the Vita on the UK store after not far off three years, I wouldn't count on this happening. I can't really make a recommendation as I don't have much experience with these types of things. But I do find the Apple TV that my parents have is a nice little addition if you're already invested in the Apple marketplace.
My mom would mostly use it for YouTube and Netflix, and probably web related stuff. Do any of these products allow consumers to browse the web? I know Amazon Fire TV has more power, so I figure it might be better suited for that option. Also, if there is a way to achieve that with either products, how consumer friendly is it? My mom gets frustrated with technology easily. I would consider Apple TV, but I despise that company so much, I refuse to get any of their products.
I recommending reading this for some more general information on streaming boxes. EDIT: This might be perfect for you.
I've really been enjoying the Chromecast at home. You have to use your phone to control it, but that's never been a problem for me (I also use my phone as a TV remote often enough). I don't know if it has more/less apps than the competition, but it was a really nice price, and has worked well. One of the things my dad liked about it was that he could queue up a movie for my 5 year old brother without even leaving his room.
Hmm... It sounds like a box designed around Android could possibly work well since it has more flexibility and allows for the ability to surf the web, but the Prestigio MultiCenter doesn't have a good reception and Xtreamer Multi-Console is both too pricey and possibly too complicated for my mother. Ideally, I'd like it to run Netflix and YouTube content solidly, and be able to surf the web. If a box can do that, be very user friendly, let users use a remote, and costs under $100, I'm sold. Neither of my parents use smart phones, so any device that requires a phone would not work for them.
Either a PS3 or an XBox 360 would do the job just fine for both YouTube and Netflix. There's also OUYA, but sideloading both Netflix and Youtube is is going to be a pain at least they have XBMC.
Apparently the YouTube app for the PS3 doesn't support 1080p, so buying my mom a PS3 is no longer a consideration.
