Is the nexus player really worth it in late 2015

[thatguy97]

I've been looking around the Interwebs and have seen some pretty nice prices on the nexus player and I'm trying to resist the urge but in general do you think android TV/Nexus player in its current implementation is worth it?

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Snapphane]

I think it's worth it. Sure it was lacking a bit in the media section compared to my old Boxee Box but once I got Kodi loaded on the Nexus Player it was fine

For gaming the 8 GB might be an issue, but other Android TV boxes tend to suport sd card. Nvidia's shield even comes in a 500gb version so that will solve it easy

 

[Jon Williams3]

Yeah, I would say its worth it. If you ask me, the "Android TV" interface has been simplified a bit and no longer has a homescreen as the "Google TV" devices had. So, if you buy a "Android TV 5.x" device with more power, you really aren't getting anything more except maybe 2 things: 4K capability and 2USB ports (if you need it).

 

[thatguy97]

I'll probably get one in the fall

EDIT: Got a 2015 Chromecast instead

Posted From my Nexus 6/Nexus 7 2013/Surface pro 3

 

[alexcolka]

Now that you can install many more apps like ES file manager you can add external drives with a USB otg cable and play many media files, I would say the system is more flexible now.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

 

[mgftp]

I am thinking of ditching my cable and getting a Nexus Player for the two TVs most used in my home but I am wondering what we might see this fall/winter as far as a revised model. With "Live TV" added in the M preview I am hoping a new model with coax input, or HDMI passthrough, as well as an ethernet port. I'll probably hold off for now as this new model would most likely be announced within the next two months but that doesn't mean the current model isn't a capable device.

 

[zachthebomb13]

So, I'm planning on getting sling TV and the offer to get a nexus player for $50. You would say that it's worth it to buy one at that price?

 

[whitenack]

I am still holding out for a device with HDMI passthrough. Is there any rumors about a new player at the upcoming event? Sure hope so.

 

[Yazen]

Hope you got in on it when they were $50 at BB.
Performance and form factor is excellent, though I am not a fan of the included remote. Doesn't do Kodi justice at all!

 

[Mike Majeski]

Picked one up earlier in the summer and love it. With the $50 BB sale I also picked one up for my parents for xmas. Will be easier to teach them how to navigate Android TV rather than explain how Chromecast works.

 

[st3llmatic]

I bought one a while back when Sling TV had their deal like someone mentioned above. I think it's well worth it for the price, and there wasn't a replacement announced yesterday at the Nexus event. Most of our media is in Plex, we can do Netflix, and then Sling for the rare live TV we do watch.

 

[dnalevelc]

I think the Nexus Player is still a great investment. I use mine everyday. I got rid of my Apple TV and Roku when I got it. Sling TV, Plex,Netflix, Youtube, and games work perfect on it.

 

[mgftp]

So surprised we didn't get an updated Nexus Player this year. I'm dying for Ethernet, would love HDMI pass-through as well, 4k, etc. A great product a may suit most users just fine but a little out of date spec wise, very unlike the Nexus line. The thought of going to Apple TV makes me feel icky inside, but the thing has Ethernet.

 

[whitenack]

Do I remember correctly that the Nexus Player has chromecast functionality as well? If so, are there any limitations to the NP from a casting standpoint?

 

[truenoob]

So surprised we didn't get an updated Nexus Player this year. I'm dying for Ethernet, would love HDMI pass-through as well, 4k, etc. A great product a may suit most users just fine but a little out of date spec wise, very unlike the Nexus line. The thought of going to Apple TV makes me feel icky inside, but the thing has Ethernet.

You can buy a micro usb to female USB adapter to plug into the Nexus and then add a ethernet to male usb to that to get ethernet to your Nexus. I did this and it solved my wifi issues to the nexus player. It works great and is plug and play. No other setup required, the nexus will handle it automatically.

 

[Snapphane]

Do I remember correctly that the Nexus Player has chromecast functionality as well? If so, are there any limitations to the NP from a casting standpoint?

You don't get the "chrome cast os". So the backdrop stuff that the chrome cast has you won't get on the Nexus Player. It will also not be visible and configurable on the cast app.

I have also had some issues with stuff like Netflix. Casting Netflix sort of launches the Android TV app and that tends to cause some issues. But otherwise it works just as it would with a chrome cast

 

[mr.i515]

Greeting's and salutations all. This will be my first post on this forum, so I must offer my apologies if I am not in compliance with proper protocols. In any event, I wanted to chime in with my two cents.

Here's a quick backstory. I have been a long time TV subscriber. As a child I grew up with Time Warner Cable, in my adolescent years my family upgraded to Direct TV, and as an adult I have been a long time subscriber to Dish Network.

As of late last year, I have been on a mission to reduce or do away with my monthly subscriptions to any and all services I used to or currently pay into. Which is what motivated me to cut the cord. Now, I will admit that cutting the proverbial cord was originally something of a daunting idea to me... but, it's been a good change in my life.

Getting into the Android TV game does come with some changes, at least for me it did. I had to educate myself about the basics of home networking, mostly because I am a total noob to it. But, after a doing a good amount of reading and researching I'm all about this life!

Getting away from the sub-par equipment I was renting from my ISP was the best thing I could have done. You may think what's $8 a month for a modem/router, right? In my case I've been with TWC for more than 7 years, and up until a couple months ago I had never bothered to find out just how much I was paying in rental fee's for that miserable piece of equipment Time Warner had the nerve to charge me for. That was my fault and I take full responsibilities for that, but now, I can only shake my head in disappointment looking back on how much money I just gave Time Warner because I failed to educate myself.

I own what I have now, and there is nothing like the sense of ownership. And the pride one receives from knowing they put together or built something yourself... it's a fantastic feeling!

I have two Nexus Player's, A Roku SE and a ChromeCast and I really like each one of them for the things they do right. The ChromeCast is super portable, and easy to setup; provided you have it relatively close to your router. Or purchase the Ethernet accessory, which I did. The Roku SE is the newest edition to my device list. It's a solid product for the price. I can't really say anything bad about it. And the Nexus Players... they continue to impress me. For the price I am hard pressed to recommend anything else to anyone who ask's me about what set-top-box they should invest in. Regardless of it's shortcomings.

Some of the subjective cons with the Nexus Player could be the lack of 4k support. However, that doesn't bother me at the present time, as I do not have one in my home. Some of my subjective cons are a missing Lan port, missing optical audio out and a option for on-board expandable storage. But, it's not like any of those short comings are deal breakers... because there are plenty of work around's to all those subjective issues. And let's not forget... $50 to get you started with Android TV is steel of a deal!

If there was one thing that could be a deal break for some... is the lack of Dolby digital 5.1 Surround Sound. But, that's not a Nexus Player fault. I see it more of a Android fault. I have read that services such as Google Play Movies/Music, SlingTV, Netflix, Hulu and Showtime Anytime do not support Dolby Digital Surround Sound 5.1. Now, I am not an audiophile, but, the lack of support for DD SS puzzles me. I would think that would have been one of the first things built into Android TV. If I am wrong... please let me know.

But, again... I have read there are work-around's for this issue. XBMC, Kodi does support 5.1 DD SS. But, seeing as the Nexus Player only has a HDMI out, you will need an additional piece of hardware in the form of a HDMI audio extractor to be able to send an audio signal via a optical audio cable or the more traditional RCA connections to a home theater sound system or any other form of audio means you may have.

In my opinion, yes the Nexus Player is still worth getting this late in 2015. I, myself am enthusiastically excited to see what Google brings to Android TV in 2016! The real question is... if Google follows up the Nexus Player with a more expensive model equipped with all the bells and whistles, would you buy it?

 

[Brian K Conner]

Does the Nexus Player have the WWE app?