Question One box to rule them all? Totally new TV set-up planning

[JBlack50]

Hi everyone,

I've been reading here and everywhere else but can't work out the right set-up for me. I'm hoping you can help me out with some advice, I need help! So I'm planning to get a total new set-up - new TV and everything needed to bring the content. The only thing I'll probably keep is my audio system which is just fine.

This is what I want to have. I won't say money is no object on a forum like this but I don't mind spending more money to get a solution that ticks all of the boxes. Like the title says, I really want only one box under the telly and one remote, I'm sick of having so many boxes and remotes (1st world problem, I know ). Surely we don't need things to be so complicated these days:

• New TV, I'm guessing I'll be using this just as a screen rather than anything else, most fancy features are probably not needed so we can focus on picture quality, unless of course I can't find what I need for the other things below. I don't think I need bigger than about 50 inches.
• Netflix, Amazon Video, BBC iPlayer, All4, Maybe ITV player but not essential.
• Regular terrestrial TV channels plus TV recording & pausing functionality (like a Humax PVR box offers).
• Blu-ray/DVD/CD playback. I know, most people don't use these anymore but we still use them quite a lot so this is a must.
• Stream Audio and Video content from my Synology NAS drive. Absolute deal-breaker.

For reference, here is my crazy existing set-up:

• Quite an old Samsung TV with only one HDMI input (remote #1). I have an HDMI switch-box to change between each of the inputs (remote #2). The TV is used only as a screen, even the sound is bypassed and goes to my amp/receiver (remote #3).
• TV channels and recording from a Humax HDR/Fox T2 (remote #4). I use the recording/series link function regularly.
• Apple TV - this allows me to access Netflix and Amazon Prime with the apple remote (remote #5). For All4 and BBC iPlayer I have to play them on my ipad ('remote' #6) and AirPlay them to the Apple TV.
• CDs played via an old CD player unit linked to the amp/receiver.
• DVDs via an even older separate DVD player (remote #7) linking to the TV via the HDMI switch-unit. Currently no Blu-Ray capability
• Synology goes via a Rasperry Pi with Kodi installed then via the HDMI swicth-unit to the TV (controlled via an app on my phone or 'remote' #8).

So as you can see - quite a mess! What I really want is a single box that can do all of this - play and record TV, play Blu-Ray/DVD/CD, stream content from my Synology NAS drive and also give me the Netflix/Amazon/catch-up TV apps. Is it possible or am I asking too much?!!!

 

[VisionMan]

Too much unfortunately.

 

[grahamlthompson]

Hi everyone,

I've been reading here and everywhere else but can't work out the right set-up for me. I'm hoping you can help me out with some advice, I need help! So I'm planning to get a total new set-up - new TV and everything needed to bring the content. The only thing I'll probably keep is my audio system which is just fine.

This is what I want to have. I won't say money is no object on a forum like this but I don't mind spending more money to get a solution that ticks all of the boxes. Like the title says, I really want only one box under the telly and one remote, I'm sick of having so many boxes and remotes (1st world problem, I know ). Surely we don't need things to be so complicated these days:

• New TV, I'm guessing I'll be using this just as a screen rather than anything else, most fancy features are probably not needed so we can focus on picture quality, unless of course I can't find what I need for the other things below. I don't think I need bigger than about 50 inches.
• Netflix, Amazon Video, BBC iPlayer, All4, Maybe ITV player but not essential.
• Regular terrestrial TV channels plus TV recording & pausing functionality (like a Humax PVR box offers).
• Blu-ray/DVD/CD playback. I know, most people don't use these anymore but we still use them quite a lot so this is a must.
• Stream Audio and Video content from my Synology NAS drive. Absolute deal-breaker.

For reference, here is my crazy existing set-up:

• Quite an old Samsung TV with only one HDMI input (remote #1). I have an HDMI switch-box to change between each of the inputs (remote #2). The TV is used only as a screen, even the sound is bypassed and goes to my amp/receiver (remote #3).
• TV channels and recording from a Humax HDR/Fox T2 (remote #4). I use the recording/series link function regularly.
• Apple TV - this allows me to access Netflix and Amazon Prime with the apple remote (remote #5). For All4 and BBC iPlayer I have to play them on my ipad ('remote' #6) and AirPlay them to the Apple TV.
• CDs played via an old CD player unit linked to the amp/receiver.
• DVDs via an even older separate DVD player (remote #7) linking to the TV via the HDMI switch-unit. Currently no Blu-Ray capability
• Synology goes via a Rasperry Pi with Kodi installed then via the HDMI swicth-unit to the TV (controlled via an app on my phone or 'remote' #8).

So as you can see - quite a mess! What I really want is a single box that can do all of this - play and record TV, play Blu-Ray/DVD/CD, stream content from my Synology NAS drive and also give me the Netflix/Amazon/catch-up TV apps. Is it possible or am I asking too much?!!!

A really bad idea. Ever heard the expression too many eggs in one basket ?. One failure leaves you with nothing.

A decent AV system has multiple inputs , switching between them is simple. More sophisticated ones have two zone outputs with a built in matrix switch allowing indepedent remote viewing of any of he connected kit.

 

[VisionMan]

Though you can buy one remote to control them all called a Harmony.

 

[Ensor]

"One remote to rule them all..."

 

[grahamlthompson]

Though you can buy one remote to control them all called a Harmony.

Only the very high end Harmony remotes (and you need an extra add-on) will control bluetooth controlled kit like a Amazon Fire TV Box (and I suspect the op's Apple TV box). Most only work with Infra Red.

 

[crockett]

Some comments. Most modern TV's will do Netflix/Amazon and the UK Catch up channels etc built in. They also work as a basic PVR's, but IMO are unreliable and generally single tuner only, so I would recommend a dedicated PVR. Have a look at the Humax FVP-5000T, Humax Fox HDR-T2 or Youview box for examples. For streaming content from the Synology and perhaps your DVD/Blu-Ray Collection (if you are prepared to rip them), then I would recommend the Zidoo Z9s/X9s or perhaps the OSMC Vero 4K+). You might also want to look at the Nvidia Shield TV.

 

[JonMace]

Defiantly look at a higher end harmony you may also want either an alexi or a google home so you can control via voice. But I think that really you are going to want 3 boxes

1) PVR - whichever one you like the look of
2) Android box - Nvidea shield is still the best
3) Blu ray player - you could skip this buy ripping to your NAS.

 

[JBlack50]

Thanks so much everyone, really appreciate your input.

So, it seems I can get a TV these days that has all of the streaming services and catch-up. I can also get one the new Sony TVs that will allow me to link content from my NAS directly with one of the apps so that's great.

I can then keep my existing PVR which I'm happy with (Humax HDR Fox T2) but will probably use less and less over time.

Then I can just buy a nice little Blu-Ray player that doesn't need any added extra features.

That takes me to three remotes -one for the TV, one for the PVR and one for the Receiver/audio. I recon I'll only use the TV remote for 95% of the time.

Nailed it, thanks everyone!