device question to watch netflix

[buzz2400]

I set up my wii for my dad (senior citizen) so he could watch netflix and it was way too complex for him. He is not computer savvy at all. What is the best thing to buy for him so that he could watch netflix, he does know how to use a dvd player but I was wondering if roku or something like that. Walmart does have a d link on sale this week.

 

[foltzy]

My husband just bought me a roku for Christmas. It was easy to set up and there is a Netflix button on the remote. Takes you right in to it.

 

[Fyrefly]

How was it too complex? You power on the Wii and point the remote to click the Netflix channel big and red right on your main screen assuming you put it there. From there click the search button to search or the arrows to move through the choices.

It's honestly one of the more user friendly options I've experienced for Netflix because the remote lets you point at what you want, compared to doing it on a smart TV, several mobile devices, a Wii and an Xbox.

Rather than spending money on another gadget I wonder if you'd be better off just walking him through it once or twice and then making him a little step by step reminder list? We used to do that with older relatives to help them remember how to turn on the computer to check email, etc.

 

[AngieMouse86]

Rather than spending money on another gadget I wonder if you'd be better off just walking him through it once or twice and then making him a little step by step reminder list? We used to do that with older relatives to help them remember how to turn on the computer to check email, etc.

I second this suggestion, as we've used this method, with great results, on my grandmother. She's also techno-phobic a bit but with help over the years she's been able to check her email, play games online and now text.

We use large index cards with many, simple step-by-step instructions and it takes her a little while to he the hang of it but she always does. For her cable remote we made a large diagram of it and only marked the buttons she needs to use.

 

[Mel522]

I'd also like to know what about the Wii he found hard to use. Was it the controller that he had trouble with? Was the Netflix icon not on the screen and he didn't know how to get to a second screen? Or, was it Netflix itself that he has trouble with? If we knew what he had trouble with, we might be able to give better advice.

My dad got a roku and was able to use it very easily (he is also not computer savvy.) I did have to set it up for him, and occasionally got called to answer questions, but for the most part he did fine with it.

 

[Nana2Callie]

Just to comment - I had a hard time connecting to Netflix thru the Wii - not sure what step I'm missing. I pointed to the "red box" and nothing happens.

 

[Fyrefly]

Just to comment - I had a hard time connecting to Netflix thru the Wii - not sure what step I'm missing. I pointed to the "red box" and nothing happens.

The Wii menu appears as a series of boxes/squares with rounded corners, usually whatever disk you have in is the top left, then you get stuff like the Mii Channel, etc. One of those should be red with the Netflix logo on it. You move the cursor over it, press the A button (the big one right on top in the middle) and it brings up a screen to confirm. I believe the two choices are Start and Cancel and you move the pointer over Start and press A again.

 

[1Mouse2RulethemAll]

If you are looking for a device, my kids love watching netflix on my nook. I have an icon on the home screen that they just touch.


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[anniemck]

I wanna say the ROKU is the best device for Netflix as well as Hulu+ and many other "channels" that can be watched.

 

[buzz2400]

He had problems with the controller because it jumped around too much for him. He also didn't like that he had to turn on the device and wait scroll through until he got into netflix and then he had trouble searching for shows with the controller. So basically it was the controller. I set up the wii up in my room and it is a little difficult (a lot different than when I am using my laptop) to watch the movies.

 

[wiigirl]

My husband just bought me a roku for Christmas. It was easy to set up and there is a Netflix button on the remote. Takes you right in to it.

Thats what we use. Roku's are cheap and super simple.

 

[pixiewings71]

Why not get a blu ray player? We have a cheap one we got at BB last year for less then $50, we watch Netflix through that and through the Wii but we prefer the BR player. It's got a "regular" controller and it has a button to push that takes you right to NF.

 

[pigletto]

He had problems with the controller because it jumped around too much for him. He also didn't like that he had to turn on the device and wait scroll through until he got into netflix and then he had trouble searching for shows with the controller. So basically it was the controller. I set up the wii up in my room and it is a little difficult (a lot different than when I am using my laptop) to watch the movies.

I can totally see this. It would be an issue for my grandma as well. It requires hand/eye coordination that seems simple to us but really wouldn't be for someone with unsteady hands or poor eyesight.
I would also suggest the Roku or a BluRay player.

 

[Fyrefly]

He had problems with the controller because it jumped around too much for him. He also didn't like that he had to turn on the device and wait scroll through until he got into netflix and then he had trouble searching for shows with the controller. So basically it was the controller. I set up the wii up in my room and it is a little difficult (a lot different than when I am using my laptop) to watch the movies.

If it jumps around a lot you might have the sensor in an odd spot. You've made sure it's properly set in the systems menu as above the tv or below it according to the actual position of the sensor? And he's not sitting super close to it is he?

With regards to the scrolling through to get to Netflix you can move it to the front page for him to make it easier.

If it's just simple hand-eye coordination that can deteriorate and not an issue with the Wii setup, then I would suggest something else. I'd maybe go with a bluray player myself because then that could replace the DVD player he presumably already has and won't add extra clutter. I don't see much point to Roku unless you want the extra content besides Huluplus or Netflix as pretty much every device with internet handles those these days.

 

[4HppyCamprs]

I wanna say the ROKU is the best device for Netflix as well as Hulu+ and many other "channels" that can be watched.

We have Netflix on several devices and roku is the simplist to access Netflix on. Even my 3 year old is able to access it.

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[3boymthr]

We have a BluRay with a netflix option on it. We don't use Netflix any more but it's very easy to access all the options as they just appear when we turn on the BluRay. Scroll down with the arrows, select the option we want with enter button and it goes right to the menu. the good thing about a BluRay as opposed to the Wii is the HD option for the movies - they are much clearer.

 

[Vickmeys]

Love my Roku! Super simple!

 

[stm61]

Does anyone know if there's any device out there that doesn't need a high speed internet connection to use? We can't get cable or DSL and my kids regularly blow through the 15GB satellite internet we have now. I'm just waiting for the 2 yr commitment to be up so I can cancel the satellite and looking for something to replace it with.

 

[momof3ds]

Roku or apple TV would be the easiest unless you get a new wifi TV that has netflix as one of the options.




To stm61, you need a high speed connection to be able to stream any kind of video.

 

[4HppyCamprs]

Roku or apple TV would be the easiest unless you get a new wifi TV that has netflix as one of the options.

We have a wifi tv with Netflix app and I still think Roku is the easiest to use. It has a big red Netflix button right on the remote.

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