Best streaming solution for my setup

[crazy about cars]

In my living room I currently have a Sky+ box, non-smart TV, a HTPC which are all connected to my Onkyo amp.

If the amp is switched off audio from Sky+ box gets output to the telly which I like. Now as I can't get any streaming service with Sky Box and my telly is non-smart I guess I would have to get an external box like Chromecast Plus or Now TV box.

A few questions for you gents and ladies:
1) Is it possible to connect the new streaming box to allow audio to be output via TV is amp is not switched on? There's spare HDMI ports on the AMP but not too sure if this is the way forward

2) What box would you recommend for HD streams which would work well with my setup?

3) I normally watch documentaries, US dramas and some animated series like Family Guy. What would be the best option? I've got sports covered with Sky. I have an old-ish 32" SAMSUNG smart tell in the bedroom which I believe have Netflix on so swaying towards that at the moment.

Never really looks into this before due to poor broadband so pretty clueless. Any advise welcomed!

edit: I do have Amazon Prime membership purely for GT but the options on it are very poor unless you pay extra.

[crazy about cars]

Bullett said:

What's wrong with using your HTPC for this? what sort is it?

Are you looking to stream amazon/netflix/nowtv or more dubious sources?

HTPC is pretty clunky...at the moment it's not used much as HTPC but as a backup and fileserver (WHS2011).
I might get a better keyboard for the HTPC as currently using full sized BT keyboard with a touchpad builtin.

[crazy about cars]

I'm currently only looking to stream stuff from Netflix and maybe Amazon as I've got Prime. Nothing dubious

I've actually found old Xbox 360 in the garage which seems to work and I'm using it on the kitchen telly. Pretty cool watching Netflix from it. Kitchen telly is cheap JVC and for some reason built in Netflix app is not working correctly.

I'll hunt around for a better wireless keyboard setup, I had Kodi installed but was pretty clunky controlling it.

[crazy about cars]

aquarianone said:

Xbox One or one of the dongles...

Has Plex so you can stream everything over the network...and Amazon / Netflix

Also, not quite sure what you mean about paying extra for Prime...I reckon there's a fair amount (of interesting content) on both (Netfilx and Amazon) as std over above TGT.

Edited by aquarianone on Friday 21st April 15:27

I have old Xbox 360 powering the JVC TV in the kitchen. JVC has built in Netflix but very buggy and can't connect.
Seems ok although not sure if Xbox 360 gives full HD experience?

[crazy about cars]

Murph7355 said:

Pop Kodi on it and you should be fine, depending on what you want to stream of course...

I'd definitely leverage the HTPC rather than but yet another box.

Got a Rii keyboard today and it's amazing
However I do notice some screen tearing when watching Netflix both via Chrome and IE11.
HTPC is running AMD Radeon HD 6450 card paired to a 47" 1080p TV. I suspect I may need a better GPU?
The HTPC is actually running on same machine which runs WHS2011 and NAS to there's no space to upgrade to a beefier video card.
I haven't tried watching Netflix via Kodi and will give it a go later to see if it makes a difference.

[crazy about cars]

Bought Roku 3 box which seems to do what I want. Planning to plug it into amp like Sky box.

Should get it by tomorrow, gotta love Amazon Prime!