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Westin Riverfront TV device - which one to use?

The Colorado Kid

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Resorts Owned
Westin Riverfront
Christie Lodge
Apollo Park
Grand Timber Lodge
Indian Palms
Massanutten
Park Regency
Valdoro Mountain Lodge
Marriott Surfwatch
Heading to WRF tomorrow and haven't been there in about a year.

The front desk clerk just told me that the concierge has whatever TV streaming device is required for the TV's but wouldn't give the name of the device.

I feel this is likely just another way to try to hotbox us into a sales meeting.

Anyone recently at WRF who can confirm what device is best or only to use please?
 
Heading to WRF tomorrow and haven't been there in about a year.

The front desk clerk just told me that the concierge has whatever TV streaming device is required for the TV's but wouldn't give the name of the device.

I feel this is likely just another way to try to hotbox us into a sales meeting.

Anyone recently at WRF who can confirm what device is best or only to use please?
When I stay in the villas there, I just hook up my Amazon Fire Stick to an HDMI port on the TV and use it with no problem. I do recommend that if you do a lot of Vistana and Marriott stays including Marriott hotel, get yourself an LG universal remote from Amazon. Most of those properties use LG TVs, though a few have Samsung or Philips instead. The remote is inexpensive and will often allow you to access the Input or Source feature to switch the TV to the HDMI port your device is hooked in. Sometimes the provided remotes don't have that button/option.
 
When I stay in the villas there, I just hook up my Amazon Fire Stick to an HDMI port on the TV and use it with no problem. I do recommend that if you do a lot of Vistana and Marriott stays including Marriott hotel, get yourself an LG universal remote from Amazon. Most of those properties use LG TVs, though a few have Samsung or Philips instead. The remote is inexpensive and will often allow you to access the Input or Source feature to switch the TV to the HDMI port your device is hooked in. Sometimes the provided remotes don't have that button/option.

Every VSN resort I’ve been to includes the input button on the remote and allows switching. Perhaps you’re remembering a different resort company. Or, which specific resort have you had issues with the remote?

I take a Roku Stick with me and use it every time without issue.


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I am relaying my general experience about the subject matter as stated in my post. I don't have specific resorts to comment on beyond the one that the OP asked about nor do I need to.
 

Westin Riverfront TV device - which one to use?​

I usually use the one that looks like a TV. It's not hard to miss, usually a big flat black thing about 48" across ;) As for the other stuff people are talking about like sticks and things I have no idea.
 
I am relaying my general experience about the subject matter as stated in my post. I don't have specific resorts to comment on beyond the one that the OP asked about nor do I need to.

Then I’ll assume you’re just confused about the tv remote and leave it at that, since every Vistana resort I’ve been to has the input button available on the remote.


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Most of the Vistana properties now have the World Cinema “box” hooked to the TV. There are HDMI inputs on that box that you can use for your own device or stick. The remote may give you the ability to select an input on the “box” rather than on the TV, but functionally it accomplishes the same thing. I have never stayed in a Vistana property that didn’t have a working input button on the remote(s.)

I always take my Apple TV with me and hook it up. Note that the older Apple TV models won’t allow you to log in to the Wifi network on the device, instead you’ll have to call the hotel's internet support and get them to add the IP address of your Apple TV manually. Newer Apple TV's (with current operating system) will pop up the login screen and let you log to the Wifi just as you do on other devices.
 
Most of the Vistana properties now have the World Cinema “box” hooked to the TV. There are HDMI inputs on that box that you can use for your own device or stick. The remote may give you the ability to select an input on the “box” rather than on the TV, but functionally it accomplishes the same thing. I have never stayed in a Vistana property that didn’t have a working input button on the remote(s.)

Exactly. I'm at a VSN resort this week, and this is the box on the TV with my Roku stick, and the input button works as expected.

1.jpeg
 
FWIW, this is a pic from WKV, which has one of the nicest integration options with the TV. It's great that they provide both the HDMI and power near each other.

2.jpeg
 
FWIW, this is a pic from WKV, which has one of the nicest integration options with the TV. It's great that they provide both the HDMI and power near each other.

View attachment 79288
I’ve seen this setup in some of the other Westin properties too. It’s not in every room and maybe it’s something they are installing when they renovate. I agree that it’s a great improvement. At many of the properties (that don’t have the pictured setup yet) there is no accessible AC power anywhere near the TV. I had to add an extension cord to my “timeshare bag” in order to plug in the Apple TV. I’ll be glad when/if this new setup is the norm.
 
UPDATE -

Really appreciate all the recommendations!

We bought a Roku stick and I was able to connect it behind the TV with some trial and error. Was able to get our streaming services working including using the Bose soundbar. I was able to use the Roku stick without separate power which was very helpful.

Hoping Riverfront will soon install something much more user friendly with access in front of the TV as @Ken555 posted or upgrade the actual TV's.

Also to note we had a surprise visit from maintenance to measure our windows for new window treatments...hope this includes an overall room refresh/renovation of all villas soon.
 
Then I’ll assume you’re just confused about the tv remote and leave it at that, since every Vistana resort I’ve been to has the input button available on the remote.


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THis may be a difference between Vistana and Marriott. Most Marriott resorts have the box on the back of the TV that handles all the work (same one as you posted in post #8). The TV is just a monitor. Volume and inputs are controlled through the box. You can connect an HDMI device to the box as you did, but the quality is poor and colors are washed out. Connecting directly through the TV is much better, but then changing the input and volume is nearly impossible since the remote controls the box and not the television.

I’ve seen this setup in some of the other Westin properties too. It’s not in every room and maybe it’s something they are installing when they renovate. I agree that it’s a great improvement. At many of the properties (that don’t have the pictured setup yet) there is no accessible AC power anywhere near the TV. I had to add an extension cord to my “timeshare bag” in order to plug in the Apple TV. I’ll be glad when/if this new setup is the norm.
I would actually expect these "front facing" panels to probably go away as Vistana switches over to the boxes on the back of the television. Perhaps they won't remove them and just connect them to the World Cinema box instead of the TV. My experience though is that the quality of picture through the HDMI inputs on the box is crap.
 
THis may be a difference between Vistana and Marriott. Most Marriott resorts have the box on the back of the TV that handles all the work (same one as you posted in post #8). The TV is just a monitor. Volume and inputs are controlled through the box. You can connect an HDMI device to the box as you did, but the quality is poor and colors are washed out. Connecting directly through the TV is much better, but then changing the input and volume is nearly impossible since the remote controls the box and not the television.


I would actually expect these "front facing" panels to probably go away as Vistana switches over to the boxes on the back of the television. Perhaps they won't remove them and just connect them to the World Cinema box instead of the TV. My experience though is that the quality of picture through the HDMI inputs on the box is crap.
All the more reason to carry an LG universal remote. At some properties the HMDI ports on the attached box don't work so you have to attach them to the TV instead. In many cases, I've had unplug the box, turn the TV on and off and then use my universal remote to control volume and inputs.

One reason for crappy washed out video is that these TVs are mostly all defaulted to the APS picture mode, Automatic Power Saver or something like that. You can't change this through the interface Marriott/Vistana provides but if I repeat my procedure (unplug box, turn TV off and on, hit Menu on universal remote and choose a different picture mode, exit, turn TV off, plug back in box and turn on TV/wait for system to reboot), I am able to get a different picture mode for the length of my stay. Sometimes there are buttons on the side or bottom of the TV for Menu, Input, volume, etc in which case you wouldn't need the universal remote for this limited purpose.

Occasionally I run into a TV that is just a shell and can't be manipulated outside of what Marriott/Vistana has provided...in those cases, I watch streaming content on my tablet while relaxing in bed :)
 
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