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Novalee

By Novalee
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Novalee

Novalee

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So I have a variety of dilms etc on a variety of devices about my home and I am tired of having to watching things in certain places, or copying them about etc.

 

Hoping someone can offer good advise on connecting everything up.

 

We have 2 Windows 7 PC's, a Vista Laptop, iPad, Smart TV, Sky router and couple of external hard-drives.

 

I finally got around to connecting the TV to the router last week only to discover it isn't that 'smart' - it's a Sony TV, about 3 years old and doesn't have Netflix as one of it's apps (which is the reason I connected it) and apparently Sony don't offer any way to update them so it is what it is.

 

I don't really know where to start with all of this but would particularly like to be able to watch films off my PC on the TV, along with things such as Netflix, without having to control via the PC.

 

Please tell me it's simpler than it sounds? Haha, thanks!

DPrince

DPrince

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I use mediabrowser over the top of Windows MediaCenter, although there is a standalone version if you're not using any tv functionality. Mediabrowser has a server/client setup, so you can either have all your media on one server and then stream it out to multiple clients (which is what I do) or just install everything onto one box and connect that to your tv.

Then buy a MediaCenter remote to control your computer as though it was a telly - works pretty much seamlessly.

 

If you're happy to install from scratch, then my setup:

 

All my media on one server, with Mediabrowser server component installed.

One reasonably lightweight PC under my telly. Mine has a satellite card in so I can watch tv.

Set the PC up as a windows media center tv. Use an SSD as your primary drive so it starts up and gets to WMC in about 9 seconds or so. You can install Mediabrowser as a plugin/button in the WMC menu.

Then I use the really cheap thin client boxes on my other Tvs or 42" monitors, and just install the standalone version of Mediabrowser (Theatre).

Use CAT5 for your server and main tv box, but I use the little Lenovo boxes with built in wireless for my other clients.

 

Mediabrowser is on version 3, and has got really good in the past year.

penfold

penfold

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I've got a raspberry pi set up with RASPBMC as an alternative to Plex. It's not the quickest in terms of menu navigation (especially when compared to the speed on a OP) but it's fine for what I use and I've no real hurry to change it. I used to use the existing LG TV remote to control it, but as my remote seems to be dying after numerous drops and dog bites I've recently installed the remote app on my phone and it's does provide more control.
Novalee

Novalee

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ooo! I looked at Chromecast but it said it had to just literally stream through an iPad or phone or something? So I thought I would be sitting there on charge to save battery then just displaying it on the screen? Or have I totally misunderstood?

I didn't realise it works with Plex though - you anyone recommend it over the Roku?

abillybob

abillybob

Posted
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A good and cheap way is to invest in a Asus-DSL N55U router, i think Dave has a few of these cheap... not only will it upgrade the speed of your internal network and improve Wi-Fi coverage but it has an inbuilt server. So you can connect one of your external Hard Drives to it, invest in a decent HTPC and voila you just connect all your devices to the SMB share hosted by the Asus Router. This will hold all your music and videos just stream to your devices from this!
Norphy

Norphy

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ooo! I looked at Chromecast but it said it had to just literally stream through an iPad or phone or something? So I thought I would be sitting there on charge to save battery then just displaying it on the screen? Or have I totally misunderstood?

I didn't realise it works with Plex though - you anyone recommend it over the Roku?

 

You don't stream from the iDevice or Android exactly, all it does it act as a gloried remote control for it. The device tells the ChromeCast the URL to stream from, the ChromeCast then streams directly from the URL without going through the device. Therefore you can turn the device off, close the application, do something else with the device or whatever.

 

The disadvantage of this is that you need a device of some description to work it whereas with a Roku or similar appliance it is at least a standalone appliance and can be used without a phone.

sparkeh

sparkeh

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One more question - which Roku should I get? There are 4 options...

Well I have the Roku LT which was the cheapest one but has been replaced by the stick version and does everything I need. Your TV needs to have an HDMI connection but I assume it does ;)

You can still get the LT from Amazon and its slightly cheaper: Roku 2400EU LT AV Receiver Set-Top Box: Amazon.co.uk: TV

 

Google chromecast is supported via the plex app, for £30 it's worth ago!!

Not used a Chromecast but doesn't that require you to be at the PC sending stuff to the TV? With the Roku you can hide your media server away and just use the Roku remote to browse your content.

Norphy

Norphy

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Not used a Chromecast but doesn't that require you to be at the PC sending stuff to the TV? With the Roku you can hide your media server away and just use the Roku remote to browse your content.

 

Not necessarily at a PC but you need something to initiate a stream, be it a tablet, phone or computer with Chrome installed.

sparkeh

sparkeh

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"Cast to TV direct from the Netflix and YouTube apps"

 

Is this important? It is only on the Roku stick and Roku 3.

Depends on whether you want to do this or not. Basically it means you can send Netflix and YouTube content directly from your phone/tablet to the TV (if you have Roku app on phone/tablet). Doesn't really bother me as I just go to Netflix channel on the Roku and play stuff from there, but I guess it could be handy.

Novalee

Novalee

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oh yeah - not entirely sure what the point of that is? If you can navigate on the Roku? I suppose if you'd been watching something you could send it, but only takes a few minutes to look it up I reckon?

 

oo I'm so excited! Can watch the rest of Ugly Betty on the TV! (Well the rest of season 2 - Netflix don't have 3 and 4 :-( )

sparkeh

sparkeh

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oo I'm so excited! Can watch the rest of Ugly Betty on the TV! (Well the rest of season 2 - Netflix don't have 3 and 4 :-( )

Argh I hate that. I got hooked on Modern Family but Netflix only has the first few seasons with no prospect of getting the rest :(

Novalee

Novalee

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Argh I hate that. I got hooked on Modern Family but Netflix only has the first few seasons with no prospect of getting the rest :(

 

I love Modern Family - I know it's so frustrating when not the whole show is on there :-( I know it's down to licensing etc but I see what they have on Netflix USA (NCIS! I want to have NCIS on our Netflix) but I guess the grass is always greener.

They just lost LOADS of channel 4 things though - IT Crowd included :-(

Norphy

Norphy

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Not that I'd ever suggest doing such a thing but you could use a DNS Service such as PlayMo and get access to American Netflix and all the goodies that come with it. Especially good if you're a SciFi fan, it has all of the Star Treks and Stargates on there :)

 

No Modern Family though :(

sparkeh

sparkeh

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Well... there are various ways of getting US Roku channels on UK boxes but its either UK or US and its a faff to switch between so have left well alone.

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