Alternative to Apple TV

[caffrey]

Sorry if wrong thread, and I don't have the capability to test this, but would it be a good alternative to the ATV is to use a raspberry pi running xbmc (openelec or similar) with airplay ?

Would be cheaper and a lot less fussier (stick a little wifi dongle in etc)?

[jinnantonnixx]

A colleague does just what you describe with his Pi. I can get some details from him if you like.

 

If you want something that's a bit more 'packaged', You could look at the emerging number of Android gizmos offering similar features. A quick Google for 'android tv box' will give a flavour of what's available.

Edited September 26, 2012 by jinnantonnixx

[caffrey]

I've a raspberry pi here, I run xbmc at home (have done for years) just wondering if its stable enough for a classroom environment, last time I checked the pi was a bit sluggish under xbmc, I just don't have an iPad to test it with

[Brpilot99]

Checkout Airserver ... works well ... Its for PC's and macs and does the same job as ATV but a heck of a lot cheaper !!!

[caffrey]

Problem with that is, the PCs will be on another network

[edutech4schools]

XBMC team are working with Ouya

 

XBMC and Ouya? Oh yeah! | XBMC

 

This is what I will be getting.

[caffrey]

Ouya won't be out till next march or something, plus rpi is a bit cheaper

[DarrenM]

McTivia looks good as supports iOS, andriod, Mac and PC as a client and gives keyboard and mouse input too all over wifi. only problem is its £150.

 

Two posts about them here: http://www.edugeek.net/search.php?searchid=5902510

[plexer]

Some projectors allready have mirrorop inside so you would just need the app for your device.

 

Ben

[SpuffMonkey]

Or what about the WD TV Live

 

WD TV Live

 

 

or the Roku

 

Roku UK | Stream Netflix Movies, Crackle, TV Shows, Play Games and more on your TV with the Roku Streaming Player

 

I use the WD myself - cracking little box that can show BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Youtube and stream straight off your network

[glennda]

I would also recommend Air Stream. On another note for people already with Apple TV's and want to easily mirror a windows laptop to one there is Air Parrot which I have on my work laptop for presentations in the board room were we have an apple tv.

[Edu-IT]

Does the WD TV do mirroring?

[Dos_Box]

Moving to AV and Multimedia forum.

[SpuffMonkey]

Does the WD TV do mirroring?

 

Mirroring?

[Edu-IT]

Mirroring?

AirPlay

[robk]

AirPlay

 

Worth noting that some apps do AirPlay ie sending music and video where as not all do full display Mirroring.

 

So xbmc on my Pi does Airplay but it doesnt currently do mirroring. Reflections does do mirroring from a ipad to a pc, not seen Airplay yet.

[edutech4schools]

Samsung tv's / phones and tablets all have allshare which can also be installed on to a laptop or pc for free. No need to buy another device like WDTV or apple tv. Anything on an allshare device is available on any other allshare device.

[mac_shinobi]

Not sure ref raspberry pi etc but I do know that there is plex app for ipad / iphone ( not sure ref android though )

 

Although requirements for plex on the windows platform requires more RAM etc

 

Download Plex for Windows

 

Long shot - was just on the off chance that it may be any good ?

[speckytecky]

Slightly hijacking the thread but how do ATV users get around the annoying fact that if you switch it off it needs the password entering next time you use it again. We have one we are trying out and the teacher who would probably best use it has his SmartBoard as his one and only screen - he doesn't use a connected monitor! Reconnecting the ATV in his classroom involves entering the wireless password and of course it goes in in plain text - so not doable in front of our lads!