Does this 'product' even exist??

BenEadir · 03-01-2013 09:07AM #1

Hi all,

I have a Dell PC which acts as a NAS for streaming movies to laptops, tablets and an xBox 360 around the house. I also have a TV in a room which I'd like to stream some of the NAS content to but I currently don't have any wi-fi enabled box/extender connected to the TV.

Is there a HDMI or USB type 'dongle' which I could plug into my TV in order to stream content from my NAS and perhaps control via an Android app on my phone a la XBMC? I know there are boxes like Boxee which probably do this and a lot more but the only functionality I'm looking for is an ability to stream content from the NAS over wi-fi.

Am I dreaming or does something like this actually exist?

Ben

Skill Magill · 03-01-2013 09:28AM

I'll throw in my tuppence worth, raspberry pi looks as if it can handle it, take a look at this :

PogMoThoin · 03-01-2013 10:09AM

Check out XBMC for Android (it'not full release yet, soon) so any cheap as chips Android on a stick can now do what you ask

stimpson · 03-01-2013 10:13AM

eoing1 wrote: »

I'll throw in my tuppence worth, raspberry pi looks as if it can handle it, take a look at this :

Yep. Raspberr pi will do the business. I even got it to run Plexbmc plugin to grab stuff from my Plex server. Remote could be a bit of an issue as it has no IR. and you'll need a wifi dongle if you don't have Ethernet available.

decp · 03-01-2013 10:26AM

Ben,
Is the TV a Smart TV with an ethernet port ? There is a Belkin dongle for this, you can then connect via DLNA.

IF not, there are Composite video to Coax modulators, you can patch a video out from one of the devices into your TV coax and tune the output as a TV channel (UHF) on the TV..

After saying that, eoing1/Stimpson's suggestion with the Rasberry PI looks pretty neat..

03-01-2013 11:30AM

Basically you're looking for a media streamer with wifi. It would be helpful to know what kind of files you want to play.

Something like WDTV Live
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Western-Digital-Streaming-Media-Player/dp/B005NYOKC2/

There are cheaper and more expensive alternatives but that's a decent all-rounder that plays most popular files.

The solutions mentioned such as XBMC on RPi or Android are not ready for Joe Average to just turn it on and use hassle-free. They are more like projects for tech savvy people who enjoy all the tinkering and updating.

BenEadir · 03-01-2013 11:48AM

Thanks guys,

It's not a smart TV btw. It has 2 x HDMI slots but no USB - I thought it had.

The raspberry PI looks amazing but is a bit too DIY for me. Same for the Android on a stick options. I'm a big Android fan but want something which "just works". The wi-fi signal on the Android sticks can be very poor and they frequently have issues with overheating and power supply. Cool idea but I'll pass on them for now.

For UK£80 the Roku 2 XS looks like it ticks a lot of the boxes, see http://www.amazon.co.uk/Roku-XS-1080p-Streaming-Player/dp/B006VTASW4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357212597&sr=8-1.

Any thoughts positive or negative on the Roku?

Ben

BenEadir · 03-01-2013 11:52AM

Deleted User wrote: »

Basically you're looking for a media streamer with wifi. It would be helpful to know what kind of files you want to play.

Something like WDTV Live
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Western-Digital-Streaming-Media-Player/dp/B005NYOKC2/

There are cheaper and more expensive alternatives but that's a decent all-rounder that plays most popular files.

The solutions mentioned such as XBMC on RPi or Android are not ready for Joe Average to just turn it on and use hassle-free. They are more like projects for tech savvy people who enjoy all the tinkering and updating.

Thanks IKYS, that WDTV box looks very good. I guess it's an alternative to the Roku 2 XS I referred to above?

Ben

03-01-2013 11:59AM

Roku is primarily designed for streaming online content - Netflix, Hulu, HBO, etc. They are much more useful in the US. Half of that stuff doesnt work here so you're left with just a few (mostly useless) online sources.

Going by your first post, you are looking to stream local content. Roku can do it to a degree but WDTV is more suited, it supports standard file sharing protocols like SMB (Windows shares).

PogMoThoin · 03-01-2013 12:03PM

Streaming over wireless will always be hit or miss, you're best off putting some thought into it and running a few cables.

MoodeRator · 03-01-2013 12:16PM

Maybe even consider the min Android PC's MK802?

BenEadir · 03-01-2013 01:05PM

Deleted User wrote: »

Roku is primarily designed for streaming online content - Netflix, Hulu, HBO, etc. They are much more useful in the US. Half of that stuff doesnt work here so you're left with just a few (mostly useless) online sources.

Going by your first post, you are looking to stream local content. Roku can do it to a degree but WDTV is more suited, it supports standard file sharing protocols like SMB (Windows shares).

Thanks IKYS, yes, streaming local media is by far my priority. If I can run NetFlix and some other online apps like RTE Player etc that would be a bonus but not essential.

The one remaining question I have ref the WD box is in relation to the remote. Is it RF/IR or Bluetooth? I want to tuck the box behind the TV out of sight so it's important to me that the remote does not need line of sight to work.

Cheers,

Ben

stimpson · 03-01-2013 01:22PM

Another option just occoured to me. I inherited a Samsung Bluray player when my dad went 3D. It has the Smart TV features and supports DNLA. It even has a Plex client which looks and operates like the Mac/PC version. It takes Ethernet, but you can add Wifi with a dongle. Should be a plug and play solution.

Actually, if you're not too techie, Plex might be a good server solution (especially if your tablet is an iPad). There is an Android client now too!

03-01-2013 01:27PM

BenThere wrote: »

Thanks IKYS, yes, streaming local media is by far my priority. If I can run NetFlix and some other online apps like RTE Player etc that would be a bonus but not essential.

The one remaining question I have ref the WD box is in relation to the remote. Is it RF/IR or Bluetooth? I want to tuck the box behind the TV out of sight so it's important to me that the remote does not need line of sight to work.

Cheers,

Ben

The bundled remote is IR but there's a free remote app for Android and iOS which works over wifi so line of sight not important.

I don't know if you can turn on the machine from standby using the remote app but im sure google would turn up the answer.

BenEadir · 03-01-2013 01:58PM

Deleted User wrote: »

The bundled remote is IR but there's a free remote app for Android and iOS which works over wifi so line of sight not important.

That's closed the deal IKYS, WD box just ordered from Amazon with free delivery for £62.90. Thanks for your help.

Ben

Knasher · 03-01-2013 02:32PM

Deleted User wrote: »

The bundled remote is IR but there's a free remote app for Android and iOS which works over wifi so line of sight not important.

I don't know if you can turn on the machine from standby using the remote app but im sure google would turn up the answer.

A lot of those products support CEC, including afaik the later generations of the WD TV box. Most TVs support it also and it allows you to put the device where ever you like and control it using the same remote as you use with your TV.

BenEadir · 26-01-2013 07:26PM

Hi all,

I installed the WDTV Live box a few weeks ago and it's amazing. Had it up and running in a few minutes and got Netflix and TuneIn working as well as streaming (over wifi) all my movies and music.

Was thinking of getting a second one for another TV in the house but I've encountered a problem with the original box which is concerning me and which I'd like some help with.

When I originally connected to the NAS I saw all my movie/media files as they are stored on the NAS. Since then I've added some more content to the NAS but it isn't showing up on the WDTV Live Box at all. It's still only showing the content that was on the NAS when I first connected it. I've tried "forgetting" the network and reconnecting but it still won't show the new content. I can play the original content no problem but can't even see the new content listed.

FYI the new content plays fine via XBMC on a laptop which is connected to the same NAS via wifi.

I'm really scratching my head about this and would appreciate some help.

Cheers,

Ben

PogMoThoin · 26-01-2013 07:48PM

Ben, are you using DNLA, this will only allow you to see "Video", "Photos" and "Music" in a DLNA structure. You are best off using windows share (Samba/Cifs) on your network as then you will see all folders. I don't have a WD so I'm not sure what way you've set it up.

BenEadir · 26-01-2013 08:44PM

Thanks PMT,

As it happens I am using windows share! That's why I'm so puzzled :-(

Ben

Skill Magill · 26-01-2013 10:05PM

When you go into settings, is there an option for remote settings? This screenshot is from my wdtv live hub, I'm hoping its a similar set up. Change sync from network from off ?
picture.php?albumid=2323&pictureid=14471

picture.php?albumid=2323&pictureid=14471

Does this 'product' even exist??

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