Good way to stream on TV

[raildogg]

Hi, I want to stream internet content that's from PC to the TV and I'm looking for a good way to do so. I used to have a desktop that I simply had connected to my monitor and the TV via a HDMI cable. That way, the TV always displayed what I wanted to via the desktop.

Now, I've only got a laptop and it's a bit tricky. I don't want to drag cables around the laptop as it is already hooked to several other devices.

One of the options I'm considering is getting a Chromecast. The downside of this is that not everything will be displayed via the laptop to the TV. I think only the supported apps and websites will work in this situation. There are shows I watch that are not on Netflix or Prime, for instance.

The second option is to simply get a desktop PC. I don't really need it but this may not be a terrible option. Probably the easiest solution though there will be cables involved.

The third way is to get something like a Chromebox. Something like this - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883220572. I'm not very familiar with these devices but I'm going to assume that they play 1080P videos just fine. The good thing is that I can watch online content via Chrome. I think it is WiFi so there won't be a need to have too many cables. The only downside is that it is somewhat limited to the Google apps. Not too sure about this option.

I would appreciate any responses. Thank you.

 

[smitbret]

Hi, I want to stream internet content that's from PC to the TV and I'm looking for a good way to do so. I used to have a desktop that I simply had connected to my monitor and the TV via a HDMI cable. That way, the TV always displayed what I wanted to via the desktop.

Now, I've only got a laptop and it's a bit tricky. I don't want to drag cables around the laptop as it is already hooked to several other devices.

One of the options I'm considering is getting a Chromecast. The downside of this is that not everything will be displayed via the laptop to the TV. I think only the supported apps and websites will work in this situation. There are shows I watch that are not on Netflix or Prime, for instance.

The second option is to simply get a desktop PC. I don't really need it but this may not be a terrible option. Probably the easiest solution though there will be cables involved.

The third way is to get something like a Chromebox. Something like this - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883220572. I'm not very familiar with these devices but I'm going to assume that they play 1080P videos just fine. The good thing is that I can watch online content via Chrome. I think it is WiFi so there won't be a need to have too many cables. The only downside is that it is somewhat limited to the Google apps. Not too sure about this option.

I would appreciate any responses. Thank you.

Of those 3, the Chromebox is the best option. It will just play back everything from a local share. The Chromecast will require something like a Plex or other DLNA server like Mezzmo to be running at the other location and introduces a few issues that can be good or bad.

The PC at the TV is basically the same solution as a Chromebox, just bigger and less appliance like.

 

[Fallengod]

Ya theres some Chromebox's on sale for like $120 lately too. Im in the same boat. I basically just want to be able to play stuff from an external HDD locally to the home theater. Theres so many options. The cheapest one is probably Amazon Fire TV which or a refurb WD TV live. But Chromebox would be viable too and not all that much more than either.

There are so many options now to do this stuff its crazy.

 

[raildogg]

Of those 3, the Chromebox is the best option. It will just play back everything from a local share. The Chromecast will require something like a Plex or other DLNA server like Mezzmo to be running at the other location and introduces a few issues that can be good or bad.

The PC at the TV is basically the same solution as a Chromebox, just bigger and less appliance like.

Oh ok, so the Chromebox will act like a PC but will require something like Plex to utilize the content. The issue with the Chromebox right now is that it's around $185.

I'm thinking for now I will get a long HDMI cable and just hook my laptop up with the TV. Later on I will just get a desktop PC and have the TV attached to it.

Thank you for your help.

 

[raildogg]

Ya theres some Chromebox's on sale for like $120 lately too. Im in the same boat. I basically just want to be able to play stuff from an external HDD locally to the home theater. Theres so many options. The cheapest one is probably Amazon Fire TV which or a refurb WD TV live. But Chromebox would be viable too and not all that much more than either.

There are so many options now to do this stuff its crazy.

Yes, there is a lot of information out there about all kinds of devices. The Chromebox is at $185 right now so I'm thinking why not just get a desktop PC that is much more usable. Devices like Roku and Fire TV are somewhat one dimensional. Maybe I'm crazy here but I think a desktop could be the best and easiest solution. It will differ for each person though. Thanks.

 

[smitbret]

Yes, there is a lot of information out there about all kinds of devices. The Chromebox is at $185 right now so I'm thinking why not just get a desktop PC that is much more usable. Devices like Roku and Fire TV are somewhat one dimensional. Maybe I'm crazy here but I think a desktop could be the best and easiest solution. It will differ for each person though. Thanks.

The Chromebox would just use XBMC that reads from network shares or locally connected devices. Plex or other DLNA server is not necessary.

http://www.amazon.com/Asus-CHROMEBOX...ords=chromebox

Nowhere near $185.

If $$$ is an issue, then grab a FireTV for $100 and sideload XBMC onto it. Same story as using XBMC on the Chromebox. The ability to use XBMC makes it a lot more desireable than Roku or AppleTV that would require Plex/Mezzmo/Serviio.

 

[Burpo]

Even cheaper.. what I use is similar to this.. xbmc on the cheap..
http://www.amazon.com/Android-Jelly-...ustomerReviews

It comes with a remote, but I added a wireless keyboard w/touch pad for browsing

 

[deborahrday]

Hey, this is what i need.
Thankyou

 

[RossMAN]

Yes, there is a lot of information out there about all kinds of devices. The Chromebox is at $185 right now so I'm thinking why not just get a desktop PC that is much more usable. Devices like Roku and Fire TV are somewhat one dimensional. Maybe I'm crazy here but I think a desktop could be the best and easiest solution. It will differ for each person though. Thanks.

If you're not in a rush I've seen the Chromebox cheaper, perhaps wait for another deal?

 

[Binky]

A chromebox doesn't need plex or any other server software running on another machine. It only needs access to media folders on the network. It can run just fine without wired network cables over wireless/Moca/powerline, but you will have to test them to see what works in your home. I strongly prefer wired, then moca.

There are much cheaper options to get xbmc than the chromebox, like various android sticks, etc. The chromebox is one of the best, though. You can get a capable and hackable "stick" for as low as $40 I think.

OP mentioned Netflix and Prime videos. I'm not sure if XBMC or any linux distro can play these easily, but my knowledge is limited here. You may be stuck with Windows for those, which would mean finding a way to run HDMI or some other cable from an existing computer, or building a new dedicated windows system for the TV.