HTPC vs SMART-TV

UaVaj

Golden Member
Nov 16, 2012
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need a little help.

I know what a HTPC is capable of.
on the other hand
no clue as the capability of a "smart" tv.

does smart-tv replace htpc? can someone help. thanks a million.



here is what the smart-tv MUST DO list.
1) need to netflix (like a htpc)
2) need to be able to play all sort of different video files (like a htpc)
3) need to be able to use a wireless keyboard/trackball (like a htpc)
4) need to be able to connect a mic for karokee (like a htpc)
5) need to have Wi-Fi (like a htpc)
6) need to surf the web with ease with full html support (like a htpc)

Added
7) need to be able to fully access the NAS drive for media playback (like a htpc)
 
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Krazy4Real

Lifer
Oct 3, 2003
12,221
55
91
Yes for everything except 4 and 6. I'm not sure on those. I use my smart tv in conjunction with a server in the basement. With the plex app, I can stream pretty much anything I need.
 

poofyhairguy

Lifer
Nov 20, 2005
14,612
318
126
1) need to netflix (like a htpc)

Yes usually has this.

2) need to be able to play all sort of different video files (like a htpc)

Yes, but compatibility will be lower than with a real HTPC.

3) need to be able to use a wireless keyboard/trackball (like a htpc)

Some have that built into the remote.

4) need to be able to connect a mic for karokee (like a htpc)

Sometimes, but often not.

6) need to surf the web with ease with full html support (like a htpc)

If you mean Flash or Silverlight websites then no.
 

DesiPower

Lifer
Nov 22, 2008
15,299
740
126
yeah, I have been debating and trying out a lot of things, and #6 (with flash and silverlight) is what's keeping me from getting rid of HTPC. Full blown browser people, how difficult can it be? I don't mind if Adobe makes its won browser and offers it as an app, and then MS does to same for silverlight... but there needs to be a way.
 

DesiPower

Lifer
Nov 22, 2008
15,299
740
126
Aren't OSX and Windows the only OSes ever with full Silverlight and Flash support?

My point is, once you install XBMC you can watch all those Flash and Divx and Java based videos and streams on any device, then why not a browser?
 

UaVaj

Golden Member
Nov 16, 2012
1,546
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added requirement #7 (updated post #1)



anyway thanks everyone.
for now looks like the htpc will stay until smart-tv becomes smarter-tv.
hopefully someday there will be a htpc-tv. it will be called the NUC-TV.
 

DesiPower

Lifer
Nov 22, 2008
15,299
740
126
added requirement #7 (updated post #1)

anyway thanks everyone.
for now looks like the htpc will stay until smart-tv becomes smarter-tv.
hopefully someday there will be a htpc-tv. it will be called the NUC-TV.

If the smart TV allows Plex, the its pretty easy to achieve, otherwise it will depend on what format your videos are in.

I agree with your NUC-TV thing, am ready to shell out 1500 - 2000 $ for a TV, throw in a integrated NUC , more like a all-in-one and I will happily shell out an additional 300 - 500 $ easy depending on what you give me.
 
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alyarb

Platinum Member
Jan 25, 2009
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Some Smart TV/TV boxes won't even browse a samba share, they can only get in with DLNA, so watch out for that too. And the embedded NIC cards on these things aren't fast.

Just get an intel i3 NUC especially if you want a real network browser, web browser, and must partake in karaoke.
 

poofyhairguy

Lifer
Nov 20, 2005
14,612
318
126
added requirement #7 (updated post #1)



anyway thanks everyone.
for now looks like the htpc will stay until smart-tv becomes smarter-tv.
hopefully someday there will be a htpc-tv. it will be called the NUC-TV.
A Chromebox is pretty freaking small. Tape it to the back of the TV and done.