Stream content from pc to hdtv without headaches

[Pardus]

Still looking for a way to stream video on my local disk to a non-wifi/non-smart hdtv. Have tried apple tv, roku and chromecast and they all suck imho.

Considered a cheap laptop but that seems overkill. Tablets are useless/not powerful enough. Maybe a Samsung Chromebook 2 will work.

Any real world suggestions ?

-EDIT-
This looks affordable and fits the bill.
http://www.amazon.com/Micca-Full-HD-.../dp/B008NO9RRM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IDtf2aQIHk

 

[smitbret]

Still looking for a way to stream video on my local disk to a non-wifi/non-smart hdtv. Have tried apple tv, roku and chromecast and they all suck imho.

Considered a cheap laptop but that seems overkill. Tablets are useless/not powerful enough. Maybe a Samsung Chromebook 2 will work.

Any real world suggestions ?

-EDIT-
This looks affordable and fits the bill.
http://www.amazon.com/Micca-Full-HD-.../dp/B008NO9RRM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IDtf2aQIHk

What sucked about those other devices? What were you trying to do that they wouldn't provide?

No one here (or anywhere else for that matter) can accurately answer your question or make recommendations with the little bit of info you've provided.

 

[Binky]

Media browser server (or Plex) on the computer/server, roku on the TV. Easy.

 

[ImpulsE69]

If you thought roku sucked, then I don't think anyone can help you. Time to invent your own. (Although I hear Amazon Fire is nice, but it is essentially the same thing).

 

[poofyhairguy]

Time to build a XBMC box

FIFY

 

[cmdrdredd]

You really didn't provide much info as to why those solutions didn't work for you. Was it the speed, the file format support, or something else?

Your best bet(IMO) will always be a small PC of some type to handle it. It will support the most formats(all) and have the best processing speed.

 

[RollWave]

Media browser server (or Plex) on the computer/server, roku on the TV. Easy.

Yep. This is easily the best. Plex ROCKS. Lifetime subscriber here.

 

[vshah]

chromecast + plex app on phone, done.

 

[DesiPower]

If you thought roku sucked, then I don't think anyone can help you. Time to invent your own. (Although I hear Amazon Fire is nice, but it is essentially the same thing).

+1

/Thread

 

[ImpulsE69]

FIFY

That's not really true. While it's great, it's not exactly the simplest cheapest solution. My wife would have a shit fit if I made her use that.

 

[Muadib]

Yep. This is easily the best. Plex ROCKS. Lifetime subscriber here.

+1 on the subscriber thing. Well worth the cash. The OP is kidding himself if he thinks the Micca Speck is the answer.

 

[Gonad the Barbarian]

I don't think a cheap laptop would be overkill. An expensive laptop might be overkill.

Maybe one of these Android sticks would work:
http://www.laptopmag.com/android-sticks.aspx

 

[Cienja]

I'm a fan of Chromecast + Plex. Doesn't matter what device I have (iOS phone, Android tablet, Android phone, PC, laptop, anything except a Kindle Fire (which doesn't have Chromecast in their app store.) It works flawlessly for me and it's good solid software and hardware

 

[poofyhairguy]

That's not really true. While it's great, it's not exactly the simplest cheapest solution.

True, it is not the simplest or cheapest. That is probably Plex plus Roku.

My wife would have a shit fit if I made her use that.

Not with a properly configured XBMC box and a properly configured Logitech Harmony to drive it.

 

[smitbret]

Not with a properly configured XBMC box and a properly configured Logitech Harmony to drive it.

Agreed.

Nobody realizes that all of the Blu-Ray Players, video game systems, TVs and gaming boxes are just specific purpose PCs that are locked down to a specific environment.

An HTPC with XBMC is just the environment and a pretty smooth one at that. You don't even need a Harmony Remote. I use my DirecTV remote control with a FLIRC on my RaspPi running XBMC and it's at least as easy as my WDTV Live Hub.