Box to 'stream' from PC to TV

Media center (raspberry pi or something) with XBMC, can control it via your phone or get a bluetooth remote. And a external hard drive ofc.
 
Going to add my +1 to the Raspberry Pi crowd.

Running RaspBMC on mine and it has no problems streaming video from an external HDD, shared drive on my Windows Box, or a pseudo NAS (external HDD plugged into my BT home hub 3) :)
 
Now TV with Rarflix is probably the best cheap solution but its limited to 720p and you won't get DTS / DTS-HD etc sound out of it if that bothers you (your sever will transcode it to a supported format).

Chromecast was far too limited in supported codecs for my liking, everything required heavy transcoding.

I use a HTPC for my main TV as it can send the audio straight though to the amp for True-HD / DTS HD.

Recently upgraded the Now TV box to a roku 3 for the bedroom. Now TV was fine for plex but wanted the roku for the other channels.
 
me227 said:
You suggested the WD TV live player which was more expensive than a Pi.
Click to expand...

He came on after asking for cheaper alternatives - read the thread.

I wouldn't say the Pi is cheaper either, by the time you've bought everything including a remote it probably works out dearer.
 
If you want a combination of cheap, easy and reliable then not much would beat a second hand Roku 2 upwards or a Chromecast, both connecting to your PC running Plex Server.
 
I had the same need and tried a few cheap solutions that were "ok" but not perfect. So now I have a R3700 and a zotac Zbox, both have Atom D525 in them and each cost me £100 2nd hand (ebay). Running Xbmc there isnt much they cant do, fast interface and good picture.
 
Another shout for chromecast + plex.

Only problem is that you need your PC to be running with plex open.

But so so easy to use, £30 for chromecast and no more than £3 for plex smartphone app. I think plex will play just about everything and is fantastic at automatically finding meta dating, making everything look great.

If you have a Samsung or LG smartTV then you don't even need a chromecast as I think they have a plex app already.
 
Hands down raspberry pi running v13 of raspbmc, have 2 wired up around the house using upnp sharing through homeplugs and they work flawlessly.
 
Be aware that these newer boxes like Roku and WD TV (live and play) will NOT play most older formats like divx/xvid/mpg etc. Only newer formats like MKV etc. If, like me, you enjoy watching your old libraries, you'll want something better like a Popcorn Hour. I use an A210 and there are newer models that have wifi etc. They play literally everything including newest MKVs etc. but also all the old stuff, and are rock-solid. They cost a lot more but there you go.
 
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