I want to watch content on my TV from my PC; how?

MissChief

MissChief

MissChief

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I have a decidedly non-smart 1080p Plasma TV in the next room from the PC but running a HDMI or Ethernet cable isn't an option. (really, it isn't, it's not a 'I can't be arsed', landlord says absolutely not.) This won't really help me do what I want either as it'll duplicate the displays.

What I want to be able to do is view content on my TV, from the PC, while the PC is also being used for other things. I also want to be able to choose what I watch from the room with the TV without having to go and interrupt anyone using the PC. No sound or video on the PC just in the TV, completely independently.

I do have an Ethernet capable SkyQ mini box which has a very good wireless signal and I won't run yet another Ethernet cable upstairs. I don't have a spare port on the Router anyway!

What device will do such a thing? Thanks.
 
The idea of hooking your PC up to your TV is pretty much 20 years out of date for watching video content.

Far simpler and easier to use to just buy a streaming box - Amazon / Appletv / Roku

That way you can easily access streaming services like Netflix / Prime / iPlayer, browse you tube etc and with some simple extra software installation like Plex or a Kodi variant you can also watch any video files on your PC via network shares.
 
vila said:
The idea of hooking your PC up to your TV is pretty much 20 years out of date for watching video content.

Far simpler and easier to use to just buy a streaming box - Amazon / Appletv / Roku

That way you can easily access streaming services like Netflix / Prime / iPlayer, browse you tube etc and with some simple extra software installation like Plex or a Kodi variant you can also watch any video files on your PC via network shares.
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But will those devices allow me to navigate through the files on the PC?
 
Easiest solution is running Plex media server on PC and use a Fire stick or Roku stick plugged into TV with Plex app to stream from PC to TV.
 
MissChief said:
I have an old purple roku box, will that work?
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Yes, but I'm pretty sure that box is 720p output only. The purple one is the Roku LT I think, so same box as the original NowTV box.

You will have to create a free Plex account and then link that account to the Roku box when you use the app for the first time.

Setting up server on PC is a case of running server software and directing to your media folders on your pc. Probably have to login to your account within server as well. Very straight forward user interface.

You do not need a Plex Pass.
 
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you have to make sure that the files suit the display so less encoding / transcoding is done. otherwise you won't be able to use the pc for other things if it's being hammered encoding stuff for plex.

the easiest solution is to shove the files onto a USB stick or hard drive then hook them up to a decent media centre box like nvidia shield or a new raspberry pi.

the raspberry pi 4 is probably your best bet for the money. that way you can use it for a host of other projects too at the same time like pihole, etc.
 
MissChief said:
Just realised I have a major shortage of electrical sockets. Perhaps a Chromecast might not be a bad idea. Thanks everyone for your input.
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Maybe the latest ones are better but in the past Chromecasts have been very limited in the codecs they support meaning your pc needs to convert videos on the fly using something like Plex. A fire tv stick or android tv based player generally will play more files natively plus you get menus etc without using your phone.

For both Plex is a nice free way to organise your media that you can access on devices around the home.
 
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