Media Networking

nemisisak

nemisisak

nemisisak

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Joined
29 Nov 2012
Posts
16
Hey all,

I have a Asus "Black Knight" RT-N66U router. Attached to that is a 2tb WD external hardrive via USB. I have setup FTP and DLNA media server and this works great for me watching things on my PC which is connected to my TV and for other file management/backup. I would like to have this ability in our living room as well though. I was thinking the easiest and cheapest way would be a media streaming device. However I have done a bit of reading and im a bit stumped. Some media streamers rely on having the stream sent from a computer and hence decoded before it receives the signal and some some have there own built in video decoding. There is also a big question about the format of files as well.

I have no idea if my router decodes any files before it sends them out (doubtful). What would be my best option in terms of compatibility (full range of compatibility), existing setup staying much the same and the ability to do all this wirelessly as well.

Thanks
 
I have a similar setup and use the WDTV Live in several rooms.

Can't say I've ever found anything that it won't play.

My only issues have been some stuttering with certain files (usually large mkv's). But this was due to my wireless network. Bought some powerline homeplugs and that resolved that problem.

With a decent wireless network, then I don't think you'd see any problems at all. Pretty confident my problem would have happened no matter what streamer I used.
 
apple TV works well for me, (Jailbroken), i also have a Humax HDR-Fox T2 PVR, alows streaming to that and can read almost any format, SMART tv's also read most formats especially Samsung ones. they also do DVD/Blu-ray players with built-in smart hubs so that could be an option as well, maybe a game console, PS3/xbox.

Sorry i cant offer any possible media streamers, i don't use any myself just what ive mentions above. i wouldn't want to offer one up that i hadn't used and you waste your money one something that may not work.
 
As a mini overview review of the WDTV Live.

Pros
  • Good interface
  • Decent remote
  • Easy to setup and use
  • Small, neat, simple
  • Plays anything I've thrown at it
  • Wireless as standard, unlike original WDTV box.
  • Has 'Skip to time' function for jumping to a particular time in the file, unlike original WDTV

Cons
  • Obviously not as configurable as a full HTPC
  • I have a weird problem when connected to one TV, although I'm pretty sure it's something to do with the TV itself. That TV gives me all sorts of grief.


I can't compare to any other device, but I've had one original WDTV and now 2 WDTV Live boxes. Have no problem recommending them.
 
Thanks for the replies.

Yes I have heard good things about Western digital media boxes. I think ill look into them. Really I just want something simple and cheap rather than a htpc (or a new smart TV) because its for my dad rather than me. The current situation is he bugs me to watch one of my films so I have to take my laptop down and connect it to the tv (via HDMI) and all that jazz, which is hassle. So this would be easier. Wireless signal should not be a problem as the Asus router is awesome (So it should, for the price :P ) and the living room is in the next room to the router so signal strength should be full.

I will most likely get a NAS drive at some point as USB2.0 is very limited obviously but this is going off tangent.

If anyone else can suggest other media box alternatives I can add this to my list to check.
 
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