What network solution for none "Smart" TV?

Gimpymoo · 24 Sep 2016 at 11:34

Need some ideas please.

Got a TV in the bedroom which although not "Smart" does have a USB port which can play video files from flash drive/external HDD.

I have a few spare flash drives and what I would like to do is be able to upload to the flash drive while still connected somehow to the TV without having to keep taking it out of the TV and connecting it to the computer.

Yes, the easy advice is "get an HDD with ethernet/wifi" but anything else? Maybe a USB hub which has a network connection somehow?

Thanks.

Swifty55 · 24 Sep 2016 at 11:45

Media player?

Caged · 24 Sep 2016 at 11:54

It's going to be cheaper to get one of numerous TV stick things that can do this job.

bledd · 24 Sep 2016 at 14:19

Raspberry pi with Libreelec. It's very easy to set up.

Gimpymoo · 24 Sep 2016 at 23:45

bledd said:
Raspberry pi with Libreelec. It's very easy to set up.

Ooh, good shout. That would be fun.

Wanted an excuse to get a Pi.

Thanks.

joeyjojo · 24 Sep 2016 at 23:52

bledd said:
Raspberry pi with Libreelec. It's very easy to set up.

Will it appear as a storage device to the TV when connected by USB? Never used a RP.

Orcvader · 24 Sep 2016 at 23:57

joeyjojo said:
Will it appear as a storage device to the TV when connected by USB? Never used a RP.

It will connect via HDMI and will act as a "TV box".

joeyjojo · 25 Sep 2016 at 00:00

Orcvader said:
It will connect via HDMI and will act as a "TV box".

Duh thanks.

Gimpymoo · 25 Sep 2016 at 00:17

Personally, I cannot say why, I am just not a fan of Android so have been avoiding the numerous "TV sticks/boxes" for that reason.

Ev0 · 25 Sep 2016 at 00:35

Been using Rolu devices on our TVs (combo of Roku 3 and the new model streaming stick) and they've been great.

bledd · 25 Sep 2016 at 01:13

Pi doesn't use Android, it uses a very basic Linux install.

When I say 'very basic', I mean they've cut out everything besides the essentials to run a Media Centre. For maximum performance.

Orcvader · 25 Sep 2016 at 11:48

Does Libreelec run Kodi?

My parents bought a cheap Android box but the apps were pretty poor. Stuck Kodi on it and it works much better.

Haven't felt the need to install it on my Shield though, Android TV works very well.

joeyjojo · 25 Sep 2016 at 16:22

Orcvader said:
Does Libreelec run Kodi?

LibreELEC's slogan is 'Just enough OS for KODI'.