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joff_nz

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#80882 5-Apr-2011 20:21
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I'm sure this will be an easy question for some of you champs.

What I'm looking for is the cheapest, simplest box which will stream content from a PC in room 'A' to a TV in room 'B'

I am currently using a PS3 to do this from room 'A' to room 'C', and an old Xbox with XBMC for room 'A' to 'B'.

I want to retire the Xbox as it's very loud, but the replacement needs to meet the following requirements:
(in order of importance, everything is negotiable)

Cheap: Ideally less than $100 new
Simple: It needs to be easier / as easy to use as a PS3 or Xbox, for W.A.F* reasons
Small: So it can hide behind the TV in room 'B'
Power Efficient: Don't want to have any noticeable effect on the power bill, but I assume the Xbox isn't too economical anyway.
and Preferably a name brand, I value the ease of being able to walk into a store and having a decent warranty/support if necessary.




* Wife Approval Factor

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Dunnersfella
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  #455654 5-Apr-2011 20:52
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What content are you looking to send? MP3? DivX? Photos?



wellygary
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  #455659 5-Apr-2011 21:09
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Its a bit confusing what you are wanting to replace,

But assuming you are keeping the PS3 that is "serving" your content

An AppleTV 2 jailbroken and running XBMC would probably be the best "client" to attach to a TV ( assuming it has HDMI)

Dunnersfella
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  #455661 5-Apr-2011 21:16
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Yup - it's not under $100, but $145 for a refurbished unit could be a go'er!
Of course, that assumes you're into jail breaking your new kit.



benny
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  #455664 5-Apr-2011 21:19
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Yea I'd say an Apple TV, or a Western Digital WDTV Live if you don't want to mess around with jailbreaking anything.

joff_nz

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  #455675 5-Apr-2011 21:30
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Yeah I should have clarified in the first post, I know what I want, but have no idea of the proper terminology.

Thanks Benny! The WDTV looks like it will be perfect for what I want, and I've used other WDTV models which were all very user friendly which is great for WAF.

I'm not interested in Jailbreaking anything at this point, really looking for an out-of-the-box product without much messing around.

Content is made up of photos MP3's, MP4's, potentially avi's, home movies from different sources, in the future maybe Tivo recordings whatever flavour they come in.

I'm not bothered by HD or anything as the TV that it will be used on is nothing special.


Still keen to hear any other options, especially if it can meet the requirements for sub $100.

joff_nz

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  #455678 5-Apr-2011 21:34
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Oh and to clarify:

Room 'A' - Call it the office, will have PC with all content on it/externals/flash drives
Room 'B' - Bedroom which currently has old Xbox which i wish to replace.
Room 'C' - Lounge, Has PS3

 
 
 

Shop on-line at New World now for your groceries (affiliate link).
Rickles
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  #455827 6-Apr-2011 10:08
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HI,  I am doing what I think you want to achieve, viz. stream various media content from my PC to a TV?

I bought an Astone USB and Network Media Player (AP-110D) which pretty much handles any format thrown at it.  I coupled this with the wifi dongle so merely access my router for streaming.  So far I've played music through my stereo, viewed videos and pictures off the hard drive, and even a DVD in my PC's drive streamed to the big TV.  I have a stellite card in the PC for recording TV and these too stream perfectly to the TV.
The unit also handles flashdrives or connected stand-alone hard disks.

Cost was AU$80 for the player and AU$30 for the (N) wifi dongle.

R.


timmmay
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  #455828 6-Apr-2011 10:10
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The PS3 does this, and you already have one. I use free "PS3 Media Server" software on my PC to let the PS3 access images, video, mp3, etc. The PS3 wireless was hopeless for me, but a wired connection works great.

joff_nz

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  #455832 6-Apr-2011 10:24
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Timmay, yeah the PS3 does it perfectly, but it's in the other room that I want it. I've toyed with the idea of picking up another PS3 for the bedroom but it's just wasteful.

Rickles that sounds perfect! I will go have a dig around. Thanks for your input

joff_nz

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  #455835 6-Apr-2011 10:42
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Thanks everyone for your input, with the info above I've been able to find some good search terms now that I know what to look for.

'Network media player' has given me a heap of options on trademe.

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