Streaming from NAS to TV: What to use?

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drquack32

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#144104 7-May-2014 16:19

Hi

I have a set up in my lounge whereby I can play media on my TV from my NAS via my PS3. I have been looking to replicate something similar in the bedroom but instead of a PS3 or putting a clunky box in, I was looking at one of these small new USB/HDMI sticks that is on the market (Roku, Chromecast) Something hidden away and tidy.

Having done a little bit of reading about this, it may not be as simple as I thought it would be because from what I seem to be reading, you need to either stream from a tablet to these devices or have a PC/laptop set up with a media server. Both undesirable.

Is there any product on the market that will do what I am trying to achieve? I was looking at the Roku 3500R Streaming Stick that comes with a remote but the person selling could not confirm that it will do what I want it to do.

Does anyone have any advice or tips?

IT Guy, ex-FIFA Referee, Dad

trig42

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#1038456 7-May-2014 16:37

What NAS?
Can you run Plex Media Server on it?
I take it it is running some sort of DLNA server on the NAS - a lot of TVs will see a DLNA server out of the box (assuming they have a network connection).

Gilco2

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#1038457 7-May-2014 16:37

I have an Amazon FireTv connected to the tv. On whs2011 and also on Asustor As-604T (my backup unit in case whs2011 fails) I have Plex Media server. On FiretV I have plex client and it works great. I also have XBMC on firetv but having a few problems so waiting for bugs to be ironed out. But works great with Plex for Movies TV shows. music and my photos

HTPC Intel Pentium G3258 cpu, Gigabyte H97n-wifi motherboard, , 8GB DDR3 ram, onboard graphics. Hauppuage HVR 5500 tuner, Silverstone LC16M case, Windows 10 pro 64 bit using Nextpvr and Kodi

drquack32

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#1038471 7-May-2014 16:44

Hi Trig

Good point. The NAS is a Netgear ReadyNAS Ultra 4. The TV in the bedroom, while a nice flat screen, has zero smarts about it i.e. It's just a TV with HDMI and USB and nothing else

IT Guy, ex-FIFA Referee, Dad

trig42

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#1038477 7-May-2014 16:55

The Ultra4 is an intel based NAS, and you can install the Plex server on it, but apparently it is a bit slow and will not transcode 1080p nicely (buffers).
You could do some googling.

PoHq

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#1038486 7-May-2014 17:26

I use a WDTV for streaming from my NAS in both kitchen and lounge. I use it for that purpose and that purpose only. It plays any format you throw at it and for streaming from a NAS it's perfect. They are pretty cheap to. It has other features like Netflix spotify etc to but in my opinion these are not it's forte.

JimmyH

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#1038578 7-May-2014 20:24

I also recommend a WDTV. I am using two (one in the living room, one in the bedroom) to stream from a NAS, via ethernet over powerline.

Rock solid and works brilliantly.

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drquack32

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#1038584 7-May-2014 20:32

Ethernet over power line.... Tell me more

IT Guy, ex-FIFA Referee, Dad

blakamin

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#1038587 7-May-2014 20:33

+1 for WDTV

drquack32

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#1038606 7-May-2014 20:52

The WD TV looks like the answer to my issues. I had not come across it previously. Probably not as small as I would like but it does tick the boxes. I take it the remote requires line of site to use? i.e. I could not mount this in the rear of a TV?

You gentlemen have been rockstars

IT Guy, ex-FIFA Referee, Dad

CutCutCut

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#1038608 7-May-2014 21:02

I have the older model WD TV, I don't think it's availble now, but it was going for around $100. The interface isn't pretty but definitely handles all the common video formats easily. And yes it uses regular ir remote so it needs line of sight.

PoHq

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#1038609 7-May-2014 21:03

My WDTV's are mounted behind TV's sticking out just a fraction so the remote can see them. When I say a fraction I mean like 5mm no more. Never had an issue with the remote working when it's not in direct line of sight.

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CutCutCut

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#1038612 7-May-2014 21:09

PoHq: My WDTV's are mounted behind TV's sticking out just a fraction so the remote can see them. When I say a fraction I mean like 5mm no more. Never had an issue with the remote working when it's not in direct line of sight.

Yes, actually now I look at where mine is it's quite far back in the cabinet, still visible but I haven't had any issues with it not working.