Connecting PC to LG Smart TV

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BlackGlove

59 posts

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#150850 5-Aug-2014 13:34

Hey hey, long time listener, first time caller, hoping someone here might be able to help me with connectivity issue PC <> Smart TV. (Perhaps this should be in HTPC?)

One of the factors in my not-too-well-thought-out decision to buy the LG Smart TV (42LB5820) was the fact that it was advertised as being able to connect directly to my PC. Our previous TV was a Hyundai 42inch Plasma boat anchor, and I had it connected to the PC by VGA and to the stereo by RCA. Time to step into the 21st century, or so I thought (Also TV is now 15M+ away from PC, so HDMI is dodgy & expensive).

I have spent many hours practising my google fu on this one, and even tried the LG help centre (curse curse mutter mutter), but haven't been able to make it connect. The PC can see the TV, but the TV is unwilling to acknowledge the existence of the PC.

In the dream world utopia of the user guide, the TV and the PC should be able to connect using DLNA. As long as they are both on the same network (preferably wired), and the 'Smartshare' software is installed, it's theoretically a matter of plug and play (or watch). But, no...

I have tried:
- Wired connection
- Wireless connection
- Smartshare
- TVersity
- Nero Mediahome
- Changing router settings
- Changing home network settings
- Swearing
- Waving a stick

No dice. I can connect and mirror an S3 to the TV through Miracast, the TV can browse the net, windows media player can see the TV in the 'play to' menu.

Any suggestions for simple things I might have overlooked? Has anyone managed a Smartshate PC <> TV connection? Do I need better swearwords or a longer stick?

Setup info: Desktop PC running Windows 7. Connect to my home network using a TP-Link Wireless N PCI adapter. Router is a Belkin N300 Wireless N. The TV is connected to the router by wi-fi. The router is connected by cable to a Cisco DPC3008 cable modem. As I said I have also tried connecting both PC and TV to the router by ethernet cable without any change in the situation.

And yes, I should have bought a Samsung Smart TV :)

reven

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#1102619 5-Aug-2014 13:41

there's HDMI over cat5e/6 you can try (cat6 means you only need 1 cat6 cable, cat5e you need two cables).

have you tried hdmi? 15m you might be able to get away with it....

wellygary

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#1102621 5-Aug-2014 13:43

have you set up the Drive/Folder you want to share on the PC,

If the drive or folder is not being shared, the TV will not be able to find it...

You might also have to punch some holes in the PC's Firewall ( although generally when you turn on file sharing, this happens automagically)

xpd

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#1102632 5-Aug-2014 14:03

Plex for LG Smart TV ?
http://plex.h3consulting.net/index.html

XPD / Gavin

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DeepBlueSky

549 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#1102729 5-Aug-2014 16:58

I'm assuming this is sharing files from DLNA server on the PC and not bringing up the desktop of the PC on the TV.

If its just to watch files try the following I have used :

Free Option
PS3 Media Server
PLex Media Server

Paid Option
Mezzmo - Free to try (I use this for day to day streaming to my LG TV just works and they have pre configured LG profiles and Active support)

If its the other and your you want to display the PC on the TV I bought a 15 meter HDMI cable through Jaycar it had a box it the middle I'm guessing noise suppression and it works really well I have had no issues.

DeepBlueSky

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#1102732 5-Aug-2014 17:00

Just checked Jaycar the price has gone up but the cable is a 15m Amplified cable.

http://www.jaycar.co.nz/productView.asp?ID=WQ7432&w=hdmi+15m&form=KEYWORD

BlackGlove

59 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 34

#1102947 5-Aug-2014 22:12

Thanks for the suggestions folks!

reven - I have been considering HDMI > Cat5e converter, but was put off by dual cables. So Cat6 could be a goer. Having said that, if the amplified HDMI will do it then biting the bullet and forking out for that might be the better option (cheers DeepBlueSky).

Yes, I am looking to just share the files. I know that if I want to mirror or extend the desktop onto the TV then HDMI is probably the easiest way to go. (Oh and if you happen to be doing this, something I stumbled across which I haven't seen mentioned much - on Windows 7 you can use 'Windows Key + P' to alternate between output targets)

wellygary: You might also have to punch some holes in the PC's Firewall ( although generally when you turn on file sharing, this happens automagically)

wellygary - I use zonealarm rather than windows firewall, do you think I might need to set this manually? I hadn't even thought about that - DUH! I have set up the folders I want to share though. Will have a look at the firewall - that's exactly the sort of obvious oversight I was hoping for.

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shk292

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#1102960 5-Aug-2014 22:41

BlackGlove: Thanks for the suggestions folks!

reven - I have been considering HDMI > Cat5e converter, but was put off by dual cables. So Cat6 could be a goer. Having said that, if the amplified HDMI will do it then biting the bullet and forking out for that might be the better option (cheers DeepBlueSky).

Yes, I am looking to just share the files. I know that if I want to mirror or extend the desktop onto the TV then HDMI is probably the easiest way to go. (Oh and if you happen to be doing this, something I stumbled across which I haven't seen mentioned much - on Windows 7 you can use 'Windows Key + P' to alternate between output targets)

wellygary: You might also have to punch some holes in the PC's Firewall ( although generally when you turn on file sharing, this happens automagically)

wellygary - I use zonealarm rather than windows firewall, do you think I might need to set this manually? I hadn't even thought about that - DUH! I have set up the folders I want to share though. Will have a look at the firewall - that's exactly the sort of obvious oversight I was hoping for.

I'd try disabling Zone Alarm and then re-trying some of the things that didn't work. I haven't used ZA for a while, but have bad memories of it stopping almost anything network working until you had fiddled with it

In my opinion, windows firewall plus being behind a modern router is enough firewalling

Blanch

254 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 19

#1102989 5-Aug-2014 23:35

I take it you have homegroup sharing setup in windows 7

Blanch

254 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#1102990 5-Aug-2014 23:37

xpd: Plex for LG Smart TV ?
http://plex.h3consulting.net/index.html

Thanks for the link

reven

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#1103023 6-Aug-2014 07:26

since you're just looking to share files (you original said computer, so I assumed you meant the desktop screen for games or something), just insatll plex media server on the desktop and plex on the lg tv and you should be sorted. I use plex on my samsung tvs, its brilliant.

Dunnersfella

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#1103581 6-Aug-2014 19:23

Can you actually download Plex for LG WebOS TV's?

I wasn't aware you could do that yet... I thought it was still being worked on and hadn't landed in the NZ WebOS marketplace.
If I'm wrong, woot! Finally something in WebOS's plus column!

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BlackGlove

59 posts

Master Geek
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#1103589 6-Aug-2014 19:43

Oh yep -meant to say cheers for the Plex link too. Will check it out.

Yeah, I have homegroup sharing setup.

Funnily enough though, none of this is mentioned in the user guide for the TV - if you didn't know a little bit about your OS, you'd be totally stuck. (Ermmm, unlike me of course).

reven: since you're just looking to share files (you original said computer, so I assumed you meant the desktop screen for games or something), just insatll plex media server on the desktop and plex on the lg tv and you should be sorted. I use plex on my samsung tvs, its brilliant.

Actually viewing the desktop screen would be great too, but figured I'd have to resort to HDMI for that. Will try Plex after I disable zonealarm (be glad to see the back of the adverts anyway). Not sure how I'll install it on the TV though, didn't see it in the apps list, but maybe I overlooked it.

Yeah yeah samsung TV - rub it in why don't ya :)

And hey - appreciate all the input.

Blanch

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Ultimate Geek
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#1103688 6-Aug-2014 21:45

I've read good reviews on good quality 20m HDMI cables $100, I need one when I hide my projector cabling

I can see my shared DNLA items under input select on my LG 42LA6230 but still use a Raspberry Pi (xbmc fan) CEC simplink works great with the LG remote.

BlackGlove

59 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 34

#1123749 7-Sep-2014 18:11

shk292:
I'd try disabling Zone Alarm and then re-trying some of the things that didn't work. I haven't used ZA for a while, but have bad memories of it stopping almost anything network working until you had fiddled with it

In my opinion, windows firewall plus being behind a modern router is enough firewalling

Exactly this! Cheers.

Tried messing with ZoneAlarm but just couldn't get it going. Took ZA off and returned to Windows Firewall and it worked straight away. Duh - exactly the type of obvious answer I was hoping for, but still feeling dumb :)