Possible to Smart up a computer LCD or non Smart screen?

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rayonline

1734 posts

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#138270 27-Dec-2013 19:18

Out of interest is this possible? There are game consoles and BlueRay players around $150-250 that does this right? Do they or are there other products that allow one to mirror cast or play the youtube app on the larger dumb screen by smartening it up?

Thanks.

hairy1

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#958080 27-Dec-2013 19:27

Yep. Easy.

Chromecast which is pretty limited in NZ (but is clever as it turns on the TV and will set it to the correct HDMI input) or a roku 3 is pretty good. If you are keen on getting techy then rasberry pi is worth looking at.

Cheers, Matt.

My views (except when I am looking out their windows) are not those of my employer.

hairy1

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#958082 27-Dec-2013 19:29

Further to this Chromecast does youtube very well. It doesn't do Netflix due to hardwired DNS settings. There are more and more apps jumping onto this. Plex has arrived as has Hulu.

My views (except when I am looking out their windows) are not those of my employer.

kiwigeek1

637 posts

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#958096 27-Dec-2013 20:20

google tv dongel for $43usd from dx.com on sale.. I bought its like a oversize pen drive. and it makes a dumb tv with hdmi very smart should work on lcds as well if got hdmi.. allows P ranges from 1080 720 and 576p so find a range tv can handle

can play any format via usb.using the great app bs player. unlike those built in interfaces. and use mediahome for streaming from any dlna is also good

plus you can install and play any app from google play store.. its liek a over size tablet

its fast too.. even the dual core ones.

I would never waste money on smart tvs now I know about this great product

doesnt have dvb-t in them.. but tvs tend to have that.. but you can web stream or local drives and media servers..

although I see a tv box that does have dvb-t built in.

chevrolux

4962 posts

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#958127 27-Dec-2013 22:30

Chromecast is cool for Youtube and Netflix. Netflix works if you use some firewall/NAT rules to make google dns go elsewhere or just block external dns requests completely and use the router as the dns server. I didn't know Plex runs through Chromecast, will have to look in that.

Roku is far far more than what a Chromecast is. It has access to many many many media services as long as you run either Unblock-US or a VPN.
I use Roku for Netflix, Vudu, Pandora and local content on my Plex server. It is a really great little device for the $150 (ish) price tag.

kiwigeek1

637 posts

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#958151 28-Dec-2013 00:01

cant beat android.. its customizable and also can access all web streams like hulu and got tonnes of apps for it

no doubt it can be rooted (super usered as well but not tried it)

check out
http://dx.com/p/lgr-j21-android-4-2-2-quad-core-mini-pc-google-tv-player-w-bluetooth-hdmi-dual-antenna-234451