Watching overseas content on my TV

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#1027651 19-Apr-2014 09:18

turb: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=716979945

The above is local to you and would be good enough for watching netflix etc. You would need to add:

A wifi adaptor or run an Ethernet cable to your internet router.

A wireless keyboard like the Logitech K400.

A VGA to HDMI cable to go to your tv.

My advice would be to try this set up first to see if you like it, before spending more.

Good advice. I would, however, suggest that if you can't run an ethernet cable from your router to your TV, you look at ethernet over powerline options before leaping to wifi.

Personally, I found wifi a bit annoying for streaming video. Mostly it worked, but sometimes it would choke and you would get pixellating or drop-outs if there was interference or it couldn't cope with the bitrate. I moved fo ethernet over powerline, which has proved fast, stable, and rock-solid even for HD video.

silverlake

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#1027655 19-Apr-2014 09:38

jarledb:
silverlake: I recently got one of these to do exactly the same as you wish to do;
http://shop.remarkit.co.nz/product.php?id_product=229

Interesting retailer.

If the goods are faulty we will meet our obligations under the Consumer Guarantees Act.

Thats good, but then they go on to say

One Month warranty will cover major hardware faults that occur after purchase.

Is that a way of trying to convince people that they are only covered for a month? Funny how quickly they forgot about the CGA.

These are ex-lease goods (second hand) sold at prices that are very competitive when compared to the offerings on TradeMe.

The box in question comes with Wifi builtin. All you need is a decent wireless keyboard/mouse combo and some free software and you can organise everything from your couch.

I'm just a satisfied customer - not trying to sell anything to anyone.

freitasm

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#1027666 19-Apr-2014 10:33

Remember that streaming video over WiFi is a hit and miss. Mostly will be a miss, if you are in an area with interference. Nothing like ethernet for HD content...

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#1027769 19-Apr-2014 16:10

So I have source a PC to use, but have read about burn in for static images on a plasma screen.
I am presuming that as i am using the PC for media only that this will not be the case ?

Thanks

Bernard

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#1027791 19-Apr-2014 17:06

If you leave any static image on screen it will cause burn-in, whether it's from a pc or one of those screen logos on tv channels.

Well done for getting a pc. If you need any help getting it set up, post a new thread on the geekzone HTPC forum.

Interests: HTPC, Web App authoring.

grolschie

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#1027797 19-Apr-2014 17:18

JimmyH:
turb: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=716979945

...

Good advice. I would, however, suggest that if you can't run an ethernet cable from your router to your TV, you look at ethernet over powerline options before leaping to wifi.
...

Except, it's running Windows XP SP2 and Windows XP is no longer supported, so no more security updates.

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grolschie

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#1027801 19-Apr-2014 17:25

silverlake: I recently got one of these to do exactly the same as you wish to do;
http://shop.remarkit.co.nz/product.php?id_product=229

Interesting. I wonder how they can sell a Windows 7 64bit license for $40.25? What version/license of Windows 7 is it?

freitasm

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#1027821 19-Apr-2014 18:59

Windows XP, old PC... I would say it would not be a great buy.

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#1027948 19-Apr-2014 21:53

It's a good price, and should be OK for basic media playback. It might do what you want - just.

However, on my reading of the model it's at least 5 years old. It lacks an optical drive, internal expansion slots, optical audio out, and seems a tad underpowered in the CPU department. So once installed you would have few options regarding the ability to (say) add tuners and cope with Freeview, link to an external source (eg sky box) for recording, play anything off an optical disk etc. If you made it the centrepiece of your media setup I think you would be disappointed. And it wouldn't be long before you were frustrated at your ability to expand its uses. So it would deliver all the hassle and complexity of setting up and running a HTPC, but few of the benefits. Despite being cheap, I suspect it isn't a bargain.

Think about either:

Getting something cheaper and simpler (like an Amazon Fire) that pretty much just works out of the box for Netflix/Hulu etc, or
Spend more and get a decent HTPC that can actually do the full range things a HTPC should.

The model you are looking at is neither fish nor fowl, and looks like it would be bound to disappoint.

My two cents worth anyway........

silverlake

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#1027994 20-Apr-2014 00:07

JimmyH: It's a good price, and should be OK for basic media playback. It might do what you want - just.

However, on my reading of the model it's at least 5 years old. It lacks an optical drive, internal expansion slots, optical audio out, and seems a tad underpowered in the CPU department. So once installed you would have few options regarding the ability to (say) add tuners and cope with Freeview, link to an external source (eg sky box) for recording, play anything off an optical disk etc. If you made it the centrepiece of your media setup I think you would be disappointed. And it wouldn't be long before you were frustrated at your ability to expand its uses. So it would deliver all the hassle and complexity of setting up and running a HTPC, but few of the benefits. Despite being cheap, I suspect it isn't a bargain.

Think about either:

Getting something cheaper and simpler (like an Amazon Fire) that pretty much just works out of the box for Netflix/Hulu etc, or
Spend more and get a decent HTPC that can actually do the full range things a HTPC should.
The model you are looking at is neither fish nor fowl, and looks like it would be bound to disappoint.

My two cents worth anyway........

This might be an interesting review - if I knew what you were reviewing!

beenz

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#1028012 20-Apr-2014 02:55

Some of the posts were discussing getting free software and a keyboard and mouse, what free software was they talking about ?

Thanks

Apple TV

Stream your favourite shows now on Apple TV (affiliate link).

turb

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#1028018 20-Apr-2014 05:20

To stream stuff off the internet, you don't need to install anything as its all done in your browser.

(Netflix uses a program called Silverlight but it will ask you if it can install and you just say Yes)

For playing media files I think most of us would recommend a program called VLC media player. It is free and plays everything including DVDs: http://www.videolan.org/vlc/index.html

You really don't need anything else if you have Sky as well.

Interests: HTPC, Web App authoring.

turb

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#1028037 20-Apr-2014 07:23

silverlake:
JimmyH: It's a good price, and should be OK for basic media playback. It might do what you want - just.

However, on my reading of the model it's at least 5 years old. It lacks an optical drive, internal expansion slots, optical audio out, and seems a tad underpowered in the CPU department. So once installed you would have few options regarding the ability to (say) add tuners and cope with Freeview, link to an external source (eg sky box) for recording, play anything off an optical disk etc. If you made it the centrepiece of your media setup I think you would be disappointed. And it wouldn't be long before you were frustrated at your ability to expand its uses. So it would deliver all the hassle and complexity of setting up and running a HTPC, but few of the benefits. Despite being cheap, I suspect it isn't a bargain.

Think about either:

Getting something cheaper and simpler (like an Fire) that pretty much just works out of the box for Netflix/Hulu etc, or

Spend more and get a decent HTPC that can actually do the full range things a HTPC should.

The model you are looking at is neither fish nor fowl, and looks like it would be bound to disappoint.

My two cents worth anyway........

This might be an interesting review - if I knew what you were reviewing!

I think jimmyH is talking about that one on remarkit, and I agree with much of what he says. It's very expensive for what you get.

An old XP box will give the OP the ability to stream, Hulu, Netflix, Amazon, BBC iPlayer, 4OD, ITV etc etc which is what he wanted, for VERY little money while he decides whether to spend more on a full HTPC or get some sort of STB.

Interests: HTPC, Web App authoring.

JimmyH

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#1028157 20-Apr-2014 14:32

The model on remarkit, linked to just above my post, is indeed the one I was commenting on. Sorry for the lack of clarity.

jonathan18

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#1028700 21-Apr-2014 20:34

freitasm: Yes you have to pay for unblock-us, which in the great scheme of things ($7/month) isn't a big deal.

Getflix is under half that cost and does the job fine. They've extended their "lifetime" discount for liking them on FB until the end of May; with the current Aus $, this amounts to under $3 a month. As my grandmother used to say: "look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves"!

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