Home audio &amp; video forum: Hardware sugestion for streaming online video to HDTV

Total posts: 11 (Showing page 1 of 1)

Thread display preference:
Collapsed
Expanded

Back to Home audio & video

Tracked Track this thread

Answers

Answer Best answer as chosen by user ozark123

Take a look at those Google TV boxes.

by R. Proffitt - 7/31/12 3:12 PM

In Reply to: Hardware sugestion for streaming online video to HDTV by ozark123

I own the Logitech Revue and really want to try the Sony Google TV with its BD player.
Bob

Was this reply helpful? (1) (0)

Staff pick

Link, comment.

by R. Proffitt - 7/31/12 6:35 PM

In Reply to: Take a look at those Google TV boxes. by R. Proffitt

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13845_3-57436061-58/get-a-logitech-revue-with-google-tv-for-$73.99/

While I admit it's pretty good, any PC can clean it's clock. And any user that is expecting what we can do on a PC to be on any "device" like this is going to be upset. Having said that, I get a lot of use from our Revue.
Bob

Was this reply helpful? (0) (0)

Staff pick

The Revue looks interesting

by ozark123 - 8/1/12 4:17 PM

In Reply to: Link, comment. by R. Proffitt

This looks interesting. Unfortunately the reviews are really mixed. Some love it& some hate it. Maybe because they have problems with their wireless setup? I use hard wired to avoid this aggravation.

How does your Revue work for internet browsing? My Sony works fine for NET Flicks etc. However I spend a lot of time watching HULU, CNET HBO go etc and the Sony doesn't have that capability.

Thanks

Was this reply helpful? (0) (0)

Staff pick

HULU is no-go on such boxes.

by R. Proffitt - 8/1/12 6:50 PM

In Reply to: The Revue looks interesting by ozark123

HULU goes above, beyond and out of their way to force HULU PLUS on non PCs. Amazon video = fine. Netflix = fine, etc.

Again, anyone looking for the PC experience learns they must use a PC.

Hope this clears that up.
Bob

Was this reply helpful? (0) (0)

Staff pick

Answer Best answer as chosen by user ozark123

Best way is to buy a simple HTPC

by Pepe7 - 7/31/12 5:55 PM

In Reply to: Hardware sugestion for streaming online video to HDTV by ozark123

There currently is no affordable 'black box' that does the streaming as well as a simple HTPC. And the bonus is, you get the entire internet instead of only select content as you do now with your Sony internet appliance.

Instead of building your own HTPC (better left to us geeks, IMO and E), just find something pre-built that can handle the job. Ballpark cost for a dual core name brand desktop running W7=$300-400 online, or if you grab something on sale at a big box store. If it's something that lacks HDMI output (for example, depending on stock), finding an inexpensive video card from newegg.com/amazon/etc. is really quick and easy to add too.

There are threads on this topic if you search the forums.

Was this reply helpful? (1) (0)

Staff pick

Can you recomend a specific set up

by ozark123 - 8/1/12 12:07 PM

In Reply to: Best way is to buy a simple HTPC by Pepe7

Thanks,

I have been researching this for a while.

I agree with your statement regarding a DIY HTPC.I often see people recommend building a PC for this purpose then see a lot of posts discussing how much trouble it is to get it to perform as desired. Remote controls are seldom mentioned. I prefer to not to use a keyboard as well.

Cnet forums is my go to place for tech information. Unfortunately I have not been able to find a specific recommendation for an off the shelf solution. So far no specifics, typically a discussion of various components.

Was this reply helpful? (0) (0)

Staff pick

one example

by Pepe7 - 8/1/12 1:23 PM

In Reply to: Can you recomend a specific set up by ozark123

For the following rig, find a basic video card with HDMI output and throw it in this guy and you're set-
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+Pavilion+Desktop+-+8GB+Memory+-+1TB+Hard+Drive/5563016.p?id=1218661380588&skuId=5563016&cmp=RMX&ky=1whxm51gbOgORrn6M8JOUlLjDtR0yY7Rx
I suggest you stay away from some of the very bare bones desktops on sale with 'economy' processors, and you should be fine. RAM and HDD space is cheap enough now that you shouldn't skimp on those either. 4-6GB DDR3 RAM & 500GB-1TB HDD should be a baseline IMO. YMMV. Don't bother with most of the 'nettop' boxes they sell on the cheap either. Better left to us folks who tweak/go through the annoyances of getting drivers to load/etc.

There are some very helpful/more knowledgeable folks here working w/ PC hardware on a daily basis. Browse those sub-forums as well for more useful tips.

Was this reply helpful? (0) (0)

Staff pick

I forgot to add

by Pepe7 - 8/1/12 6:09 PM

In Reply to: Can you recomend a specific set up by ozark123

Typically, when you see threads with component recommendations, they also give baselines for specs like I did below.

Was this reply helpful? (0) (0)

Staff pick

using a remote with that type of set up

by ozark123 - 8/1/12 7:49 PM

In Reply to: I forgot to add by Pepe7

Thanks,

Have you had any experience using a remote with that type of set up?

Was this reply helpful? (0) (0)

Staff pick

Been there, done that

by Pepe7 - 8/1/12 8:02 PM

In Reply to: using a remote with that type of set up by ozark123

I prefer a slightly smaller logitech wireless keyboard, with trackpad or mouse. Controlling a PC properly truly requires a keyboard (most of the time) IMO and E. YMMV.

Was this reply helpful? (0) (0)

Staff pick