RazMan
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| posted on 29/5/11 at 11:42 PM |
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Network Media Streamers?
I have been using a WD TV Live Media Streamer for a while now but I think the time has come to upgrade to a more up to date version which is more user
friendly and compatible with more formats.
I need HDMI, on board storage and network connectivity - any recommendations chaps?
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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RoadkillUK
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| posted on 30/5/11 at 12:26 AM |
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WDTV Live and NAS drive 
Roadkill - Lee
www.bradford7.co.uk
Latest Picture (14 Sept 2014)
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Mr G
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| posted on 30/5/11 at 01:03 AM |
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I picked up an emachine ER1402 which is acers version of the Revo nettops. It was £99 delivered from Ebuyer but was on special a few weeks ago. It
seems to come up regularly.
1.7 single core but its geforce 9200 can handle 1080p via hardware so takes the load off the cpu.
2gb DDR3, 250gb hdd, vga, hdmi,spdif out, wireless b/g/n,bluetooth, built in card reader etc etc. Quiet as a mouse with a vesa mount to attach it to
the back of your lcd/plasma - looks good too. Installed win7 then XBMC and can play any format going right upto ripped mkv's at 1080p over
network or attached storage.
I've added the youtube, iplayer and catchup tv pluggins to XBMC and roughly have all bases now covered. Just watched a couple of films streamed
over the network tonight all controlled from my android smartphone as a remote control 
The revos can do the same job and come in the dual core variety. Roughly I highly recommend a nettop coupled with XBMC
Cheers
G
Normal is getting dressed in clothes that you buy for work and driving through traffic in a
car that you are still paying for - in order to get to the job you need to pay for the clothes
and the car, and the house you leave vacant all day so you can afford to live in it.
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RazMan
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| posted on 30/5/11 at 08:33 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by RoadkillUK
WDTV Live and NAS drive
That's what I am using now - not too happy with the user interface so I want something more user (numpty) friendly 
MrG - So this is a standalone 'puter which is plumbed into the HD TV via the HDMI interface? Do you need a monitor screen & keyboard to make
it play video or is this done with the remote control? I assume it uses Media Player?
[Edited on 30-5-11 by RazMan]
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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Mr G
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| posted on 30/5/11 at 11:18 AM |
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Yes its a small silent PC that hooks upto your HD TV either through HDMI or VGA (D-sub) Mine came with small wired keyboard and mouse. Some versions
come with a wireless keyboard & mouse.
XBMC is the free open source media player that will give you the functionality of your current WD media streamer plus much more in a very nice
skinable interface which you can change the look of to suit your taste.
Your best bet is to have a look on youtube at the various videos for xbmc to see if its your cup of tea or not
EXAMPLE.
Video of xbmc running the youtube,iplayer and tvcatchup plug ins HERE
The beauty of it running on a mini pc is the ability to also use browsers to sniff round the net via your tv.
For controlling it you can use something like a Rii mini which is a wifi or bluetooth (depends what model you get) mini keyboard with built in
trackpad.
You can also use remote controls like the microsoft mce one with an IR dongle plugged in. As mentioned in my first post I use my phone to control xbmc
which compliments it very nicely.
Cheers
G
[Edited on 30/5/11 by Mr G]
Normal is getting dressed in clothes that you buy for work and driving through traffic in a
car that you are still paying for - in order to get to the job you need to pay for the clothes
and the car, and the house you leave vacant all day so you can afford to live in it.
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RazMan
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| posted on 30/5/11 at 11:58 AM |
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Wow thanks for all the info - you have certainly given me something to think about.
I have found a relatively new gizmo called the PopBox which is quite simple to use - SWMBO's a bit 'button challenged' if you know
what I mean
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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m8kwr
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| posted on 30/5/11 at 12:10 PM |
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Have a look at the xtreamer - xtreamer.net
I have the sidewinder which plays everything, including DVD iso files. I streamer media from my computer, or from its internal hard drive.
I find it easy to use, even my wife can use it!
When i first looked into a media streamer I read about the WD and popcorn, but went for this, but it was more down to this been cheaper and played all
format - i do not regret it, and its used everyday without fail!!!!
I am thinking about upgrading the ultra.
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Dangle_kt
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| posted on 30/5/11 at 12:31 PM |
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I stream via my xbox360.
Works fine, and couldn't be simpler.
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RazMan
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| posted on 30/5/11 at 10:30 PM |
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Thanks for all the ideas guys. After some research I have invested in the PopBox - mainly because it appears to be SWMBO friendly and even appears to
get info on your titles from tinternet and gives you the info on screen while browsing, making it easier for her to choose a film rather than asking
me 'what's it about?' type questions all the time.
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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