Streaming Devices

[OrangeCrush 86]

Roku doesn't support UPNP / DLNA? Sounds worthless.

I use an MK808 Android Mini PC with a licensed version of Bubble UPNP app. Total cost is probably about 45 bucks. I plug my 1TB external HD to this via USB and the android device acts as a DLNA media server.

Going this route is more of a hobby though because I like to mess around with Android/Linux.

[Biff Tannen]

Jake, from what I've seen, anything on the same network can send to the Chromecast device

Thanks Fern. I finally found some non-idiotic consumer reviews that answered the questions I had. Mainly, My Samsung bluray that this will be replacing, has a pretty shitty interface IMO, and the youtube app sucks, the netflix app is OK, and the rest of the avail apps are on par with AOL in 1998 as far as "news" and "entertainment" and other shit idgaf about.

So Rather than buy yet another Roku (Bedroom TV, Basement TV), I figured I'd try one of these out. I was hoping that the it supported kindle apps, which it doesn't, but it will support the netflix/kindle ap as far as player that media, so that works. I didn't want to have to download netflix on our phones too. As far as the rest, being able to surf youtube from my phone, to the TV will be much less cumbersome than hunting and pecking with the goddamn tv remote to search "Haji & Raji roll their toyota Camry at 100mph in the desert".

[Fernanernie]

"Haji & Raji roll their toyota Camry at 100mph in the desert".

[Biff Tannen]

[Biff Tannen]

So, I bought a chromecast and it's pimp. Now, I'm looking into streaming from my PC/External HD

Plex + Chromecast

Does anyone have any experience with Plex? I have a big chunk of old VHS movies stored on my EHD, and I'd like to be able to watch them on my tv Via the Roku, or possibly the Chromecast. Any suggestions?

[N8Dogg98]

A friend of mine has XBMC and can watch any program anytime for free.... I doubt what he's doing is legal, but if you don't want to pay for cable and want access to all the same programming without commercials it's worth checking out. For those not aware of this product it's Android's smart TV box.

EDIT: I got a Roku 2 for christmas from my parents and find it quite good, though it's dumb there is no youtube app so I have to use the smart bluray player for that.

[Biff Tannen]

I pay for cable, own 2 rokus, and a chromecast. I don't plan on any of that bootleg/black box shit. I just want to be able to sit on my couch, turn on my TV, and watch RAD!, Hot Dog-the move, Cannonball Run 3 aka SpeedZone, or any episodes of the M.A.S.K. series via my External hard drive, without sitting at my computer, or opening my laptop.

[N8Dogg98]

I pay for cable, own 2 rokus, and a chromecast. I don't plan on any of that bootleg/black box shit. I just want to be able to sit on my couch, turn on my TV, and watch RAD!, Hot Dog-the move, Cannonball Run 3 aka SpeedZone, or any episodes of the M.A.S.K. series via my External hard drive, without sitting at my computer, or opening my laptop.

Lol @ Speed Zone... on Amazon this movie is not available on any format other than VHS. Too bad as it's easily the best of the Cannonball movies.

[JohnnyT]

I really only use streaming stuff for movies. I sorely miss Android having Flash support for Noobroom. If only there was an app for that...

I'd love if I could get away with not having DirecTV and not use a HTPC set-up to accomplish that. Might have to do more research on that Roku, but it sounds like more of a compliment to cable/DTV, not necessarily a replacement.

[Fernanernie]

I would think that if the old movies are already ripped, any decent media server should meet your needs.

[Akromix]

So, I bought a chromecast and it's pimp. Now, I'm looking into streaming from my PC/External HD


Does anyone have any experience with Plex? I have a big chunk of old VHS movies stored on my EHD, and I'd like to be able to watch them on my tv Via the Roku, or possibly the Chromecast. Any suggestions?

I use plex with my chromecast. It kicks ass.

[Biff Tannen]

Update:

Fuck Apple TV

Roku > Chromecast > crApple TV. I got my hands one one to see what the fuss was about. I realized I could access my PC pictures/Movies from my desktop computer, and stream them directly onto my tv without the assistance of a Plex type program. Well, this thing is a turd. While my wife is upstairs watching TV, and doing online classes, I can't even get a video in better than 420p quality. Then I'll pull my phone up to surf while trying to watch a show on netflix, and the video will cut out, and buffer then quit due to "an error has occurred". Then, when attempting to watch a movie from my PC via Apple TV, I couldn't get past about 5 mins at a time without a minute to minute and a half buffer time. In the midst of all this, I plugged the roku back in, and streamed fine, without issue in glorius 1080P. Needless to say, I'll be selling/trading this apple TV soon for another Chromecast, or a newer Roku, and getting Plex. Will not buy again. I like having Both Roku + Chromecast. As I like tooling around on YT via my phone+Chromecast, and casting to the TV. I know I'll catch hell for having an iphone, but I really don't give a shit about the phone, it was free, and it does more than I need it to do.

Edit : Oh yeah, the Roku is the only of the 3 that allows me to stream Amazon Prime content too, which is a bonus.

[OrangeCrush 86]

I bought a WD MyCloud and it works fucking awesome. Easy setup. Nice interface. Don't need to be an IT specialist to access all your files from a mobile device or the internet. Plus it's fast.

I went with the MyCloud because I didn't want to spend the money to put PLEX onto a Synology NAS ($$$$$). Plus I wanted network storage, not just a media server. I bought the 3TB WD and it works perfectly for this.

If you are wondering MyCloud uses Twonky Media server to handle streaming to UPNP/DLNA devices on your LAN. Only real downside is you can't stream your video over the net (no transcoding). However you can set this up too with Bubble UPNP/DLNA server software if you really need to stream across the internet.

http://www.wd.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=1140

[Biff Tannen]

yeah, I've been watching that exact model for a couple weeks now. Last week I wanna say newegg had it for 145 for a 4tb unit. I'm kicking myself for not jumping on that.

[Biff Tannen]

I just got started setting up plex tonight. Haven't done much other than started the process of loading the folders... I also noticed there's alot of movies in my "movies" folder that weren't from my hard drive... is this just content from Plex? Some stuff I have interest in, but there's alot of stuff I'll never watch. Just curious where it's coming from.


Edit - nevermind. It was an error of file name. Plex was reading the episode name, and recognizing it as a movie.