Stream from PC to TV

[rapidx]

Hi There,

I'm after something which will allow me to stream Audio and Video from my PC to my TV. Any ideas?

My initial thoughts were to get or build a Media Centre PC. My problem is I don't really need or want PVR as a function (I'm with NTL and will probably end up with their PVR box at some point).

I'm just after something as simple as possible. Streaming AVI (DIVX and xvid) would be ideal really and as my PC is in a different room to my TV it would need some form of network connectivity.

I've found a couple of devices e.g. Netgem Iplayer+ and a Packard Bell Medi@ thing. All seeming a little out of date (although weren't too bad price wise). Newer systems are expensive and I was hoping to keep my costs down to around £50. Not reaching £100 if I can avoid it.

Any ideas? It seems like a bit of an untapped idea at the moment with Manufacturers.

have a look at this http://svp.co.uk/products-solo.php?pid=1951

[rapidx]

oh I like that. The option to have a HD at a later date is nice too. Could technically copy over files for later viewing etc.. Cheers.

I was also eyeing up some others. Netgear have a very nice setup (a bit expensive). The Hauppauge Media MVP looks nice too.

[brundles]

Have you considered an Xbox with XBMC? Doesn't do HD (CPU isn't up to the job), but should cover pretty much any video or audio format you can throw at it. Also includes support for accessnig shared directories on Windows or Linux machines over a network.

They're going pretty cheaply on E-Bay at the moment - you can then get teh XBMC software on it either using a soft-mod approach or find someone to use the hardware approach.

[v0id]

Originally Posted by brundles

Have you considered an Xbox with XBMC? Doesn't do HD (CPU isn't up to the job), but should cover pretty much any video or audio format you can throw at it. Also includes support for accessnig shared directories on Windows or Linux machines over a network.

They're going pretty cheaply on E-Bay at the moment - you can then get teh XBMC software on it either using a soft-mod approach or find someone to use the hardware approach.

That's what I went for when my ageing DVD player bit the dust.

[Saaf_laandon_mo]

Whats XBMC?

[handyman]

X Box Media Centre

[fireman328]

Originally Posted by rapidx

Hi There,

I'm after something which will allow me to stream Audio and Video from my PC to my TV. Any ideas?

My initial thoughts were to get or build a Media Centre PC. My problem is I don't really need or want PVR as a function (I'm with NTL and will probably end up with their PVR box at some point).

I'm just after something as simple as possible. Streaming AVI (DIVX and xvid) would be ideal really and as my PC is in a different room to my TV it would need some form of network connectivity.

I've found a couple of devices e.g. Netgem Iplayer+ and a Packard Bell Medi@ thing. All seeming a little out of date (although weren't too bad price wise). Newer systems are expensive and I was hoping to keep my costs down to around £50. Not reaching £100 if I can avoid it.

Any ideas? It seems like a bit of an untapped idea at the moment with Manufacturers.

If I were you I would not contemplate Packard Bell even for a door-bell.

[Derek]

Originally Posted by Saaf_laandon_mo

Whats XBMC?

Xbox Media Connect

Just a way of streaming audio and video from a PC to an Xbox.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win...t/default.aspx

[brundles]

Originally Posted by Derek S

Xbox Media Connect

Just a way of streaming audio and video from a PC to an Xbox.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win...t/default.aspx

Not quite - as handyman has mentioned it's Xbox Media Centre - and you certainly won't find a link to it on the MS website

The Xbox Media Connect only applies to the 360 - costing much more (and being much more limited) than the OP was after.

[Ignatius]

I use a hauppauge MVP.

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...roductID=82829

£40 gets you a set-top device with a remote control which will play mp3 & mpeg natively, and will transcode .avi's as long as your pc's processor is up to the task.

It will also slideshow your digital photos & tune into internet radio (i've never used this final function)

Of course, it requires a hardwired connection to your network, but as my bb arrives into the back of my samsung set top box (ie right by my telly) this is not a major problem (i can plug the mvp straight into one of my wifi router's network port)

I'm sure it's not the most elegant solution, but it works and it's doesn't break the bank.

[Nikesh]

I saw a Video Sender in aldi the other week only £20. Looked good but my mum didn't let me get it She says "too many boxes under the TV" lol