Best multimedia device for my application

[senyetse]

Hi all. I'm pretty new to this whole scene.

Can anyone make any recommendations on the best multimedia device? I do not have an HD TV yet, but will probably be getting one at some point. I currently have a TV with component inputs (red, yellow and white plugs). So the device should have connectors for component and HDMI.

My movies are on a laptop (with XBMC), so the device should be stand alone/external probably via USB. I'd like to play content on my laptop and watch it on my TV. I'd also like to stream from the internet via my laptop and watch on my TV. The laptop also has a HDMI output has Win 8 and is 64 bit. Any ideas?

 

[LPCPT]

Connect the laptop to an HDMI port on a HD tv. Everything n the laptop can then be played via the tv. ie the tv becomes the laptop's screen

 

[Hemps]

Get the TV first and then worry about media players.

Media players with component support are old, most of them are hdmi these days.

 

[senyetse]

Thanks guys. I will not be getting a HD TV anytime soon, so my only option is a media player with component support.

 

[senyetse]

It looks like the WD TV Live media player could be an option. It supports HDMI and composite AV and can connect to PC on a network. Also streaming from internet supported, Netflix, Hulu.

 

[Hemps]

It looks like the WD TV Live media player could be an option. It supports HDMI and composite AV and can connect to PC on a network. Also streaming from internet supported, Netflix, Hulu.

Mine only has hdmi.

 

[senyetse]

Mine only has hdmi.

According to the Western Digital websirte it has a composite input (jack at far right on back panel) and comes with a composite cable: http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=330

The same one is sold here:
http://www.takealot.com/tv-audio-vi...streaming-media-player-no-hard-drive,10832354

I had a look at the user manual from the company's website and it shows how to install to a SD TV. Maybe you have a different one?

 

[Hemps]

According to the Western Digital websirte it has a composite input (jack at far right on back panel) and comes with a composite cable: http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=330

The same one is sold here:
http://www.takealot.com/tv-audio-vid...drive,10832354

I had a look at the user manual from the company's website and it shows how to install to a SD TV. Maybe you have a different one?

Ahh right AV, my bad, glanced and thought it was headphone jack

 

[Speedster]

Raspberry Pi has analogue video out.

 

[senyetse]

I've decided to go the Raspberry PI route. Its is ordered and should arrive within the next 2 or 3 days. I'll install Raspbmc and stream from my laptop via Plex Media server (for video transcoding) as per this article: http://mymediaexperience.com/raspberry-pi-xbmc-with-raspbmc/. However, I wonder if it is not less of a mission buying the licence to unlock Mpeg-2 and VC-1 encoding. Any comments?

Later I'd like to add Playon to the setup which will allow me to stream video from internet via the Raspberry Pi to TV.

Any comments on this setup or possibly a better setup I can try with the Raspberry Pi?

The Raspberry Pi has HDMI output as well as composite so it covers all bases.

 

[senyetse]

Update - it appears as if Xbian and Openelec are better options. I'll try Xbian first.

 

[Speedster]

I've got openelec running on mine. There are quite a few add-ons you can use to stream content.

 

[senyetse]

Got my pi this morning (less than 24 hours after ordering, can you believe it?).

Just need to get a SD card then I can get cracking.