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Arzy

Arzy

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So I've been using a WD TV Live + 2TB external for the last few years for home entertainment. The poor thing has done its bit though and its time to send it off for a relaxed retirement down at the coast.

What would you suggest as an alternative / upgrade for daily home use?

Current setup is that the WD is connected to the network and is shared for everyone in the house to access but only connected to 1 TV. The HDD will be replicated onto the new replacement and then sent along as company on the trip.

TV's are not networked and would need to be replaced in order to do so.
 
Arzy said:
So I've been using a WD TV Live + 2TB external for the last few years for home entertainment. The poor thing has done its bit though and its time to send it off for a relaxed retirement down at the coast.

What would you suggest as an alternative / upgrade for daily home use?

Current setup is that the WD is connected to the network and is shared for everyone in the house to access but only connected to 1 TV. The HDD will be replicated onto the new replacement and then sent along as company on the trip.

TV's are not networked and would need to be replaced in order to do so.
Click to expand...
Why? Just add a Plex server to your network and get a Roku for each TV.
(With Roku you can also easily set up Netflix etc.)
 
Plex server good for multiple if you have plex pass and a reasonable server.
 
I must agree ... Get a Roku/chromecast and a small computer/ HTPC on which you can install Plex.
 
Will have a look at plex then, issue is I not longer have a desktop at home and the spare laptop needs an hdd replacement send some new fans to stop sounding like a Boeing.

The native interface on the wd TV live is fine for what we do, thus asking about a media center. Guess I could just get a rok u and connect the existing external to it for the time being.
 
Arzy said:
Will have a look at plex then, issue is I not longer have a desktop at home and the spare laptop needs an hdd replacement send some new fans to stop sounding like a Boeing.

The native interface on the wd TV live is fine for what we do, thus asking about a media center. Guess I could just get a rok u and connect the existing external to it for the time being.
Click to expand...

Roku and external will not compute
 
Arzy said:
Will have a look at plex then, issue is I not longer have a desktop at home and the spare laptop needs an hdd replacement send some new fans to stop sounding like a Boeing.

The native interface on the wd TV live is fine for what we do, thus asking about a media center. Guess I could just get a rok u and connect the existing external to it for the time being.
Click to expand...

Um well what's actually wrong with the WD TV setup? Sounds like it's doing the trick. You'll need to get a real PC or something if you want to do a proper HTPC. At least, maybe replace that dodgy HDD in the laptop then configure it as a Plex server and get a Chromecast or Roku box.
 
cerebus said:
Um well what's actually wrong with the WD TV setup? Sounds like it's doing the trick. You'll need to get a real PC or something if you want to do a proper HTPC. At least, maybe replace that dodgy HDD in the laptop then configure it as a Plex server and get a Chromecast or Roku box.
Click to expand...
It's still working, watching something at the moment, just thought there may be a newer alternative as I need to get something for a holiday house.
 
Arzy said:
It's still working, watching something at the moment, just thought there may be a newer alternative as I need to get something for a holiday house.
Click to expand...
Yeah anything connected to good software will be better, like Plex or Kodi. You'll get a much nicer experience. I have a Chromecast with Plex on the pc. You could get the laptop working and do the same thing I guess.
 
I used to have the same set up. An external connected to wd or to the tv directly. Needed to disconnect and connect to laptop to transfer files etc .
Set up plex and automated downloads and never looked back.

The album part plus write ups. It records what you have already watched etc etc.

Plex is awesome just waiting for xbone app to be public
 
I had a full HTPC running Windows Media Centre recording live TV, then when HD came around, I used the original WD TV Live, then the upgrade, and now I use a Raspberry Pi running Kodi. Works 100% and has a better interface.

Edit: TV has CEC, so I can use the TVs remote to control Kodi.
 
I've had good success with an HP Proliant micro server + a cheap graphics card.
 
Arzy said:
Any suggestions on an off the shelf HTPC?
Click to expand...

There's an htpc thread here somewhere and gtx gaming, av supply and janv would be able to give some valuable advice.

Some of the online retailers also have off the shelf solutions. Think rebel tech or Wootware had prebuilt systems with option to customise.
 
alqassam said:
Dies roku play from local storage? O thought its only network connected storage
Click to expand...

Roku has USB port. Just install a small program on your device that then talks to a channel on Roku and you are sorted. Can't remember the name now, maybe Roku media player or something
 
alqassam said:
Dies roku play from local storage? O thought its only network connected storage
Click to expand...

Joeboy69 said:
Roku has USB port. Just install a small program on your device that then talks to a channel on Roku and you are sorted. Can't remember the name now, maybe Roku media player or something
Click to expand...

I wouldn't recommend the Roku for local media playback, it's codec support is very limited. Something like a WD TV Live would be a better option for an all-in-one solution if this is your primary source of media. If streaming is your thing (or you have Plex server) then the Roku is an excellent choice.
 
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