Streaming via XMBC

[craigdoepie]

Please don't crucify me, but I am unable to find out exactly what I want wrt the information I need.

For testing purposes I setup XMBC on my laptop and I think it works properly. Am able to play the videos on my Laptop and view it on PS3. Of course unable to play MKV files, but that not the issue for now. I know the workaround for that.

Question:
1) What equipment is needed to view your movies on a Internet TV (Sony), not too sure of the model.

2) Does XMBC have a GUI for the TV or PS3 or does it just pick it up as Media Server and use the GUI of the PS3
or TV

3) I can add the movies to the videos tab, but it does not automatically add the videos to my Library, I have to check movie data (or something like that) and then it gets added to my library and then it will only be viewable on the other devices.

I am looking at going the root of Microserver and streaming the videos from the other sources via certain means. But don't want to spend unnecessary money, if it is not going to benefit me. So basically doing some research quickly. Main purpose is too play MKV files in my room and in TV room via Sony TV. My room will host the microserver, so that simple.

Hope I am making sense

 

[cenredash]

Can't help with 1, but sure others can.

2. There isn't a GUI for xbmc for those devices, as far as I know. But yes, it picks it up as a media server using the GUI of the PS3 or tv.

3. Correct. You need to add it to the library before it can be accessed on the xbmc media server. The microserver, if you don't mind it standing in your tv area should work fine as an xbmc interface, or an apple tv (or apple tv2) or a raspberry pi (raspbmc).

 

[Keeper]

1) put the microserver in the tv room, fill it with drives, install OpenELEC (xbmc), and connect to tv via HDMI.
(Then you have XBMC in your Lounge/TV Room)

2) Connect a lan cable from the microserver to your room to the PC/Laptop, install XBMC for windows, and add networked paths of media located on the Microserver.
(Then you have XBMC in your Room)

- You now don't need to have a nice motherboard or big PC chassis since you now have 5 extra hard drive bays (powered by the microserver) to store media on.
- You have 2 screens feeding off the same microserver/media
- you have XBMC as GUI in both rooms.


PS: you can also use WiFi if you prefer.

The point I'm trying to make is: put the microserver in the TV room, because then you can use its HDMI!

 

[craigdoepie]

The point I'm trying to make is: put the microserver in the TV room, because then you can use its HDMI!

I hear you on that point, but on top of that question then. Of course the picture quality will be HD, but will the sound that pushes through via streaming also be 5.1, if the file supports 5.1 or more.

And I got a Mede8er, so was thinking of using that to stream the movies from the Microserver to the other TV if needed. Would like to control the server from my room, because most of my viewing is done in the room. So don't want to walk to restart/reboot/switch on the server.

 

[Keeper]

My MS has been running non stop for weeks now, not much restarting needed
if you put the MS in your room and use your mediator in the lounge, you lose the xbmc gui.... not worth it imo.

I'm not sure about the 5.1 question, so will not comment on that - I don't have a 5.1 surround system (yet)

 

[Soul Assassin]

I'm not using XBMC but Plex, you should take a look, it's built from XBMC but with streaming in mind, but i'm sure when no transcoding is done 5.1 will be available, streaming from Plex to a PS3 and another PC does 5.1.