USB & TV's

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Tosser

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I was reading another fred about FAT32 and file formats supported by TV’s like the hd sony that I have. This got me thinking about my set-up.

Now as far as I can deduce the TV supports mpeg1&2, FAT32 only. My piece of junk Philips DVD player supports divx, avi (some) FAT32 only. Now that’s quite useless actually, seeing as how hd files tend to be mkv and larger than 4gig.

So I too am considering the idea of a pc type of thing connected to the tv / av receiver via HDMI to decode any format or size of file.

I was thinking of the following options:

Boxee Box – correct me if I’m mistaken, but what I understand here is that this gadget would allow me to load all my movies onto it’s HD, it would decode all(?) formats and allow me to park my @ss on the couch and control it by remote. It has an added bonus of being able to stream content from Netflix. Anyone know the cost of Netflix? Of course with my 384kb connection this is theoretical only – c’mon XrapidX, we need to know if the thing can stream rugby successfully….! This may just convince me to get a 4mb line.

HTPC – this seems to be a nice option as it’s a full pc hence upgradeable and will play any format thrown at it. BUT …… can I sit on my butt on the couch and control it? Or do I need a wireless mouse / keyboard combo to control it – seems very cumbersome. Expensive option too isin’t it? Probably like R2k for the case and a further R4k for the internals.

Laptop – same as HTPC I suppose, except that it can also be used for other purposes. Also a schlep to operate the laptop from the couch.

Anything I missed?

Whats the most popular solution out there?
 
how about a mini mac I thought I would get that for the exact same reason have a media player and sometimes does not play everything so I would rather make use of the Mac Mini
 
Very sexy (mini mac), but at R7k....ouch! No, maybe not.
 
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Tosser said:
Laptop – same as HTPC I suppose, except that it can also be used for other purposes. Also a schlep to operate the laptop from the couch.
Click to expand...
Here is what i did for my bedroom where space is limited, i had an old ASUS eepc netbook , installed windows xp, removed as much of the windows compontents that were a waste (media player included and) the EEPC has a pitiful 4GB hard drive i installed klite codec pack (decode only)and the media player clasic that comes with the codec pack, conected it to my tv via VGa cable and rca. got a cheap Bluetooth dongle (a tiny XGR one at Cna i think it was R65) my model didnt have bluetooth had an old Microsft bluetooth mouse lying around. blue tooth mouse is my full function remote controll. and i can connect my HDD or stream the video over my home network from one of my other PC's.
Basically if you get a cheap netbook (or laptop) and use a bluetooth mouse, you can do this on a budget
 
isie said:
Here is what i did for my bedroom where space is limited, i had an old ASUS eepc netbook , installed windows xp, removed as much of the windows compontents that were a waste (media player included and) the EEPC has a pitiful 4GB hard drive i installed klite codec pack (decode only)and the media player clasic that comes with the codec pack, conected it to my tv via VGa cable and rca. got a cheap Bluetooth dongle (a tiny XGR one at Cna i think it was R65) my model didnt have bluetooth had an old Microsft bluetooth mouse lying around. blue tooth mouse is my full function remote controll. and i can connect my HDD or stream the video over my home network from one of my other PC's.
Basically if you get a cheap netbook (or laptop) and use a bluetooth mouse, you can do this on a budget
Click to expand...

Did this also work for HD content? Don't you need to connect via HDMI for that?
 
Tosser said:
At R320 bucks thats a bargain. So it's basically a hard drive with the median software that controls everything? I need to check if it plays all formats though, but it certainly is the low cost option.
Click to expand...

Nope its just a Remote control and Reciever for the HTPC.
 
Tosser said:
Did this also work for HD content? Don't you need to connect via HDMI for that?
Click to expand...

yep it works, rember the vga cable works in HD as well, you are limited only by the resolution your tv can handle from the vga port and what you pc's graphic card can process.
resolution conversion:
1280×720 = 720
1920×1080 = 1080
 
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poffle said:
Nope its just a Remote control and Reciever for the HTPC.
Click to expand...

OK, I gettit.
But that means sticking a PC in the small lounge, which besides noisy fans, wont look very nice.
So how about this :
Use my PC in the study ( which has all the stuff on it in the 1st place ) to wirelessly stream the content to a gadget in the lounge which is connected to the AV receiver, and can be controlled via a remote control. What is this thing called? Will this work with HD & 5.1 sound?
 
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