Just started thinking about media streaming solutions.

I have a large PC based library, of Pictures, Music, & Films (in varying formats) that I would like to be able to easily watch on the telly / listen on the hifi.

I have Wired and wireless networks behind the telly, so no connectivity issues.

Currently an old CRT, so Scart / Svid only at the mo, no vga / hdmi input.


Ideally I wanted a 'hifi type' unit which would access my library, and play as appropriate, but doesnt seem a lot of this about.

Could possibly use an Xbox, as a Media Centre Extender, and get Media centre up and running on the pc.

Could get a PS3, I gather these can access a pc library too.

Could maybe use an old laptop with TV out...

Maybe even a solution using the Wii...

Any comments?  anyone out there doing this?  Any better ideas?

Old Xbox off ebay and Xbox media player?

For audio only, http://www.logitechsqueezebox.com/

Kevin

xbox is fantastic for games, but are noisey as hell, so don't make the best media centres, you can put them in 'media centre mode' which shuts the fans up a bit.

I would get a cheapo PC and put it down there, with windows, allows you to map drives, much easier, decent sound card hooked up to your hifi.

Can use Spotify, iPlayer, Sky Player, everything.

Thats what i have setup, its a stolen borrowed machine from work  8-)

I can't work out whether this http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/network-media-streamers/353542/western-digital-wd-tv-live does what you want.

Andy H wrote on 22. Dec 2009 at 10:15:

I can't work out whether this http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/network-media-streamers/353542/western-digital-wd-tv-live does what you want.

Now that IS a very intersting little device...the sort of thing I first imagined when I started thinking about what I want.

PS3 is great for this :y

Jimbob wrote on 22. Dec 2009 at 10:17:

Andy H wrote on 22. Dec 2009 at 10:15: I can't work out whether this http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/network-media-streamers/353542/western-digital-wd-tv-live does what you want. Now that IS a very intersting little device...the sort of thing I first imagined when I started thinking about what I want.

Looks good but!

Western Digital’s WD TV wasn’t your average media player. With little more than an HDMI port at its rear,  Can that be converted to scart?

Mr Skrunts wrote on 22. Dec 2009 at 11:35:

Jimbob wrote on 22. Dec 2009 at 10:17: Andy H wrote on 22. Dec 2009 at 10:15: I can't work out whether this http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/network-media-streamers/353542/western-digital-wd-tv-live does what you want. Now that IS a very intersting little device...the sort of thing I first imagined when I started thinking about what I want. Looks good but! Western Digital’s WD TV wasn’t your average media player. With little more than an HDMI port at its rear,  Can that be converted to scart?

read on....that was the old device, new one does composite  :y

If you go to the WD site the better model has Component output.  Composite is no use if you want decent resolution.

Chris_H wrote on 22. Dec 2009 at 11:53:

If you go to the WD site the better model has Component output.  Composite is no use if you want decent resolution.

yes composite, or component....


I picked up on the composite as its all I can currently utilise

You know I'll say MCE ;)

If scart only, ati vga cards can drive scart with a simple lead, and a bit of sotfware called powerstrip (works better than s-video). TV needs to support rgb scart.

Win7 - Ultimate comes with MC, good on old PCs, it does take a while to index the videos and photos though over the network

tunnie wrote on 22. Dec 2009 at 17:59:

Win7 - Ultimate comes with MC, good on old PCs, it does take a while to index the videos and photos though over the network

As does all versions except Basic and Enterprise, neither of which available in retail channel.

TheBoy wrote on 22. Dec 2009 at 17:54:

You know I'll say MCE ;) If scart only, ati vga cards can drive scart with a simple lead, and a bit of sotfware called powerstrip (works better than s-video). TV needs to support rgb scart.

Thought you may  ;)

How is it at a variety of different formats?
is it a case of if codec on windows...xbox can play it?

dont really want a pc for the job, just a simple for anyone to use box.

Jimbob wrote on 23. Dec 2009 at 18:41:

TheBoy wrote on 22. Dec 2009 at 17:54: You know I'll say MCE ;) If scart only, ati vga cards can drive scart with a simple lead, and a bit of sotfware called powerstrip (works better than s-video). TV needs to support rgb scart. Thought you may  ;) How is it at a variety of different formats? is it a case of if codec on windows...xbox can play it? dont really want a pc for the job, just a simple for anyone to use box.

Pre win7, it could only stream 'Microsoft' formats - though plenty of on-the-fly transcoders. I seem to recall that win7 can stream xvids etc, but would need to test.

MCE easy enough to use, over wireless, the xbox can be sluggish (in menus, playback fine)

I have an Infrant ReadyNAS that does the lot, yakes up sod all space, and no possible data loss unless FOUR hard drives fail simultaneously.
However, I doubt you'll want to spend the asking price to get such kit, so you are probably better off sticking with the Xbox/PS3 idea and doing it on the cheap.

This any good to you JB.

Just seen it on offer as a christmas special.

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/167205?ref=dotd&hp_deal=10

Mr Skrunts wrote on 24. Dec 2009 at 11:46:

This any good to you JB. Just seen it on offer as a christmas special. http://www.ebuyer.com/product/167205?ref=dotd&hp_deal=10

Cheers, but no, just plays off media, not streamed from a library