I just built my new HTPC and I was wondering how other people watch all of their stuff, be it Netflix or media files.
I have a Synology NAS DS415+ which is the media server in the house which streams to my HTPC. I have consoles but only really use them for gaming. There is a WDTV sitting around somewhere.
Other?
I have a laptop sitting under the TV connected with those big blue connector things and use a wireless keyboard and mouse pad to control it.
Just plug a HDMI cable into my laptop, I guess I am old skool
Where's the option for Blu-ray player?
In 2011
Heh. Well, true of full 1080p streaming is entirely impossible, so the best HT experience would be with the disc.
My question was more about non-physical media. Perhaps I should have made that clearer. :(
So in 2015 we drop our standards eh? Maybe they'll reintroduce mono sound agai….oh wait bluetooth speakers.
Playing MP3s filled with samples via trendy cassette decks..
but but… what's wrong with downloaded 128kb mp3's, pirated from iTunes, played back through an iphone, bluetoothed to a cheap TV, bluetoothed to a soundbar??
sounds better than your old blu rayz
*wipes pimple juice from face
I used to think that, but recently started using blu-rays and decided quite convenient. 4 hours + is sufficient between getting off my butt to change a disc.
No connectivity or format hassles.
Chromecast hands down the best
Htpc running WMC and media browser. Works great for local content and for recodring tv. Also has plex to feed CC.
CC on one tv - not really needed but got it for $20 last summer - is much faster than the xbox extenderd to get up and running if you just want to watch a quick program.
Have xbox 360 extenders to other tvs to watch FTA as they dont have aerial access. Can also access netflix on them.
Plex running on a HP Microserver.
I use an Apple TV (PlexConnect) as the main client on my TV.
I came here, expecting some deep conversations about reality TV, the Murdoch empire and leadership spills contributing to our consumption of media.
And I was left disappointed. :P
"deep conversations about reality TV". An impossibility, surely. Watching fat people lose weight or a man pick a fake girlfriend doesn't offer much in the way of enlightened discussion. :-p
For those of you who also have HTPC, how capable is it? Is it just good enough for streaming/1080p media transcoding or is it good enough for gaming? Mine can handle gaming fairly well because I was able to throw in gtx 770. I don't do any fps stuff on it though, I cannot handle fps with a controller.
with a knife and fork?
Xbox One with PLEX and a Home server for my media files..
Use Xbox one for Netflix and a few others but a chromcast for presto
Hardly watch any of it…LOL
I sometimes just use the smart tv's built in explorer or the "Cast to" option in Windows 10.
For those that have a htpc, do you just use a wireless keyboard/mouse to control it?
I have the logitech K830. Mini review: very good, a little flimsy if you apply any torque to it (i.e. hold each side and twist) which is bad for a device which is meant to be handled in the way that it is. 8.5/10
Like others have said, I plug my computer into my TV. I mainly do this because I can use the hola vpn in the browser for netflix and a few other websites, if I'm watching youtube or Australian netflix I use my xbox one generally, as it's less fiddly than the laptop.
I've been thinking about getting a HTPC but just can't justify spending, like, any money when I can already do what I want.
I installed lubuntu on one of my old laptops and turned that into a media centre.
But most of the time I consume media on my PC, my screen is big enough.
With my eyes and ears.
I'm not a regular TV watcher or downloader so my sh#t is everywhere…
On MacBook/phone
MacBook to appletv
MacBook to hdmi out to TV
Usb flash direct into TV
Netflix on Apple TV
The obvious problem for all of us today is the sources are all over the place … Streaming, subscriptions, torrents, shared usb, physical media
Then we want to consume it anywhere
Probably some of the htpc and media centres aggregate better than my setup but I really wanted portability
I voted Video Game console.
I'm using an xbox one, it is a little limited at the moment even with MediaBrowser (EMBY) serving the files to it via DLNA. Hopefully EMBY release a windows10 app in future which will cover all devices, in fact hopefully a few other streaming services see how easy it is to create a single Win10 app that will also work on xbox one in the future (im looking at you Stan and abc iview)
From what I have read, xbox one will soon properly support MKV (the current issue is it cant play MKV with DTS audio).
Netflix and Youtube controlled via the laptop works really well. Xbox smartglass for netflix and playto from the youtube website is really easy.
I have a Synology DS1513+ with Plex Server and use the Plex app on my Samsung TV.
For the other lounge I have a Raspberry Pi running Kodi, also pulling content from the NAS.
I use Plex Server running on a HP N54L Micro Server with Synology DSM. I then stream it everywhere:
I normally download Plex Server straight from Plex as the one that's in Package Centre seems to be rarely updated. If Apple allows Plex onto the new Apple TV, I'll probably switch to that rather than the HTPC to save power.
I am running a Intel NUC running Openelec/KODI. All media is hosted on a HP Microserver
Used to have a WDTV, Openelec so much better, faster and plenty of add-ons available for it
Via the TV USB port directly for most media. Via my laptop through HDMI for mkv files (not a HTPC)