Trying to build or buy a simple machine that can just view online content at 1080p or source (twitch/youtube/etc).
Monitor needed (not included atm).
Currently looking at $300 laptops desktops tablets or smart phones. Maybe a nvidia shield tv plus tv screen combo down the line in the future (current room conditions/placement not ideal atm).
Thank you.
i have nothing just a five year old tab. I have a tv upstairs somewhere but i rarely use it and it is not mine. Room sharing so just have my small tiny room with not much space for a tv or monitor also positioning makes it that a portable device would work best for me.
Is the TV within the same budget?
Sorta i basically just need a device for the 4k streaming and maybe a bigger tv down the line looking at getting a second hand tablet but newer than my current one and getting maybe some sort of chromecast raspberry pi monitor/tv combo for the moment
That or build a small $130 pc plus $200 24" monitor for purely media consumption and online browsing viewing.
I remember seeing like 40" or 45" soniq tvs being advertised not too long ago and was wondering if these tvs could do 1080p or maybe even accept 4k screen mirroring/streaming/casting sorry sometimes i am not too sure how some devices screen casting or mirroring works.
@AlienC: How about this? https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/257992
Basically, you can use with a TV or a monitor. Get a wireless keyboard and mouse and you're set. Comes with KODI pre-loaded.
@Wheresmyspaceship: Note the comments on that Ozbargain page that say it's not Netflix certified, so only gets 480p quality in the Netflix app. Not sure if that's relevant to the OP.
I reckon this will be a great device and I will be keeping a very close eye on it: http://www.mi.com/en/mibox (not yet released or priced)
@klaw81: OP appears to be focused on free community services like youtube/twitch at this point due to budget constraints.
@Wheresmyspaceship: future proofing for netflix is always good for down the line but yes my main usage would be youtube/twitch and other free tv streaming apps such as sbs on demand and abc iview etc
Chromecast?
Fairly sure Raspberry Pi can do it it has hardware H.264 decoding.
any good tv recomendations
You can pick up a 24" 1080p TV (or PC monitor with speakers) for around $200. Then you have $100 to spend on something to plug in for web connection - I suggest a Chromecast to use with your tablet, or perhaps a Roku or similar.
what does the roku have over a chromecast
@AlienC: It's just a slightly different approach.
A Roku is a standalone solution, and it comes with a remote and everything you need to use it. A Chromecast requires a phone, tablet or PC to control it, and without one of those it's useless.
I am leaning towards an nvidia shield tv for a tv or monitor solution down the line. For now i am just debating between a nexus 9 nvidia shield tab and tab s2 since in bed viewing is more important to me imo. Wanted a z4 but it is still i think way over my budget (was my first preference until the field starts releasing some quality 4k tabs in my second hand budget $500 aud max probably unless it feels like a massive game changer)
But if step 4 goes south the whole total process will cost more in money shame and time haha lol..
So do you have a TV with an HDMI input?
You could just buy a Chromecast for $50 and stream YouTube (not sure about Twitch, but I assume it's realdily castable). I'm sorry if I've missed the point, not 100% clear on what devices you have access to already.
Is it for home?
Do you already have a PC on your network somewhere?
It sounds like you can achieve this for far less than $300.