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-   -   Help Me Stream Video Files to my TV (https://forum.dvdtalk.com/streaming-talk/601804-help-me-stream-video-files-my-tv.html)

argh923 05-22-12 12:46 PM

Help Me Stream Video Files to my TV
 
I'm currently on a tight budget, so I'm HOPING there's a way to do it via my 360. If not, what are my options?

RichC2 05-22-12 02:47 PM

Re: Help Me Stream Video Files to my TV
 
360 works for basic formats, just download a streaming app or use Windows Media Player (enable Streaming, Allow X360). You'll be watching your GoPro compilations in no time!

Noonan 05-22-12 02:53 PM

Re: Help Me Stream Video Files to my TV
 
I use TVersity (free program) to stream to my PS3. It works great for standard video files.

TheBigDave 05-22-12 06:04 PM

Re: Help Me Stream Video Files to my TV
 
Get a Boxee. It's the best I've found for streaming videos from my PC. Handles everything I've thrown at it. I don't have to waste time re-encoding stuff to a compatible format. Keeps my video library nice and organized. Love my Boxee. Unfortunately, it costs around $175, so it probably won't fit your tight budget.

You can do it with a Roku. Get a cheap model for $50. I posted some info about how use Plex with the Roku:

http://forum.dvdtalk.com/streaming-t...ur-pc-mac.html

argh923 05-22-12 06:07 PM

Re: Help Me Stream Video Files to my TV
 

Originally Posted by RichC2 (Post 11242941)
360 works for basic formats, just download a streaming app or use Windows Media Player (enable Streaming, Allow X360). You'll be watching your GoPro compilations in no time!

Does "basic formats" include .avi?

DJariya 05-22-12 06:38 PM

Re: Help Me Stream Video Files to my TV
 
http://tversity.com/

So your sick of watching your Red Tube and Brazzers Porno AVI's on your PC huh?

argh923 05-22-12 07:12 PM

Re: Help Me Stream Video Files to my TV
 
:lol: Nah, I may be ditching cable, and I need a way to watch shows from my computer on my television.

TGM 05-22-12 07:37 PM

Re: Help Me Stream Video Files to my TV
 
get a roku and d/l the PLEX channel

sauce07 05-22-12 10:27 PM

Re: Help Me Stream Video Files to my TV
 
I'm currently using Apple TV and iTunes to stream the content to my TV. I have a digital movie collection that is very slowly starting to mirror my huge DVD collection (long term project), all of those files are in iTunes, I access my iTunes collection through Apple TV, pops right up. This thing is going to kick ass by the end, 2000+ movies, tv shows, trailers, music videos and concerts all at my fingertips.

TheBigDave 05-23-12 03:10 AM

Re: Help Me Stream Video Files to my TV
 

Originally Posted by sauce07 (Post 11243517)
I'm currently using Apple TV and iTunes to stream the content to my TV. I have a digital movie collection that is very slowly starting to mirror my huge DVD collection (long term project), all of those files are in iTunes, I access my iTunes collection through Apple TV, pops right up. This thing is going to kick ass by the end, 2000+ movies, tv shows, trailers, music videos and concerts all at my fingertips.

I was using AppleTV for a while. And it works really well, like you said. The only drawback is the video formats are very limited. I had to re-encode most of my stuff to MP4. Handbrake makes that easy. But it was very time consuming.

So I looked around for something that can play everything, and ended up with the Boxee.

DJariya 05-23-12 05:47 AM

Re: Help Me Stream Video Files to my TV
 

Originally Posted by argh923 (Post 11243299)
:lol: Nah, I may be ditching cable, and I need a way to watch shows from my computer on my television.

I was just kidding. But seriously if you really are having money issues and might not be able to afford your TV service anymore, there are plenty of more "legal" ways to stream material from the web to your Xbox 360 without having to resort to something less legitimate. Specifically the Playon software.

http://www.playon.tv/playon

There are a few threads here that already cover the topic.

The one major issue is the streaming quality. You won't get High Definition quality and there are sometimes buffering issues. Also watching Live sports will be another issue. The Xbox 360 does have the ESPN app and you can watch some live sports and SportsCenter highlights off that (if your ISP supports it) However, you probably won't be able to stream your like RSN (Regional Sports Network)

Also, see this thread, which I posted on Page 1:

http://forum.dvdtalk.com/streaming-t...e-legally.html

And of course there is always Over the Air.

argh923 05-23-12 06:43 PM

Re: Help Me Stream Video Files to my TV
 
People have mentioned Roku...

http://www.amazon.com/Roku-XD-Stream...7816470&sr=1-1

is this what you're referring to? Because I see the options for Netflix and Hulu Plus and all of that, but it doesn't mention anything about streaming files that are on your computer?

TheBigDave 05-23-12 08:35 PM

Re: Help Me Stream Video Files to my TV
 

Originally Posted by argh923 (Post 11244772)
People have mentioned Roku... is this what you're referring to? Because I see the options for Netflix and Hulu Plus and all of that, but it doesn't mention anything about streaming files that are on your computer?

That's the middle model. You can compare the various models here:

http://www.roku.com/roku-products#3

Streaming from PC to Roku isn't a built-in feature. It requires 3rd-party software called Plex. You download Plex to your computer, and it'll send the video files to your Roku through the home network. This thread has some links with more info:

http://forum.dvdtalk.com/streaming-t...ur-pc-mac.html

Back to your original question. You should be able to stream videos from PC to 360. I think it plays most stuff like H.264, MPEG-4, DIVX, AVI, WMV, MOV, etc. And if you have a file that's incompatible, just re-encode it to MP4 with Handbrake. Check this page, it's got tons of info:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/945416?sd=xbox

argh923 05-25-12 06:41 PM

Re: Help Me Stream Video Files to my TV
 
Awesome. Thanks for the info! Given that my 360 has Hulu and Netflix and my Blu-Ray player has Amazon Video, I think the Roku would probably be redundant, and the 360 stream is the way to go. I'll try to set it up this weekend.

Trevor 05-25-12 07:07 PM

Re: Help Me Stream Video Files to my TV
 
Not for you perhaps OP, but others may like this thread in Hot Deals today.

http://forum.dvdtalk.com/hot-deals/6...-b-m-ymmv.html

argh923 05-25-12 07:56 PM

Re: Help Me Stream Video Files to my TV
 
Hmmmm.....

argh923 05-27-12 02:57 PM

Re: Help Me Stream Video Files to my TV
 
Well, thanks to the OP, that was a deal I couldn't pass up. Went to my local TRU and snagged the last Roku 2XS for $50. Hooking it up now.

Numanoid 05-29-12 04:00 PM

Re: Help Me Stream Video Files to my TV
 
I don't know why people recommend Boxee this and Roku that, when all you need is a video card with DVI or HDMI out. Run a cable to your TV, and done. Your TV becomes your giant computer monitor. No wondering what you can play. If it works on your PC, it works on your TV.

argh923 05-29-12 06:00 PM

Re: Help Me Stream Video Files to my TV
 
It's difficult to explain, but if you'd seen my basement setup, that's more or less impossible...my computer is about 30 feet away. :lol:

TheBigDave 05-29-12 08:41 PM

Re: Help Me Stream Video Files to my TV
 

Originally Posted by Numanoid (Post 11251102)
I don't know why people recommend Boxee this and Roku that, when all you need is a video card with DVI or HDMI out. Run a cable to your TV, and done. Your TV becomes your giant computer monitor. No wondering what you can play. If it works on your PC, it works on your TV.

I'd have numerous concerns. Do a need a mouse and keyboard to navigate? Can I use a remote control? Will I have to deal with pop-up notifications? Will video playback be affected if my computer starts doing something in the background (like a scheduled virus scan)? And probably 20-30 other dumb newbie questions.

I haven't looked into it, so it's possible that there's simple solutions to all my concerns. However, I don't have these problems with my Boxee. I like having a dedicated machine that only does one thing, and does it well.


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