I've been told by my son-in-law not to waste money on one of these devices because I can just use my computer as a video streamer. What's the diff?
502366
Don't take his advice. I'm a very techie person and would NOT tell you to use your computer over one of these. This is simple plug & play. Why mess with having to hook up your computer to your TV every time you want to watch something? Bad advice on his part IMHO.
502367
I wondered the same thing. It took me a month to figure out- and then believe it's really that simple- that YES, I can simply connect my high-end laptop to my mid-range flat screen TV, by HDMI to HDMI ports on each device, and stream anything I could get on my laptop, directly onto my flatscreen TV... But, why on earth WOULD I WANT TO? YES- You CAN do it, but why bother? If you do use your PC as a live stream (to TV) device, then every time you want to watch live-stream TV (vs. cable TV), you have to remove your laptop from it's current location (ie, maybe you were using it earlier,
502368
I would not wear out a $500 lap top when I can wear out a $ 50 device that I can return if it does not work out.
502369
He's right to a point. It depends on the type of computer and TV you have. For example, many laptops have a port that allow you to connect a special cable to your TV in order to stream stuff from the internet. Some laptops have an HDMI port, mini display port, etc. You just have to buy the right cable that will hook up to your TV. If your TV is newer, this will be easier. If it's older, it may get trickier. Also, using your laptop to stream works well if your computer is able to handle being the "middle man." Some cannot take it, and the fan will struggle to keep things cool. Some people prefer to use a Roku or Apple TV device to stream so that they won't have to use their computer, especially if it's older and cannot handle it. Some people prefer to have a dedicated streaming player attached to their TV instead of plugging in and unplugging their laptop all the time just to stream to their TV. If you're able to use your computer to stream, go for it. It's cheaper to buy a connecting cable and try it before you spend extra on a separate streaming player. Hope this helps.
502370
Your son is wrong. I stream programs through my computer that are not available through devices such as ROKU. Example, HGTV, ABC family channel, many others. It's more cumbersome, and you can not use your computer for anything else while streaming through the computer. These devices =such as Roku, do not tie up your computer. My wife can use the computer while I stream movies through ROKU. Since Roku is both wired/wireless, you can watch it from any room. for $ 49, it's a no brainer.
502371
The difference is this small box connects to your TV. To use it you just change your input and you are ready to go, just scroll thru the channels. With a computer you either watch on your computer monitor or connect your computer to your TV. I've done both, the Roku is much easier to use. The computer you have to boot up, open the application, maybe browse to an Internet site, etc.
502372
The Roku is so much easier to use than a computer, unless you can spare a computer to put next to your TV and the computer has a remote control. You really don't want to run a wire across the room from your computer to your TV. I tried it. It's a pain, and can be techically compicated. Plus, the video quality wasn't so good over the composite video connection I set up. There are units that will wirelessly send HD content from your computer to your TV, but the cost likely will be 5-10 times the cost of a Roku.
502373
You can use your computer as a video streamer, connected either through an HDMI or VGA port on the TV. My MacBook works much better than my old PC for streaming. We added the Roku just to make it easier. However, it may not provide as much access to streaming as the computer does.
1589382
The Aspire One I had ran on Windows XP. So I gave up on watching any videos...not enough memory. Kept stopping to buffer and buffer etc. Since Windows 8 supposedly uses a much lower amount of memory and thus frees it up for other programs, maybe it would work ok. But can the hardware support Win 8? I don't know. Bottom line is if streaming video is critical to you, look at another model. This is my personal experience and I am not an IT professional.
1302247
Man! This is an old thread. You could buy one of the Roku devices and stream audio/video. They're rather inexpensive and highly reviewed. Hookup either wireless or through ethernet cable. Then connect via HDMI input on the Sony and you should be good to go. And yeah, to cruise the internet you'd have to go through your computer.I no longer use this set in my main room but my son still loves it.
1928921
If there were any updates done on it it was transparent. Mainly use mine to stream from my pc to tv. It has continued to do what I need it to do. Haven't done any research to see what the newer system can do that mine can't.
1264418
Startup is pretty quick. Remember, the chromebox can only play thru a web browser. I would be hesitant to stream something that requires a ton of resources.
1572002
Depends on what kind of work, I guess. I haven't tried this setup. Cpu is good enough, and memory could be added if needed - also to assist with video ram, but my guess is that the gpu would fall short if this is how you plan to use the unit. Having said that, I find streaming to one window while working in another works fine on a single monitor setup. My "work" being simple tasks with browsing, email and office applications.
1403135
Think the only difference is being able to plug into a USB port and being able to record DIVX trailer to DVD. Neither of which I'd ever use
1338026
thanks Collin!let me see which cables and I'm on my way!Is there a way to do the same for the content on your PC?the computer is on one room and the speakers and a projector in another. how can I stream movies or anything from point A to point B wireless?
245159
Yes I have! I have a 6 year old Netgear router (need to get a newer one) and a $30-40 CISCO USB wireless adapter plugged into the WD Media Player. My computer is in the back of the house connected to the router/internet.My video streams perfectly, no skipping or buffering, just continuous uninterrupted streaming. I don't know what I can say to help.. You tried the automatic detection? Must be that your network has an issue. Is the YouTube software working but not able to see files on your computer?
296863
I use this device to just steam internet videos. If I were planning on using it for digital signage I'd spend more money and at least get the quad core. It will work at 1080p but I have mine set at 720p to improve performance
1446177
They are two completely different products. One is meant to organize and play all of your local media while offering some decent online content, while the other is meant almost entirely for online content. If you don't have local media, there's really no point in paying for the better hardware in the Boxee.
1987432
The 800x can handle streaming video without a problem. You go any slower you can have some problems.
1036937
I was able to stream to my Asus I play player and smart tv. The device was slow because the media scanner was constantly running and taking 90% of the resources. I recommend buying a synology nas instead for media and everything else. The OS is much better an the apps to stream to smart TVs and iPad/android are better. WD is not fully baked.
2257165
I don't know the difference but I was not able to get this device working at all. I pitched mine in the trash after trying to get it working with the software for weeks.
1501903
Probably not because it's a laptop with a laptop processor. I would recommend a desktop with At least a 3.0 GHz clock speed processor and 8 GB of ram for smooh streaming. If you want to stick with a laptop though you can go with a higher end procesor. I would get at least an Intel i5 with good clock speed and 4 to 6 GB of ram is enough to stream but I'd recommend 8 if you can afford it. Higher end games will require more than lower end ones so keep that in mind. Hope this gives you a direction at least.
295397
I wouldn't recommend this product. Poor interface and too expensive for what it does. There are much better products that do what you want. I know the Netgear streaming devices handle every kind of format. I had one for years and there wasn't a format it couldn't play. I now have a JB Apple tv2 with inFuse installed on it to read my NAS hard drives. Works flawlessly and plays all types of media. The only drawback to the ATV2 is it's only 720P.
283739
It is just a switch. If you know how to connect your devices with an ethernet switch, it is theoretically fast enough for HD streaming. But I did not use it for that purpose before.