We knocked 'em deader!

Willow ,'Lies My Parents Told Me'


Buffistechnology 3: "Press Some Buttons, See What Happens."

Got a question about technology? Ask it here. Discussion of hardware, software, TiVos, multi-region DVDs, Windows, Macs, LINUX, hand-helds, iPods, anything tech related. Better than any helpdesk!


Dana - Jun 10, 2014 3:39:26 pm PDT #23897 of 25496
I'm terrifically busy with my ennui.

Primarily ahemmed media, I think. Our primary streaming is Netflix, and I understand there isn't much that plays nice with Netflix.


Gris - Jun 10, 2014 3:46:36 pm PDT #23898 of 25496
Hey. New board.

I will tell you my system, which works amazingly for streamed and purchased media as long as I choose where I purchase from diligently. I have a Roku streaming device plugged into my TV. Out of the box, the Roku can play Netflix, Hulu Plus, and Amazon Prime streaming services (the big three). It can play purchased media from Vudu and Amazon (I use Vudu mostly as it is also compatible with my non-Amazon Android tablets). Music-wise it has Pandora, Spotify, and Rdio. Google Play Music has an unofficial channel that works quite well.

For self-ripped and ahemmed media, I keep it on a 2TB external hard drive that is plugged into my router (an Asus RT-N66U) and shared over the network using Windows file sharing. The router also has a simple DLNA server built. The Roku's built in Roku Media Player app can play some of the ahemmed and self-ripped videos; anything in x264 format in a MKV works great. Older AVI files do not. For those, I have to play them with an alternate device (my Blu-Ray player can play them.)

IF, however, I had a spare computer with fast networking, then I would instead plug the 2TB drive into the computer, share it so that other computers could access the files, and install the Plex Media Server on the computer. For $5 you can add a Plex app to the Roku that works fantastically. The computer could then push essentially any file you could come up with to the Roku. Plex itself also has access to some streaming channels that the Roku does not, and you can run those through the Plex app as well. I think this is the best system and I may get around to setting it up someday.

You could also simply hook the computer that is running the Plex server to the TV, and also install the Plex client for playback. But streaming services like Netlix are not nearly as nice through Plex. Frankly, I don't think any computer can touch a dedicated streaming device in terms of interface for Netflix, etc.


Dana - Jun 10, 2014 3:51:54 pm PDT #23899 of 25496
I'm terrifically busy with my ennui.

IF, however, I had a spare computer with fast networking, then I would instead plug the 2TB drive into the computer, share it so that other computers could access the files, and install the Plex Media Server on the computer.

I think I'm leaning toward that. I have Plex installed on this computer, but it's got some quirks that I don't love. I also just downloaded XBMC to look at, because (if I understand this correctly), I could use an app on my phone or iPad to control it. It's like living in the future.


Gris - Jun 10, 2014 3:53:58 pm PDT #23900 of 25496
Hey. New board.

So to clarify, my suggestion:

Pick a computer (an always-on desktop will be best) to be your server. Attach a large drive and put all media on it. Install Plex Media Server on that computer.

For playback, install Plex Media client on any computers that want to stream from the server. For playback on the TV, buy a $50 Roku streaming stick or $100 Roku 3 and install the Plex channel on it. It will come with Netflix installed, so you should be all set.


Gris - Jun 10, 2014 3:56:23 pm PDT #23901 of 25496
Hey. New board.

Oops! Sorry.

I prefer XBMC to Plex for playing media back on one computer. Plex's strength is in serving content to lots of other computers. And, most importantly for my suggestion the Roku. Or the Chromecast, for that matter, if you want to save $15 and like controlling it from your phone.


Dana - Jun 10, 2014 3:56:36 pm PDT #23902 of 25496
I'm terrifically busy with my ennui.

Cool, thanks for the advice.

Edit: Also, I could seldom get the Plex client to play on my machine. It would inexplicably freeze. But I might try it again when I start over.


Vonnie K - Jun 10, 2014 3:57:38 pm PDT #23903 of 25496
Kiss me, my girl, before I'm sick.

Dana, I'm not particularly tech-savvy, but I have the following set-up that works well for me.

First of all, I bought a mini-PC that basically functions as the media center. I have Zotac ZBox but I imagine there are a number of probably cheaper options. I have this connected to my router. My router also has connections to my TiVo and my desktop computer via an eternet cable.

The mini-PC output then goes to my receiver via one of its HDMI ports. The receiver is also connected to my Blu Ray player and my TiVo and output from it goes to my HDTV. Provided that your TV has enough HDMI ports, you don't really need the receiver, but the stereo sound you get from the receiver is nice. Through my Receiver remote, I control which screen I get on my TV screen -- TiVo, Blu-Ray player, or the mini-PC. When I go to the PC option, it basically gives me a desktop screen and allows me access to all the media from any of the computers in the house connected to the router via the Home Network. All my media lives on my desktop and I can stream it directly to my TV this way. Although nowadays, I'm too lazy to do this so end up watching a lot of media on my android tablet (they have some sweet applications that let me stream everything from my desktop, easy as pie.)

There are probably simpler ways of doing this though. The back of my media center looks like the aftermath of Tentacle Monsters Apocalypse and it's not pretty.


Dana - Jun 10, 2014 4:03:36 pm PDT #23904 of 25496
I'm terrifically busy with my ennui.

Unfortunately, our router lives upstairs in a weird-ass closet. The house is supposedly "smart" and many things can theoretically be controlled from this closet, but mostly it's a pain in the ass.


tommyrot - Jun 11, 2014 4:35:52 am PDT #23905 of 25496
Sir, it's not an offence to let your cat eat your bacon. Okay? And we don't arrest cats, I'm very sorry.

Anyone use feedly? Their service has been out for me all morning.


Jessica - Jun 11, 2014 4:40:16 am PDT #23906 of 25496
And then Ortus came and said "It's Ortin' time" and they all Orted off into the sunset

It's down for me too.