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Thread ID: 144142	2017-07-22 04:02:00	Setting up a home media centre	Fergie (6508)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1437479	2017-07-22 04:02:00	Hello everyone. I like downloading free videos (documentaries etc) on my computer and watching them on my non-smart tv. At the moment I download the file, transfer it to a USB stick, then plug the stick into the usb port on the TV and away I go. However, there are two problems with this: 1) My TV doesn't play all codecs. Often I get a 'codec not supported' error, which is frustrating. 2) It's a time consuming process. So I was after a solution. I would like to have a set to box that plays all the common codecs and plugs directly into the tv. But I would also like this set top box/media player to have an ethernet port and it's own harddrive (or a usb plus so I can plug in a hardrive), this way I can download the files directly to the hardrive on the network, and not have to play around with usb cables and transfers. Does such a device exist? Thanks	Fergie (6508)
1437480	2017-07-22 05:33:00	Theres quite a few options. Depends on how much you want to spend. What is a rough budget ? Is the Computer a Laptop or Desktop ?	wainuitech (129)
1437481	2017-07-22 05:41:00	Option 1: WDTV live if you can find one (saw 2 in cash converters recently for $40), does everything you want except having a hard drive but it can stream over the network but I don't think you can buy them new here any more. Option 2: a cheap ex lease PC = available all over the place for $100- $300 for something that'll do what you want Option 3: One of these www.trademe.co.nz I've bought 2 of those off trademe, the picture is misleading look at the other pictures, it's a whole mini pc with a windows licence for $60 but requires some work on your part You need to download a windows 7 pro iso and install windows 7 - it has a key or you can probably install windows 10 pro instead and use the same key - was still working last I heard. You'll also need a DVI - HDMI cable and a 3.5mm - stereo RCA cable for sound - you'll only get stereo. The ones I got had no hard drive or windows key and I'm running linux on them instead. Option 2 and 3 give great results, option 1 is simple and convenient.	dugimodo (138)
1437482	2017-07-22 05:57:00	Option 4 a Raspbery Pi running XMBC probably the cheapest option by far	gary67 (56)
1437483	2017-07-22 06:10:00	Chromecast if your TV has a HDMI input available.	CliveM (6007)
1437484	2017-07-22 06:27:00	Chromecast if your TV has a HDMI input available. Yeah but how does he get the video from his pc to the tv with a chrome cast? I can't think off the top of my head of an app that does this.	psycik (12851)
1437485	2017-07-22 06:37:00	Yeah but how does he get the video from his pc to the tv with a chrome cast? I can't think off the top of my head of an app that does this. You do it from within the Chrome browser. You do need a WiFi network of course.	CliveM (6007)
1437486	2017-07-22 07:02:00	You do it from within the Chrome browser. You do need a WiFi network of course. A local video file via the browser to a Chromecast?	psycik (12851)
1437487	2017-07-22 08:19:00	"A local video file via the browser to a Chromecast?" Yes	zqwerty (97)
1437488	2017-07-22 09:26:00	Chromecast is cool, I got one recently. However I don't think it's particularly convenient if the device is in a different room, makes controlling playback a bit of a nuisance. It's really best for use with a portable Device in my opinion. Works brilliantly from my phone and tablet. Rasberry pi - also very cool but I still consider the cheap PC better personally (isn't XBMC called Kodi now BTW?). It's all down to personal preference of course. Once you've set Kodi up with your media library it is very nice, but you can do that with a pc as well and have windows available as a bonus. I think the $60 pc I linked works out cheaper than a pi (barely but still) These are all great options though. These 2 are probably easiest to hide away due to their very small size if that matters. You can also get a mini intel pc on a stick www.pbtech.co.nz but personally I think 32gb is too small for any windows device.	dugimodo (138)
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