Based on your stated needs what you really need to do is setup a DLNA (Digital
requested need to do WiFi as well as everything else.
That's how I have approached it from almost day one.
I started with TVersity media server which sent the signal over the network to
my LG Blu-ray player. That worked fine for a long time (the Panasonic Plasma
TH-42PX60U) which did not have an ethernet port.
The problem with TVersity was that I found it did not transcode all of the
formats that are currently out there.
Next I tried XBMC, while it's a robust player (including the ability to do on
the fly transcode of Blu-rays) it took some doing to get it to work with DLNA.
Currently I'm using Mezzmo (by Conceiva), which I find is awesome!
http://www.conceiva.com/productS/mezzmo/default.asp
Not only does it provide the interface I wanted (directory structure), it also
has profiles for various devices so it only transcodes the formats that the
device does not support natively. It also has the ability to pre-transcode
files / directories. This give you the ability to play, pause, fast forward,
etc. on the device. NICE!
As to WiFi, to be blunt, you will need a 802.11n access point and a device(s)
that supports that standard. If you don't, your video (especially 720p+) will
be choppy.
My current setup is an ASUS ESSENTIO i7 quad core running at 3.4 GHz, with 16
GB of memory and 1000-baseT interface. I have 4 TB of SATA drive space
dedicated to media. I'm running CAT6 cable to and from my router, and two
Gigabit switches on my network to feed the house. I also have a 802.11n AP for
wireless.
For direct viewing to the TV, I use HDMI out from my video card (NVIDIA) and
DisplayFusion to control the switching. VLC works fine as a video player in
this configuration and I use a generic MCE remote to control it (you may have
to tweak a configuration file for full compatibility).
Hope this helps.
Pi
Colonel Buckshot <buckshot@buckshot.com> wrote:
>On 21 May 2014 17:00:16 GMT, mysto <mysto@spamnot.com> wrote:
>
>>I have a lot of way to watch movies. I have a smart tv that plays
>>usb mp4 and a few other formats. My dvd player plays divx and a few
>>others. My Blu-ray plays mp4 and some other when it wants to. My
>>Patriot media box plays most files but is getting very old. So I'm
>>wondering what are you guys using? I thinkI would like a media
>>player that plays all (most) formats and comes with or attaches to a
>>HD. Suggestions - comments - ideas - rants - we welcome it all.
>>
>>BTW thanks for all the great posts. A lot of my library came from
>>here.
>>
>>Mysto
>>Stay Tuned
>
>Anybody ever run across a media player than renders stylied SSA/ASS
>subs? I understand the Popcorn Hour does (though I understand they're
>rather pricy), but wondering whether any other units do.
>
>My ACRyan, like most players, renders all subs as SRT unless I have
>idx/sub format. Seeing the stylization somewhere other than my
>computer monitor would be nice.
>
>On a related subject, while many players can wifi files from your hard
>drive to a standalone player, are there any methods for pushing a
>video played on VLC, for example, out of a desktop/laptop to an HDMI
>input of a television?
>
>I've tried the HDMI 'output' of both my desktop and laptop into the
>television, but I'll be darned if I can get any signal out. Always a
>'dead' (no signal) tv screen. Is there some setting on a Win7
>computer that needs to be 'switched on' to get output from said
>outlet? I've seen some Youtube vids on how to do it, but while I can
>set up the Windows display, I still don't get any signal delivered to
>the television. I'm using a new set of 'industrial strength' HDMI
>cables.
>
>I've seen some USB 3.0 to HDMI units, such as the Cable Matters
>adapter, but wonder whether anyone here has had any experience with
>one of these gadgets, before I fork out fifty bucks only to find out
>it doesn't do the trick, either.
>
>Colonel Buckshot
>
>
>
>---
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