I'm looking for a device that can wireless play any video file and access bbc iplayer, hulu etc

August 5, 2009 1:20 PM

I have a popcorn hour downstairs connected to my wireless router. I’m looking for a cheap small low power consuming (if that possible) device that I can use with my HD ready TV upstairs via wireless. It needs to: Be able to play the usually file formats/codec e.g. divx, h264 etc. Be able to display up to 720p video via HDMI Be able to connect wirelessly to my router Bra able to play video files from the popcorn hour Be able to view service like BBC iplayer and hulu Does such a device exist or would I have to compromise on some of the above?
posted by toocan to computers & internet (6 comments total)

An older XBOX (not the 360) can do most of that with XMBC -- just no HDMI -- but you can do component with a relatively cheap cable and even SVGA with a 3rd-party adapter. Not sure it can do BBC iplayer or hulu. The older XBOX consumes less power than the 360, but probably not as little as a diskless PH. It can even play games, homebrew emluators, etc.

Another Popcorn Hour box may be a better (but more expensive) solution.
posted by catkins at 1:29 PM on August 5

Dell has entry-level desktops w/ HDMI for ~ $269. Add a $20 usb wifi adapter (or a $30 internal one) and Boxee, you'll have a box that can play all formats and all web-video formats, 720p, and HDMI.
posted by theclaw at 2:17 PM on August 5

If you've got a spare SATA hard drive lying around, this might be what you're looking for.
posted by Yoshi Ayarane at 2:50 PM on August 5

You can get an Apple Mac mini that will do everything you specify above: HD, divx/avi/h.264/etc. playback, 802.11 wireless-ready, Popcorn Hour-support, iPlayer/hulu via Flash.

It is tiny and low-powered. You can get a used mini pretty cheaply (~$300-400). The mini meets pretty much all your criteria.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 5:59 PM on August 5

I use a PS3 with PlayOn media server (about $40) running on my Windows box to do what you described. It's got WiFi built in, is pretty much plug 'n' play, etc... works pretty well and handles Netflix, Hulu, etc...
posted by ph00dz at 7:20 PM on August 5

Depending on whether you're considering PC's and what you consider cheap, the fit-pc is probably perfect for what you want (a full PC thsize of 5 CD cases, draws 6 watts, can handle 1080p H.264 video, about $250-400)
posted by redzarf at 10:13 PM on August 7