Please help me figure out how to best stream videos to my TV
September 11, 2012 9:13 PM Subscribe
Please help me figure out the best way to stream my online content.
I spend a lot of time on the internet while I have the tv on in the background. I'm looking for a way to stream the videos I watch online onto a TV leaving my computer free for general net surfing or work.
Mainly what I want to do is stream BBC iplayer onto a different monitor than my computer so I can keep it on in the background. I'm now watching BBC iplayer on my laptop but I find it distracting to have my tv and internet on the same screen.
Equipment I have:
HDTV
Wii
cheap DVD player
laptop
I get my Netflix and Hulu through my Wii, but US Wii machines don't have BBC iplayer. I also will occasionally watch things through Amazon/Youtube/Ted and I would really prefer to have a separate monitor for all of these things. I also would like a bigger monitor (tv size) than a tablet would provide.
What would be the best way to get this done? I don't know anything about this kind of tech stuff. I was thinking of buying another computer with a huge monitor just for watching internet stuff, but that seems like it's probably extreme. I'm hoping there is a better way than just hooking my laptop up to the tv with a cable. If possible, I would like to have the streaming content be on a device separate from my laptop.
I do not play video games so that isn't a consideration.
I spend a lot of time on the internet while I have the tv on in the background. I'm looking for a way to stream the videos I watch online onto a TV leaving my computer free for general net surfing or work.
Mainly what I want to do is stream BBC iplayer onto a different monitor than my computer so I can keep it on in the background. I'm now watching BBC iplayer on my laptop but I find it distracting to have my tv and internet on the same screen.
Equipment I have:
HDTV
Wii
cheap DVD player
laptop
I get my Netflix and Hulu through my Wii, but US Wii machines don't have BBC iplayer. I also will occasionally watch things through Amazon/Youtube/Ted and I would really prefer to have a separate monitor for all of these things. I also would like a bigger monitor (tv size) than a tablet would provide.
What would be the best way to get this done? I don't know anything about this kind of tech stuff. I was thinking of buying another computer with a huge monitor just for watching internet stuff, but that seems like it's probably extreme. I'm hoping there is a better way than just hooking my laptop up to the tv with a cable. If possible, I would like to have the streaming content be on a device separate from my laptop.
I do not play video games so that isn't a consideration.
Best answer: You're not going to get full functionality on all video sites without buying a separate computer to hook up to your TV. Use synergy and you have full control of both.
You can get a cheap barebones/nettop PC for around $150-$200.
posted by wongcorgi at 10:12 PM on September 11, 2012
You can get a cheap barebones/nettop PC for around $150-$200.
posted by wongcorgi at 10:12 PM on September 11, 2012
I believe roku players will stream iPlayer in the UK, but being in the US I don't know for sure. It does amazon/Youtube, and has at least one Ted app I'm aware of. There is no full-fledged web browser, though, so perhaps not what you're looking for.
posted by bessel functions seem unnecessarily complicated at 10:19 PM on September 11, 2012
posted by bessel functions seem unnecessarily complicated at 10:19 PM on September 11, 2012
Response by poster: Thanks everyone. I had a look at Tversity and it seems like a great solution but I think that I may just go with a separate laptop/ synergy for the sake of simplicity.
posted by triggerfinger at 7:21 PM on September 20, 2012
posted by triggerfinger at 7:21 PM on September 20, 2012
Roku does not do YouTube, but does also do Amazon, Hulu+, and a whole bunch of other services. It does play BBC in the UK.
If you have a Mac with Mountain Lion, you can get an Apple TV and use Airplay. I do that with my iPad and its awesome.
Are you in the US or UK?
If you're in the UK then Roku would be easiest and cheapest.
posted by reddot at 7:13 PM on November 20, 2012
If you have a Mac with Mountain Lion, you can get an Apple TV and use Airplay. I do that with my iPad and its awesome.
Are you in the US or UK?
If you're in the UK then Roku would be easiest and cheapest.
posted by reddot at 7:13 PM on November 20, 2012
« Older Portland OR telephone/data/wiring brick and mortar... | About how much is it to replace a garage entry... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by tdischino at 9:39 PM on September 11, 2012