How to wireless stream content from internet to HDTV?

[mkatz]

I'm hoping to set up a simple HDTV setup for a second bedroom in which I do not have access to a cable jack. I do have a strong, relatively fast (20Mbs) WiFi signal. What do I need to stream content (e.g. Netflix, Hulu, Youtube...) to a 1080P HDTV (LED, 40-46").

I've not yet purchased any components. I suspect options include use of a mac mini, appleTV, HDTV. Would use of a "smart" HDTV help or be preferred? Money is not a major concern.

Running cables through walls is infeasible. All suggestions appreciated.

[Cauptain]

WDTV LIVE + WD MY BOOK.


Claudio

[yoda313]

Yep wdtv live is a good option.

A wireless bluray player could also work.

Just make sure you have a wifi n router and a wifi n receiver at the destination to get the most speed possible for hd video. Sd video should be fine at the g speeds assuming a stable and strong wifi connection.

You might also need a wifi extender/booster if you are going over a long distance or have lots of structure in the way.

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A slingbox might be another option. THere are also competitors to wdtv like a roku or popcorn hour that you can investigate on your own.

Edit - yes a "smart" hdtv would simplify the equation a lot as it would be all internal without an extra box to connect to it.

However please note it would not be very flexible in that it couldn't play as many file types as a media player like wdtv could. It would have basic file support and probably lack ntfs support and most likely would not play anything in a mkv container - though that may be changing these days. I haven't looked myself so I don't know if those restrictions are as common as they used to be. They might be more open than in the past but they still won't have as large of support as a dedicated media player would (either a wdtv or certainly a htpc).

[usually_quiet]

TVs have come a long way as far as media playback. Can a good media player do more than the best TV? Probably, but for some people, the right TV is enough. However, picking the right one requires doing some research.

I have an inexpensive LG LCD TV (model 32LK330) that can use both NTFS and FAT32 formatted USB drives. According to the manual it can playback video and audio in a number of different container file formats: MPG, MPEG, DAT, TS, TRP, TP, VOD, MP4,MOV, MKV, DivX, AVI, Motion JPEG (AVI,MP4, MKV), ASF, WMV, and FLV, plus subtitles in the following formats *.smi, *.srt, *.sub (MicroDVD, SubViewer 1.0/2.0), *.ass, *ssa, *txt (TMPlayer), *.psb (PowerDivX). It probably doesn't support everything that is possible using those containers or subtitle files, but for a TV, it doesn't seem too bad. My TV isn't a Smart TV and doesn't have WiFi or DLNA, but there are TVs available with those features and similar video playback capabilities.

Would a media player or Blu-Ray player be a wiser investment? Possibly. TVs with all the bells and whistles are expensive. Media Players and Blu-Ray players are less costly to replace if at some point they no longer meet their owner's needs.

[jman98]

TVs have come a long way as far as media playback. Can a good media player do more than the best TV? Probably, but for some people, the right TV is enough. However, picking the right one requires doing some research.

It's NOT "probably". It's 100% certain that a good media player can do more. If I had super powers and could go back in time, one of the things I would do is prevent TVs from ever acting as media players. All that has done is create completely unrealistic expectations in the minds of consumers who are shocked to find out that their precious TVs are more about what they won't play than what they will.

TVs have "come a long way" if your measurement is "something is better than nothing" but just create a simple file with DTS audio and every TV media player there is will barf on it. I've not heard of even one TV media player that can handle DTS.

[usually_quiet]

TVs have come a long way as far as media playback. Can a good media player do more than the best TV? Probably, but for some people, the right TV is enough. However, picking the right one requires doing some research.

It's NOT "probably". It's 100% certain that a good media player can do more. If I had super powers and could go back in time, one of the things I would do is prevent TVs from ever acting as media players. All that has done is create completely unrealistic expectations in the minds of consumers who are shocked to find out that their precious TVs are more about what they won't play than what they will.

TVs have "come a long way" if your measurement is "something is better than nothing" but just create a simple file with DTS audio and every TV media player there is will barf on it. I've not heard of even one TV media player that can handle DTS.

That is an extremely narrow perspective. Not everyone has the same needs and consumers have to do their homework, no matter what they purchase. The TV's media player does all I need it to do. I can't be the only one in the world who has no interest in downloading miscellaneous crap from the Internet, and no desire to convert their Blu-Ray and DVD collection to .mkvs, or to create files using obscure video and audio formats, plus I don't need to play DTS audio. I'm very satisfied with my purchase. I have a basic media player for only $30 more than another TV that was only a TV, and I don't have to make room for a discrete media player.

[yoda313]

I think if your needs are more general a smart tv or tv with file playback would be adequate as usually_quiet has pointed out.

However to say a smart tv is the only and best solution is wrong.

Nothing wrong with letting the poster know about the ups and downs of all the options available.

But the point about easier upgrading and replacing are good to point out too. Plus it has the benefit of moving from tv to tv so long as they have the same connection options.

I've not heard of even one TV media player that can handle DTS.

I assume by that you mean it won't let it pass the audio decoding to the amplifier? I dont' know of any tv that has a true dts decoder built in.

[MOVIEGEEK]

I too believe in keeping HDTV's purely as a monitor but LG does have very capable smart HDTV's at a good price, I like my 42" LG and I have it hooked up to a Sony Blu-ray player. In my bedroom I have a Sony DLNA media player hooked up to my old HDTV, I can stream music and video from my desktop(besides all the internet channels) using WMP 12.

BTW: the WD Live TV Plus supports DTS.