Streaming from PC to HDTV through ethernet

[Mastablastacious]

What is the best way to do this? and how do you do this using all kinds of whatever codecs you want like x264.. I have seen new 1080p tv's with ethernet jacks in them I was wondering how you stream perfectly for it can linux media center edition stream to it with x254's or any codec you want? and how do you set it up? I have also heard of windows media center, and whs (windows home server) having these capabilities but I was wondering how it works because a pc dual core procceser is much better for movies imo then a dvd players... Especially with fffshow... do you know any way to stream a movie played through fffshow directly through the ethernet to the tv?? thanks!

[guns1inger]

You still need to have some form of media extender at the other end to convert the data stream back into video to feed the display. Unless the TV also has one of these built in, the ethernet connection won't be used for streaming video data.

[rallynavvie]

My LCD HDTV has an ethernet port but it's only for diagnostics and firmware upgrades for the display. It's essentially just an access port for techs. I don't think it can be remotely accessible, probably just direct connection with a crossover. I don't think I've seen any TV sets with advertised ethernet ports and if I did see one I'd simply think it were an interface for some proprietary thing like built-in Tivo or something.

You're likely going to need some sort of controller in order to access media over your network. Media Center extenders generally work depending on the type of host system. The latest generation of gaming consoles (Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii) can also recognize streaming formats from your host system with apps like TVersity or Orb but the quality has been a little shaky. 1080p would be a tough one to "stream", you really need to have your TV hooked up directly with HDMI or DVI for something like that.

[dun4cheap]

LG's new tv coming out is supposed to support streaming. The philips TVs have USB and can play video and pictures. Myself, I use a buffalo link theater which is a DVD player and media player with LAN. I am able to play AVI's, WMV, WMV-HD, Mpeg2, Mpeg1 with it. I do a lot of HD video editing so it also allows me to play my HD videos. Dlink, Pinnacle, and a few other companies make media players as well.

[Mastablastacious]

so pretty much I am just stuck using k-lite media codec pack and using hdmi or dvi and streaming it that way over a video cable only and not a network? or how do the dlink, pinnacle, and buffalo link theatre work by streaming hd??

[edDV]

so pretty much I am just stuck using k-lite media codec pack and using hdmi or dvi and streaming it that way over a video cable only and not a network? or how do the dlink, pinnacle, and buffalo link theatre work by streaming hd??

They serve as a network node with eithernet in and output conventional video/audio. There are wireless models as well like the Hava.

These boxes are primitive now. Expect integrated TV control over HDMI in the near future.

[Mastablastacious]

How does the network node work i was told it was for firmware updates and troubleshooting for the warranties and such... have you guys seen the new WHS... the new os made by microsoft?? Supposedly it is for streaming to tv but how? I meen personally HDMI and DVI are awesome they have great singals... But I would love to be able to just stream through ethernet does anyone know any hacks or anything that does this? or specific programs or specific t.v's or specific addon controllers..

[edDV]

You were given two examples above. The Bufallo DVD player and the Hava line.

http://www.electromonger.com/product_details.php?item_id=177
http://www.myhava.com/products.html

[Mastablastacious]

those dont play x264 though, or blueray, or hd dvd hand have nothing to do with streaming video from your pc...

[hulinning]

I use Ziova CS-505 (www.ziova.com) network dvd player to play all my video stored in a computer. However, it would not be able to support all video formats now or in the future. That is why I have another PC sitting next to my HDTV set to play all my video stored in a different computer. I think by doing this it will save me time and money for upgrading my player to support new video formats in the future.
On this PC I got Windows Vista Ultimate 32 bits, K-lite codec pack, and ATI HD2600XT and the video quality is pretty good although someone said in the forums that the 8600GTS video is a bit better than ATI video card.

[rallynavvie]

That is why I have another PC sitting next to my HDTV set to play all my video stored in a different computer. I think by doing this it will save me time and money for upgrading my player to support new video formats in the future.

This really is the way to go. Even a simple HTPC is capable of outputting the video formats you mentioned and would allow you to easily upgrade as new formats are added. It is usually just a matter of adding/updating codecs. The silly thing is that if there were a device that did what you said it would probably cost more than a decent HTPC.

[ChrissyBoy]

FYI this media player does x/h264: http://www.tvix.co.kr/Eng/products/5100sh.aspx and here is a review of it: http://www.mpcclub.com/modules/Reviews/reviews/review_TViX5100_final.pdf

and it does do MKV files with the lastest firmware...

The silly thing is that if there were a device that did what you said it would probably cost more than a decent HTPC.

less than £300...

[hulinning]

My CS-505 from Ziova costs me up-to-now 300 dollars and I ran into a great experience with my first network dvd player. For this device, the video output is great but if I had a second chance I would not buy this since I got enough problem with it and it could support all what you want now and then because it does make sense that the company would not sit there to fix the issues or add new features from your wish list. They will do this but with new version so they can sell again.

[rallynavvie]

FYI this media player does x/h264: http://www.tvix.co.kr/Eng/products/5100sh.aspx and here is a review of it: http://www.mpcclub.com/modules/Reviews/reviews/review_TViX5100_final.pdf

and it does do MKV files with the lastest firmware...

The silly thing is that if there were a device that did what you said it would probably cost more than a decent HTPC.

less than £300...

At almost $600 USD I'd rather wait for an HTPC sale at Best Buy or Fry's. I've seen rigs without monitors go for less than $500 every other month. Or a build from scratch could even be cheaper. Essentially that media player is a proprietary HTPC for people who don't want to mess with computers. A cheap HTPC is going to be quite a bit more versatile than a media player anyway. Now if it were half that cost I might recommend it as a solution.

[ChrissyBoy]

I don't disagree. In fact I have a HTPC rather then one of those units. I was just pointing out that there are players out there that tick the magic h264/mkv box...

[Mastablastacious]

what is htpc? how do you get it to stream HD content over ethernet or are you still stuck with HDMI cables

[Mastablastacious]

Have you guys ever heard of Linux Media Center Edition? it is very promising stand alone Media Center O.S. When i goet extra Cash I am gonna set it up... the O.S. is free and the company who makes it has an awesome remote control setup for your pc you can buy and set it up as everything even TiVo...

[folkboat]

SageTV.com...

HD Media Extender.....

[Baldrick]

http://www.popcornhour.com/onlinestore/ $179 ! And it works with 1080p h264! And MKV.

[Mastablastacious]

how would you reccomend hooking sagetv and whs up to a philips 58" lcd 1080 hdtv.... I know there is DVI but doesnt the defeat the entire purpose of having a media server?