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  1. Ok guys, I'm new here so you'll have to forgive my noobness.

    I have quite the dilemma; I just recently bought a pretty sweet TV (Vizio 42'' http://www.walmart.com/ip/Vizio-42-1080p-LCD-HDTV-VW42LF/8477431) and a sick desktop I built a little while ago. I also do most of my work on my laptop. Recently I had a dream of being able to watch media on my TV through my computer without having to go through the hassle of burning DVDs and such. Is there any router like device I could use to do this?

    Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

    -Kravage
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  2. Member edDV's Avatar
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    Review this thread for a basic overview of options.
    https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/324847-Possible-to-integrate-TV-into-home-network

    What are your sources for video? Just files?

    Your TV lacks network support. A local networked PC, DVD/Blu-Ray player or media player will be required.
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  3. Thanks for the reply!

    Yes, essentially, I just want to be able to click on some media file (like a .avi movie) on my desktop and have it play on my TV. At my disposal I have a wireless router that networks my desktop and laptop. I also have a HD DVR satellite receiver if that makes a difference.
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  4. Member edDV's Avatar
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    Originally Posted by Kravage View Post
    Thanks for the reply!

    Yes, essentially, I just want to be able to click on some media file (like a .avi movie) on my desktop and have it play on my TV. At my disposal I have a wireless router that networks my desktop and laptop. I also have a HD DVR satellite receiver if that makes a difference.
    So you will need a media player at the TV or use your laptop. A good sample media player would be the WDTV live.
    http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.asp?driveid=735

    You would make your files sharable on the network and the WDTV will see and access them. To do this wirelessly you would need a wireless access point to Ethernet adapter at the WDTV.

    Or you could return your TV and get one with wireless Ethernet and codecs built-in.
    Last edited by edDV; 22nd Aug 2010 at 00:12.
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  5. Member yoda313's Avatar
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    @eddv is correct.

    However an alternative approach would be using a ps3 or xbox 360 if you already own one. Also some networkable bluray players MAY offer the ability to see a wireless media server - that I don't know about - you'd have to check your own player for its abilities.

    But basically you'd setup the media server like tversity or playon (the file only service is free - hulu and others require a subscription). Then you'd setup the directories you'd like to share and you connect to it on your ps3 or xbox 360 - it should see it automatically if you are wired to your router (while the pc is on of course)- but it should also see it on a wireless router - I only have my game consoles wired so I don't know if the procedure is different at all. Than the servers will transcode the video for you without it being physically stored on your device.

    For hd videos wireless n should be considered for stutter free playback - also a dual core or faster for processing the video. You won't need quite as much power for standard definition video.

    The media server will be visible to any computer that can recognize media servers and is connected to your network. I am assuming they are dlna compatible of course.

    You might also be able to do this is you have a dedicated windows media center extender besides a xbox 360 - though I don't know for sure.
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  6. Would using a wireless adapter (like http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833340015) and plugging it into my TV work? Sorry for my inexperience, I truly appreciate all the assistance both of you have provided thus far.
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  7. Member edDV's Avatar
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    Originally Posted by Kravage View Post
    Would using a wireless adapter (like http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833340015) and plugging it into my TV work? Sorry for my inexperience, I truly appreciate all the assistance both of you have provided thus far.
    Not unless the TV is at least DLNA capable. Yours isn't. Beyond that the TV would need hardware playback codecs for the files you want to play. Low end HDTV sets usually have only codecs for JPG and Mp3 audio via USB. The higher you go in the product line, the more video codecs are offered.

    Or, as said, you can add a local attached networkable media player. Some examples

    An HTPC computer
    PS3 or XBox game system
    Windows MCE extender
    Standalone networkable media player (like WDTV Live).
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