Smart tvs. do i need to buy one.

TRIPS · 13-02-2014, 15:50

Am thinking of buying a new TV. 32"to 40"
I have Sky and the the Sky router for catch up TV but i would like to be able to stream programmes from my laptop to the new TV using a dongle or whatever they are called, am fed up using HDMI cable.
Do i need to buy a smart TV to do this or can i buy any TV and just buy a dongle to stream from my laptop to TV.

stud u like · 13-02-2014, 15:59

I don't have a smart television. I just use a games console or an Apple TV to do mirroring or airplay.

chrisjr · 13-02-2014, 16:11

It depends what you want to do exactly. And how complicated you want to make it.

My LG telly is "Smart" and it connects to my home network over WiFi (or can be cabled). It has a built in DLNA client that seems to fish out media files from just about anything also attached to the network.

I have a NAS drive, audio media player, PVR and laptop and it can find and play stuff from any of those. The media files just appear on it, I don't have to do anything apart from ensure the external device with the media on it is powered up and then use the remote to find the video or whatever I want to play.

And try finding a decent telly these days that isn't "Smart"

TRIPS · 13-02-2014, 16:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisjr

It depends what you want to do exactly. And how complicated you want to make it.

My LG telly is "Smart" and it connects to my home network over WiFi (or can be cabled). It has a built in DLNA client that seems to fish out media files from just about anything also attached to the network.

I have a NAS drive, audio media player, PVR and laptop and it can find and play stuff from any of those. The media files just appear on it, I don't have to do anything apart from ensure the external device with the media on it is powered up and then use the remote to find the video or whatever I want to play.

And try finding a decent telly these days that isn't "Smart"

I don't want it any more complicated than it needs to be and no reason to pay extra for something that can do far more, just want to be able to stream whatever is showing on my laptop screen to the TV.

ssr · 14-02-2014, 07:26

Buy a Now TV box (£10.00)You can then stream to your TV from laptop using Plex

https://shop.nowtv.com/

http://www.strayed.co.uk/2013/07/29/...-a-now-tv-box/

FlyinBrick · 14-02-2014, 09:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisjr

It depends what you want to do exactly. And how complicated you want to make it.

My LG telly is "Smart" and it connects to my home network over WiFi (or can be cabled). It has a built in DLNA client that seems to fish out media files from just about anything also attached to the network.

I have a NAS drive, audio media player, PVR and laptop and it can find and play stuff from any of those. The media files just appear on it, I don't have to do anything apart from ensure the external device with the media on it is powered up and then use the remote to find the video or whatever I want to play.

And try finding a decent telly these days that isn't "Smart"

Does it play all files easily? My current Samsung (5 Years old) struggles with a lot of file formats over wi-fi, but weirdly enough plays most through a usb stick or external HD.

I'm looking to upgrade to a bigger and better TV this year (wife permitting) so I'm looking for maximum connectivity with least fuss.

Mind you, I have chromecast on it's way to me in the next day or so.

chrisjr · 14-02-2014, 13:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyinBrick

Does it play all files easily? My current Samsung (5 Years old) struggles with a lot of file formats over wi-fi, but weirdly enough plays most through a usb stick or external HD.

I'm looking to upgrade to a bigger and better TV this year (wife permitting) so I'm looking for maximum connectivity with least fuss.

Mind you, I have chromecast on it's way to me in the next day or so.

To be honest I have no idea. About the only thing I have played on it is some random sample video I found in the My Videos folder on my laptop.

I have tried playing a couple of things from the PVR with variable results. And the odd iPlayer stream.

TRIPS · 15-02-2014, 16:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssr

Buy a Now TV box (£10.00)You can then stream to your TV from laptop using Plex

https://shop.nowtv.com/

http://www.strayed.co.uk/2013/07/29/...-a-now-tv-box/

Thanks ssr, will look into this.

neo_wales · 20-02-2014, 04:40

I use PC base units on our TV's, they all connect to the net and my PC/server. You can pick up a base unit cheap enough off ebay if you don't have a spare one.

trotsky · 20-02-2014, 08:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssr

Buy a Now TV box (£10.00)You can then stream to your TV from laptop using Plex

https://shop.nowtv.com/

http://www.strayed.co.uk/2013/07/29/...-a-now-tv-box/

I guess you dont need a Now Tv subscription or day pass to make this work?

13-02-2014, 15:50	#1
TRIPS Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 3,584	Smart tvs. do i need to buy one. Am thinking of buying a new TV. 32"to 40" I have Sky and the the Sky router for catch up TV but i would like to be able to stream programmes from my laptop to the new TV using a dongle or whatever they are called, am fed up using HDMI cable. Do i need to buy a smart TV to do this or can i buy any TV and just buy a dongle to stream from my laptop to TV.

13-02-2014, 15:59	#2
stud u like Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Sunny Side Of The Street Posts: 40,105	I don't have a smart television. I just use a games console or an Apple TV to do mirroring or airplay.

13-02-2014, 16:11	#3
chrisjr Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Reading Posts: 27,916	It depends what you want to do exactly. And how complicated you want to make it. My LG telly is "Smart" and it connects to my home network over WiFi (or can be cabled). It has a built in DLNA client that seems to fish out media files from just about anything also attached to the network. I have a NAS drive, audio media player, PVR and laptop and it can find and play stuff from any of those. The media files just appear on it, I don't have to do anything apart from ensure the external device with the media on it is powered up and then use the remote to find the video or whatever I want to play. And try finding a decent telly these days that isn't "Smart"

13-02-2014, 16:42	#4
TRIPS Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 3,584	Quote: Originally Posted by chrisjr It depends what you want to do exactly. And how complicated you want to make it. My LG telly is "Smart" and it connects to my home network over WiFi (or can be cabled). It has a built in DLNA client that seems to fish out media files from just about anything also attached to the network. I have a NAS drive, audio media player, PVR and laptop and it can find and play stuff from any of those. The media files just appear on it, I don't have to do anything apart from ensure the external device with the media on it is powered up and then use the remote to find the video or whatever I want to play. And try finding a decent telly these days that isn't "Smart" I don't want it any more complicated than it needs to be and no reason to pay extra for something that can do far more, just want to be able to stream whatever is showing on my laptop screen to the TV.

14-02-2014, 07:26	#5
ssr Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 269	Buy a Now TV box (£10.00)You can then stream to your TV from laptop using Plex https://shop.nowtv.com/ http://www.strayed.co.uk/2013/07/29/...-a-now-tv-box/

14-02-2014, 09:14	#6
FlyinBrick Guest Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,475	Quote: Originally Posted by chrisjr It depends what you want to do exactly. And how complicated you want to make it. My LG telly is "Smart" and it connects to my home network over WiFi (or can be cabled). It has a built in DLNA client that seems to fish out media files from just about anything also attached to the network. I have a NAS drive, audio media player, PVR and laptop and it can find and play stuff from any of those. The media files just appear on it, I don't have to do anything apart from ensure the external device with the media on it is powered up and then use the remote to find the video or whatever I want to play. And try finding a decent telly these days that isn't "Smart" Does it play all files easily? My current Samsung (5 Years old) struggles with a lot of file formats over wi-fi, but weirdly enough plays most through a usb stick or external HD. I'm looking to upgrade to a bigger and better TV this year (wife permitting) so I'm looking for maximum connectivity with least fuss. Mind you, I have chromecast on it's way to me in the next day or so.

14-02-2014, 13:41	#7
chrisjr Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Reading Posts: 27,916	Quote: Originally Posted by FlyinBrick Does it play all files easily? My current Samsung (5 Years old) struggles with a lot of file formats over wi-fi, but weirdly enough plays most through a usb stick or external HD. I'm looking to upgrade to a bigger and better TV this year (wife permitting) so I'm looking for maximum connectivity with least fuss. Mind you, I have chromecast on it's way to me in the next day or so. To be honest I have no idea. About the only thing I have played on it is some random sample video I found in the My Videos folder on my laptop. I have tried playing a couple of things from the PVR with variable results. And the odd iPlayer stream.

15-02-2014, 16:07	#8
TRIPS Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 3,584	Quote: Originally Posted by ssr Buy a Now TV box (£10.00)You can then stream to your TV from laptop using Plex https://shop.nowtv.com/ http://www.strayed.co.uk/2013/07/29/...-a-now-tv-box/ Thanks ssr, will look into this.

20-02-2014, 04:40	#9
neo_wales Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: South Wales/Gran Canaria Posts: 8,298	I use PC base units on our TV's, they all connect to the net and my PC/server. You can pick up a base unit cheap enough off ebay if you don't have a spare one.

20-02-2014, 08:48	#10
trotsky Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: warwickshire Posts: 90	Quote: Originally Posted by ssr Buy a Now TV box (£10.00)You can then stream to your TV from laptop using Plex https://shop.nowtv.com/ http://www.strayed.co.uk/2013/07/29/...-a-now-tv-box/ I guess you dont need a Now Tv subscription or day pass to make this work?

DS Forums

Smart tvs. do i need to buy one.