Am I able to stream from my PC to TV, and how????? please help!!!Hi,Hi

[GRB70]

Hi,

I'm hoping to be able to stream certain a certain program(s) to my HDTV. This cable provider we just switched to does not offer international channels (in this case Italy's RAI international). Is it possible to hook a PC up to a TV for the sole purpose of streaming that channel? I know there are several sites that let me stream that channel. What hardware would I need? Do I need to worry about graphics card limitations? Internet connectivity won't be an issue. Would I need a remote control or a certain software package for this? Will TV have to have certain adapters to act as the monitor? Are there any software packages that act as a DVR?

As you see by me questions I'm not well versed in this area. I will appreciate any help in this process.


The TV in question is a Panasonic Viera, 36" I believe. The side connections are HDMI, RCA Vid/Aud and the has HDMI, component in and Video in.

I would appreciate being schooled in this as I'm clueless in this area.

Thank you very much ,
GRB70

 

[seavixen32]

You can do what you want with an extender such as an Xbox 360.

From PC to TV, Part 1: Stream digital media to any room with Windows Media Center and an Xbox 360

Stream Media From Your PC to Your HDTV | PCWorld

http://howto.wired.com/wiki/Stream_Videos_From_the_PC_to_a_TV

 

[GRB70]

Thank you for responding!!

Isn't there any other way, the method seems quite expensive, since I'd have no use for the Xbox? The links you provided are very helpful to me, thanks. I was just hoping not to have to take such an expensive route.

Thanks again,

GRB70

 

[seavixen32]

You're very welcome.

There are various extenders on the market other than Xbox and a search on Google should help you.

 

[puttsy]

If your PC and TV are fairly close, you could simply run HDMI from your PC to your TV and just use the TV as a second monitor. You will need a videocard in your PC that supports HDMI out or a DVI to HDMI converter but, this would be the cheapest, simplest route. If you need any clarification or further advice, post back and I'm sure someone can assist further.

 

[Wishmaster]

Is it DLNA certified?

How to set it up for a Viera TV:
How To Use DLNA And External HDD On Your Viera TV - YouTube


I have mine setup similar to my LG Plasma, but just connect the TV to the router and let it stream what I want from the PC.
It works quite well, and you shouldn't need to invest in anything (other than maybe a router if you do not have one) for it to work.
That is of course provided the TV has these options and capabilities.


I do not record anything, so do not know much about that part.

 

[rraod]

Some of the HDTVs have a VGA input for PC input. My Sony Wega 32" LCD has one.

By your system's description, it looks like you have a desktop. If your TV has this PC input and an option to select PC input using TV remote along with AV, HDMI channels. then all you have to do is buy a male to male VGA cable atleast 5 meters in length, and hookup both your desktop and TV. You will now use your TV as a monitor. Only caviet in this is that you will not get sound with this setup. You have to add additional cables from your headphone socket to the Audio In RCA jacks on your TV. I am not sure about TV playing Audio in PC input mode. May be you can connect to a Home theatre system for sound.

If your PC has HDMI port, then all you need is one HDMI cable to stream HD content (both picture and sound) to your TV.

Third option is that you can buy a TV streaming PCI card and insert in on your mother board and connect to the TV through RCA jacks for AV connections. This way you may not play HD content.

The best bet is to buy a TV PCI card with HDMI port. This will simplify the connections to a single HDMI cable.

 

[GRB70]

Excellent!!!!!

I'm so happy to hear the alternatives. Since RAI international, isn't streamed in HD (that I know off) that's not really an issue. I don't mind investing for a router and such, I'd even invest in an Xbox 360, if it wasn't going to just be used for this.

thank you all so much, really

GRB70

 

[GRB70]

@puttsy

Can the way you mentioned for me to accomplish what I wanted be done though Media Center and what you can do through it? Or is that a whole different set-up entirely?

thanks,
grb70

 

[puttsy]

@puttsy

Can the way you mentioned for me to accomplish what I wanted be done though Media Center and what you can do through it? Or is that a whole different set-up entirely?

thanks,
grb70

It's sort of a yes and no. Ok, so you have media center running on your computer right now and you're doing everything you want to do in front of your small, computer monitor, right?

What simply running an HDMI cable to your TV will do is, either add extra screen space so you can drag media center over to your TV (Or whatever program you are watching your media in) and allow it to play on the TV. My method IS NOT "streaming" in the sense many of us on here refer to it. You are basically only using your TV as a monitor and speakers. Nothing else. It's not a totally different setup but, it is also not as "point-and-shoot" as something like an xbox as a media center extender. Or, it will allow you to "clone" your PC monitor and get the exact same content in both places. Again, not really "streaming" in this sense but...

If you're interested in using a set top box as an extender but don't want to buy an Xbox 360, there are, i think, some cheaper media center extender STB's available. I don't use them and, in fact, have never even used a media center extender at all so, I won't comment anymore and give false information.

You could go with an alternative like xbmc or other 'hack-your-own' STB's but, again, I don't have much experience in these. I've got an xbmc but that's about the extent. I just use the multi-monitor approach to play media from my PC on my TV.

Other guys with STB experience or a better way, please take it from here!

 

[Peter88]

Of course if you are not close enough to your TV, a cheap laptop? Arguably some phones now have mini HDMI, you could link up such a phone. OR is ithis a program you want to watch and does it hvae to be live? If not, record it on your PC. Then put it onto DVD or a USB flash card and watch it that way.

I hvae searched such options for a long time now, and am amazed at the absence of a simple interface. WiFi, with HDMI out, doesnt need to be much more complicated. Or even... a means of sending your PC sound and video by. say bluetooth? With a simple reciever. etc...

 

[puttsy]

Of course if you are not close enough to your TV, a cheap laptop? Arguably some phones now have mini HDMI, you could link up such a phone. OR is ithis a program you want to watch and does it hvae to be live? If not, record it on your PC. Then put it onto DVD or a USB flash card and watch it that way.

I hvae searched such options for a long time now, and am amazed at the absence of a simple interface. WiFi, with HDMI out, doesnt need to be much more complicated. Or even... a means of sending your PC sound and video by. say bluetooth? With a simple reciever. etc...

There actually is such a device now!! Hopefully this interests you as well. I may lose geek cred. for this BUT, I was looking at an issue of CPU magazine the other day (They had a free subscription promo a few weeks back) and Asus just came out with such an interface. It is called the Asus WAVI and is priced around $179. It was page 34 of the October 2011 Issue of CPU magazine (Vol. 11 Iss. 10)

I don't have much else to say about it, read the article (It's free to view the magazine on the CPU mag. website)

Hope it helps!!

Also, I think Netgear had a device a year or 2 back as well, not sure on it though. Good luck!

 

[GRB70]

@puttsy and all,
Sorry I wasn't able to reply back sooner:

Connecting to the TV directly with a HDMI cable, I thought would allow me to have Internet TV; since I'd be using Media Center? Perhaps, and I'm thinking I did, I misunderstand what/how Internet TV is and works? Would I be able to access local things? Are there different packages of what to watch? Will I have DVR capability? From what I gather, I don't have to have an extender, but it would be more beneficial? If so, how?

I really apologize with the sadness on this, I should of clarified.


thanks for the help,
GRB70

 

[Peter88]

Hi,
Your HDMI lead only makes your TV into a monitor. You still have to 'control' your computer.
There are many different things that make up 'internet tv'. e.g. BBC iplayer, ITV on demand etc.. each has to be accessed and setup on its own. There are some programs that claim to do this, usually not very well.
Media Centre is quite poor with this stuff. In fact it is down to each provider making life difficult to acces 'their' content without doing so using their interface.
I find the wind needs to be in the right direction, with tulips in blossom and a good head for editing the registry.... (for anyone without my sense of humour I'm saying its hard)
The extenders (xbox 360) also have built in limitations. (They ARE miscrosoft afterall), they really don't like 'free' services.

 

[Tarka Dal]

Internet TV and Video

I've been watching Intenet TV and Video here in the UK since 2008. It took very little time to sort out.
What's needed:
1 A computer with a good video card. ATI Radeon HD 3450 Graphics Card with HDMI socket or above.
2 HDMI cable. You will get the usual Blurb that a cheap one is as good as an expensive one but I have found on my 46" screen that there is colour difference and also detail difference. There was a program on TV called Gadget show that tried to say there was no difference when I could see on my TV that there is a difference. So buy what you can afford.
3 Digital TV with HDMI socket. Now If your rich you don't need the computer and the HDMI cable as you could buy one of the "Smart" TV's out there that have all the requirements built in. If not then connect your computer to the TV with the HDMI cable. Select the HDMI channel that your computer is plugged into making sure that your PC is switched on then you should get your welcome screen (or whatever it is displaying) displayed.
4 Select the best codecs and media player out ther of your choice but mine is K-lite and this also has a very good Media Player incorporated with it. It works for everything.
5 TV channels are aplenty so take your choice...

All the best

 

[GRB70]

@PETER88,

I appreciate that bit of humor, I also agree with the M$ comment.

Since I'm in the states, 'BBC iplayer, ITV on demand', won't be beneficial to me, correct? And if not, are there similar american services? Other than that, I must say I don't understand the best way to accomplish what I'm asking.

@Runckle_SP1

Are you saying any media player of my choosing would allow all this? My PC and TV both have what's necessary/ however, am I correct in assuming, I would pick channels/packages, local TV included, once I'm connected?

Thanks for the help

GRB70

 

[Peter88]

Hi,
Yes the BBC do put limitations on. As do US providers. I'm guessing they all try to impose geographical constraint.
But I gather that teh Beeb at least have 'listeners' all over the world. Not sure about vision.
Oddly, Mediua Centre gives you a section called Internet TV. Or Video player. It is made up of 'free' downlaods from the BBC. Though the content never seems to change.
Maybe the time is right for freemen everywhere to create a site that provides this stuff? Not piratiing exactly more.... proxy? Accessing whatIS provided and getting around the geographical issues.

 

[Tarka Dal]

@PETER88,

I appreciate that bit of humor, I also agree with the M$ comment.

Since I'm in the states, 'BBC iplayer, ITV on demand', won't be beneficial to me, correct? And if not, are there similar american services? Other than that, I must say I don't understand the best way to accomplish what I'm asking.

@Runckle_SP1

Are you saying any media player of my choosing would allow all this? My PC and TV both have what's necessary/ however, am I correct in assuming, I would pick channels/packages, local TV included, once I'm connected?

Thanks for the help

GRB70

There is only one reason why they don't broadcast out side of the National borders. Revenue! How to collect it?
So we can't get all the channels we want but, the broadcasters can't hold out for much longer as demand will require them to broadcast to everyone. I love certain programs in the US but we can't get them over here in the UK or we see them an average 2-3 years later making them near useless in the realm of entertainment. Eventually all broadcasting will be on the Internet but how far that is away I don't know. As for picking and choosing channel packages at the moment? No is the answer to that but not for long. You can watch films now with channels such as lovefilm and the like.
Most Media players will play anything you would like to see although they don't all play the same type of files such as mp4,mkv, and others. If you were to use K-lite codec pack (very important components for watching most files) you will be able to watch nearly all types of files.
For streaming Video you could use the VLC player. The only thing about this is it's a bit technical and would require the assisstance of other users via the VLC forum.