Which media streaming device do you use?

[muttleymacclad]

Hi all

Interested to see what devices people are using to stream their media to tv.

Currently using an old atv2 JB running plex along with a now tv box upstairs. Looking to change the Atv2 as it only does 720p and for the odd time i got 1080p i'd like to actually get the benefit of 1080p.

So come on, what do you guys use and why?

ta
MML

[beerman]

I've got a ultra small form factor core i5 Lenovo m93p for streaming and running a few other bits connected to the TV. This streams from a N40L microserver running Plex and a 8 bay Drobo pro FS as my storage.

I've tried a few android boxes, raspberry pi etc but found them too laggy, hence the overkill core i5 as I want a smooth experience.

The only issue I have is the drobo spins the drives down after an hour so on the first run of a film/tv show it's a 10 second wait until the drives spin up. Not so much of an issue really as I've stopped watching live TV apart from football and the news so they don't get a chance to spin down after the first run. There's a setting I can change to stop them spinning down after an hour but I'd rather wait 10 seconds than pay the extra money on the already expensive electric bill.

[WRATH OF BOD]

plex on 4 now tv boxes & a WD live tv. i love the WDTV as it plays everything i throw at it, all the plex stuff is accessed from a 4TB hard drive attached to the WDtv box & then connected to my router.

[beerman]

plex on 4 now tv boxes & a WD live tv. i love the WDTV as it plays everything i throw at it, all the plex stuff is accessed from a 4TB hard drive attached to the WDtv box & then connected to my router.

What's running plex server?

[WRATH OF BOD]

What's running plex server?

it runs on my personal PC, its on 24/7, i play games run a tv card all at the same time and never falters fingers crossed

[ivrytwr3]

WDTV - plays everything i throw at it and is simple to use (has to be as i got it for technophobe wifey to use too).

[maltloaf]

We used a WDTV for a year or so which was great and as mentioned, missus proof but I always had a hankering to go back to a HTPC so I have built up a cheap dual core machine for a bit more flexibility. We use an airmouse app from our phones (both iPhone and android) and iPads to control it.

[muttleymacclad]

thanks guys. Following on from this and malty's sale thread. How would you guys who use Plex, access shared plex servers on wdtv or is this not possible?

thanks
mml

[BertRoot]

Old school. Still rocking two Popcorn Hour A110s

[CominAtcha]

I simply have a long HDMI cable for downstairs. But upstairs a Chromecast with Plex on the iPad does me just fine.

Pretty sure there has been an update recently to either Plex or the Chromecast also, as when I first bought it you could deffo see a drop in quality, but now it seems almost flawless even at 1080p!

[Brydo666]

Been running a ZyXEL NSA310 and WD TV Live for 3 years and just last week changed to;

HP N54L running Windows 8.1 Pro with Plex Server and a NowTV box with Plex in Living Room and a NowTV box with Plex in Bedroom. Plex apps on iPad, Hudl, iPhone and my SGS4 running Cyanogenmod.

[liveseytowers]

Bry what format is your media in? I cant believe people run so many devices from one Plex server. All my stuff is 1080p mkv so im guessing your stuff is mp4?

[WRATH OF BOD]

Bry what format is your media in? I cant believe people run so many devices from one Plex server. All my stuff is 1080p mkv so im guessing your stuff is mp4?

all formats without any issue, i havent found a format it will not play.

[liveseytowers]

all formats without any issue, i havent found a format it will not play.

I can play all formats on one NowTV as it transcodes but i recon it would struggle with 2 films transcoding on the NL54. I keep all the kids films in one folder and convert everything it to mp4 with 2.0 audio so it can play on the kids NowTVs direct.

[muttleymacclad]

I can play all formats on one NowTV as it transcodes but i recon it would struggle with 2 films transcoding on the NL54. I keep all the kids films in one folder and convert everything it to mp4 with 2.0 audio so it can play on the kids NowTVs direct.

Have a look at resource monitor on the server to see what resources are being used. I find if any of my films buffer, it's often high disk usage not CPU or memory. Quite often that's to do with when WHS looks / instals updates (trusted installer), If sab is downloading or if loads of chrome windows are open.

I remote desktop into the server on my laptop when i need to check up on it.

Also check that you server transcode settings are the same as the players.

[stimpy]

I have a RasPi running RaspBMC and an old PC running upstairs with a 2TB drive with folders NFS shared.

[blacksheep]

Plex on a (I think 2010) Mac mini, both server and player (unless using the tv app, ipad or away from home).