Streaming Video to HDTV for <$500

by aleafalls23 Jun 13, 2009 4:13AM PDT

Hey! I'm looking for suggestions on how I can get streaming video (Netflix streaming, YouTube, Hulu, etc.) onto my HDTV without hooking my Macbook directly to my TV. A media server? New home theater system with these capabilities built in? A magic video elf? I wanna know...

I have a Samsung DLP, PS3, and Sony receiver... I'm also a Mac user.

My ideas thus far include replacing my current home theater set-up with a new one from Samsung that is capable of streaming Netflix and Pandora (not sure if Hulu or YT would work though), and that'll cost about $550. Also, I've found that some media servers might work with Mac that will stream through my PS3... but I'm not quite sure what or how it works.

I want full use of my computer while watching and high quality since I want to ditch cable/satellite. Any suggestions would be welcome! Thanks!

Discussion is locked

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Just links. One comment.

by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Jun 13, 2009 5:03AM PDT

Why not explore using what you have?

Links at http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Apple+PS3+media+server

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It looks like you have all you need today.

by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Jun 14, 2009 4:52AM PDT

http://www.nullriver.com/products/medialink and other software titles do provide HD streaming via your MAC to the PS3.

What's stopping you?

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$550 is a lot of cash...

by ahtoi Jun 13, 2009 7:46AM PDT

What is this you referring to? Also you realize that streaming video requires broadband..so you can't just ditch them entirely. As for streaming netflix video, I understand some PS3 can do that.

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Well...

by aleafalls23 Jun 13, 2009 8:03AM PDT

Well, as I've read, the PS3 is not capable of that yet (atleast not high quality... it would just blow up what's there to fit my TV). xbox360 yes, but I'm not exactly a fan of Microsoft.

And yes, I plan on keeping cable for internet only... I just don't want to use them for TV.

I'm trying to find an economical way to get good quality (atleast 480p, hopefully 1080i or 720p) streaming video onto my TV for little money.

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Have you read some of these?

by ahtoi Jun 14, 2009 4:04AM PDT

http://reviews.cnet.com/best-network-video-streamers/

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by mightymouseisgod Jun 17, 2009 1:37PM PDT

What are the spec's on you Mac book?

intel dual core or single, or ppc? (ppc users pretty much get the shaft in software and options)

If you do not have a dual core cpu do not bother with media servers such as ps3 media server. Transcoding requires dual. Without transcode your stuck with avi files under 1500/rate which equals suck.

If it is a dual then search PS3 media server on google, it has limited support right now for mac, but 100% free and will really help you learn what works and doesnt. (You will not want to use it while streaming depending on sys specs.)

Honestly, cheapest thing you could do. Hit up tiger dir, etc. build a media server pc (bare bones kit 240 - 390 dual cores +) add a blue ray drive if you want and the couple of missing parts. Add extras as you go... Heck even dell pc's in the 399-499 range would work, or play around and setup a quad 4 for around the 590's =)

Use hand brake to encode (sorry, backup) your movie collection and either hardline stream via N signal to a N eithernet bridge to the PS3. PS3 G wi-fi will not play high qualiy movies. The N eithernet bridge is the only way to cheat the bandwidth for wired using wireless and is ok/good+ on the PS3 and can sometimes limit those corrupted data errors.

*Faster signal rate, higher quality movie!

I really am I a Mac guy, promise G5 tower and all but dollar for dollar windows systems are so basic and simple and with so much cheap hardware, you will have a networked media server all bells and whistles for the price of a mac laptop running all your tvs and equipment.

Streaming Video to HDTV for <$500

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