The 30 quid media streaming face off
Discussion
I'm trying to find a reasonably universal media streaming solution for my house on a budget.
The house is fully ethernetted, with reasonable WiFi coverage in half of it.
I currently run an old XP PC as a media server (should probably replace this!) to stream DLNA, but also use NetFlix. Clients are currently a Smart TV, various mobile devices, and a PS3, which is the main Netflix client. Main TV is a non smart TV so PS3 streams to that, however the PC3 is not long of this world and noisy, despite trying the various fixes for the fan.
Currently use an old Phillips Audio streaming/internet radio device in the kitchen. I'm a heavy Spotify user which is usually achieved by plugging a mobile device into a trailing lead in whatever room I'm in.
I've been playing with a Chromecast recently and was impressed with how it works natively on iPlayer and Netflix. So that's one solution, however doesn't cater for audio. Really like using an Android device for control. However, to truly replace the PS3 I'd need to stick Plex on My media server.
Other alternative is a RPi(well, several!), running RaspPlex. Haven't played with this yet, but I understand it's not as fluid, but can use a mobile device to control?
I love the simplicity of the ChromeCast, but the RPi seems to cover the audio media base as well. With the advantage I could stick several around the house and use them for audio too.
So, anyone got any input on what would be best? I'd like to use the same solution everywhere if possible. I also despise wireless, so I'd prefer to use hardwire if possible, which leads to RPi territoy...
The house is fully ethernetted, with reasonable WiFi coverage in half of it.
I currently run an old XP PC as a media server (should probably replace this!) to stream DLNA, but also use NetFlix. Clients are currently a Smart TV, various mobile devices, and a PS3, which is the main Netflix client. Main TV is a non smart TV so PS3 streams to that, however the PC3 is not long of this world and noisy, despite trying the various fixes for the fan.
Currently use an old Phillips Audio streaming/internet radio device in the kitchen. I'm a heavy Spotify user which is usually achieved by plugging a mobile device into a trailing lead in whatever room I'm in.
I've been playing with a Chromecast recently and was impressed with how it works natively on iPlayer and Netflix. So that's one solution, however doesn't cater for audio. Really like using an Android device for control. However, to truly replace the PS3 I'd need to stick Plex on My media server.
Other alternative is a RPi(well, several!), running RaspPlex. Haven't played with this yet, but I understand it's not as fluid, but can use a mobile device to control?
I love the simplicity of the ChromeCast, but the RPi seems to cover the audio media base as well. With the advantage I could stick several around the house and use them for audio too.
So, anyone got any input on what would be best? I'd like to use the same solution everywhere if possible. I also despise wireless, so I'd prefer to use hardwire if possible, which leads to RPi territoy...
If you are going to have a media server and not just a NAS then Plex is the way to go. It has many native clients as well as DNLA and you can control it with the smartphone app. It will handle music and video without problems. It doesn't do Netflix though.
If you need something that supports Netflix you could go with a Plex server with Chromecast clients. The Plex app allows you to cast to the Chromecast so that would handle local music and video. Then, for Netflix and Spotify, you can cast direct from the apps on your phone.
I use a combination of Rasplex on a Pi2 for the lounge, and then NowTV boxes running Plex in the bedrooms. For music I use Squeezeplay running on some old O2 Jogglers, although Plex works ok for this too.
If you need something that supports Netflix you could go with a Plex server with Chromecast clients. The Plex app allows you to cast to the Chromecast so that would handle local music and video. Then, for Netflix and Spotify, you can cast direct from the apps on your phone.
I use a combination of Rasplex on a Pi2 for the lounge, and then NowTV boxes running Plex in the bedrooms. For music I use Squeezeplay running on some old O2 Jogglers, although Plex works ok for this too.
I have a FreeNAS box running Plex server and Chromecast plugged into my amp in the living room which pretty much sorted my media streaming. Before that I had a bluetooth receiver plugged into the amp which worked fine for audio.
If you're going the r-pi route then check out https://volumio.org/ their android app now supports Spoitfy as well
If you're going the r-pi route then check out https://volumio.org/ their android app now supports Spoitfy as well
Cheers y'all. TBh it's more about the client than the server - the server would be a byproduct of the end client choice I guess.
TBH from looking in to it I don't think I'm going to find a 'one size fits all' solution - I think it's going to be a RPi for the audio, and Chromecast for video.
I'm a computer geek by trade, but contrary to some, I don't like mucking about with tech in my spare time, so I'd actually prefer a simple, elegant solution.
TBH from looking in to it I don't think I'm going to find a 'one size fits all' solution - I think it's going to be a RPi for the audio, and Chromecast for video.
I'm a computer geek by trade, but contrary to some, I don't like mucking about with tech in my spare time, so I'd actually prefer a simple, elegant solution.
furtive said:
Double the budget and get Apple TV
That would work fantastically well with the 1 soon to be replaced Apple device i have in the house, and the ease with which is does pretty much none of the other things that I want to do. FD3Si said:
the 1 soon to be replaced Apple device i have in the house
Replaced with another Apple device, or Android?If you're sticking with Apple, an Apple TV for video content and Airport Express for audio is a pretty good solution. Both can be connected via ethernet and each Airport Express will also expand your wireless coverage/strength as well as feeding audio to your speakers.
The older version Airports Express can be had on eBay for around £25 each.
Roku 3? We use one and I run Plex off of my server - absolutely faultless with the benefit of all major TV channel VoD services too - iPlayer, ITV Player, 4oD, Demand 5 + Netflix.
There iPhone remote app works very well too - I imagnine the Android one would work equally well if thats your thing.Roku 3 is the only one with ethernet though (a must for me) and is about £60
I genuinely havent found anything that annoys me about it yet. Its tiny, always on and has never crashed/frozen been rebooted in the 6 months we have had it
edit - For music, Spotify is on it
There iPhone remote app works very well too - I imagnine the Android one would work equally well if thats your thing.Roku 3 is the only one with ethernet though (a must for me) and is about £60
I genuinely havent found anything that annoys me about it yet. Its tiny, always on and has never crashed/frozen been rebooted in the 6 months we have had it
edit - For music, Spotify is on it
Edited by a7x88 on Tuesday 17th March 15:46
Video: I have an old readynas which acts as fileserver for multiple kodi clients
linux htpc (hosts mythtv pvr backend)
nook hd tablet running cm11
occasional use rpi running raspmc
Audio: Same readynas runs logitech media server/squeezebox and hosts the music. Clients:
rpi running picoreplayer
old android phones running squeeze player
ipeng on wifes ipad2
Hasn't been too hard to cobble together and didn't really cost anything as I've just used bits I already had lying around. Don't see any particularly compelling reason to upgrade anything right now. Slightly tempted to get a roku stick for the lounge to get 4od and demand5
linux htpc (hosts mythtv pvr backend)
nook hd tablet running cm11
occasional use rpi running raspmc
Audio: Same readynas runs logitech media server/squeezebox and hosts the music. Clients:
rpi running picoreplayer
old android phones running squeeze player
ipeng on wifes ipad2
Hasn't been too hard to cobble together and didn't really cost anything as I've just used bits I already had lying around. Don't see any particularly compelling reason to upgrade anything right now. Slightly tempted to get a roku stick for the lounge to get 4od and demand5
a7x88 said:
Roku 3?
Or for all the same services, but with a slower processor and only £39, a Roku Streaming Stick.Edited by a7x88 on Tuesday 17th March 15:46
Works brilliantly for me. I use Rarflix rather than the official Plex client.
Even cheaper? - £10 buys you a Now TV box on which you can install Plex/Rarflix, and it has a load of TV catchup services. Has Spotify, but no Netflix, though.
I spent a bit more and got an m8 android TV box.
Works great.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00UBQE2NY/ref=mp_...
Works great.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00UBQE2NY/ref=mp_...
Edited by dudleybloke on Tuesday 17th March 18:56
Pothole said:
bingybongy said:
Liokault said:
I know it doesn't help you, but got a Chromecast yesterday.
Cant make it work
Bugger!
I struggled until I realised I hadn't connected the Chromecast to the wireless firstCant make it work
Bugger!
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