Hi All,
I'm looking for a good Streaming Video server that can be used on Android that works over cell networks (3G or 4G) and has tablet support. A giant bonus would be a server that is also a DLNA. Something with a Windows client would be pretty sweet as well. The TF will be my primary device, but I'd really like to be able to stream to my phone, laptop, and Blu-Ray player as well.
I'm currently using Plex, and it sucks. The server is buggy and laggy, doesn't find Metadata for shows unless they're named PERFECTLY, and won't show me videos that it can't find Metadata for. I will say the interface is fantastic, but it needs a lot of work.
I've read some good things about the VLC server, but it appears to not be very user friendly. While I'm technically savvy, I'd prefer to try something first that works just as well and doesn't require a difficult configuration.
Thoughts and recommendations please?
Related
Hi everyone,
I've been toying with the idea of purchasing a Xoom since it was announced, but before launching myself into a 500$+ purchase, I would like to make sure the device does what I expect it to.
Here is a short list of what I am looking for in a tablet. If possible, could you guys tell me if the Xoom fits my needs.
Microsoft Exchange support
If yes, can I add multiple Exchange accounts? Support for calendars as well?
Video Playback
I watch a lot of 350MB (xvid) and 1.09Gb (mkv) tv shows. Is there a good player that supports playback? Is playback choppy/laggy or loses audio sync? I've seen and read a lot of bad press on this.
Video playback is potentially a deal maker/breaker. Video has to be smooth, and I'd like to avoid having to re-encode video if I dont have to. If a made in china device like the superpad can read MKV files, why not a dual core beast?
Tethering
I have an iPhone 3G and a tethering plan. I can tether to my laptop. Will I be able to tether to the XOOM?
SAMBA/SMB Share navigation
Can I browse network shares stored on my computer? Can I provide logon credentials to browse shares for a domain network? (Ex : DOMAIN\userassword or user(at)domain.localassword). Can I stream video over Wifi and network shares?
VPN
Is there support for L2TP over IPSEC? Certificate or PSK?
I'm quite computer savvy, it just seems difficult to get facts straight on tablets these days.
Thank you all in advance for reading this and taking the time to reply.
ipigi said:
Hi everyone,
I've been toying with the idea of purchasing a Xoom since it was announced, but before launching myself into a 500$+ purchase, I would like to make sure the device does what I expect it to.
Here is a short list of what I am looking for in a tablet. If possible, could you guys tell me if the Xoom fits my needs.
Microsoft Exchange support
If yes, can I add multiple Exchange accounts? Support for calendars as well?
Video Playback
I watch a lot of 350MB (xvid) and 1.09Gb (mkv) tv shows. Is there a good player that supports playback? Is playback choppy/laggy or loses audio sync? I've seen and read a lot of bad press on this.
Video playback is potentially a deal maker/breaker. Video has to be smooth, and I'd like to avoid having to re-encode video if I dont have to. If a made in china device like the superpad can read MKV files, why not a dual core beast?
Tethering
I have an iPhone 3G and a tethering plan. I can tether to my laptop. Will I be able to tether to the XOOM?
SAMBA/SMB Share navigation
Can I browse network shares stored on my computer? Can I provide logon credentials to browse shares for a domain network? (Ex : DOMAIN\userassword or user(at)domain.localassword). Can I stream video over Wifi and network shares?
I'm quite computer savvy, it just seems difficult to get facts straight on tablets these days.
Thank you all in advance for reading this and taking the time to reply.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A quick set of answers for you:
Exchange support - Yes
Calendars - Yes
Video Playback - unfortunately I can't answer that but I'm sure it won't be a problem with all the available apps and answers from other users regarding HD playback/re-encoding/compression
Tethering - Yes, works a treat...I'm doing it from my HTC Desire and Laptop.
SAMBA/SMB - Yes, 'Cifs Manager' from th Android Marketplace is a doddle to use. Streaming video/audio via wifi and network shares is easy.
VPN - not sure
Hope that helps.
Video playback - Yes, moboplayer
VPN - Yes openvpn just look around the fourms
Be aware that not everything (like openvpn) - will work out of the box. You will need to do some work, and possibly void the devices warranty (Unlock/root)
Costco has 90 days .... to return if you have one... Or can Order on line
(As I did)
Thats the way I went thanks and good luck
pyrator said:
Video playback - Yes, moboplayer
VPN - Yes openvpn just look around the fourms
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How good of a playback are we talking about. I've been reading a lot of people (on these forums and other places as well) who are having problems playing back some video files. Stuttering, laggy, things like that.
I'm going to be using this device for personal use first and work second, so smooth video playback is important and is probably the biggest reason for the purchase of a xoom.
For VPN, I've been digging around and found a thread on the xoomforums dot com website (I cant post a link yet, I'm too green). Note that I plan to use L2TP over IPSEC, and not pure IPSEC to connect to a VPN. Apparently there is native support for that without the need for OpenVPN.
Also, does anyone know if there is a Remote Desktop app so I can connect and control windows 7/vista PCs from the tablet?
Thanks to everyone for the replies!
ipigi said:
How good of a playback are we talking about. I've been reading a lot of people (on these forums and other places as well) who are having problems playing back some video files. Stuttering, laggy, things like that.
I'm going to be using this device for personal use first and work second, so smooth video playback is important and is probably the biggest reason for the purchase of a xoom.
For VPN, I've been digging around and found a thread on the xoomforums dot com website (I cant post a link yet, I'm too green). Note that I plan to use L2TP over IPSEC, and not pure IPSEC to connect to a VPN. Apparently there is native support for that without the need for OpenVPN.
Also, does anyone know if there is a Remote Desktop app so I can connect and control windows 7/vista PCs from the tablet?
Thanks to everyone for the replies!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
350MB (xvid) ---> play beautifully using moboplayer
1.09Gb (mkv) ---> choppy as **** on any player or if the video plays smoothly, the audio is non existant.
Im assuming these are "borrowed" videos downloaded from the internet.
I just use Handbrake to convert files to my Android devices. I just run into too many problems otherwise.
And if you are trying to play MKV files with subtitles. I've found no solution for that. Rockplayer kinda works if it's 480p or less. Though sometimes the audio gets out of sync.
If the subs are in text (srt) format, HB should move them over. If they're bitmaps (vobsub/pgs) or have styles (ass/ssa/smi), they can't be converted w/o an intervening translation/OCR step, since MP4 container only accepts plain text subs.
MKV->MP4 conversion is OK if you don't watch foreign films and don't care about subs. It's a PITA otherwise.
Do a search for 'Remote Desktop' on the market place...there are a handful which all work great. I can verify blistering speeds connecting to Windows 7 (32 and 64-bit)
robbiev80 said:
1.09Gb (mkv) ---> choppy as **** on any player or if the video plays smoothly, the audio is non existant.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Xoom can't decompress the audio at all? I'm not a huge fan of re-encoding video and I perfer to just drag and drop to play videos, my Desire can just about keep 20-25 fps playing 350Mb HD video, 20 minute anime series, the audio is fine as well. Why can't the Xoom play a 1Gb file with it's dual core CPU?
*edit* That's my Desire playing MKV's, not AVI etc.
For what its worth I just tested an 840mb mkv file on moboplayer and it was flawless, no issues with audio at all. I haven't tried anything over 1gb though.
I love XBMC on my home ubuntu pc, and i know it is tegra2 enabled, but anyone know if it will be installable onto the tablet?
If you can get Ubuntu running on it, sure. Otherwise, barring an Android port you can forget about it.
i hope they do get it to work - especially as its working well for ipads, iphone4, etc.
Why?
I guess i just don't really understand the use of xbmc on a tablet. On my htpc sure.
Use Plex.
Stupid character limit.
Xbmc is an awesome platform for video playback, plus cab link library's with a central unit. Would work well with my setup.
ok just read my post and it didnt make sense! (was typing using iphone!)
XBMC is an awesome program for video playback and library. I would want to use it on the tablet for viewing as I can link multiple xbmc librarys to the main central one i use on my htpc (which also acts as a home server using ubuntu). I know that it is running as a upnp server too, but its the library linking that would be great - i watch a lot of tv shows, etc.
ricostuart said:
ok just read my post and it didnt make sense! (was typing using iphone!)
XBMC is an awesome program for video playback and library. I would want to use it on the tablet for viewing as I can link multiple xbmc librarys to the main central one i use on my htpc (which also acts as a home server using ubuntu). I know that it is running as a upnp server too, but its the library linking that would be great - i watch a lot of tv shows, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I only got the XBMC Remote to work to control my pc and use the DLNA-functionality of XBMC on my PC to have him act as my media server and watch it with upnplayer. XBMC does make a navigationable library as media server where you can select on actor, year, director, title etc. but it is not as fancy with covers and banners as in XBMC.
ricostuart said:
ok just read my post and it didnt make sense! (was typing using iphone!)
XBMC is an awesome program for video playback and library. I would want to use it on the tablet for viewing as I can link multiple xbmc librarys to the main central one i use on my htpc (which also acts as a home server using ubuntu). I know that it is running as a upnp server too, but its the library linking that would be great - i watch a lot of tv shows, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
XBMC should be capable of doing what you want through DLNA. Go into settings and enable UPnP video sharing, then browse to it on your TF, and it should show your entire library across all xbmc devices. And it lists the files in library mode, not file mode, so you get the pretty naming instead of viewing raw folders.
If you mean you want things like posters, metadata, etc then no this is not possible. XBMC is slowly being ported to ARM platforms but it is nowhere near usable except on the Apple TV 2. There is a ton of interest in getting it on ARM, but I haven't seen any work done for Tegra2, so chances are it will never run on our Transformers.
One thing i really miss from my time spent with iPhone is airplay, used it everyday.
Since jumping on to WP7 i have searched hi & low for a streaming solution and haven`t found one yet.
So my question, is there any video/music streaming option for Mac to WP7 out there?
That might actually be worth developing. Bear in mind that WP7 users who run OS X PCs are going to be an extremely niche market, though. There are two ways that I can see to do it, though:
* Write a WP7 app that acts as a client for a current streaming service on OS X / iTunes. Make sure the stream can be decoded on the phone and that the service recognizes the app, but neither should be too hard (WP7 already recognizes most of Apple's codecs).
* Write a WP7 app that acts as a client to a dedicated media server app. Write that dedicated media server app, for OS X and possibly other platforms. The server would take care of ensuring WP7 compatibility. You'd need Apple dev tools (which is expensive, for somebody who currently owns no Apple hardware) and knowledge of writing good server code, though.
For HTC phones, you can download "Connected Media" from the HTC section of marketplace. Although not the greatest player, it does allow you to play non-DRM music and videos stored in your library (no streaming) to DLNA receivers. I use it to play to my Linksys Extender of my Media Center every once in a while.
@spokanedj: I think the OP is looking for the other direction, streaming files from the PC (Mac, in this case) to the phone. I'm guessing the goal is working around the limited storage on the phone for people with a really big media library.
I enjoy watching tv-shows when laying in bed, so yes im only interested in streaming.
I saw on https://www.emitapp.com/ that wp7 app coming soon.
I used emit on android, it wasnt perfect but i did the job
What is the best RDP client for my TF700?
One that i can stream video/audio to my TF700 from my computer without hickups.
I see that PocketCloud have one... that cost a bit of money if you want to use 1920x1080 resolution.
I dont mind paying if i know it works good.
PocketCloud
PocketCloud works very well.
Why not download the free version to see if you like the results? The only features the free version lacks is the ability to configure multiple servers, custom resolutions, and support for WYSE's encryption scheme.
Streaming full-motion video over RDP is going to be a tall order for any app because of the limitations of WiFi and the fact that RDP isn't optimized for that kind of full-frame rendering. Have you considered something like installing Remote Potato on the server side and using Remote Media Center on the tablet side to stream your content? There are of course other packages for streaming content such as Plex or PS3 Media Server if you prefer something not dependent on Microsoft's Media Center framework.
I'm also a fan of PocketCloud; I even bought the paid version. For video I've had a lot better luck with MediaHouse and a UPnP server on my desktop.
I have used them all and the best by far is xtralogic. It does everything using native rdp compression so it is fast, has support for remoteapp, and is as "real time" as you can get with a rdp session. I currently have several users that use their tf700 as a thin client for their primary desktop. It works very well and is highly customizable.
If you are not tech savvy, go with a different one though. It requires a real rdp connection- so it works with terminal services and gateways flawlessly. If you know how to connect to the computer that you want to through a regular windows rdp session-- this will work the exact same.
The best I have found for the video/audio streaming requirement is splashtop thd-- IF you have a recently made nvidia graphics card. Can't beat that combination.
Splashtop 2 works great.
I bought PocketCloud, works nice yes!
Google updated their Youtube application, so that works very well now too.
But i use RDP often to my servers, so i bought it anyway.
For video stored on my server i found a file browser application with a nice SMB addon/builtin. File mamanger HD (play store link)
I've tried root explorer, astro, and a bunch more, but i found this the best. Can save shortcuts to shared folders on my fileserver.
I also bouhgt MX player (pro?) and it plays almost everything!
It's soon becoming a laptop replacement.
I apologize if this is the wrong forum. I did search for the answer to my questions but I have such a poor understanding of these concepts that it's hard for me to even research. I ask for patience and simple explanations if possible, as my tech savvy level tends to be pretty low.
My parents bought an LG Google Tv (55GT) over the Holidays, finally caving in and buying a nice tv for te first time in my life. They kind of went all out on this one, deciding that for once they just want something that fills all their needs. Sadly it's proving to be incomprehensible on so many levels. Part of it is we have pretty bad internet for streaming, which we knew in advance.
The basics are working for us. Netflix, Amazon, and I even got a workaround for Hulu Plus.
I began looking for media servers to try and stream media from our laptop to the TV, and discovered Plex and Playon, as well as Twonky and the app that led me to this forum, BubbleUpNp.
My understanding so far is that Twonky, Plex, and Playon are merely servers, and that I required a product like Bubbleupnp to recognize and communicate with those servers on the TV. So far so good. Using Bubbleupnp (and I also tried Avia) I was able to see all our running servers, and ultimately I was able to access the media files I had stored on my computer (after messing around a bit, not all of them worked for video, all let me listen to my music)
Enter the problem I am working on now, having conquered all these other issues. All these servers come with great channels I can add on. There are academic channels with lectures, podcasters, tech stations, and on and on. However when I try to play these channels in Bubbleupnp, I get this error:
"bubbleup can be selected only for playing a video to an external renderer (ex: TV) from another ap (ex: file manager)"
Bubbleupnp gives me an option in the screen where I choose which server I want to browse to use a 'local renderer' or 'avia's renderer'. I don't know what this means.
What I am hoping for is someone to explain to me what rendering is, how it works, and how I can fix this issue. My parents would like access to all these cool channels, and I would like to slay my massive frustration with it.
What is a local renderer? Do I need to download a renderer to my tv? to my computer? How? does this have to do with video codecs or translating data into a language the TV can understand?
I would be grateful even to be pointed to something that explains this stuff. I hardly know where to start because my knowledge in it is so pathetic. Please help?