[Q] Best all-around stick for streaming Netflix, Hulu etc...? - Android Stick & Console Computers General

Looking for an Android stick that can stream Netflix, Hulu and my local cable company TV via the web. Would like the ability to use a remote control and output 1080p. Would really need the remote control ability.
Any suggestions?

nGet said:
Looking for an Android stick that can stream Netflix, Hulu and my local cable company TV via the web. Would like the ability to use a remote control and output 1080p. Would really need the remote control ability.
Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also entered the realm of needing a device like OP described. An extra caveat of mine is that I would like to root it and try to keep it updated with the latest Android iterations for as long as possible via custom roms.

Related

Use Android phone as DLNA renderer

Hi,
I am sorry if this topic previously has been discussed, butI have googled it for some time and haven't found any solutions.
I need to be abla to beam music from one android phone to another, i.e. use the phone as media renderer. I have two old android phones which I use only for sound in my bed room and living room. I would therefore want a way to control these phones from my primary phones. There are some ways to use them as media servera, etc., but I cant't the solution.
So, please help wouldn't this be possible? I guess a lot of people out there have old phones, which could be awesome to control from remote.
Sent from my Dell Streak using XDA App
Nice idea!
Hi, this is actually a interesting idea! I have an old G1 and if it can be recognized as a renderer I
Could plug it to external speakers and beam music to it from my Desire.
Result : cheap wireless speakers system!
I'm sure that someone must have tried this before.
Any experience to share?
BUMP
no news on this?
Will Skifta work? (Its on the market)
Thanks for your answer, but Skifta works exactly as other Android streaming apps - the music on the tv/computer can be controlled, not the other way around. I want to remote control the music on android from remote (e.g. from another android device).
Have you tried twonkey media?
It should do the trick... need to install it on both phones, then set one up as the library and the other as the output.
No, I have already tried Twonky player, but it does not allow me to beam the music from on android phone to another. If have two phones, A and B, I want to be able to control the music player on B, which is connected to the hifi in the livingroom from phone A, which is in the kitchen. Twonky, and other options allows me to stream music from phone B to A, but I want to control the B player, which I am nowhere close to. Does that make sense? It has to work like Gmote, where it is possible to control music from the phone on the computer, but here I want to control the music on B instead of a computer.
Ah, I see. You have a phone connected to your stereo playing music. You want to be able to control that phone with another one wirelessly.
I think you are SOL... I haven't heard of anything like that. You may be able to cobble something together with Tasker and gtalk/sms messages (ie. send a message like "next song" to the other phone that Tasker picks up and performs the action).
I've been looking for this as well to repurpose my HTC Hero and have finally found it!
An app called ArcMC Media Server and Player (market link) can turn any phone into a DLNA receiver. You can then use your other phone as the server with Twonky or similar. I almost made an additional hardware purchase for this but now my old phone does it just as well.
The app looks new which might explain why no one has found it and the bad review average so far. Also it requires 2.2 which may be a limitation for some. Installing a custom rom can fix that though.
edit: sorry, I may be confused. I want my new phone "play to" my old phone. For that my old phone needed to be a receiver, which Twonky does not do. The media lives on and is controlled by my new phone, I just use my old phone to receive it and output it to the speakers.
BubbleUPnP
FYI
I just found this app, which looks promising...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1118891
I will install this on my HD2 that is connected to my outdoor speakers and I will then hopefully be abe to control the music from my Galaxy S2...
Cheers
Jonas
Here's one for ya... i went from an iphone 4 to an Atrix (woo hoo!) and would like to control my iphone music from my android. it is jail broken.
I know it's a long shot but figure'd it's the XDA forum, ya never know.
I can push YouTube videos from a phone that has Twonky Beam installed to a phone with ArkMC installed. I tried it with Samsung Infuse and Samsung Captivate.
jonolo said:
FYI
I just found this app, which looks promising...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1118891
I will install this on my HD2 that is connected to my outdoor speakers and I will then hopefully be abe to control the music from my Galaxy S2...
Cheers
Jonas
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of the apps mentioned so far in this thread, BubbleUPNP is the one I found the most stable and most useful.
I'm using it to stream from my PC, from foobar with the uPNP plugin. Winamp is my preferred music player but foobar just works so smoothly as a control point for uPNP that there's not even a choice!
adrianconst said:
I can push YouTube videos from a phone that has Twonky Beam installed to a phone with ArkMC installed. I tried it with Samsung Infuse and Samsung Captivate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ArkMC now supports YouTube as well. It's possible to subscribe for YT channels and share them to DLNA/UPnP device in local network.
Android Renderer
+1 for Arkmc . Using it for almost 1 year as a renderer on my old HTC.

Stream pictures and videos to tablet from Mac?

So I was wondering if there was a way to stream my pictures and videos from my Mac to my Transformer. I have google music for my music so that isn't really an issue, however I'd like to be able to hook my tablet to any tv and view the pictures on my Mac. I know it's probably easier done over LANwifi but it'd be nice if I could do it anywhere.
I assume once I get my mini hdmi cable it will be easy to hook it up to the TV, but getting the media is where I am stuck.
I use Subsonic (http://www.subsonic.org) to stream all my music and video's to my phone and tablet (or any other device)...
The server can be a mac, you can access your media via the web or via an android, iphone, pc widget/app... there is a lot out there...
It doesn't support image viewing (by default), but there is a mod which enables picture viewing support...
You can take a look at http://media.schattorie.nl, apps are available in the market...
does it cost monthly?
So I just got Plex, seems to work thus far. 4.99 for the app and the server on my mac is a free d/l. Just need to see if it works over 3g now...

How to use Play To Feature?

I have been trying to get this feature to work for a while now, Microsoft has been no help because all of the tutorials involve using media player on desktop win8. The option comes up when you select a music file in windows explorer under the Play tab in the ribbon. It is supposed to allow you to stream to dlna devices or other computers on your network. I have the proper media sharing options enabled on both my win8pro laptop and the surface, but I can not get it to ungrey going either way (play from laptop to surface or surface to laptop). The normal tutorials involve creating a playlist in media player then using the play to option in it, which is still grayed out on my laptop. The surface can see the laptop over the network, and the laptop can see the surface as well.
Later I am going to try turning on the server option in services on the surface and see if that works
Anyone else gotten this to work? It just seems like such a great idea, have your laptop plugged into the stereo and then play stuff to it remotely from your surface. I wish that Microsoft had implemented this as robustly as the play to Xbox option because I don't want to buy an Xbox just to stream music while I have other computers that could do that just as easily.
Make sure the media sharing services are running and permitted through the firewall. Beyond that, I don't know. I've never actually heard of the functionality like you describe - PlayTo is intended for devices (i.e. "not computers" where a Windows RT tablet is a computer, but an Xbox 360 is a device). There are (much) cheaper DLNA receivers than Xbxoes, incidentally.
I use the play to now and again, I stream video files to my DLNA TV. Though I tend to prefer to use my laptop for this due to its support for mp4/mkv files. Just ensure the device ur streaming to comes up in the devices part of the metro settings, and as mentioned, ensure your firewall isn't blocking it.
GoodDayToDie said:
Make sure the media sharing services are running and permitted through the firewall. Beyond that, I don't know. I've never actually heard of the functionality like you describe - PlayTo is intended for devices (i.e. "not computers" where a Windows RT tablet is a computer, but an Xbox 360 is a device). There are (much) cheaper DLNA receivers than Xbxoes, incidentally.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, it has to be a Microsoft-certified DLNA receiver for Metro apps to be able to share to it. There are a bunch of those, but it's not quite as easy as just getting a DLNA receiver. You can use Play To to a non-certified receiver from the desktop though.
For the original poster, to be able to Play To a laptop, you need to enable an option in Windows Media Player and have that open. The option is "Allow Remote Control of my player" under the Stream menu (in WMP12 at least).
@jhoff80: Cool, thanks for the tip, didn't know about that feature!
@Doggydude: Be aware that Windows RT doesn't include Media Player, so it may be unable to receive DLNA. The other direction should, in theory, work after enabling it as jhoff80 suggested.
Thanks for your input guys, I will continue to work on native play to, but courtesy of a pm from neoncell who doesn't have full permissions yet there is an app called play to receiver in the store that should do what I want fairly well.
@jhoff80 I have that option enabled
@feygor I haven't checked if it shows up in devices, il check that out thanks. Both my computers and router's firewall allow it I believe
@gooddaytodie I might look into a receiver, but I'd rather just use existing hardware. My stereo and tv are too old to have even basic internet support. I wish that Microsoft had implemented other device options other than just an Xbox for native media streaming in their music and video apps.
My Samsung TV is not Microsoft certified. Does that mean I need this Play To app/program to stream video from my tablet to my tv? How do I get it?
im fairly sure the answer is no, but does anyone know if it is possible to use the play to feature to send streaming media in a browser to an xbox?
duplicate post
tboy2000 said:
My Samsung TV is not Microsoft certified. Does that mean I need this Play To app/program to stream video from my tablet to my tv? How do I get it?
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Click to collapse
That means you have to do it from the desktop. Right click (tap-and-hold) on the MP3 audio file or MP4 video file that you want to play to your TV, and it should give you the option to Play To, with a callout menu that lists your TV. That will give you a small set of controls to play the video or audio file, with playlist functionality there as well. (Looks like they just pulled the necessary parts from WMP).
eeisner said:
im fairly sure the answer is no, but does anyone know if it is possible to use the play to feature to send streaming media in a browser to an xbox?
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Click to collapse
I highly doubt it, you need an app that has the ability to stream.
Microsofts media apps for win8 have xbox streaming built in
eeisner said:
im fairly sure the answer is no, but does anyone know if it is possible to use the play to feature to send streaming media in a browser to an xbox?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HTML5 video is supposed to work that way, but I've never tried it myself.
jhoff80 said:
HTML5 video is supposed to work that way, but I've never tried it myself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
heres to hoping the streamers on firstrowsports start using html5 haha. but honestly, if this is able to be done in browser, I cant get it done on my surface. hmmm....

[Q] android xbmc remote question

So I finally have an htpc setup in the living room with xbmc running, I really like using the xbmc remote, yatse or other dosnt matter to much, its very nice to use the remote since I can easly find what movies I have and other information much more quicker and I dont interrupt anyone or myself when watching something, it also has a nice feature of sending a youtube link to be watched on xbmc.
What I wanted to know, is if its possible to have an android device locked completely off all apps and can only use two apps, specifically youtube and an xbmc remote app, the reason for this is that it makes my life easier since their are other people who watch xbmc but are not as "tech" oriented or what not, but using a remote like this might make their experience alot easier, so basically the android device can only change between the xmbc remote app and youtube, everything else is hopefully unable to be accessed.

[CLOSED] Getting Rid of Cable TV

Mod edit: Thread closed and link to paid service removed. Oswald Boelcke}
I am looking to ditch my cable TV. I don't want to pay the monthly $90+ for a lousy selection of channels, most of which we either don't watch or that we can stream live online. I watch a lot of pro sports and I am able to stream them from various websites free.
Can anyone suggest how to best set up our 3 household TVs - and with what equipment so that I can make the transition to getting rid of our cable a reality? Currently we simply use HDMI lines to connect a laptop or phone to a TV to stream whatever we want on a big screen. Would it be best to designate 1 device for each TV in order to stream whatever we wish to stream? Would it be best to buy an Amazon fire stick or cube? Or what about a Roku? Apple TV or Google Chromecast?
No idea how to best sort this out. I do know that there are some very inexpensive Internet cable option available these days. For example: XXX
Please advise if you can to assist with this transition. THANKS!
I'd say get an Android TV device like Chromecast with Google TV or those Onn Tv boxes from Walmart for each TV. Since they're just android at the core (fire tv is also but they don't have gapps) you can do a lot more with them and you usually get the extra Chromecast functionality. If you have OTA TV channels nearby, you can get a USB TV tuner and hook it up to a computer or raspberry pi with Plex installed and it'll let you access and record shows from any device with Plex. You'll need to get Plex pass but it's not too expensive. (Not an ad for Plex I just use and like it a lot)
arncap said:
I am looking to ditch my cable TV. I don't want to pay the monthly $90+ for a lousy selection of channels, most of which we either don't watch or that we can stream live online. I watch a lot of pro sports and I am able to stream them from various websites free.
Can anyone suggest how to best set up our 3 household TVs - and with what equipment so that I can make the transition to getting rid of our cable a reality? Currently we simply use HDMI lines to connect a laptop or phone to a TV to stream whatever we want on a big screen. Would it be best to designate 1 device for each TV in order to stream whatever we wish to stream? Would it be best to buy an Amazon fire stick or cube? Or what about a Roku? Apple TV or Google Chromecast?
No idea how to best sort this out. I do know that there are some very inexpensive Internet cable option available these days. For example: https://rivertv.ca/
Please advise if you can to assist with this transition. THANKS!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't had cable since I lived at home with my parents. I use Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu (through Spotify). I also use the below mentioned setup.
My setup (which I don't condone unless you're a scumbag) is a Raspberry Pi running a Plex server in Docker, connected to an external 8TB HDD. I then have a Nvidia Shield connected to my living room TV and use this to stream all the media I have downloaded on my Plex server. The cool thing about Plex is that you can also connect to your server with phones, tablets, laptops, Firesticks, Rokus, etc. You can also connect to it remotely; I can stream my home server to my work laptop and watch all the Media. With Plex you can also share your "Library" with friends/family. You can create an account for them and give them access.
I don't use Cable TV any more complete on Online streaming for all of my devices.
There is always the Tivimate app on CCwGTV, combined with a (preferably legal) lPTV provider of your choice.
(I normally don't condone piracy, but if you are a person in the world with very limited income, and TV is one of the few things that gives you happiness in tough times of your life, for example, I'd understand why one would do it when the global wealth has been redistributed to the wealthy 1% of the 1%...)
Good luck finding a solution that works out for you.
I only use internet to watch the TV and never used the cable
{Mod edit: Quoted post has been deleted}
Wholly post incrementing batman
arncap said:
I am looking to ditch my cable TV. I don't want to pay the monthly $90+ for a lousy selection of channels, most of which we either don't watch or that we can stream live online. I watch a lot of pro sports and I am able to stream them from various websites free.
Can anyone suggest how to best set up our 3 household TVs - and with what equipment so that I can make the transition to getting rid of our cable a reality? Currently we simply use HDMI lines to connect a laptop or phone to a TV to stream whatever we want on a big screen. Would it be best to designate 1 device for each TV in order to stream whatever we wish to stream? Would it be best to buy an Amazon fire stick or cube? Or what about a Roku? Apple TV or Google Chromecast?
No idea how to best sort this out. I do know that there are some very inexpensive Internet cable option available these days. For example: https://rivertv.ca/
Please advise if you can to assist with this transition. THANKS!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have a look at an Android streaming box or as you said a Firestick 4k Max.
Install Kodi and visit https://www.matthuisman.nz/
Matt Huisman is a legend for what he brings the IPTV community. All my TV is via the internet and I couldn't function without Matt's awesome work.
A good place to start anyway.
I'd start with a Chromecast w/Google TV or a NV Shield. If you have a smart TV, it may be OK on its own (my Sony 900e is getting pretty slow compared to an external Chromecast). Easiest solution is YouTubeTV, but the price per month keeps going up. I dropped it when it went above $50/month. I have Prime, Netflix, Peacock, etc
tehdomic said:
There is always the Tivimate app on CCwGTV, combined with a (preferably legal) lPTV provider of your choice.
(I normally don't condone piracy, but if you are a person in the world with very limited income, and TV is one of the few things that gives you happiness in tough times of your life, for example, I'd understand why one would do it when the global wealth has been redistributed to the wealthy 1% of the 1%...)
Good luck finding a solution that works out for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My suggestion as well, however streaming from most iptv providers ISNT legal period. They stream illegally to paying people. Buying Tv from the source such as Comcast or Spectrum etc is the only truely legal way of doing so.

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