Electronics Please recommend a media streamer

MTG#10 · 01-10-2015, 04:14 PM

Ive been using a WDTV Live+ for a few years now. I chose this model because at the time it was the only one out that could stream HD .mkv files from my PC to my living room TV. Its done a good job for the most part but lately its been very laggy and takes longer and longer to boot up. Also it will randomly freeze during an mkv stream and I have to pull the power plug to get out of it. It used to have frequent firmware updates but I cant remember the last time it had one, I guess its no longer supported.

So what I need is a box that will stream .mkv files with no lag AND be able to plug in an external hard drive/thumb drive to play mkv files from it. Is the WDTV still the only one that can do that? I looked at a Roku awhile back but it could only do one of the two, cant remember which.

SLAG · 01-10-2015, 06:00 PM

why not just install Plex on your PC and then pickup a Chromecast or a Roku (PS3/XB360 etc all work as well) to watch the media?

Plex is truly amazing

https://plex.tv/

**Buck** · 01-10-2015, 06:03 PM

+1 for Plex.

Fish · 01-10-2015, 07:03 PM

This is what I would recommend: http://www.amazon.com/MINIX-NEO-X8H-.../dp/B00KL5NWHM

It will decode just about anything you throw at it. Even 4K. You'll stream .mkv files just fine.

It runs vanilla Android 4.4.2, so you can install anything you want. USB, SD card support. Gyro mouse.

You can still run Plex, plus XBMC and whatever else.

jjjayb · 01-10-2015, 08:08 PM

Roku and Plex. Awesome combination.

ragedogg69 · 01-11-2015, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLAG

why not just install Plex on your PC and then pickup a Chromecast or a Roku (PS3/XB360 etc all work as well) to watch the media?

Plex is truly amazing

https://plex.tv/

3 Questions:

How beefed up does your PC have to be to transcode 1080p?

Does that transcoding include lossless sound?

How comparable are the private channels on Plex to the addons for XBMC?

MTG#10 · 01-11-2015, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLAG

why not just install Plex on your PC and then pickup a Chromecast or a Roku (PS3/XB360 etc all work as well) to watch the media?

Plex is truly amazing

https://plex.tv/

A lot of devices will stream media from your PC, but I need one that can play video files from a thumb drive and a hard drive dock as well...Chromecast, Roku, Xbox and PS cant do that. I have nine one terabyte hard drives full of .mkv HD movie files that I put in a hard drive dock and play movies from on my WDTV. Its always worked fine but I think its starting to crap out on me and I dont want to buy another one since it seems support has ended.

MTG#10 · 01-11-2015, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fish

This is what I would recommend: http://www.amazon.com/MINIX-NEO-X8H-.../dp/B00KL5NWHM

It will decode just about anything you throw at it. Even 4K. You'll stream .mkv files just fine.

It runs vanilla Android 4.4.2, so you can install anything you want. USB, SD card support. Gyro mouse.

You can still run Plex, plus XBMC and whatever else.

That looks interesting but a lot of the reviews worry me.

**mikeyis4dcats.** · 01-11-2015, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTG#10

A lot of devices will stream media from your PC, but I need one that can play video files from a thumb drive and a hard drive dock as well...Chromecast, Roku, Xbox and PS cant do that. I have nine one terabyte hard drives full of .mkv HD movie files that I put in a hard drive dock and play movies from on my WDTV. Its always worked fine but I think its starting to crap out on me and I dont want to buy another one since it seems support has ended.

thats a lot of porn

SLAG · 01-12-2015, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTG#10

A lot of devices will stream media from your PC, but I need one that can play video files from a thumb drive and a hard drive dock as well...Chromecast, Roku, Xbox and PS cant do that. I have nine one terabyte hard drives full of .mkv HD movie files that I put in a hard drive dock and play movies from on my WDTV. Its always worked fine but I think its starting to crap out on me and I dont want to buy another one since it seems support has ended.

I'm not sure why you can't plugin in the Thumb Drive and hook up the Docks into your PC that you use to Stream.

Plex is supported on some NAS clients more info:
https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/art...-Right-for-Me-

Perhaps I misunderstand the problem?

SLAG · 01-12-2015, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ragedogg69

3 Questions:

How beefed up does your PC have to be to transcode 1080p?

Does that transcoding include lossless sound?

How comparable are the private channels on Plex to the addons for XBMC?

Here are some partial answers:

1- As with all things like this the answer is.. It Depends.
Are you streaming across 4-5 devices 1080p from multipule locations?

Are you watching 1 1080p stream at a time... this is just one example of a condition that would impact the answer

Here is a link to Plex's System Requirements - Hope it helps:
https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/art...d-Alone-Server

https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/art...rver-computer-

2 - I know nothing about Lossless Audio as I am not that cool, but this post seems to answer your question:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/653329/does...s#post_9219320

3- I've never used XBMC - but there is a "Hidden" plex channel that installs unsupported channels like Bring the Popcorn / SS-Plex(Stream from TPB) / and "Full Movies on Reddit" / other porn gallerys etc.

Check it out!

01-10-2015, 04:14 PM
MTG#10 Mammoth penis Join Date: May 2006 Location: Springfield Casino cash: $7534386	Please recommend a media streamer Ive been using a WDTV Live+ for a few years now. I chose this model because at the time it was the only one out that could stream HD .mkv files from my PC to my living room TV. Its done a good job for the most part but lately its been very laggy and takes longer and longer to boot up. Also it will randomly freeze during an mkv stream and I have to pull the power plug to get out of it. It used to have frequent firmware updates but I cant remember the last time it had one, I guess its no longer supported. So what I need is a box that will stream .mkv files with no lag AND be able to plug in an external hard drive/thumb drive to play mkv files from it. Is the WDTV still the only one that can do that? I looked at a Roku awhile back but it could only do one of the two, cant remember which.
Posts: 11,429

01-10-2015, 06:00 PM	#2
SLAG Superbowl MVP Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: OOOOOOOOOOOOOLATHE Casino cash: $9910252	why not just install Plex on your PC and then pickup a Chromecast or a Roku (PS3/XB360 etc all work as well) to watch the media? Plex is truly amazing https://plex.tv/ __________________ Ad astra per aspera Last edited by SLAG; 01-10-2015 at 06:01 PM.. Reason: https://plex.tv/
Posts: 11,177

01-10-2015, 06:03 PM	#3
Buck Take a Chill Pill Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Carolina Casino cash: $8329900	+1 for Plex.
Posts: 44,562

01-10-2015, 07:03 PM	#4
Fish Ain't no relax! Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $2298919	This is what I would recommend: http://www.amazon.com/MINIX-NEO-X8H-.../dp/B00KL5NWHM It will decode just about anything you throw at it. Even 4K. You'll stream .mkv files just fine. It runs vanilla Android 4.4.2, so you can install anything you want. USB, SD card support. Gyro mouse. You can still run Plex, plus XBMC and whatever else. __________________
Posts: 47,492

01-10-2015, 08:08 PM	#5
jjjayb MVP Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Back in K.C. baby!!!! Casino cash: $6163433	Roku and Plex. Awesome combination.
Posts: 7,013