Ask Engadget HD: What's the cheapest way to get streaming internet video on my HDTV?
By Richard Lawler 
posted Nov 18th 2009 3:15PM
posted Nov 18th 2009 3:15PM
"Currently I have my home theater with a projection TV, Samsung Blu-ray player and Dish Network DVR, but I've been watching a lot of streaming video on my desktop PC and want to get it on my television. Netflix, YouTube when it goes 1080p, Hulu, as much as possible. What's the cheapest way for me to get streaming internet video sources hooked up to my existing equipment?"
If price is a consideration that may knock out most Media PC builds, but while plenty of newer Blu-ray players have streaming built in he could also opt for a game console, new DVR, dedicated hardware from Roku or VUDU or wait to see what kind of Boxee will deliver. Any tips on how you got the most internet sources hooked up to your television with the least up front cost?
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Just picked up a Dell Zino HD today for $210 shipped with a $60 Dell gift card. Check it out.
Where'd you find that deal?
I've been watching and waiting for the Zino HD for a while.
Only thing, can we expect to see external (USB) cablecard tuners? I'm kind of waiting for the Seton ones to come out soon, and want to make sure I can use whatever HTPC I get as a WMC box too.
Anyone know?
@gadgetfanboy Isn't the ATI Digital Cable Tuner (external version available from Cannon PC) a USB one?
For crying out loud, you can get a LG or Samsung Blu-Ray player that does Netflix streaming for under $150 at Fry's right now. A search on E-bay will reveal cheaper.
Don't need Blu-Ray? Invest in Play-on and one of the newer WD streamers.
Of course, there's also the Xbox 360. The banned ones are pretty cheap these days.
Um... with a cable. I'd suggest one with the correct connections. :P
I got an Asus HD video card with HDMI out and a 30 HDMI cable. Total bill $50.
Missed your good chance a couple of weeks ago when Walmart was offering the XBOX 360 Arcade for $99 after a $100 gift card. The only stink is that you have to buy Gold Membership and have Netflix for streaming.
PS3 Slim
I don't think netflix is his primary desire for " internet video sources". I'm assuming he wants mostly what boxee delivers like Hulu, CBS, Youtube etc. That eliminates Xbox, BluRay and PS3.
PS3 can stream Netflix, Hulu and CBS using the PlayOn software in the computer.
MikeSp
Actually PlayOn will work with any UPNP device, which is covered by a lot more than the pricey PS3, the 360 is also included, but there are even cheaper solutions. A beagle board running XBMC would work actually, at a price point of $150 i'd call it cheap, and it does a more than stream internet video.
My experience with PlayOn and TVersity has been very poor.
Trying to stream any video over wifi seems impossible, sometimes it works but most of the time it chokes. You can forget about HD over wifi, sure you can use ethernet but if youre going to do that then why not just use an extra long HDMI cable? You also have to deal with it just not finding any content which seems to happen constantly. Its just very unreliable as a whole.
UPNP is not a very good solution, its too buggy. Either hook your PC directly up to your TV or use the built in things on devices like Netflix, UPNP is not worth the effort.
@Eh - I agree, wifi sucks
Has anybody tried powerline to stream? How well does it work? I was looking at the belkin Gigabit powerline which should do the trick, but I don't know anyone who has tried it.
You're looking at a HTPC with a decent GPU for hardware H.264 acceleration. I second what someone else above said, you should think about getting a Zino HD from Dell. The GPU does most of the work and it's pretty small so it doesnt' attract a lot of attention.
Or, if you have room for it, upgrade to an HP Slimline. I currently use a Slimline as the center of my media center experience, together with a HP MediaSmart Server which holds 3TB worth of ripped Blu-rays and DVDs, plus some downloaded TV shows.
If your computer has HDMI out, go to www.monoprice.com, buy a long enough HDMI cable, and just plug it in... I bought a 25ft HDMI 1.3b spec cable from monoprice for $30...
ViewSonic has some great products that do exactly this - small form factor, some even mount behind your TV. Designed to experience PC and Web on the TV without the bulk, noise and heat of a traditional PC. Check out the VOT product line!
I'm dying to find the right box. I thought it was myka, but they look like they can't handle the business side. I thought it was the Lenovo Q700, but it's looking like the spec's miss the cutoff.
Who will end my torture and sell a nice small quiet PC with enough power to run streaming video, not lock me into a limited number of services, but without $800 price tag.
Popcorn Hour connected to your TV w/ PlayOn software running on your desktop that you have now. There is probably cheaper hardware, but this gives you virtually everything you could want, and it's SO easy.
Take a really close look at what's going on with the new Dell Zino HD.
I just ordered one this morning, to take advantage of the special deals that popped up today.
However, my config price was somewhat higher after adding BD Drive and 8GB memory.
The entry level config is quite tempting, and might be just what you need.
More info here:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1170527
http://blogs.amd.com/home/2009/11/12/the-dell-inspiron-zinohd/
Good luck. :)
PS3 ($300) + PlayOn Media Server ($40) = Netflix, Hulu, Youtube, and more. My wife and I have enjoyed this setup for awhile now.
An HTPC is the only way to get Hulu onto your television without violating the Hulu TOS. If you want to cheat, something like PlayOn is necessary.
With one of these: Acer AspireRevo nettops (Ion inside!)
http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/07/acer-launches-first-nvidia-ion-based-nettop-aspirerevo/
Doesn't do Hulu without a ton of stutter
Not anymore. The latest Flash 10.1 beta fixed that. Still, if I had a do-over, I'd go with the Dell Zino HD instead of my current ION-based DIY HTPC.
PS3 slim and PlayOn.
I was wondering what kind of processor is needed to decode x264 video. Can an Ion do it?
Asus video card ($36) + 25ft hdmi cable ($17).
Personally I have an Apple TV that I put XBMC and Boxee on. I can access YouTube natively, Hulu through Boxee, and stream nearly everything else using XBMC or Boxee. The only thing that it doesn't support is Netflix, but I can do that through my Xbox 360.
Refurbished 40 GB Apple TV with Boxee: $150.
Will the referb Apple TV do a good job with Boxee? What about 1080p?
It might not be the most impressive method but I just went with a 25' DVI-HDMI cable and a 25' Mini-RCA cable (I was out of optical inputs on my receiver). I have a 17" MBP so the picture looks great on my TV (46" Samsung 1080P). I don't stream netflix or anything but youtube HD looks good and Hulu is passable. Downloaded HD content is great. The cables together were around $30 so it was definitely worth it. It might work for you depending on your set up and how well you can hide the cables.
My setup is a PS3 + PlayOn (http://www.themediamall.com/playon). If price is an issue, there are cheaper options than a PS3. Here's a list: http://www.themediamall.com/forums/media-devices
What youre looking for is a media streamer that is DLNA-compliant. Once youve purchased PlayOn, check playonplugins.com for more content. Between the native content supported by PlayOn and the plugins at playonplugins.com I stream Netflix, Hulu, Amazon VOD, CBS, YouTube, CNN, ESPN, South Park, Crackle, Syfy, and more.
Lastly, I don't wanna start a flame war but do NOT listen to those telling you to connect your PC to your TV with an HDMI (or other) cable. There's one MAJOR drawback theyre not mentioning: Controlling everything you watch by using your laptop/PC instead of a remote control is a serious PITA. I tried that setup for a while but got sick of it. Invest a little cash in a cheap media streamer and PlayOn (or TVersity). You won't regret it.
mac mini on ebay.
Well I use my Xbox 360 Networked with my PC. By using Media Center and the HD Homerun which is 2 HD tuners that will work with either OTA Antenna for HD channels. Great for picking up ABC, CBS, NBC, CW, PBS, etc. Or can be used for Unscrambled HD cable channels, again, Basic HD Network channels. It's external and also connects to your Network. You can also set it one with one for Antenna and the other cable if you like since there are 2 Inputs. With a nice FREE program guide for Media center, you PC is Recording your HD programs. Record 2 and watch a 3rd if you want. All the HD programs streaming to my Xbox 360 Media Extender. Looks great, works like a TIVO but even better. You can do it with a $99 Arcade system with NO LIVE GOLD SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED!!!
I also use the PlayOn software on my PC. This again allows me to stream content from HULU, CBS, and a few other places, Netflix for FREE on the 360 this way without paying for GOLD!!!, and with Plug-In's for play-On, you have access to other places like Sci-Fi channel among others.
Of course you can stream Pictures, Music and Video that's on your PC to the 360 either directly or though Media Center also. Add in Built-In Netflix support, which also allows you and 7 other friends to watch and chat together.
With the Bandwidth limits these days on how much you can download, and quality, if you can just Record your HD Programs though a Antenna. It's not costing you anything or wasting bandwidth you can use for your other content. You'd be surprised how fast you blow though your CAP streaming HD content!!! COMCAST is at 250 Gig's. That's really not all that much, but others are far worse at 100 Gig's or less. You still need gig's for your PC for software, Online Gaming, etc. The more you can get with your Antenna, the better.
Everyone suggesting PlayOn Media Server software is not counting the cost of the PC to run it. Not everyone has a desktop PC for the purpose of trans-coding video.
@Evan
Well, the OP said he already watches HULU on his desktop PC, so in this case, he's got that part covered. In the general case, anyone looking to get streaming video to a TV is most likely to have a desktop PC capable of running PlayOn. It does not have very high hardware requirements.
Um, VGA cable??? Why is it that I think I'm the only one who thinks running a VGA cable (with the 3.5mm cable built in) from their PC to TV is a good idea? I have been doing it for years and am overwhelmingly satisfied with the results. Sure, its not surround sound, but that can easily be fixed with the right audio cable and/or receiver. HDMI is nice too, but VGA is cheaper and gets the job done admirably.
I suggest a DVI to HDMI cable. Example: Monoprice Product ID 2808 for all of $32.04.
My 56" TV only exists for my use with my PC. I've been doing it for years.
Testing 1 2 3
My WDTV and my kind of empty 80GB iPod Classic or my bro's 80GB NTFS HDD for 4+GB HD vids...If only I had WDTV Live...
I would suggest using one of these
http://www.asrock.com/nettop/overview.asp?Model=ION%20330HT-BD
You can buy or build a "media streamer" for $100-300. Lotsa options here. But they do depend in part on already having a PC on your network running PlayOn or similar in order to get things like Hulu, NetFlix, Amazon VOD, etc. Check out these useful reviews:
http://gizmodo.com/5415699/asus-oplay-review-best+priced-hd-video-player-is-the-new-champ
http://lifehacker.com/5391308/build-a-silent-standalone-xbmc-media-center-on-the-cheap