As some of you will remember we bought a new large TV recently.
We wish to buy a new laptop, this will be used to provide easy full internet access for the catch up etc to the TV as well as being a spare mobile PC when not in such use.
Connection wise, i see some laptops come with HDMI connections which would be easy and simple plug in on the side of TV...though two USB connections availabe there too.
Would HDMI be preferable connecting to TV, that way the TV simply displays what it receives, correct?
If so if a laptop has an HDMI connection does that mean it can 'transmit' as well as receive through that?...sound as well as picture?
Anything else we should consider please, and any laptops or systems we should avoid.
Sorry if these questions seem simple, rather ask you lot than someone interested only in flogging something.
SWMBO asked Dell online about this and it was suggested we bought a laptop with a dedicated Video Card, as this would help with resolution and ouput...yay or nay?
Thanks as usual for any advice.
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>> Connection wise, i see some laptops come with HDMI connections which would be easy and
>> simple plug in on the side of TV..
Yes
>>though two USB connections availabe there too.
Wont work on a laptop.
>>
>> Would HDMI be preferable connecting to TV, that way the TV simply displays what it
>> receives, correct?
Correct
>> If so if a laptop has an HDMI connection does that mean it can 'transmit'
>> as well as receive through that?...sound as well as picture?
Whats seen and heard on the laptop will be seen (bigger) and heard (louder) on the TV. It will not work the other way round tho, and I don't see what use that would be.
>> SWMBO asked Dell online about this and it was suggested we bought a laptop with
>> a dedicated Video Card, as this would help with resolution and ouput...yay or nay?
Some truth behind that, tho to be fair most modern mid range and up laptops will have sufficient resolution for a 1080p TV.
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Thanks Z for those prompt answers.
HDMI question was just in case it didn;t work the way we wanted, too blinking late once its bought, sorry for the idiot questions..;)
Any suggestions for a PC fellow travellers, lap or desktop, for the job in question, reliable reasonably long lifer.
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My answer would be any lenovo with an I3 or I5 cpu, at the best price you can get.
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Thanks for the recommendation Z.
Couple here if you wouldn't mind just scanning your mincers over them, i expect the slightly more expensive model to be getting there, or are we miles from the performance you advise
tinyurl.com/bcububz
tinyurl.com/bhnser3
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can see nowt wrong with the second, would fit your requirement perfectly.
Last edited by: Zero on Thu 21 Feb 13 at 14:04
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GB,
I can't remember exactly which television you ended up with, but I thought I remembered that it had some kind of internet access already built in?
Am I mistaken?
Its worth checking that it doesn't simply need internet access to do what you want itself.
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Yes it does have internet capability but not built in wifi, we do have a dongle type thingy on it but little is programmed into the TV itself.
If you recall we lowered our TV budget because it was things like 4oD that we wanted but no smart TV supported that anyway so decided to do it the other way with a cheaper telly.
We were going to go for YouView in due course and that may well come to pass but going to leave that side of things for a while and see where the industry goes.
Thanks for looking at those Lenovo's Z, second one looks like a goer then.
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Oh yes, I remember now.
One last thing to throw in, if this laptop will be dedicated for routing services to your TV I would not spend very much money, if I were you. I'd also question whether a small desktop might be better.
If the laptop is not going to be dedicated and will be used for other stuff, just check that switching the audio around as you connect & disconnect won't be too much hassle. (it might be no hassle at all, but worth a check).
Finally, have you checked out Apple TV just to see if it does what you want? I can't remember if it does Catchup or not.
Ignoring me may be more helpful.
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I have an Apple TV and we use it a lot - but it doesn't do catchup, no, by default.
We use it primarily for Netflix, and streaming Spotify to the main audio system from the iPhone/iPad. We also use it to display Youtube stuff from the iPad (or use the built in Youtube player).
Any photos that hit your Apple photostream, or can be put there, are watchable directly and easily too, so holiday pics just appear on the big TV trivially and seamlessly.
We don't use it to watch iTunes movies/TV, but it's capable of that too.
Has the advantage of built in wifi or direct ethernet connection to the router, and then just an HDMI lead to the TV and a digital optical cable to the amp. No other trailing wires, (well apart from power of course) and is very tiny and silent.
All that is out of the box for £99.
However, we also use it to stream all of our DVD collection from a PC. The fairly trivial jailbreak process required to make it do that has also enabled the ability to do catchup tv on it, I should add, so it's doable.
Nice bit of kit, if you happen to want to do those things.
Last edited by: Crankcase on Thu 21 Feb 13 at 14:52
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Nice bit of kit, if you happen to want to do those things.
Thats very interesting CC, don't suppose you happen to know if you can connect to 4oD through this Apple TV directly or does it still require a PC connected?
''Nice bit of kit, if you happen to want to do those things.''...thanks for the endorsement D, if we go new laptop thats the one we'll bag.
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You can get 4OD on it - but not out of the box. You do need a little bit of techy fiddling to get it, although you only need to do it once. (If you, or perhaps someone else reading this, should care it's just a case of jailbreak it, install XBMC, and then add the 4OD plug in, all of which is documented nicely with how to pictures on the web.)
You wouldn't then need a PC to play 4OD, no.
Last edited by: Crankcase on Thu 21 Feb 13 at 16:08
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Sorry to reply to my own post, but just in case - not having looked at this for ages, it looks as if the current version (generation 3) of the AppleTV does NOT yet have a jailbreak option, so unless you pick up a older generation 2 one for buttons somewhere, you'll have to wait until the jailbreak is available (any day now allegedly).
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Appreciate your info there CC, thankyou.
Been having a poke nose round the usual sources.
People selling jailbroken Gen 2's for upwards of £200, which though seems expensive, if they work then would appear reasonable.
Was jailbreaking your Gen 2 a complicated affair?, we don't any other Apple porducts other than SWMBO's iPhone 4.
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Crikey, they do go for a bit don't they. Had no idea until today. Don't forget you only need the jailbreak if you want the on demand/play your own DVDs stuff.
The jailbreak is easy as anything for someone a bit techy and takes about 30 minutes, or scary for someone not techy but still takes about 30 minutes. It's download some software. Connect to your pc with iTunes on it. Run software. Reset Appletv. Done.
Then you install Xbmc on it, which is also easy. Another 30 minutes. All done. Now you add 4od, ice films if you're piratical, or any of the ten million other plugs ins available as you wish.
If it fails, factory reset, try again is all.
There are some starting cheap so as ever an overlooked bargain could be had with luck. Example.
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Apple-Tv-/160976520717
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or scary for someone not techy but still takes about 30 minutes. It's download
>> some software. Connect to your pc with iTunes on it. Run software. Reset Appletv. Done.
Just supposing some technophobe, like me, was to buy an unmolested Gen2, would some decent stick be able to point him in the direction of where to get said software and a rough idea how to do the business, pretty please..;)
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Yes of course. Or a really decent cove would say post it over, as its light and small, and said cove would do it for you if desired. Either, should it be purchased.
Seems a lot of money just for 4od mind you, if you don't want all the other bits!
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A decent Cove indeed, one might well take him up on that offer, titfer duly doffed.
Its the other bits that are tempting, getting linked into different TV and film services that arn't normally available.
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Well, here are some. Note that, for example, the Filmon one is about 60 weird tv and radio channels on its own. (i use it to watch things like Macabre Theatre and Cultra)
wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=Category:Video_add-ons
Won't guarantee they all work all the time, though. Always changing and always new ones popping up. 4od isn't listed there, but is available elsewhere.
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>>Thanks for looking at those Lenovo's Z, second one looks like a goer then.
That's the one my missus uses, it's a blinder IMO.
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Dabs some some excellent Lenovo offers regularly, such as:
tinyurl.com/aqk3ksw
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''If the laptop is not going to be dedicated and will be used for other stuff, just check that switching the audio around as you connect & disconnect won't be too much hassle. (it might be no hassle at all, but worth a check).''
Thats the reason for HDMI connection, simple one plug in and out and no searching from the TV each time it gets plugged in.
Did consider a small desktop but obviously its stuck there permanently.
''Dabs'' Interesting offer that Stuartli thanks, though prefer the smaller screen of the Z370.
The one you link to is 3rd gen processor not as i have a clue what that means, i'll let one of our experts take a look if they don't mind..;)
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It means that it's the third generation of the original i5 (there are also i3 and i7 versions) developed by Intel in recent times.
I bought a Lenovo B560 15.6in i5 from Dabs about 18 months ago (first generation i5) for £430 - at that time the price was a true bargain as usually it would be an i3 model in that price range. They are good machines and made by the company that bought up the IBM name after producing models to that company's specifications for many years.
Some help with the various processor versions:
tinyurl.com/b2xssmw
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>> Some help with the various processor versions:
I tried, i really tried.
Basically it seems that a i5 is better/faster than an i3, but can only assume that a second/third gen of the one model is like a facelift in car speak, eyes glazing.:-)
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Don't worry, you most likely wouldn't notice anything different in actual use...:-)
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It take it the intention is to have a 'computer' of some sort connected to the large TV to stream online content. And you will connect to this computer with a remote/wireless keyboard and mouse? If this was me, I'd not want a laptop as to use it you need the laptop open to use the keyboard/trackpad.
A media type PC in your home media setup would work better. I'd be looking at those options. It doesn't even have to be as small as an Apple TV.
Someone on here surely has something working with all sorts configured.
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>> A media type PC in your home media setup would work better. I'd be looking
>> at those options. It doesn't even have to be as small as an Apple TV.
We did toy with the idea of a semi permanent desktop set up behind yonder TV instead.
Nothings writ in stone yet, as this thread is proving there is so much more out there than i imagined.
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I was thinking of a mini PC using an mini-ITX sized motherboard. Not sure if this sort is up to the HD video streaming you're after but the latest ones are more than capable. And could run XMBC or Boxee etc.
And some left field thinking, there's all these tiny Android based devices to consider. The Raspberry Pi has got a lot of devices to come to market. Some just plug into the HDMI port like a USB stick. But it will be the apps available that make or break this. And getting something doing this out of the box. XMBC has a port for Android.
And an Android smartphone or tablet will connect via HDMI to a large screen TV. My Android phone can even send the screen contents with a swipe of the fingers on the screen to a TV via a wireless connection using an HTC box (separate purchase). On Android I have 4oD, iPlayer, ITV Player (TV adverts!), TV catchup (ads so annoying!), DNLA video players, Sky Go, obviously YouTube and other services will be available too.
I suppose what you do depends on what you really need. The Apple TV would be a neat solution.
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An Android tablet would be a very sensible approach. Look for a Tegra3 based one for the video performance and don't be too worried about the pixel count or type of its own screen. There are bargains to be had.
My Acer Iconia tab A510 does a smashing job of playing stuff to the telly and all the major online video services have apps for it.
Also manages to stream files stored on the desktop very nicely too, courtesy of Astro file manager and SMB drive connections.
BTW, if you get a Sony Android phone, it comes with DLNA "Play to" wireless functionality built in. No need for another box. Having played with a few, I reckon that it's actually Sony who make the best 'droids at the moment, especially if the camera's important to you.
I know there's a wireless DNLA app for the tablet too, I just haven't tracked down a reliable one yet.........Ok, I haven't tracked down a reliable free one yet, I'm just being tight.
I must get around to sorting that last, so I can be free of the HDMI cable....
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I got an HDMI cable to attach my Asus Transformer T301F (with Tegra 3 - eee.asus.com/en/transformer-300/features) to the telly last week, works a treat - would support your recommendation.
I'm thinking about buying on of the new Sony Xperia Z phones, to be released 1 March. They look pretty good and I didn't know about the DLNA functionality you mention above.
Last edited by: smokie on Fri 22 Feb 13 at 13:36
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Dabs? Gosh I used to buy kit from them when I was doing PC R&M for a company in the eighties and they were a small startup advertising in the back pages of the computer press.
I also remember shedding a tear when they went bust fairly recently, any idea who bought 'em up?
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you must be thinking of something else, Dabs have not gone bust recently, they have been a BT company since 2006
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At my age, 2006 feels recent.....
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Much obliged for the continuing input, admit my heads spinning as there's now so many ways to go about this.
tinyurl.com/bdlbxfk
Ok this isn't an android, but would it provide a small self contained answer for us if we shelved the laptop purchase?
Or is there a media focussed desktop that would be possibly more robust and longer term reliable, i realise the tiny PC above is made using laptop parts so maybe less fixable?
You've given us so much to think about, its likely to be weeks before we decide which way to jump, thanks for all the contributions so far.
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For what you're trying to do, then a mini PC is a real option. I'd found a few but will leave for others to Google/research. You could then run XBMC or Boxee on top of Windows.
Not sure if something like this would be fast enough to decode HD video. Probably is but dedicated hardware is so much more efficient than using a CPU:
www.ebuyer.com/395455-acer-revo-rl80-nettop-pc-dt-smbek-006
With a net-top you could then use a wireless keyboard/trackpad of some sort to control it, e.g.
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005LDLQXG/?tag=hydra0b-21&hvadid=9550932669&ref=asc_df_B005LDLQXG
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Probably is but dedicated hardware is so much more efficient than using a CPU:
>>
You lost me at that point RTJ, though i'm thankful for all the input here chaps i mean that, this is a fair price to be investing so i want to get it as right as possible.
Need someone to look at the one you kindly linked to and the tinyurl jobbie i linked just above if they wouldn't mind, and point out the differences, preferably in terms an old lorry jockey might be able to decipher...:-)
Or point us towards a likely looking desktop/notebook/whatever that should give reasonable service, please.
If we can have two or three viable comparable alternative routes we can decide which way to jump.
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Sorry I lost you. What I was trying to say was decoding High Definition video can be CPU intensive. But granted CPUs in phones even are pretty fast but dedicated silicon on a processor can do this easily.
Often mobiles will rely on the inbuilt graphics processor to decode video efficiently. Battery life being all important. Not an issue for your scenario.
To be honest there are dozens of options for you. Easiest might be a decent net-top PC with Windows and wireless keyboard/trackpad.
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>> To be honest there are dozens of options for you. Easiest might be a decent
>> net-top PC with Windows and wireless keyboard/trackpad.
Thanks RTJ, please don't apologise you know what you're about here, when something is your field of many years its so easy to forget others can get baffled.
I think we're leaning to one of those net tops, though one of our brethren might well persude us otherwise..;)
Z seems to be a fan of Lenovo in the lap top range and i respect his opinion too, does the Lenovo brand garner favour among all you hexperts in desk/net top products too or are there other products any of you chaps would consider good?
hope this isn't boring the pants of you lot, explaining simply for the dummie at the back might be grating nerves by now.:-)
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Nah, wouldn't recommend a Lenovo desktop, too many "integrated" features, too business oriented, and poor graphic options.
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Your problem, GB, is that you want to do a perfectly reasonable thing in a simple way, but there isn't really such a solutIon out there yet.
For a brief overview of the ins and outs, have a read of this non techy article.
www.guardian.co.uk/technology/askjack/2012/sep/13/ask-jack-tv-catchup-iplayer
The nearest you're going to get at the moment is some sort of multiple box arrangement, whether that's a laptop, a tablet, a media streamer, or actually even a Playstation 3, which will do things like 4OD!
If it were me, I'd get the tv sorted and just watch what's on it, source some dvds to your taste from the library or Amazon as you see fit, watch your other bits like the iplayer and so forth on any old pc for now and revisit the market in a year, when the various media streamers and Youview have better offerings.
I don't recall your broadband speed either. If it's hopeless the whole idea is knocked on the head anyway, whatever the solution you buy.
Last edited by: Crankcase on Sat 23 Feb 13 at 08:04
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Nah, wouldn't recommend a Lenovo desktop, too many "integrated" features, too business oriented, and poor graphic options.
Many thanks Z, noted.
>> If it were me,
>> watch your other bits like the iplayer and so forth on any old pc for
>> now and revisit the market in a year, when the various media streamers and Youview
>> have better offerings.
CC thanks, i think thats about the sum of it, i'm trying to do this too quickly before the systems are all compatible, i think revisiting this problem in a year makes a lot of sense.
Many thanks all of you, i'll keep me eyes peeled on developments and invest when its right.
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It has to be said that we have Virgin cable with however many hundreds of channels on it, all the XBMC stuff which probably adds another hundred, access to all the catch up things, a library of well over 500 dvds, subs to Netflix and Lovefilm, including a DVD in the post, Youtube, Vimeo, Blinkbox...
And you know what? We watch at best an hour of tv a day, often none, and if there's any time left over we prefer to read our books.
Crazy.
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Similar story here Crankcase, and our TV rarely gets tuned to anything other than the BBC.
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>>I also remember shedding a tear when they went bust fairly recently, any idea who bought 'em up?>>
As Zero says, Dabs has been part of BT for some years.
I use to buy computer equipment at Dabs in the late 1980s when they were based in Leyland, before the eventual move to the current base. I worked in Preston so it was easy to make a modest diversion to call at its outlet personally. Remember buying a Star printer on one occasion for a price that would seem outrageous today...:-)
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I last bought from DABs many many years ago. The last time I tried they stopped dealing with the public. That's when I discovered Scan. Scan has expanded since then.
The other place I used to buy a lot from has gone downhill and suffering under new owners - Microdirect.
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New laptop connecting to TV - Zero
