Stream media from MacBook to TV

[ethical]

Hi guys,

I'm looking for a few suggestions to help me solve a problem:

Currently, I have a windows PC running XP Pro that I use as a server for all my movies etc. I also have my macbook which runs Plex. This works fine, i can watch everything on my macbook through plex no problem, by streaming (is this the correct term?) it from the pc. But what i really want to do is be able to view plex downstairs on my tv, so my whole family can enjoy it. This is where i get stuck.

The PC is 100% a server, it's so lacking in graphical ability that it cant scroll smothly through files.... so i cant put this downstairs and link it up to the tv. I also dont have enough money to invest in a mac mini to put under the tv. is there a way i can solve this problem without having to put my macbook under the tv whenever i want to watch a movie with my family?

I also have an original xbox and another pc that i use for gaming, incase these may be of use?

so really, to sum up.... is there a way that i can stream my files from the server pc and through plex (or an equivilent, i like having a nice interface to consolidate everything) into the tv without having to plug my macbook into the tv downstairs... that requires as little money as possible? This might not be possible, i dont know... just thought id ask anyway.

Thanks in advance!

Luke

 

[chas0001]

Hi guys,

I'm looking for a few suggestions to help me solve a problem:

Currently, I have a windows PC running XP Pro that I use as a server for all my movies etc. I also have my macbook which runs Plex. This works fine, i can watch everything on my macbook through plex no problem, by streaming (is this the correct term?) it from the pc. But what i really want to do is be able to view plex downstairs on my tv, so my whole family can enjoy it. This is where i get stuck.

The PC is 100% a server, it's so lacking in graphical ability that it cant scroll smothly through files.... so i cant put this downstairs and link it up to the tv. I also dont have enough money to invest in a mac mini to put under the tv. is there a way i can solve this problem without having to put my macbook under the tv whenever i want to watch a movie with my family?

I also have an original xbox and another pc that i use for gaming, incase these may be of use?

so really, to sum up.... is there a way that i can stream my files from the server pc and through plex (or an equivilent, i like having a nice interface to consolidate everything) into the tv without having to plug my macbook into the tv downstairs... that requires as little money as possible? This might not be possible, i dont know... just thought id ask anyway.

Thanks in advance!

Luke

The original xbox can be software hacked and you can install XBMC on it. This software allows you to stream music and video. I tried it and it was very simple to do.

See here : http://www.productwiki.com/microsoft-xbox/article/how-to-go-from-xbox-to-xbox-media-center-in-30-minutes.html

 

[ethical]

The original xbox can be software hacked and you can install XBMC on it. This software allows you to stream music and video. I tried it and it was very simple to do.

See here : http://www.productwiki.com/microsoft-xbox/article/how-to-go-from-xbox-to-xbox-media-center-in-30-minutes.html

ohh ok, this looks interesting. so then i'd hook this straight up to the server pc? and the poor graphics on the pc wont affect it at all? cheers for the link!

 

[chas0001]

ohh ok, this looks interesting. so then i'd hook this straight up to the server pc? and the poor graphics on the pc wont affect it at all? cheers for the link!

Just ensure that the server pc and xbox are on the same network. Not sure about the graphics on the PC. Presubably all it will do is serve up the data and the xbox will render it.

 

[spice weasel]

In my experience, the original XBox will choke horribly on h.264 video files with a bit rate higher than about 1200 kbps. Given the time investment it takes to hack the XBox, I really don't think it's worth it. Back before the ATV and other media extenders, sure. Now? Not really.

That's not to say that hacking the XBox isn't fun to do. But, unless you have the proper cables, you're going to have to buy a cheap controller and a USB cable extender or adapter and splice the two together. Then you need to hack a USB flashdrive, then go through the install process. When you are all finished you will have a 733 MHz Pentium III processor trying to play your video files.

I hacked mine a while ago, put XBMC on it, and then pulled the plug and bought an ATV.