Using tablet with a HiDef TV?

[EddyTheDog]

I want to set up a tablet or something similar so it acts as a remote control for an HDTv.

The idea is that in a big room I can operate the TV via the tablet (wirelessly). So what I see on the tablet is mirrored on the TV.

I have a few ideas but they are pretty cumbersome and I wonder if there is something that works like this already.

Thanks

[candyflip]

I use XBMC on a small PC that is hooked up to my HDTV. This can be controlled with an app the runs on both iOS and Android. It can also stream content to the device too.

[DamianJ]

Airplay and an apple tv does exactly that.

[EddyTheDog]

I use XBMC on a small PC that is hooked up to my HDTV. This can be controlled with an app the runs on both iOS and Android. It can also stream content to the device too.

Thanks - I have an old laptop I could use - I will take a look...

[EddyTheDog]

I use XBMC on a small PC that is hooked up to my HDTV. This can be controlled with an app the runs on both iOS and Android. It can also stream content to the device too.

Damn, why haven't I heard of XBMC before? - Looks great!

[DamianJ]

Thanks - I have an old laptop I could use - I will take a look...

You won't be able to stream content from your tablet to the TV like that, but if that isn't a problem, then look at hhttp://plexapp.com/getplex/index.php for the laptop. Also has remote control app for your tablet/phone and will also stream content to those devices.

And if you find out the old laptop isn't good enough, it might be worth looking at a Roku or Boxee box.

[EddyTheDog]

Airplay and an apple tv does exactly that.

I don't want to start buying Apple stuff in case I like it - and I am not that rich...

[DamianJ]

I don't want to start buying Apple stuff in case I like it - and I am not that rich...

Sorry, I assumed because you're gay you'd be all over apple shit!



Have a look at Plex, I think it is more accomplished than XBMC.

[ggrrssyydik]

Im using a jailbroken apple tv in one room. pc with rdp acess and cloud app on my ipad on another room. Both works really well. I can store movies on the pc. Apple tv can acess the movies through itunes.

[EddyTheDog]

Sorry, I assumed because you're gay you'd be all over apple shit!



Have a look at Plex, I think it is more accomplished than XBMC.

lol - I pride myself in not being a stereotype - I even buy M&S underwear, not because I have to, but to make a statement .

The more I look at this (HTPC it is called I have discovered) the more excited I get - I can see this getting expensive - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_theater_PC is a good place if you are new to the idea.

[DamianJ]

lol - I pride myself in not being a stereotype - I even buy M&S underwear, not because I have to, but to make a statement .

I was jus' teasing!

And no real need to get a full on HTPC per se as cost is a consideration.

http://www.roku.com/uk

Starts at 50 quid for a box that will do what you want.

[candyflip]

Roku are awesome too. We've got a bunch of them here. My kids have them in their rooms and with Netflix, they can't be beat.

I'm thinking of dumping everything and building a Hackintosh desktop to as a central server with Apple TVs hooked up to them.

Plex is based on XBMC, it's the idiot proof version. You can't customize it to the level you can XBMC.

OpenELEC is a really nice build based on XBMC that adds a few features and already set up customizations out of the box:

http://openelec.tv/get-openelec

XBMC has been around almost 10 years now I think. Nothing really compares.

[Bladewire]

Sorry, I assumed because you're gay you'd be all over apple shit!

I'm Gay and the only Apple product in the house is one Iphone I bought my kid!

Back on topic ~

I spent a lot of time looking for a tablet I could use in my studio for streaming TV and surfing the web with a bluetooth keypad. I got frustrated and just bought a laptop computer for a few hundred bucks. Good thread