Hacker News Reader

Comment by johnpowell | Hacker News Reader

For others you might want to look into PLEX and RASPLEX. I have RASPLEX on a Pi and it streams wonderfully from my Linux box sitting in a corner. The UI is a bit slow if using a keyboard. But it is smooth and fast when I use the iOS Plex app to control the Pi.

Edit: I find the UI on Plex to be way better than XMBC.

View on HN

Other option is a Android "TV Stick" off Ali Express or Ebay, they run 4.1.1 and you can just install the plex app on it and use a remote... also stick a 32GB SD card in it and when you go away to a hotel just take the stick with you can find the HDMI socket. You can also install the Wifi-direct and Airplay apps on it which enable it to receive airplay and miracast signals. Not back for $40....

Interesting! I tried RasPlex the other day but found out it was too slow and needed the server part being somewhere else (on the NAS). Also the XBMC theme I recommend is quiet efficient and pretty in my opinion...

The IU is sped up in RASPLEX if if you use a a fast USB drive for PLEX. That is easy to do. And like I said. Use the iOS or Android app to control the Pi. It should just see it.

The server part is what I love about Plex. I can get halfway through a movie on the bus home and pick up exactly where I left off when I get home to finish on the Pi. And it does things like suggest what you should watch next.

Glorious!!! http://i.imgur.com/eCDNhlR.jpg

How much was the Pi/accessories?

I paid $100 for a Roku box and 100% use it for PLEX, nothing else. Should have just bought a Pi...

Pi was 35. Then I needed a case (7) power adapter (5) SD card (10). So around 60.

And I can use the Pi for other stuff if I want. Keep in mind It runs the full PHT. Not the watered down version on the ATV2 which is what I previously used.

Just adding that the RasPi power supply is a standard micro-USB so if you happen to have one already (old phone or tablet charger?) and a spare SD card (old camera?) then you don't even need to pick those up.

Heck even the case isn't strictly necessary. I've got a similar setup at home and for quite a while mine was hanging off the back of my TV on a short HDMI cable.

While the later model B's are reasonably good with most chargers, you still want to make sure the charger is capable of at least 700mA.

If anyone hesitate you HAVE TO buy the B model! Much more power for so little money.

My pi shipped with a plastic, semi-transparent box, if you don't mind the pink colour, you can turn it into a makeshift case.

I Paid my Pi 52 euros 6 months ago with a case and a USB charger. You can add $10 for a good SD Card and you're all set.

Yes but Roku supports a wide variety of formats, does Pi + XBMC support anything more than mp4/m4v (H.264) format?

What other formats do you use? Most if not all container today use H264...

Reply on news.ycombinator.com