How to access pc media from tv?

[Pcp3t3]

If someone wants to access pc videos, photo and music, from their tv, how can it be done?

 

[Vitamin]

If someone wants to access pc videos, photo and music, from their tv, how can it be done?

1. Purchase a standard PC desktop tower.

2. Purchase an HDMI cable(in store is almost always cheaper than online).

3. Purchase any televison with HDMI connectivity.

4. Connect your desktop tower to your TV with HDMI(yes, all PC towers come with HDMI connectivity these days).

5. Establish a wireless keyboard and mouse connectivity to your desktop tower. While Bluetooth is probably your first guess, I actually prefer infrared. Not only is it actually easier to setup, but the batteries actually last longer.

6. Enjoy.

 

[m1thousand]

good question. Im off to google to find the answer.

I thought about getting a - I dont know what its called - to watch youtube videos, or videos on western digital media box thing. This thing, but I thought it was too much effort to download videos and then tranfers via usb thumb drive onto the 'thingie'

a media player. Thats term I was looking for

Back to your question . . .

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2043851/transform-your-pc-into-a-mean-media-streaming-machine.html

Streaming media - thats the term

 

[Vitamin]

^ Who the fuck actually wants to use Apple TV? That product is proof that Apple can indeed design a crap user interface.

 

[m1thousand]

She mentioned Sxbox 360, which I have and I can stream media now (but I havent been). I didnt know I could do that with Xbox 360. Can I watch porn on the big screen? Ill watch the rest of this video to find out . . .

 

[m1thousand]

Pcp3t3,
Obviously, this thread helped me so thank you very much.

 

[Willie Boy]

Easy way? Get a "Smart TV" and connect wirelessly through your home network. Once you set them up for filesharing your TV can now view the files on your PC. There are also set top boxes and Bluray players that can offer the same thing.

 

[Spiff]

An HDTV is basically big pc monitor. Connect it to your pc whichever way you would a monitor depending on the hardware your pc has. There are various ways.

 

[Willie Boy]

An HDTV is basically big pc monitor. Connect it to your pc whichever way you would a monitor depending on the hardware your pc has. There are various ways.

Unless it is a smart tv all you can do through an HDMI cable is access the PC through the PC keyboard/mouse and display it on the TV. If I understand the OP correctly he wants to access the data through the TV remote directly on the TV, i.e. streaming.

 

[Spiff]

Unless it is a smart tv all you can do through an HDMI cable is access the PC through the PC keyboard/mouse and display it on the TV. If I understand the OP correctly he wants to access the data through the TV remote directly on the TV, i.e. streaming.

You read much more into the OP than I did and make more assumptions. And using a wireless mouse/keyboard while using pc on an hdtv is a fantastic setup. I've been doing it for years. I watch cable tv, blu-ray movies, stream videos, browse web, play games, run pc apps all on my hdtv in my living room. . . even as I type this reply.

 

[T-Rexx]

Why is everyone suddenly posting tech questions in Hot Topics?

 

[Kahaih]

Why is everyone suddenly posting tech questions in Hot Topics?

Shouldn't this have been posted/asked in the Site Help, Feedback & Bug Reports forum?

​

 

[Vitamin]

Why is everyone suddenly posting tech questions in Hot Topics?

This reminds me of one of my first posts on JUB wondering why people where posting political threads here and not in CE&P. At least I was new at the time.

 

[Kahaih]

You read much more into the OP than I did and make more assumptions. And using a wireless mouse/keyboard while using pc on an hdtv is a fantastic setup. I've been doing it for years. I watch cable tv, blu-ray movies, stream videos, browse web, play games, run pc apps all on my hdtv in my living room. . . even as I type this reply.

I'm curious as to the size of your equipment . . . . . . your TV and graphics card(s), I mean.

I would think the quality of the 'picture' would depend on both??? Bigger isn't always better.

 

[Spiff]

I'm curious as to the size of your equipment . . . . . . your TV and graphics card(s), I mean.

I would think the quality of the 'picture' would depend on both??? Bigger isn't always better.

I'm not sure I understand your concern. What makes you think a pc that provides input into an HDTV is less capable than a cable tv box, game console, dvd player, etc? My graphics card is a good gaming grade gpu and is more than capable of producing the 1080 resolution that HDTVs have natively. My tv is 52".

 

[Willie Boy]

You read much more into the OP than I did and make more assumptions.

I only read what is there.... How to access video and pics on a TV. He didn't ask how to turn his TV into a pc monitor. Those are two different issues.

And using a wireless mouse/keyboard while using pc on an hdtv is a fantastic setup. I've been doing it for years. I watch cable tv, blu-ray movies, stream videos, browse web, play games, run pc apps all on my hdtv in my living room. . . even as I type this reply.

That's a decent setup. But you are the one making the assumption that he is trying to get the setup you have as opposed to doing specifically what he asked for. For what he asked a smart TV or set top box equivalent (like a Roku) is best. He could easily stream all files from his PC hard drive to the TV as well as internet content. And it wouldn't require any real adjustments/additions to his PC.

 

[Pcp3t3]

Thanks for responding.

I was looking for ways to access PC media, on a television, and I meant all options. Due to this post, I've endeavored to plug my PC into a flat screen TV, using an HDMI cable, and it displayed everything well. Thanks.

However, I couldn't access PC audio through a TV set, and ended up plugging my PC's speakers into the tower to have audio. Are there other ways to access audio?

I've heard of media players, but am unsure as to how they work.

 

[trinket]

However, I couldn't access PC audio through a TV set, and ended up plugging my PC's speakers into the tower to have audio. Are there other ways to access audio?

HDMI can carry audio, but you might need to adjust your PC's settings (in the Control Panel) to tell it to output audio over that connection, instead of through only the 1/8" output jack (I'm assuming) that your speakers are connected to. Or, in the software you're using to play it (VLCPlayer, WinAMP for the audio, etc.) you need to set your output device to be the HDMI connection. For more on this, you could see here or here for a thread about troubleshooting ideas.

This video also shows the general concept of making the change, though the particulars may differ based on your model's drivers/hardware:



And this one:

 

[Spiff]

For audio it will vary from what hardware you have available. In my situation, my pc does not have any hdmi output. My video uses dvi to connect to "pc input" on my tv (video quality just as good as hdmi). For sound I use a separate connection. I use 6-channel direct to connect my sound card to my 5.1 sound system. If the built i speakers on your tv is all you have, then I think your only hope is going to be is if you have hdmi from your pc. Does your tv (our sound system) have an optical input? If so then if your pc has an optical out that is also an option.

Just about any type of adapter is available. So whatever output connections your sound card supports, you may be able to find an adapter to support whatever sound input your tv or sound system has.

 

[Corny]

- with an HDMI cable as already mentioned: your computer needs a compatible graphics out though, and your pc needs to be close to your tv
- with a smart tv that supports DLNA/UPnP and is connected to your network. it works with windows media player, or some software from your tv manufacturer
- with some kind of small multimedia pc (like a raspberry pie for $50) or streaming device (chrome cast, dreambox), connected to your tv and your network.