Want Iplayer programmes on my TV

bitsandpieces

I would like a way to watch iplayer programmes on my CRT TV (scart and s-video inputs). 4OD would be nice too, and youtube would be a bonus.

I have wireless broadband here, and a PC with Vista Business on it. I was thinking about buying an old xbox to stream to from the PC, but don't know if that could be done in Vista business? I could buy a Playstation 3 or HTPC and use this, but not sure if there's a more moneysaving way to do this? Or any cheap HTPCs around at the moment?

The_FD

Does your tv have a vga connection? If so use a cable to connect your pc to your tv via that. I have one and use it for my laptop - it works a real treat. Picture quality is really good.

bitsandpieces

The_FD wrote: »

Does your tv have a vga connection? If so use a cable to connect your pc to your tv via that. I have one and use it for my laptop - it works a real treat. Picture quality is really good.

Thanks, good idea - but it's an old (but good ) CRT TV, so no.

I've tried playing with connecting it to the PC, but it's not convenient to cable them together in the longer term, and the best picture I was able to get was too bad to watch

bitsandpieces

One option might be to get an LCD TV and connect via DVI, but these aren't cheap and to be honest I quite like my old CRT...

custardy

bitsandpieces wrote: »

I would like a way to watch iplayer programmes on my CRT TV (scart and s-video inputs). 4OD would be nice too, and youtube would be a bonus.

I have wireless broadband here, and a PC with Vista Business on it. I was thinking about buying an old xbox to stream to from the PC, but don't know if that could be done in Vista business? I could buy a Playstation 3 or HTPC and use this, but not sure if there's a more moneysaving way to do this? Or any cheap HTPCs around at the moment?

the xbox 1 (modded)will stream but i doubt your pc will output iplayer as a stream. i dont think they ever got an iplayer script in XBMC
TBH something like a revo would be good for you
i take it you dont have virgin cable in your area? all thats available bar you tube
what outputs does you pc have?

bitsandpieces

Thanks - virgin's a good idea, but then I'd need a TV license...so don't think it would work out cost-effective in the medium term.

My PC has DVI and VGA outputs. I'd prefer not to have a permanent cable between PC and TV, though.

custardy

well the problem is to get iplayer etc on your TV you really need a PC outputting to the TV via using the TV as a 2nd monitor
however you may have connection issues.i used to do it on my old CRT with svideo from the PC to TV using the PC speakers
the modded xbox can stream from the pc (very well,only recently have mine been retired due to hidef limitations)
your PS3 will give you iplayer though as its now built into the PS3 but you will be paying £250 for the PS3
something like a revo would give you 4OD,iplayer etc but again you need to pay for the hardware and check connections on it
a laptop with suitable connections could do the same

buglawton

Pity that no USB adapter or similar exists that will stream wirelessly to a gizmo that connects to the TV, a sort of computer to TV video sender.

[ edit ] I was nearly going to say "something like a Slingbox in reverse" well, just now found the "Slingcatcher" that claims to do just that.

Link: Sling SlingCatcher - Digital multimedia receiver

bitsandpieces

Thanks - looks like the Slingcatcher could be just the ticket :T Bit pricey, though...might see if one comes up refurb/secondhand...

buglawton

It works, but beware, people report that it needs a chunky CPU on the computer that is sending the video.

bitsandpieces

Thanks. Processor was chunky for when I bought it, but may not be so now...