Using tablet as a streaming TV set?

Mishomeister

I am thinking of getting a Tesco Hudl/Hudl 2 tablet. The sole use for it would be to to be used as a streaming device.

Basically the plan is:

To buy a very big PC Dispay, powerful speakers and a remote to control the tablet. Which would be laying underneath the TV(Display) and have the speakers connected to it.

I am however unsure about 2 things.

1. Would the Tesco tablet or any other table have sufficient ports to connect it to external screen, external speakers and have a lot for receiving signal of wireless mouse?

2.Would the actual wireless mouse work on the tablet, so I could sit on sofa and swich online channels?

alanrowell

Get a Smart TV or one of the boxes like NowTV / Chromecast / etc

Mishomeister

alanrowell wrote: »

Get a Smart TV or one of the boxes like NowTV / Chromecast / etc

I understand that smart TVs do have a problem of having their software updated not quickly enough. For example the version of Adobe Flash on the website can be newer than the latest supported on on smart TV meaning the website may not work.

As per your advice I have Googled up the Chromecast. I am however unsure if it would show everything on the TV screen that I would be doing on a tablet? It is mentioning there that it supports the growing number of popular apps s7ch as Netflix. But I am not interested in Netflix, Youtube etc. But instead in a foreign online TV website so would this Chromecas show everything that is on the tablet screen or not?

Anne_Marie_2

You'd possibly be better with an android tv media box such as
https://droidbox.co.uk/ ....there are many other makes available, just giving you one suggestion. These will do anything that you can do on an android tablet, and some have XBMC already set up with plenty of tv programme choices. You can use a wireless mouse remote from your armchair.

netwizzy

i would highly suggest a roku. they do exactly what you want the tablet to do. however, if you already have a tablet, then it's easy to set everything up. all you need to do is make sure your TV/PC display takes HDMI, and that your tablet can output HDMI. after that, it's just a matter of linking a bluetooth mouse to your tablet to control it from a distance. the roku comes with a remote you can control it with.

[Deleted User]

Wait for the new Amazon Fire Stick.. it looks quite interesting

Mishomeister

All I need is a cheapest option of streaming the computer screen in to TV/Monitor. The channels will be on the normal internet website. I am not interested in any apps as the website I am planning to use has no support for apps.

It is worth adding that currently I have no tablet or TV at all. Not sure if it is cheaper to get a TV or PC monitor. I am not interested in watching the UK channels so don't really need a TV unless it cost cheaper than the monitor.

[Deleted User]

Cheapest way with least lag? A HDMI cable

You can connect a wireless mouse to an android device if it supports USB On The Go (OTG). I've tried it with my Samsung Galaxy S3 phone. I don't know if you can do HDMI, USB-OTG and power the device all at once.

You can mirror the screen on an android tablet using Chromecast (if a compatible device) or MiraCast. I believe the Amazon 'stick' will support miracast.

Have you checked the websites you want to stream will even work on an android device's browser?

Mishomeister

ringo_24601 wrote: »

Have you checked the websites you want to stream will even work on an android device's browser?

Just checked... It's not!

So now really thinking what are the tablets that support Adobe Flash or am I better to settle for the cheapest netbook available

almillar

I understand that smart TVs do have a problem of having their software updated not quickly enough. For example the version of Adobe Flash on the website can be newer than the latest supported on on smart TV meaning the website may not work.

No TV has Adobe Flash. The Hudl 1/2 doesn't support it either.
You're very creative, but I think you might have this the wrong way round - you're supposed to use your tablet or phone as the remote, and plug, for example, a Chromecast into the TV.
This allows you to have whatever is in the Chrome browser, on your TV screen. Additionally, iPlayer, YouTube and lots of others, work natively on the Chromecast, so your tablet/phone will work just as a controller rather than having to stream anything.
As for a computer monitor - haven't you seen how much cheaper TVs are?
If you're talking about lots of streaming websites using Flash, you really want a PC under your TV. And a wireless mouse and keyboard, you can get a tiny keyboard with a trackpad built in around the size of a remote control. Plex (software) might help. That's about as living room friendly as it'll get.

InsideInsurance

Why are you faffing about with portable technology if you want this thing set up permanently?


Buy a very cheap bare bones fanless PC or a secondhand one. Any will be more than capable of running a website