Brett
Premium Member
Registered: 16th Dec 02
Location: Manchester
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Hello
What's the cheapest device I can get that will show live TV with only an internet connection (pref ethernet but ok if not)? Not really bothered about iplayer, repeats and that kinda thing, more what's on right now but with no antenna.
Thanks 
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Munchie
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Registered: 17th Jul 01
Location: I swap goats for mobile phones
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Chromecast can display whats being played on your tablet if this helps....? Works best with an android device though
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willay
Moderator
Organiser: South East, National Events
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Registered: 10th Nov 02
Location: Roydon, Essex
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do you have websites in mind for streaming?
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Brett
Premium Member
Registered: 16th Dec 02
Location: Manchester
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Na, I just want normal TV? So like bbc1234, itv1234, channel4,e4,more4, etc.
I guess a device that could have TVCatchup on it would do the job?
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Dom
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Registered: 13th Sep 03
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quote:
Originally posted by Brett
I guess a device that could have TVCatchup on it would do the job?
TVCatchup (plugin) is about your only option, in which case either a PC running Windows Media Centre or something that runs a variant of XBMC - Apple TV 2, RPi, eBay Chinese Special Android Stick (MK808B, Measy U4C, CX-919) or eBay Chinese TV Box (G-Box Midnight MX2, RikomagicUSA RK3066US).
There's plenty more of the eBay specials, just search for 'TV Android'.
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evilrob
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Registered: 16th Mar 12
Location: Your mum's house
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Bah - beaten to it (quite comprehensively) by Dom the CS Geek Daddy again.
Was gonna say TVCatchup plugin for XBMC on a Rasberry Pi.
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Brett
Premium Member
Registered: 16th Dec 02
Location: Manchester
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Will an MK809II do the job?
Would've prefered a wired box mind, but oh well.
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Brett
Premium Member
Registered: 16th Dec 02
Location: Manchester
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Or is this thing ok? Looks like I can wire this which is better.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191148661592
or is this better?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161288216598
[Edited on 28-04-2014 by Brett]
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Dom
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Registered: 13th Sep 03
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The 'MX Dual Core Android 4.2 Smart TV Box XBMC 1.6Ghz 8GB Full HD 1080P Media Player' is probably the better bet out of those, although i'd personally be wanting something with 4.4 on but i know they're a fair amount more.
Do note that Android on a TV is a bit 'special' and cumbersome especially using one of these Chinese devices (can't comment on newer stuff like above, only used a cheap thing about a year ago) - it'll work but don't expect an amazing experience 
Obviously having Android does allow you to either use the TVCatchUp app (completely forgot about it) or run XBMC and then the TVCatchUP plugin within that (this might offer the better experience but try both).
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Brett
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Registered: 16th Dec 02
Location: Manchester
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Yeah, I am worried about it being a laggy piece of crap tbh. For the purpose I set out to fulfill though it'll do the job. However, I'm now thinking I want one for the living room too. Would an RPi be a better experience? We've spoke about them before so I can reference other thread for bits. Kind of just made do with the NowTV box since then tho, but it's limited what it can do in comparison.
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evilrob
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Registered: 16th Mar 12
Location: Your mum's house
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First footage I could find of TVCatchup on an RPi in action:
http://youtu.be/9KpAbuZ_4b0?t=2m26s
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Munchie
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Registered: 17th Jul 01
Location: I swap goats for mobile phones
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I have a raspbery PI for sale (sitting in my house doing nothing!) with XMBC running (works superb)
Its the full kit with memory card and case
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Dom
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Registered: 13th Sep 03
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quote:
Originally posted by Brett
Yeah, I am worried about it being a laggy piece of crap tbh.
My comment was aimed at using Android on a TV and 4.4 being the latest, rather than the device(s) being laggy. And the ones you've listed are better spec'd than an RPi anyway, so i'd be surprised if they were horrendously laggy to use.
As for a better experience using an RPi - for using TVCatchUp there's probably little in it and as a low-power media streamer the RPi is extremely impressive (have no real issues with mine); however, having Android instantly makes it far more versatile in terms of what you can do plus you'd have access to 4OD/Demand 5/Netflix etc, which you don't get under XBMC (therefore wouldn't using an RPi).
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pow
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Registered: 11th Sep 06
Location: Hazlemere, Buckinghamshire
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Why can't you just plug an aerial in? 
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Brett
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Registered: 16th Dec 02
Location: Manchester
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quote:
Originally posted by evilrob
First footage I could find of TVCatchup on an RPi in action:
http://youtu.be/9KpAbuZ_4b0?t=2m26s
Looks like just what I'm after, cheers  quote:
Originally posted by Dom
My comment was aimed at using Android on a TV and 4.4 being the latest, rather than the device(s) being laggy. And the ones you've listed are better spec'd than an RPi anyway, so i'd be surprised if they were horrendously laggy to use.
As for a better experience using an RPi - for using TVCatchUp there's probably little in it and as a low-power media streamer the RPi is extremely impressive (have no real issues with mine); however, having Android instantly makes it far more versatile in terms of what you can do plus you'd have access to 4OD/Demand 5/Netflix etc, which you don't get under XBMC (therefore wouldn't using an RPi).
Ah, I understand now I think for all round ease, price and versatility I'm better going for the android then, cheers Actually gonna bin off my NowTV box in the living too now.
quote:
Originally posted by pow
Why can't you just plug an aerial in?
Because it's in the garage, far too much ass ache when I have spare homeplugs to get internet in there Which is also why I preferably wanted wired, since the wifi signal isn't amazing in there.
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Whittie
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Registered: 11th Aug 06
Location: North Wales Drives: BMW, Corsa & Fiat
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Just get an extension from your sky dish or actual Ariel and be done with it lol
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Brett
Premium Member
Registered: 16th Dec 02
Location: Manchester
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I thought about the Sky, but that's additional wire from dish, plus another sky box, plus I'd still need ethernet if I wanted Pay TV. For ease, I don't think I can beat an android box.
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Whittie
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Registered: 11th Aug 06
Location: North Wales Drives: BMW, Corsa & Fiat
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Fair enough, makes sense when you put it like that!
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