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As we dont have a smart TV, cut cable and are using our DVD player for netflix. Rather than carry on with something than no longer supports youtube, I figured we'd get another Roku.
However when browsing in the microsoft store, then had a Lenovo ideastick running windows 10 was apretty interesting concept that seems like it might be just the job to allow us to stream HD tv, and skype the grandparents. However, no ethernet was the instore deal breaker than made me figure there might be a better solution.
Any suggestions for an ethernet enabled 'device' that will turn my TV into a smart TV/PC and let us use things like skype, netflix, youtube and connect to my home network (photos, music etc) as well as "leave the smart phone" alone web browsing?
We are trying to switch off wifi and stop burning our mobile date while browing on hand held devices at home. Windows/android house, no IOS here.
Roku pricepoint, 50-100 quid?
Apart from the no wifi I was going to say Chromecast, any reason for turning WiFi off? It will just mean you burn more mobile data.
My solution these days in Chromecast for streaming & making TV smart
Mobile for everything else like skype
You can get an ethernet adapter for the Chromecast. https://store.google.com/product/ethernet_adapter_for_chromecast
But you would still need a phone or tablet or PC to control the Chromecast, ie to cast videos to it. So you would probably want to use wifi for that.
As far as I understand it with most of the apps (you-tube, Netflix etc.) it's the Chromecast that is doing the screening and the phone is simply the remote - which you can use several of. It's only when you are mirroring a screen that the device is doing the actual streaming itself. But the flaw would be if your wifi is off then you can't use your phone as a remote.
I've got chromecast, Apple TV and amazon fire stick. By far the apple TV is the most straightforward to use but it's limitation on apps (lack of kodi) is frustrating. Given the choice again, I'd opt for a quad core android box, especially if you're not planning on moving the device between tvs. Google for reviews and you'll easily get something good for under £50.
The Amazon Fire TV Box (not stick), has an ethernet port.
We've got the stick and I've been pleased with it so far - only had it 4 weeks though!
But why turn off Wifi - this doesn't use mobile data.
I have the newer Amazon 4K Fire TV Box which has an ethernet port. The box also supports Nextflix, You tube and many other apps. You don't need to have an Amazon prime subscription to use it. I don't have an Netflix account so haven't used the app but have used many of the others (Amazon Prime, You Tube, I player, Red bull) and all work great with very good image quality.
Turn your wifi on.
The larger Roku boxes have Ethernet and work very well, but it looks like you are confusing Wifi and mobile data here?
yip.Drac - Moderator
Turn your wifi on.
Chromecast is being sold for £25 at currys at the moment.
On the device, turn off mobile data in the settings but as others have said, not wifi.
Current offer on Chromecasts means you get £20 Google Play Movie Store credit included, so effectively costs £5...
I dont want wifi on in my house. Hence looking for an ethernet soluton.
Im only using mobile data if im browing on phone if wifi is off. Wifi goes on if we are skyping from tablet/ phone to save data, but id prefer never to have wifi on (or need tonuse mobile data) so want to be able to use an ethernet connected device connected to my tv to do these things rather than drag the kids into my "office" for skype sessions.
Ive seen a kangaroo box which looked iddal, aside from no ethernet. Then there are things like the pipo x9 which seems to be an interesting concept. Dual boot android/win10 with a touch screen. Almost like a desktop tablet thatvwill still output to tv.
Then "larger" win10 cherrytrail mini 'pc' like rikomagic mk36s but probably overkill if smaller devices can still output 1080p hdmi netflix.
Roku/fire and other devices like this probably are not the solution as there isnt a way to plug in a web cam and their browsing capabilities are limited (at least my current roku3 and sony net dvd player are.
how do you keep our your neighbours wifi brain beams ?
faraday cage? tinfoil hats ?
why?dirksdiggler - Member
I dont want wifi on in my house.
dirksdiggler - Member
I dont want wifi on in my house.
why?
This.
If its to stop the weans going on the wifi, just change the password each day.
WD Live Box has Ethernet & Wifi option
change your wifi to a hidden SSID and change the password? got to be easier than constricting what devices you can use and safer than keeping a 3G/4G connection ticking over by your side all the time
Or just don't tell them the password! 😆steveoath - MemberIf its to stop the weans going on the wifi, just change the password each day.
I'm looking for suggestions for a wired solution, not to enter a discussion about why I don't want to be using wifi 😉
You are of course free to build your own picture about my choice of hat wear :p
The WD box/Fire.. android? I think there will be limitations for skype.
"leave the smart phone" alone web browsing?
We are trying to switch off wifi and stop burning our mobile date while browing on hand held devices at home.
I don't understand this. How will turning off wifi stop you using your mobile data (I assume that is what you meant)?
You have broadband at home but just want devices connected by ethernet to use it?
As for a device most smart functions can be added through something like a smart Bluray player - eg a higher end samsung with the proper "smart hub". I think there is a skype app for samsung but not sure how you connect a camera.
Another option is a cheap android box, loads of them on ebay.
Or maybe the little HDMI intel PC sticks.
If you want something a bit more hands on then a Raspberry Pi2 running Kodi.
I don't understand this. How will turning off wifi stop you using your mobile data (I assume that is what you meant)?
these are independent things.
I wish to switch off wifi and switch off mobile data.
I want ONLY to have internet connectevity in my house via ethernet connected devices.
The windows10 hdmi sticks are what started my train of thought on this, but I essentially want a win10 hdmi stick with both ethernet and a usb input for a webcam
Intel make PC sticks but they were bit slow.
They are now producing soon a mini PC stick that has hdmi and power.
The windows10 hdmi sticks are what started my train of thought on this, but I essentially want a win10 hdmi stick with both ethernet and a usb input for a webcam
Fair enough, just be aware that you are making life really hard for yourself and closing off lots of good options.
I have a near silent media PC from when they were popular works well has windows and USB and ethernet.
I'm looking for suggestions for a wired solution, not to enter a discussion about why I don't want to be using wifi
I think this is more intriguing than the original post. Please tell us why!
Mini PC type device with HDMI, ethernet and USB sounds very much like a [url= https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/raspberry-pi-2-model-b/ ]Raspberry Pi[/url]
I essentially want a win10 hdmi stick with both ethernet and a usb input for a webcam
It's not win10 but have seen [url= http://tinyurl.com/miniRKMv5 ]this[/url] however there isn't much info out there on it. It's using android and apparently you can download skype via play store and hook up a webcam to it via USB. But if I'm honest there really isn't anything out there that I would comfortably say would work. Such a shame the Roku box doesn't have the skype app.
I know you don't want to hear it but just bear in mind for wifi apart from hiding the SSID as mentioned already, you can also do MAC filtering which restricts which devices can or cannot connect to the router via wifi. Most routers also have the ability to do MAC filtering at scheduled times too. I have a friend who wanted wifi on but didn't want his kids on the internet all day. MAC address filtering works a treat as you just block the devices you don't want connected or block all and only allow the trusted few.
That said if you're willing to splash a bit more cash why not just go down a media/mini PC route, I've tried looking for a stick that has ethernet and can also use webcam but I'm drawing a blank on anything that looks remotely decent.
Have a look at the Minix boxes, Android and Windows version available, I have the Android one, use it for iplayer, FilmOn etc, works fine:
[url= http://minix.com.hk/ ]http://minix.com.hk/[/url]
Don't some of the cheap decent Sony* BDP-S4500 bluray players do what you're after plus have the benefit of playing DVDs/bluray too? Think that Sony one is £65.
* other brands are available
Asus chromebox?
I think I'm going to hop on the Kangaroo mini pc train with a usb3.0 Ethernet adapter.
[url= http://www.infocus.com/kangaroo ]Kangaroo[/url]
65quid ish and available through Microsoft store, so it must be "better" than similarly prices Chinese stuff and guaranteed to have a licenses copy of W10.
Amazon Fire TV box has a lot more grunt than a lot of the sticks, has gaming, 4K and better audio. Does cost £79 though and they rarely discount it by much unlike the stick.
Windows 10 stick - well you could make one from a Pi. It's not exactly Windows 10 like you get on the desktop. It's the core of Win 10 for low powered devices.
Raspberry pi. Plenty of guides out there on the Web on how to turn one in to a kick ass media player.
Small, cheap and silent-just about perfect...
Oh, and just turn WiFi on... 😉
No solid skype or netflix solution on an RPi though right?
I am not a coder so I assume a reasonable amount of learning would be in order.