Ask Engadget HD: What's the cheapest setup with Netflix, Hulu & Blu-ray?
"What is the most cost effective way to stream video from sources such as my computer and Hulu to an HDMI device? I would love to also have Netflix and Blu-ray support, but don't know if there is a device out there yet that will do all this cost effectively. I have a PS3 in the living room, but this additional device would be for the bedroom. I'm looking to go as inexpensive as possible. I did consider an Xbox 360 Arcade and that would just eliminate the ability to play Blu-ray, or a Popcorn Hour, eliminating the ability to play Blu-ray or Netflix. Help me! I don't think the device I'm looking for exists!"
We know how it is, you want everything, but you don't want to spend every last dollar getting it. So for all the cheapskates out there, we know who you are, what do you recommend?
Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Drew @ Apr 22nd 2009 1:08PM
Get Playon and use any DLNA device (will give you Hulu, Netflix, and others). Might have to give up the Blu-Ray, although some of those can play Netflix.
TJ @ Apr 22nd 2009 1:12PM
Seconded. Check out: http://www.engadget.com/tag/playon
Then be patient on the Blu-ray. There's likely to be lots of "perfectly-fine-for-the-bedroom" Blu-ray players on sale before Christmas (a mere 7 months away) for under $100.
jtmetcalfe @ May 6th 2009 3:30PM
I really like PlayOn for hulu and youtube streaming, but i've found that netflix often ends up with horrible quality, if it plays at all. If netflix is a priority i would probably go with a dedicated box, like the roku, although i haven't tested this myself yet.
Ben @ Apr 22nd 2009 1:18PM
As far as getting stuff off your PC, I just started using TVersity and it's great! I have a 360 that I use it in conjunction with, but I believe it works on PS3 too. Very easy to install and use.
jeremyturnley @ Apr 22nd 2009 1:40PM
I'm with the first responder, wait for $99 BD players.
If you MUST have it now, you really have one option, and it's not cheap - a Windows Media Center box with a BD-ROM drive and an ASUS Xonar HDAV card and TotalMedia Theater or PowerDVD. There are plugins for Hulu and Netflix; as far as I know this is the only one-box solution for all three.
David S @ Apr 22nd 2009 1:52PM
Biggest issue is getting Hulu on a Set Top Box. Right now I think the best solution is DNLA + Playon
Cheapest is probably a used PS3 + Playon.
Honorable mention goes to Samsung P1600 (Blu-Ray and Netflix for under $300) + DNLA streamer of your choice for playon (downloaded PC media and Hulu). Is there a DNLA streamer cheaper than the VuNow VN1000HD MSRP $150?
Rocky @ Apr 22nd 2009 1:57PM
ION Nettop + External Blu Ray drive.
jeremyturnley @ Apr 22nd 2009 2:18PM
Two issues; the cost of the BD playback software ($40-80 for TMT3, depending on what coupon codes you can find at the moment), and the lack of uncompressed BD audio. As long as you're not looking for the audio to be the equivalent of what a stand-alone BD player or PS3 can do, that's not a bad solution.
Just be sure you get an ION with a dual core Atom proc in it, or your BDs will get all stuttery due to the processor load of the decryption process.
philion @ Apr 22nd 2009 1:59PM
Doesn't any PlayOn-based solution require a decent Windows desktop? What about a linux-based home server?
Hearsay @ Apr 22nd 2009 4:11PM
This is a really good point. I have PlayOn and love it but it it best to have a relatively good computer to run it on. Also PlayOn is not really worth it if you don't have good internet speeds.
Just think the video is being downloaded (thus the good internet speed) then re-encoded by your computer for DLNA (thus the good computer). This is why when PlayOn is running it eats your processing.
HotBBQ @ Apr 23rd 2009 10:08AM
It doesn't seem like you need that much processing power. Anything bought within the past two years would suffice. To be fair, I've got a beast of a PC so I don't even notice it when my wife is watching Hulu on the PS3.
Rik @ Apr 22nd 2009 2:06PM
Several Blu-ray players - such as the new Samsung BD-P1600 at about $279 or so will provided Blu-ray and Netflix streaming. The Sammy streams Pandora radio as well (good stuff).
PlayOn will deliver streaming of Hulu, Youtube, CBS, ESPN, CNN etc but you need a DLNA receiving box on the other end (PS3, X-Box 360, Wii).
If it were me - I would just go with another PS3 + PlayOn. One more place where you can play games and it delivers on everything else and delivers well. I have two such setups in my house and I am looking at a third now. I've checked out other options but I keep coming back to the PS3.
Hearsay @ Apr 22nd 2009 4:15PM
If you go to www.playonplugins.com there are even more things available through plugins for playon. I really like the podcast plugin. There are many others like food network, etc.
jason w @ Apr 22nd 2009 2:25PM
I use Play On. Its great.
Cossa @ Apr 27th 2009 10:24AM
Cheapest way to get ALL of that in ONE box is an HTPC w/ blu-ray. Cheaper to build your own, but affordable pre-built ones do exist. You do NOT need Asus Xonar unless you have a requirement of high-def audio. Many PC motherboards support HDMI for audio and video.
Aaron @ Apr 22nd 2009 2:57PM
More flexible than PlayOn, but not ready to go just yet: Wait until the Eee Box 206 or Nvidia Ion boxes hit stores. Add an external BD-ROM drive and you should be good to go for $450 or so.
TheFuzz @ Apr 22nd 2009 3:59PM
You def want to use the PS3 with PlayOn. Only cause you want blu-ray. Otherwise you can use the Xbox Arcade for the cheapest route using PlayOn. Check out TheFuzzNetwork .. There are plenty of instructions on how to do that kind of thing.
Moman @ Apr 22nd 2009 3:15PM
I wouldn't bother with these HTPCs.. they are nothing but a pain. Crashes, firmware updates, hardware updates, wifey/girlfriend factor.. what a waste of time and money. I wasted years with that crap. Just get a nice set top box, like the Samsung 3600 or something. Even though i don't want one personally, because I think Blue-ray will only last 2-3 years just like Laserdisc.
Mo
glenn s @ Apr 22nd 2009 3:54PM
I could not disagree more. If you know what you are doing and set it up correctly, then a HTPC is absolutely the way to go. Combined with a good programmable universal remote, like the Harmony 880 that I use, and solid media software (I use XBMC, and the system boots right into it) it is as easy to use as any pre-build set top box and WAY for flexible. My wife uses it all the time, and she's no techie. Netflix/Hulu/Youtube via Playon if you want that. Blu-ray is a bit tricky still, unless you are willing to use Windows media center as your front end.
matt @ Apr 22nd 2009 11:50PM
I disagrees also. HTPC's are tricky to setup I'll give you that but they are coming a long way since you tried them most likely. I currently have MythTV setup as a backend to play, pause, and watch live tv plus channel skipping. It's in a nice Shuttle box that I bought from Newegg as an openbox(to cheapen things up a bit, shuttles can be on the pricey side). I have XBMC as the front end right now which has some good tie in's to MythTV and are getting better. Plus it runs on Ubuntu which is easy to setup and free, and they even have a special version to make the setup easier Mythbuntu. It's still a bit of a challenge to get working took me about a week of casual tinkering.
The other one to watch for is Boxee they can curently do more then Play on if you have a Mac with linux not far behind. The windows version is coming soon so keep an eye out. It's still in beta but it's making a ton of progress so could be a game changer.
Brett @ May 1st 2009 12:39PM
I am surprised that nobody has pointed out that you cannot watch Netflix HD content through the PlayOn software--meaning you cannot get Netflix HD on the PS3. I think the best low-cost option is an Xbox 360 Arcade combined with PlayOn. If you are wanting to stream Netflix HD, there aren't many options available. The 360 will do Netflix HD, and will work with Hulu via PlayOn. You can pick up a 360 Arcade from Dell for $160 (they have a 20% off coupon every few weeks), and the PlayOn software is only $40. You'd have the perfect setup for $200.
Jonathan @ Apr 22nd 2009 3:33PM
Except for blu ray...
sxt173 @ Apr 22nd 2009 3:36PM
What about the Roku? $99 bucks and it will function stand-alone.
Only thing it doesn't do (yet) is Hulu.
Dave D @ Apr 22nd 2009 3:48PM
Ever consider building a PC with a bluRay player?
somewhere in the $4 - 500 range, but it will do all that you wanted too
Juan @ Apr 22nd 2009 8:12PM
Cheapest?
$14 of 25 feet SVideo cable from Laptop to the TV. www.monoprice.com
FREE HULU HD around 720p full screen
$18 Netflix unlimited 3. Netflix Instant Viewing sucks is not close to 480i
Hardware Support
Dell laptop SVideo out
60 inch DLP 1080p
Internet speed N MIMO Wi-Fi 270 - 300 Mb
Matt @ Apr 22nd 2009 4:30PM
If you're using S Video, you're only getting 480i. Try VGA, HDMI, or DVI.
squeeg @ Apr 22nd 2009 5:31PM
Do you ever even look at the button you are pressing to get your "HD" hulu? It clearly says "480" on it. I would not call that "near 720p". It is DVD quality, at best.
Kaijin @ Apr 23rd 2009 2:16PM
I like this idea! Maybe the cheapest would be: move the bed into the living room!
BT @ Apr 22nd 2009 4:46PM
I have a PS3 for the living room running playon, tversity, and Orb on an old P4 (XP with 1GB) and it works great. (Playon for hulu, tversity for locally downloaded files, and Orb to stream all the local stuff, live tv, and web cam to my iphone). I was in the same boat wanting to buy another PS3 for the bedroom but am holding out. If bluray is lower on your list like it was mine - dang discs are too expensive) and if you have another old pc laying around, load XBMC onto it... runs well on linux, mac, or windows. I have an old thinkpad centrino single core and it handles the task just fine... xbmc is a dlna client and will pick up playon and tversity. Interface is nice and there are also a couple of iphone apps that you could use as a remote.
HotBBQ @ Apr 23rd 2009 10:09AM
Just a heads up, but the latest version of PlayOn supports streaming local files.
Juan @ Apr 22nd 2009 8:19PM
We are talking about the CHEAPEST
In my TV I do not see the difference as it brings-up to HD standard DLP 1080p .
I am thinking that I do not need a BLUE ray
My DVD player send up progressive up to HDD all DVDs are played clean and clear through composite video
But “CHEAPEST” to Hulu and Netflix is an Svideo from Laptop
bry2an @ Apr 23rd 2009 12:06AM
Yeah, PS3 + PlayON is the solution to get all 3 Hulu, Netflix and Blu-ray.
Michael @ Apr 23rd 2009 3:10AM
Michael here.
I'm starting to think the BEST route for me since I already have PlayOn and an Xbox 360 is a cheap Blu-ray for the living room, Xbox 360 with PlayOn for all the streaming (Hulu, Netflix, Computer) and move the PS3 upstairs to the bedroom. Then I can still get all the features (Blu-ray, Netflix, Hulu, Computer) there.
Seems like the smartest choice to me. Now I have to decide on a Blu-ray player and a TV for upstairs. Thoughts? (I've considered simply getting an inexpensive HD monitor, but then I would have no sound if it's just the PS3 and a monitor. 5.1 in the bedroom is NOT needed.)
Aflat @ Apr 23rd 2009 10:53AM
Check out SageTV HD200. It can play blu-ray rips, or you can use powerdvd and a loopback to get it on your TV if you don't want to rip your blu-rays. Plus it gives you lots of other amazing things. It also works with Playon so you get your Hulu and netflix as well, or if you do the loopback, you can get those for free.
AL @ Apr 23rd 2009 11:12AM
Last time I looked, PlayOn doesn't stream Netflix HD like the Roku does. I have a PS3 and haven't purchased PlayOn for that reason. If it does, I'll buy it, otherwise I may purchase a Roku.
oolz @ Apr 23rd 2009 1:54PM
Xbox 360 + tversity + rip your blu-rays to MKV.
Works perfectly, looks great, plays everything under the sun (as well as games if the need arises).
If Windows 7 delivers then the functionailty will only improve.
Pip @ Apr 23rd 2009 4:21PM
People still use TVersity?
PS3 Media Server works for the 360 now. There is no reason to use anything else.
http://code.google.com/p/ps3mediaserver/
el Capitan @ Apr 23rd 2009 4:33PM
Pip has got it right. Deleted TVersity within hrs after discovering PS3MediaServer. Its easier, more compatible and just sooooo reliable.
what the? @ Apr 24th 2009 12:56PM
What program are you using to rip to MKV?
I still use TVersity. For some .xml rss video feeds, it's easier to put them into TVersity than it is to make an .opml file for PlayOn, plus ps3media server will not allow me to create my own video feeds like TVersity does, unless I'm doing something wrong...
acme @ Apr 24th 2009 3:37PM
Does ps3 media server encode on the fly like tversity?
Kaijin @ Apr 23rd 2009 2:11PM
http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=9868145
The cheapest I could build one on NewEgg that meets the requirements. Add the cost of bluray software, TotalMedia Theater 3 Platinum for $89.99, you're at $485.90 (before taxes & shipping). I would opt for the PS3 + PlayOn @ $439.98, provided you have a PC available. This system is of course untested and only works in theory; personally I would spend a couple extra bucks to get higher quality components. If you already had an OS available, it might be a cheaper option than the PS3.
Nick @ Apr 24th 2009 5:20PM
Economy aside, get a mac mini and install www.plexapp.com on it. You wont be sorry!
Anthony @ Apr 25th 2009 2:20PM
Like lots of others, I suggest PlayOn with either xbox 360 or ps3...you'll have to pull the trigger on the Blu Ray vs Netflix HD stream. I have both, so I use PlayOn with both, works great. You get Hulu, Netflix, and (now) Amazon VoD which is the best of all worlds.
Something to check out that I haven't seen mentioned, is that PlayOn is expanding through plugins ... the only official one now is Revision3 TV, but more are coming. Best of all, there is a huge unofficial base at http://www.playonplugins.com/ that offers plugins and support for streaming your local files (absolutely incredible), AdultSwim, NFL, GameTrailers, FoodNetwork, HGTV, any Video Podcast, PBS, and some others.
Check it out - basically triples PlayOn power
Chris @ May 3rd 2009 5:57PM
Also with the XBOX, you have to have the Live service, right? Isn't that a monthly subscription?
Isaac @ May 6th 2009 10:59AM
Just tried PlayOn. I agree with everyone here: Its fantastic. BUT I did learn one thing that nobody seems to be mentioning: the PC that is sending the streams MUST be wired directly to the network or your video streams will be choppy as hell.
uclajd @ May 10th 2009 10:52PM
What if you want to add DVR and Slingbox support? Gotta go HTPC, right?
BB @ May 14th 2009 12:45AM
Cheapest for best quality is a long HDMI cable (not too expensive if you shop) from the PS/3 to the bedroom TV. Voila!