How to make Dumb TV - Smart?

R

r.nikhil

Beginner
I was recently gifted a Series5 Samsung (5100) 40' .

I want to make add wifi to it - basically access Movies on my external HDD which is hooked to my desktop. Desktop is connected to a wifi modem. I want to be able to directly play off the ext HDD as well as the desktop HDD.

Is is possible? Any links would help!

(I know I could connect the ext HDD directly via USB to the TV but where's the fun in that :) )
 
Buy a Samsung wifi dongle to connect to your wifi modem. Contact Samsung for it.

If you find dongle expensive, buy a tplink wifi modem 741n , it has a wds bridging feature to connect to your wifi modem , connect led tv with the modem and your TV is connected to your media server and hard disks.

The latter way might be geeky but cheaper. Last checked the wifi dongle costs like 3200/-
 
distro said:
Buy a Samsung wifi dongle to connect to your wifi modem. Contact Samsung for it.

If you find dongle expensive, buy a tplink wifi modem 741n , it has a wds bridging feature to connect to your wifi modem , connect led tv with the modem and your TV is connected to your media server and hard disks.

The latter way might be geeky but cheaper. Last checked the wifi dongle costs like 3200/-
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot. Are you referring to this : http://www.snapdeal.com/product/sam...7441?utm_source=earth_feed&utm_campaign=7_635

Also what is the difference with this : http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/cell-phones-accessories/EAD-T10JDEGSTA (
AllShare Cast Wireless Hub)
 
r.nikhil said:
I want to make add wifi to it - basically access Movies on my external HDD which is hooked to my desktop. Desktop is connected to a wifi modem. I want to be able to directly play off the ext HDD as well as the desktop HDD.

Is is possible? Any links would help!
Click to expand...
You can stream HD but not full HD

You will need a bridge on the tv and a N300 router. If you don't have a n300 router then you will be able to do just SD.

How far away is yout tv from your wifi modem.

r.nikhil said:
(I know I could connect the ext HDD directly via USB to the TV but where's the fun in that :) )
Click to expand...
Less about fun more about cost. Simplest and cheapest way, two HDD, mirror the one on the desktop and carry it over to your tv. DONe!

Full HD works , everything works, you can get on with the rest of your life.
 
This discussion should give you more confidence on the dongle.

Though, I would still prefer a wifi router/access point to connect to TV since router will cost less than half the cost.
 
distro said:
This discussion should give you more confidence on the dongle.

Though, I would still prefer a wifi router/access point to connect to TV since router will cost less than half the cost.
Click to expand...

The wifi dongle would basically only be a receptor of sorts to the oncoming signals. This would have worked if the tv which the op has , would have integrated softwares or applications that take advantage of it.
Correct me if i am wrong. This is just my analysis since i own almost the same model.


Since the tv is basically dumb and has no software of sort, wouldn't a chromecast alternative which supports dnla capabilities be sufficent?
 
vantheman5211 said:
The wifi dongle would basically only be a receptor of sorts to the oncoming signals. This would have worked if the tv which the op has , would have integrated softwares or applications that take advantage of it.
Correct me if i am wrong. This is just my analysis since i own almost the same model.


Since the tv is basically dumb and has no software of sort, wouldn't a chromecast alternative which supports dnla capabilities be sufficent?
Click to expand...
Exactly ! I guess I need something like the Chromecast 'dongle'
 
Go for an Android TV dongle - you get them for 5K or less. They have some range issues and some hanging issues - the hanging issues can be cleared out by uninstalling almost all the bloatware/crapware that comes preinstalled.

You will need an Android phone with the RK software to control via phone (the phone becomes a touchpad/keyboard)

The Chromecast - AFAIK, it does not have native DLNA support. This is keeping me on tenterhooks from procuring one.
 
Same here.

If the chromecast had native dnla capabilities, it would have been a day 1 buy for me.

This serves as a lesson for me personally. If you 'want' a feature, nowadays it doesn't take long for it to become a 'need'.

Feel so stupid at not going for a smart tv when i had the chance.
 
I agree - I always used to stream movies using a laptop to my TV and when I decided to get a torrent downloader went for an easy to setup device with native DLNA streaming capabilities.

As for SMART TVs, unless it has Android, I aint buying. The stuff which a stick can do is great and thats what I want.
 
Basically, once the TV is on network, it can have axx to minidlna servers running on your network and can play from your favourite network device.

With chrome cast, you will be restricted to chrome and your
device needs to play that movie so that it can be accessed on the TV.
 
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