Advice on PC's and streaming video (Netflix)...

[david914]

I recently scored a couple of Dell GX520 (P4, 2.8 ghz) computers for dirt cheap. Each has an 80 gig SATA hard drive, 1 gig of RAM, a DVD ROM, and on-board video and sound cards.

Right now, I have one set up on the desk in my den, the other I'd like to set up as a media server for the living room system. I'd like to stream video to our TV, but I don't know if I have enough horsepower with this setup. I know I'll need a different video card at the least, because I need an S-Video output to interface with my system (until we get a new flat screen, but that's not in the cards right now).

My question is, would these machines be capable of handling streaming video from Netflix, et al, if I get a better video card, or do I need more powerful processing, such as a dual core machine or better? We don't do any gaming (other than Wii )

Also, we have FIOS, so internet speed isn't an issue.

[island911]

buy one of the newer Sony bluray players, or tv's - they have the Netflix streaming built-in.

[DonDavis]

I think you should give it a whirl. See how it works on the stand alone box. As cheap as RAM can be I'd bulk up that first. If it works/looks/sounds ok there, get the s-video out card and go for it.

Btw, my PS3 works for that too. Very cool.

[david914]

Yup, got my eye on one of the new Sony 570's. I've always wanted a media server to use for music and video anyway, so I thought I'd try one of these "new" pc's that I got. I use iTunes and Pandora (Sony streams Pandora too!) quite a bit, and I know the pc will handle those without any problem. It's the video that I'm not sure of. I've tried going to Hulu.com with so-so results on the 17" monitors that came with the pc's. Going full screen the video gets choppy. Is that a function of the video card and video RAM, or ???

[71T Targa]

David,

Leave your PC in the den. I assume you already have the WII hooked up to the TV in question?

Load PlayOn on your PC and stream video to your TV using the WII.

[71T Targa]

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by 71T Targa

David,

Leave your PC in the den. I assume you already have the WII hooked up to the TV in question?

Load PlayOn on your PC and stream video to your TV using the WII.

Looks easy...
PlayOn Digital Media Server | PlayOn

[david914]

Ok, loaded PlayOn in the den and streamed Netflix to the TV via the Wii. Not horrible, but slightly choppy and resolution equivalent to a VHS VCR.

Watched Netflix on the PC monitor and it's much better, especially when connected to a CRT monitor versus LCD (I have a 19" Sony CRT and a Dell 17" LCD).

I'm guessing that installing a decent video card in the PC and connected to the entertainment system would give much better results that streaming through the Wii?

[island911]

For what you would pay for a decent graphics card you could buy a blu disk player that streams HD Netflix.

...Of course that solution won't give you the benefit of extra cables every where, another TV/audio input to manage, and another big box ' electronics buzzing away in your living room.

[david914]

Originally Posted by island911

For what you would pay for a decent graphics card you could buy a blu disk player that streams HD Netflix.

...Of course that solution won't give you the benefit of extra cables every where, another TV/audio input to manage, and another big box ' electronics buzzing away in your living room.

Hehe, for me, the challenge was more of wanting to see if I could do it, rather than obtaining the end result in the least obtrusive manner.

A Netflix-compatible Blu-Ray machine is definitely the cleanest solution. How's the video quality with that kind of setup?

[DonDavis]

Originally Posted by david914

A Netflix-compatible Blu-Ray machine is definitely the cleanest solution. How's the video quality with that kind of setup?

I'm using a PS3 for Netflix and it looks pretty good but at times it'll get a little pixelated and other times it will pause and say "retrieving" but overall it's pretty good. I think the issue is my wireless router showing it's age.

[Shifter]

I have a samsung streaming bluray player, and a ps3 for netflix, and I would have to say they are both about the same. The nice thing with the ps3, you will get recomendations for movies, while on the player, all I get to see is the movies I have added to my queue.

OP- Why don't you just use the WII for netflix? It is now a supported device from netflix that you can stream movies to directly... No hd, but from the sound of things, that isn't an issue yet.

[island911]

Originally Posted by david914

Hehe, for me, the challenge was more of wanting to see if I could do it, rather than obtaining the end result in the least obtrusive manner.

A Netflix-compatible Blu-Ray machine is definitely the cleanest solution. How's the video quality with that kind of setup?

Well, I stream thru my tv (a Sony XBR9) which comes thru w/o issue. although, it appears to be just 720p on the HD streams. I did set-up a friend with the BD-player to stream, and that appears to be identical in performance - tho' I really didn't test that set-up for long.

Netflix, etc.. Cable companies are in trouble.

[david914]

Originally Posted by Shifter

... Why don't you just use the WII for netflix? It is now a supported device from netflix that you can stream movies to directly... No hd, but from the sound of things, that isn't an issue yet.

It's coming, but not here just yet. I'm on the list to have an application disc sent to me when it becomes available. Guess I'll wait and see how that looks when they're ready.

I'm using an older Panasonic 31" CRT set (a high end model back in the day), and while it is not an HD set, I use an HD cable box (S-Video out) and the HD picture is outstanding versus a non-HD signal.

[LSA]

Originally Posted by island911

For what you would pay for a decent graphics card you could buy a blu disk player that streams HD Netflix.

...Of course that solution won't give you the benefit of extra cables every where, another TV/audio input to manage, and another big box ' electronics buzzing away in your living room.

You can buy a nice video card for quite cheap these days the cheapest blue ray player I've seen is $107 Newegg.com - TOSHIBA Blu-ray Disc Player BDX2000 - Blu-Ray Players ad that won't stream video. Internet streaming is on the $150+ end of blue ray players. like this guy for $200 Newegg.com - Sony 3D Blu-ray Disc Player BDP-S470 - Blu-Ray Players

Nvidia just released the new line of video cards the 4series so all the prices on older cards have came down and your Gx520 has a pci-e slot so it should be good to go with a low power video card.
Here's a Ati 5670 for $74 (after $10mir) Newegg.com - HIS H567Q512 Radeon HD 5670 (Redwood) IceQ 512MB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

that will be more than enough to stream vid to a tv and with only a 61w max power draw it will be fine with the Gx520's measly power supply

[david914]

Originally Posted by LSA

You can buy a nice video card for quite cheap these days the cheapest blue ray player I've seen is $107 Newegg.com - TOSHIBA Blu-ray Disc Player BDX2000 - Blu-Ray Players ad that won't stream video. Internet streaming is on the $150+ end of blue ray players. like this guy for $200 Newegg.com - Sony 3D Blu-ray Disc Player BDP-S470 - Blu-Ray Players

Nvidia just released the new line of video cards the 4series so all the prices on older cards have came down and your Gx520 has a pci-e slot so it should be good to go with a low power video card.
Here's a Ati 5670 for $74 (after $10mir) Newegg.com - HIS H567Q512 Radeon HD 5670 (Redwood) IceQ 512MB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

that will be more than enough to stream vid to a tv and with only a 61w max power draw it will be fine with the Gx520's measly power supply

Good point. Does anyone make a similar video card that has a composite, or better yet, an S-Video output? My existing TV only has S-Video.