Pi2+ as a media device/ connector

[jasoncampbell1966]

Could anyone be so kind as to post some links/signpost, so I can use a Raspberry Pi 2 as a way t stream from my PC (literally 2 foot away) to my TV. Wireless ideally but given the distance it wouldn’t really matter. I realise I am being a bit lazy, but I have good reason as I have end of life cancer, so I’ve got a bit ‘immediate’ these days. If it is ethernet that is fine as I have a switch with the PC and a freeNas box with my media files connected- but wireless might mean I could move it to the front room when needed. I have the hardware, just I haven’t really done anything with a Pi since the Pi2 was launched.

I have the day free so it would keep me busy.

[topguy]

Just to be clear, the Pi will be the MediaPlayer in this setup, connected to the TV with HDMI ?? ( only setup that makes sense, but not completely clear from your description )

The simple and most likely best solution is to install OSMC or OpenElec which both includes Kodi as the mediaplayer. Kodi supports lots of different protocols to talk to your NAS.

For Wifi you need a dongle for the Pi2, some googling might point you towards some devices that will work out of the box.. I guess also Pi focused dealers also will have some plugandplay dongles.

[DarkPlatinum]

Just to be clear, the Pi will be the MediaPlayer in this setup, connected to the TV with HDMI ?? ( only setup that makes sense, but not completely clear from your description )

The simple and most likely best solution is to install OSMC or OpenElec which both includes Kodi as the mediaplayer. Kodi supports lots of different protocols to talk to your NAS.

For Wifi you need a dongle for the Pi2, some googling might point you towards some devices that will work out of the box.. I guess also Pi focused dealers also will have some plugandplay dongles.

Or connect to the laptop via ethernet

[jasoncampbell1966]

Sorry, yes, I was just going for it powered off the USB port on the TV (if it can supply the needed wattage) and straight into a spare HDMI channel. The TV is quite modern, 4K and so on. The TV in the other room is a nice brand but just HD so would get powered by an USB adaptor for certain. In the main room everything is really just across one wall, a good desktop, an old HP Proliant mini-server (both on ethernet switch), then games consoles and an Android TV dongle also on the switch- that leaves 3 jacks free on the switch (8 port switch).

What I was hoping for is a sort of Amazon TV but for my server/ other local media- put the Pi to some use and get back into Pi in general. So an easy but useful project to start me off.

Off the top of my head I have WiFi dongles, would probably need a short coupled HDMI connector (or just use a cable hidden away behind the TV) and maybe the power USB wart- ascetically I’m OK as I have cable tidies and so on.

So really I just need to get back in the loop with what software I need to install on the storage and any walkthroughs that are online, I want pretty GUI and simple and pretty simple set up. I think I’m right in saying the Pi2 won’t handle 4K but that isn’t a killer for now- I will worry about that later and just go with either the latest Pi3 or what have you. For now it is just about using the Pi2.


Many thanks.

[DarkPlatinum]

I think I’m right in saying the Pi2 won’t handle 4K but that isn’t a killer for now

You are right there. The best "Smart TV" software are 1. Kodi, 2. LibreELEC 3. OSMC