Apple TV alternative

[mickeydean]

I only have macbooks but want to have a separate device to stream my media library.

Any recommendations?

Apple TV seemed like a good bet but I don't want to convert 6TB of movies and shows to itunes.

And Apple TV does not have USB for external drives.

 

[matrix07]

I only have macbooks but want to have a separate device to stream my media library.

Any recommendations?

Apple TV seemed like a good bet but I don't want to convert 6TB of movies and shows to itunes.

And Apple TV does not have USB for external drives.

You don't have to. You just install Plex server on your Mac and using Plex app on the new ATV.
Or better yet, AirvideoHD (or whatever it will be called) on your new ATV and you won't have to mess with library at all.
And I would bet VLC will be able to play whatever you're having on your Mac.
So many (good) choices.

 

[mickeydean]

You don't have to. You just install Plex server on your Mac and using Plex app on the new ATV.
Or better yet, AirvideoHD (or whatever it will be called) on your new ATV and you won't have to mess with library at all.
And I would bet VLC will be able to play whatever you're having on your Mac.
So many (good) choices.

I don't want my mac to have to be on. I want to be able to watch it on my TV or through my PS4 on my TV (whichever).
I'd like to be able to use my macbook free of externals whilst streaming files from these drives through a device to the tv.

I thought about the mac mini but out of my budget.

 

[Munky]

.

 

[matrix07]

I don't want my mac to have to be on. I want to be able to watch it on my TV or through my PS4 on my TV (whichever).
I'd like to be able to use my macbook free of externals whilst streaming files from these drives through a device to the tv.

I thought about the mac mini but out of my budget.

Ah,.. Then Roku 3.

I have to add that since I add media onto my external HDDs all the time this simply is not a choice for me. (Need to connect it to computer)

 

[akuma13]

You might need to look into a Roku or Nvidia Shield TV. Both can play media from USB drives. The Nvidia Shield TV might be overkill because it works as a console too.

 

[d21mike]

With the App Store and New Apps coming on board. You could probably get a NAS Device (like from Synology) to store you content. Since you have 6TB's. What is it on now? I would not think you would have the on a USB Drive. Right? A good NAS Device with RAID would be a much better option.

 

[Rigby]

Apple TV seemed like a good bet but I don't want to convert 6TB of movies and shows to itunes.

And Apple TV does not have USB for external drives.

Roku can play files from USB devices. But I'd recommend to take a look at the WD TV Live for this purpose, as it supports more file types and video codecs (it even - inofficially - plays many Blu-ray ISO files).

 

[mickeydean]

With the App Store and New Apps coming on board. You could probably get a NAS Device (like from Synology) to store you content. Since you have 6TB's. What is it on now? I would not think you would have the on a USB Drive. Right? A good NAS Device with RAID would be a much better option.

I have two 4TB drives. NAS is out of my budget at the moment.

 

[mickeydean]

Roku can play files from USB devices. But I'd recommend to take a look at the WD TV Live for this purpose, as it supports more file types and video codecs (it even - inofficially - plays many Blu-ray ISO files).

Been considering Roku, did not know about WD TV. Will check it out.

 

[d21mike]

I used WD in the past an pretty nice but not sure there have been any upgrades (just do not see it much). If the Roku will do the job for your content I would go in that direction. I currently have the Roku 3 with a USB Attached and I am pretty happy with that. But I do prefer using the ATV for everything else.

 

[npmacuser5]

I have two 4TB drives. NAS is out of my budget at the moment.

Side Bar, how do you backup all that data with only two 4tb drives?