feedback reqeusted for digital media and min PCs in meetinghoses

Discussions about using TVs, projectors, laptops, tablets, smartphones, DVD Players and other media players in meetinghouses including standards, management, how to connect to them, proper use, and support.
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carsonm
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Joined: Sun Feb 27, 2011 11:57 am

feedback reqeusted for digital media and min PCs in meetinghoses

#1

Post by carsonm »

Hi,

As I am determing how to proceed with digital media in the meetinghouses for my stake,(I am an STS) going forward and I have found a few potential solutions.

I am looking for feedback and insight if you have tried one of these devices or others likes these that have worked great.

I have already tried a Roku with a USB port and it works Ok.
The Apple TV is out due to no USB port Both my show ads that my not be appropriate.

I am researching two type of solutions.

1) Wireless Display via Miracast (latest standard for Windows and google products like android) and Airplay in 1 device (but not needing wireless access to the network. (like during Stake conference webcast for example))
Hardest option to find that works with Macs and iOS devices well
Would be really great if it has a USB port to play videos and other media as well.

2) Mini PC/stick using Windows 10 Home (to allow for accessing web sites. downloading files, document/presentations (office program like LibreOffice) and the Gospel Library app. It would use of BT Keyboard and touchpad /mouse/pointer for input, I may be an option for a wecast reciever at Stake conference via a Wired Ethernet port.

Possible Digital media options so far:

Kangaroo Mobile Desktop
with AirServer or like program to help the apple products
http://www.phonearena.com/news/5-apps-f ... TV_id63897

Intel Compute Stick 2016 version
USB 2.0 and USB 3.0

Zotac, HP and Asus, Lenovo mini PCs/sticks with BT keyboard and mouse/touch pad

Actiontec Wireless display options (with possible dongle for older computers)

Star tech options
https://www.startech.com/AV/Extenders/H ... I2HDVGA%20

EZcast device
Raspberry Pi Custom config (Linux?)
Allcast http://www.allcast.io/

Lenovo cast (not the smart cast ? if avaliable
http://news.lenovo.com/content/1119/fil ... _22_15.pdf
carsonm
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Posts: 107
Joined: Sun Feb 27, 2011 11:57 am

Re: feedback requested for digital media and mini PCs in meetinghouses

#2

Post by carsonm »

Tried correcting subject for more clarity. No more late night posting for me. :)

Also related to original post, I had thought about using a Mac , even a Mac Mini, but cost too much per unit and is not as flexible for this purpose.
Might consider a low end iPad to work as a 2nd screen for the Kangaroo solution to use Windows 10 on it.
drepouille
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Joined: Sun Jul 01, 2007 6:06 pm
Location: Plattsmouth, NE

Re: feedback reqeusted for digital media and min PCs in meetinghoses

#3

Post by drepouille »

The Western Digital Media Player appears to be the standard solution chosen by the Church.
https://www.lds.org/help/support/broadc ... w?lang=eng
Our FM provided one of these for each meetinghouse several years ago when he discovered that the original LG TVs he had bought could not play videos from a USB flash drive.
If I have misunderstood your requirements, I apologize.
Dana Repouille, Plattsmouth, Nebraska
gldavis1111
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Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2011 8:25 pm

Re: feedback reqeusted for digital media and min PCs in meetinghoses

#4

Post by gldavis1111 »

Curious if you ended up using any of the solutions mentione. We do use the Western Digital, and although it doesn't seem hard to use, it seems like many won't even try it out. I like the idea of the Intel stick, with a bunch of downloaded movies already on it, since most folks know how to use Windows and start a video. Ease of use is the key here IMHO.
carsonm
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Posts: 107
Joined: Sun Feb 27, 2011 11:57 am

Re: feedback reqeusted for digital media and min PCs in meetinghoses

#5

Post by carsonm »

Still trying to come up with a good solution for my stake.

As the Western Digital device is hard to find available any more, it is not a option. I recently discovered that it did have Miracast to be able to wirelessly show from newer Windows 10 devices and newer Android devices. Miracast does not need access to the building Wi-fi to make it work.
Still leaves out the Apple products and AirPlay (for video) as they need the building wi-fi to work. Also, I don't want to supply 17 different Apple adapters/dongles to make it work for each building and continually manage it.

The nearest thing I have been able to locate so far to play videos via USB is the following option. It does not have wireless display options like miracast.
http://www.lg.com/us/home-video/lg-DP132-dvd-player
It will work on newer and older Tvs and projectors due to the RCA connector. If it had an HDMI connector and miracast option and no streaming services would make it much better. I don't know what the remote is like and if it easy to understand and use.

I have been trying out the Android LDS Media (beta/preview) app and it helps with being able to download many videos, pictures so as to not need the building Wi-Fi to show the video.
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johnshaw
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Location: Syracuse, UT

Re: feedback reqeusted for digital media and min PCs in meetinghoses

#6

Post by johnshaw »

You might include a requirement to use these devices as a webcast receiver was well.
“A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right, and raises at first a formidable outcry in defense of custom.”
― Thomas Paine, Common Sense
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