We are all uploading photos to Picasa or Flickr.
Some of are uploading videos to Youtube.
Now we can buy a TV which has wireless connection that lets you connect to Picasa, Flickr, Youtube, Netflix, Amazon Video, Blockbuster Video, Vudu video (Not yet hulu).
If we already have a HDTV, we will certainly not replace it for this.
So, what are our choices to see Photo, Video on HDTV? Lot more than you
think. No winner yet.
1. Connect computer to TV like you would connect an external monitor.
I actually have a desktop connected to my big screen TV in family room.
So, what is wrong with it? Too many buttons to push. User interface and
fonts are not designed to be legible from 8 to 10ft even on a 56" display.
A wireles keyboard and mouse are 2 more devices which need batteries.
Battery life is not as good as a simple TV Remote.
2. Buy a BluRay Player with wireless connection to internet such as
Samsung BD-P3600, LG BD390 for $300 to $350.
But then some of us think that you might as well get a laptop for that
kind of money just for Picasa, Youtube. Yes but, read 1. above. May be
I am getting too intolerant in terms of putting up with too many buttons
and bad user interface, hassle factor...
You would spend $350 only if you want to watch Bluray content.
Most of us including me are quite happy with the 852x480 DVD scaled
to fit a 1920x1080 TV.
However, if the price of Bluray Player is $100 we would probably buy it
so that we can watch the newly released movie available for rent at
Redbox for $1. If 4 of us watch 3 movies on Bluray instead of theater,
it would break even. You could buy a non wireless Bluray Player such as
LG BD370 which costs about $200.
3. For $300 you could get a Sony PS3.
Not all the popular video content is available on Sony but that is
just software.
So why not? Back to $300 price point if you don't really
play those games.
4. A small Media Player which costs $150 (including USB wireless)
you can connect to any TV using
the old composite Yellow Video, Audio L, R (White, Red) or
Component Video Red, Green, Blue, Audio L, R (White, Red) or
HDMI if your TV has extra port.
See http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digital-Network-ready-Player-WDBAAN0000NBK-NESN/dp/B002KKFP9Y
It can connect to Youtube, Flickr. It lets you connect 2 USB2 devices
including large external hard-drives and plays a variety of content
including your photos, camcorder video, MP3, videos downloaded from
Youtube...
If you are so inclined, you could have Media Server running on a
PC or PS3 or Xbox360 and pick up other content as well.
So, what is wrong with it? No direct connection to Picasa or Netflix.
There you have it. For now we will continue to use a laptop for all
internet content, rent a DVD to watch to TV. See our home video by
directly connecting camcorder to TV. Uploading Video to Youtube takes
for over if it is even VHS video quality. For now, most new HDTVs have
a USB port for Pictures. That is the simplest (if you carry a thumb
drive with you).
I see a problem waiting to be solved. We need a simple way to view
our own content on any TV in the house. Problem is that your TV vendor
does not really care to do this for you. Your Cable/Satellite/FIOS/Uverse
DVR service provider would not care for your personal content.
Eventually, upstream connection to internet will get fast enough to
upload your videos to Youtube. Then all this discussion is mute....
So long for now...
