Convert your spare netbook into a Ubuntu Video Streaming box

Have a spare pc ? Want to watch movies/tv over network ?

How I converted a spare netbook into ubuntu video streaming box

Ingredients :

1 android device

2 Apps - ES file Explorer [google playstore] + uTorrent

1 wifi + internet

1 sparingly used computer - laptop/netbook/notebook/desktop

1 smart TV [access to wifi and DLNA]

Netbook Configuration ::

500 gb storage + 2 gb ram

Initial Setup ::

1. Secure wifi setup
2. Connect your smart tv to wifi, make sure DLNA is available
3. Install uTorrent on your android device - could be your tablet or phone
4. Install ES File Explorer on your android device [link]
5. The spare netbook is what I chose - due to its low power consumption - you can opt for a desktop or laptop etc.
6. You have two choices of Operating Systems on your netbook - Windows or Ubuntu - I chose Ubuntu

Configuration on Ubuntu ::

1. Samba Server setup + read/write permissions to everyone [link]
2. Mini-DLNA server setup with folders just created/shared via samba server [link]

Configuration on Windows [Windows 7 and up] ::

1. Folder share with read/write permissions to everyone
2. Home Sharing for media

Downloads and Dumping ::

By now your so called server share will be available as a dumping ground for media

Download your content via uTorrent and utilize ES Explorer to browse the local network for your share

Dump off the downloaded content to the network share

TV ::

On your smart TV - get into the DLNA application and wait for a couple of seconds till the DLNA server shows up

Browse through the folders and voila - now play your videos over the network.

No more pen drives and cables required.


Questions ?
Why ubuntu - free, light, highly customizable, modular.
Can you watch movies from your iphone/ipad ? - yes [link]
Can you watch 1080p movies over wifi on tv ? yes with ease
My Smart TV does not resume from where i left off ? right - bookmarks are kept for USB media - not network streams.