How to stream to a Panasonic TV

Posted by: Gavin B on 10 October 2011

Can someone give me an idiot's guide on how to stream to my Panasonic TV? The TV is apparently equiped to do this, but I'm not sure of the ins and outs of doing it. Panasonic do an expensive dongle, but I'm not sure it provides enough functionality.

I'd like to stream ice hockey matches from something like hockeystreams.com, and possibly to use the like of BBC's iPlayer.

Do I need something like an Apple TV or an Airport Express? What's the difference? If this is the right technology, how do I start it off? Once the correct technology is connected up (between the router and the TV?), do I go to the relevant website on my laptop and press play?

Thanks

Gavin

Posted on: 10 October 2011 by Hook

Hi Gavin B -

I use a Slingbox. Works great, and has turned our laptops into TV sets. They also have client apps for iPad and other mobile devices.

In theory, I can watch my home cable TV service from anywhere in the world where I can get an internet connection. So far, have only tried it within WiFi distance of my home router, where the picture quality and reliability are very impressive!

Good luck.

Hook

Posted on: 11 October 2011 by Gavin B

Hi Hook

Thanks for the reply. I may be getting the wrong end of the stick with the Slingbox, but doesn't that allow me to watch stuff from the TV (e.g. a satelite feed) on my laptop? If so, that's the wrong way round for me.

I want to stream something from the web onto my TV in my front room - or can the slingbox do this too?

Gavin

Posted on: 11 October 2011 by Hook

Hi Gavin -

Sorry I misread your email!

In your case, Apple TV would work, but only if it supports all of the video feeds you are looking for. Last time I looked at an ATV, there was a fixed list of video streams that were available (e.g., Netflix, Youtube, and so on -- am not sure it will let you surf to anywhere.com -- can any ATV owners confirm this? Mine is back in its box after an unsuccessful trial...). There are lots of other video streamers on the market (Roku, WD Live, and so on), but I have not evaluated any of them.

I suppose you could simply hook up a small PC server to your TV. Several come with HDMI outputs, and then all you will need to do is configure that input on the Panny as a PC (RGB), so that the screen is properly formatted. Buy an RF keyboard/mouse with a remote USB dongle for control, and then anything you can see on the internet-connected PC (like a hockey stream) will be visible on the Panny when you select that input.

Hook

Posted on: 11 October 2011 by Gavin B

Reading about the Apple TV on Amazon, it seems it needs to be 'jailbroken' with another piece of software installed for it to be able to stream anystream.com

Could I simply plug my laptop in? What sort of connection (between the laptop and TV) would that need?

Anyone use any other brand of media server?

Gavin

Posted on: 11 October 2011 by JamieWednesday

If lap top and tv both modern and have hdmi ports, then a hdmi cable is cheapest and easiest. Use monitor button on lap top and input/screen options on TV to facilitate. Dead easy.

Alternatively a simple RGB or pc + audio to RGB/scart connector (from Maplin, ebay, amazon etc.) is all you need if no hd ports (actual plugs/ends needed depends on what ports/holes are on your laptop, email or pop in to Maplin, tell 'em what you got and they'll tell you what you need)

Only disadvantage is that your lap top is 'tethered' to telly.

A video streamer is a whole different can of worms and content is restricted to that which is available for product

Can't quite tell from your post if the Panny Is 'Internet enabled', if so, you have different options (but probably still with restricted content).

Finally, you may want to post on Home Theatre forum, bet there's some techie and knowledgeable answers there?

Posted on: 12 October 2011 by von zipper

If your Panasonic is the latest generation, you should be able to access BBC iplayer directly from the TV itself using the viera tools button on the remote - the TV needs to be hooked onto the network either hard wired or using Panasonics wireless dongle (either included in the box or optional extra depending on the model you have purchased) The dongle does a pretty decent job but is as always dependent on your home network. This will also allow you to stream video content from your PC and also music and photos over the network.

Posted on: 14 October 2011 by Gavin B

UPDATE: I dug a long ethernet cable out and connected the TV to my router. The Viera Connect services seems to work fine - I can get stuff like YouTube (although probably need to connect a keyboard to be able to do some proper searches). There is no iPlayer - at least yet. The Panasonic UK website says that 'New catch-up TV services will be added shortly to the platform'. There doesn't seem to be anything that'll get me to a streaming webpage, so I suppose my quest continues. Perhaps I'll check if anyone can recommend a media servier that would do me on Home Theatre forum.

Gavin