I have a 32" analog TV with the usual RCA inputs and an S-video input.

What device can stream things like Hulu over to my TV?

I am tired of watching on my iMac and would like to find a wireless device that would do the trick.

I realize it is an older TV but it still has a good picture.

Anyone have any ideas?

TIA

A Roku box should do the trick.

A Netflix capable Blu-Ray player with RCA outputs will also be able to do it. I say Netflix capable, since it seems that if the box can play that content, it can play a few others, including Hulu.

[www.amazon.com]

Jeff

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/31/2012 02:27PM by kj4btkljv.

Bedouin,

I'm with the others. A Roku box will do it. If I was making the purchase, I'd probably buy the Roku 2 XS for three reasons:

A. 1080p (for future proofing)
B. Ethernet (for hardwiring it to a network)
C. USB (for playing content off a USB drive of some kind)

But, I'd compare a Roku to other options to see what's going to offer you the best bang functionality and bang for the buck. For example, you may need to subscribe to Hulu+ to watch Hulu on a Roku box or Blu-Ray player.

Robert

Good point, I did not thing about the future.

Someday this TVs got to go.

I was looking at the Roku 2 XS and do not see how that can connect to my TV

I see an AV port, the other is HDMI

Quote
bedouin
I was looking at the Roku 2 XS and do not see how that can connect to my TV

It won't, but the Roku HD model will. It's got RCA connectors, and an HDMI for your next TV.

Jeff

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Bedouin,

It has RCA outputs for L/R audio and composite video or so that's what is says in the specs. So, it should work fine with your TV. You can also purchase an HDMI to analog converter box. Something lke this:

[www.amazon.com]

Never used it. So, I can't speak for its quality or whether or not it works. I don't think you need it, though.

But, if it turns out you need to use a converter box, I wouldn't buy the ROKU or the box. By the time you've spent the bucks, you can buy a new LCD TV that may already have Hulu/netflix/etc functionality built into it.

Robert



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/31/2012 02:59PM by Robert M.

Any Roku model on the market can connect to older composite TVs. The Roku 2 models come with a cable that looks like a 3.5 mm headphone jack on one end and then splits out to composite and RCA stereo audio on the other end.

Worth repeating, the only official way to watch Hulu through this class of devices is to subscribe to Hulu Plus. There are work arounds of course.

Edit: The Roku LT (recently discontinued) and the newest Roku HD are also a part of the Roku 2 lineup as well. However, they both lack Bluetooth, 1080p, and a microSD slot. Hence the naming difference (notice the lack of "2" ). The LT had the 3.5mm jack for composite and/or stereo audio, but the newest HD has actual composite and RCA stereo ports.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/31/2012 03:16PM by silvarios.

Looks like the Roku 2 XS will work with the A/V input as it includes a RCA - A/V cable.

So with a Roku I can not just watch regual Hulu without some kind of work around?

I guess I can't go to ABC.com and TNT.com etc. with a Roku either.

If so that is a Bummer...

Of all the models of Roku, I'd probably stick with the new HD model for an older analog TV. Do you plan on playing Roku games? Do you think you'll need removable storage or a USB port for local media or increased storage space for lots of channels? Do you really need 1080p since your TV doesn't even support 720p? Do you need Ethernet?

If the answers are all no, then might as well save your money. You can always upgrade to a better box in a year or two if your needs change.

Also, it's worth noting that Hulu Plus does NOT give you the same access as a computer. When I did a trial on my TiVo, I found that there were lots of programs that were available to Hulu Plus, however there were restrictions as to what devices they were available on. Mostly current season TV shows were NOT available on TV connected devices, although they were available on the computer.

All I want to do is watch TV over the internet and Not use my iMac anymore.

Maybe Hulu, or the regular channels or USA Network or TNT or others.

Correct. You need a Hulu + subscription. And also no ABC.com or TNT.com. No browser-based viewing.

Quote
bedouin
So with a Roku I can not just watch regual Hulu without some kind of work around?

I guess I can't go to ABC.com and TNT.com etc. with a Roku either.

If so that is a Bummer...

Bedouin,

Nopes. Other devices might include a web browser that may work with Hulu but not the Roku. I remember seeing one on dealmac or a similar site recently. However, it was from a little known brand that I'd never heard of. Reviews were mediocre at best and the device had already been discontinued.

Reality is that none of these devices offer that level of functionality. Most offer NetFlix, Amazon VOD, Hulu Plus, etc. Some support DLNA - another streaming solution for sending content from a computer to a media box. Think iTunes Home Sharing but not as easy or reliable in my experience.

You can jerry-rig these to support many more functions but they are, in their own way, limited out of the box.

Robert



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/31/2012 03:23PM by Robert M.

Quote
bedouin
So with a Roku I can not just watch regual Hulu without some kind of work around?

I guess I can't go to ABC.com and TNT.com etc. with a Roku either.

If so that is a Bummer...

Not just the Roku. Most devices, other than a computer, require a Hulu Plus subscription. In theory, running something like Plex Media Server on your computer will allow it to capture the video and audio from regular Hulu and pump it to the Roku (have to install the Plex channel on the Roku as well) over your local network.

forums.plexapp.com/index.php/topic/41497-roku-myplex-and-hulu/



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/31/2012 03:26PM by silvarios.

I tend to think you will be disappointed with any option. Can you run a cable from the mac to the TV? I did that for years and used plex. Cables are cheap, but you would need a video adapter too out of the mac.

I now have an appletv and that is the best option IMO, since I think airplay is the future of streaming. But I don't think you can do that with your TV, at least not without something cobbled together (unless the ATV v1 does airplay?).

people do seem to like the Roku's though too.

what about a hacked first gen Apple tv?

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My old PPC iMac had a cable to connect to the video port and the other end was a S-video so I was able to connect to the TV with that.

My newer (not new) iMac has a different connection port so it will not work and have not beean able to find an S-video connector.

Plus I hated "heating" up my iMac all the time.

By the way what is Plex?

plex is an application to stream media.

[plexapp.com]

I liked it because it easily toggled on to my TV as a 2nd display. But Hulu never worked reliably for me, and I had trouble with other apps too, like ESPN and Netflix. It may be possible to jailbreak or hack plex on to other devices too.

So what is the difference between using Plex and just going to Hulu.com using a web browser??

A 2009 or later Mini.

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MR/F Guestmap: [www.mapservices.org]

Quote
decay
what about a hacked first gen Apple tv?

First gen Apple TV doesn't support AirPlay (even with the jailbreak hack, most AirPlay streams don't work). Nor does it support Hulu. Nor does it support composite video without the cable switch hack or the software patch.

With prices of the first gen Apple TV being so high, I would stick to the Roku and similar devices (assuming one wants to pay for Hulu Plus).

Quote
michaelb
I now have an appletv and that is the best option IMO, since I think airplay is the future of streaming. But I don't think you can do that with your TV, at least not without something cobbled together (unless the ATV v1 does airplay?).

people do seem to like the Roku's though too.

An Apple TV does not support Hulu natively (not even Hulu Plus) and the OP already stated they weren't keen on paying for Hulu Plus (which would require AirPlay from an iOS device).

I do agree that the future of streaming on an Apple TV should be content from iOS devices beamed to the Apple TV via AirPlay.

Quote
bedouin
So what is the difference between using Plex and just going to Hulu.com using a web browser??

Plex on a computer gives a more lean back friendly interface to watching media.

When it comes to Plex on devices like the Roku, iOS devices, Nook, etc. you need Plex Media Server installed on the computer so the Flash video/audio from Hulu can be transcoded to a supported format and sent over the network to the Plex client devices.

I access Hulu on my hacked first-generation Apple TV through a Xbox media Center plug-in. It is free (not Hulu plus) and works well.

Quote
silvarios

Quote
michaelb
I now have an appletv and that is the best option IMO, since I think airplay is the future of streaming. But I don't think you can do that with your TV, at least not without something cobbled together (unless the ATV v1 does airplay?).

people do seem to like the Roku's though too.

An Apple TV does not support Hulu natively (not even Hulu Plus) and the OP already stated they weren't keen on paying for Hulu Plus (which would require AirPlay from an iOS device).

I do agree that the future of streaming on an Apple TV should be content from iOS devices beamed to the Apple TV via AirPlay.

Quote
Black
A 2009 or later Mini.

I don't think the 2009 Mac mini is compatible with the mini-dvi to composite adapter. Anything newer is likewise not compatible with a simple adapter.

Quote
DavidS
I access Hulu on my hacked first-generation Apple TV through a Xbox media Center plug-in. It is free (not Hulu plus) and works well.

What I wrote was the Apple TV doesn't support the feature natively. The XMBC solution described is akin to the Plex to Roku method. Also worth noting you still have to hack the Apple TV to enable composite video output. The OP's goal is going to be tough given the need for regular Hulu support and composite video.

Quick Edit:

Quote
silvarios
What I attempted to write was the Apple TV doesn't support…

Hope that reads as less accusatory than the original post.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/31/2012 11:43PM by silvarios.

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Jeff

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Here's another one, also $50:

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Jeff

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