How to stream media from NAS to TV directly?

Question

I want to stream media (mostly mpg video) directly from a NAS to a TV WITHOUT going through a PC. What kind of NAS + media streaming box solution will make this work? Thanks a lot!

Answer 1

There are plenty of options

Linksys, D-Link, and HP have all Digital media receivers (adaptors or extenders)

An xbox360 or PS3 can do the job as well.

HP's Mediasmart TV (available at Costco) has the functionality built-in.

Answer 2

For streaming, you will need a NAS or Server capable of supporting a streaming protocol (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streaming_m... and a streaming media receiver capable of receiving the same protocol, decoding the data and presenting the audio and video to your home theater system

Streaming Servers:

Apple offers the Darwin Server for free

The new Microsoft Home Server supports streaming media as well.

MythTV is a popular server and PC based receiver

http://developer.apple.com/opensource/se...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Hom...

http://www.mythtv.org/

Streaming Receivers:

I group them in two categories:

1) Mainstream: Linksys, D-Link, Xbox, etc…

http://mediareceivers.net/Media-Receiver...

2) DVD Player based media receiver

GoVideo D2740

Kiss DP500

Escient VC-1 DVD DMR

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-3118_7-5555...