Question Should i buy a streaming device or just use an old laptop to connect it to the TV ?

[yousefmahran]

Hello,

Do I need to buy an Android TV box or should I use an old laptop and and then connect it to the TV?
Will I get the same benefits as a TV box or will it have fewer benefits, and can I get the same streaming apps that are on a TV box?

Thanks.

 

[dwd999]

It would depend on the capabilities of your TV, your laptop and what type of content you want to watch. Let's start with this: Do you want to watch 4k HDR content and if so do your TV and laptop support that?

 

[yousefmahran]

My tv is 1080p and I want to watch a 1080p content I don't want hdr content and my laptop is fujitsu lifebook lh530

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

depends on the TV.
most decent "SMART" sets come with the majority of streaming apps built-in.

should I use an old laptop and and then connect it to the TV?
will it have fewer benefits

and that depends on the specific app.
check their web pages for what differences there may be between direct streaming and using a PC/laptop.

 

[dwd999]

My tv is 1080p and I want to watch a 1080p content I don't want hdr content and my laptop is fujitsu lifebook lh530

It appears that your laptop has a resolution of 1366 x 768 and only has a VGA video output port. It does not appear to have the HDMI output/input port found on most TVs. It is also not known if your laptop is capable of outputting 1080p content. So the next question would be does your TV have a VGA input port; if not it may not work with your laptop. At this point it appears that an Android TV box would be better.

 

[yousefmahran]

My laptop runs 1080p fine, I will just use vga to hdmi with audio jack cable adapter.

 

[kanewolf]

My laptop runs 1080p fine, I will just use vga to hdmi with audio jack cable adapter.

Having VGA in the TV link will limit many HD streaming. The HDCP handshake won't work, so you may be limited to 480p.

 

[yousefmahran]

Having VGA in the TV link will limit many HD streaming. The HDCP handshake won't work, so you may be limited to 480p.

Like how?

 

[kanewolf]

Like how?

Lookup HDCP - high definition copy protection. Streaming Netflix requires HDCP. The analog link in VGA prevents HDCP.

 

[yousefmahran]

Lookup HDCP - high definition copy protection. Streaming Netflix requires HDCP. The analog link in VGA prevents HDCP.

Yes but can I use dvi to hdmi and not prevent HDCP?

 

[kanewolf]

Yes but can I use dvi to hdmi and not prevent HDCP?

You said VGA. That is not DVI. And not all DVI ports support HDCP.

 

[yousefmahran]

You said VGA. That is not DVI. And not all DVI ports support HDCP.

I mean I will use another pc with dvi to hdmi cable does it support HDCP?

 

[kanewolf]

I mean I will use another pc with dvi to hdmi cable does it support HDCP?

I believe most graphics cards do, but it is not guaranteed.

 

[yousefmahran]

I believe most graphics cards do, but it is not guaranteed.

Yeah maybe it will work.

 

[kanewolf]

Considering a FireStick is $20 right now. If you don't want an Amazon tie, then a Tivo stick is $25 and a Roku stick is $35. All HDMI all guaranteed to support all major streaming platforms...

 

[yousefmahran]

Considering a FireStick is $20 right now. If you don't want an Amazon tie, then a Tivo stick is $25 and a Roku stick is $35. All HDMI all guaranteed to support all major streaming platforms...

But a pc have more freedom in apps

 

[SkyNetRising]

Do I need to buy an Android TV box or should I use an old laptop and and then connect it to the TV?
Will I get the same benefits as a TV box or will it have fewer benefits, and can I get the same streaming apps that are on a TV box?

With android tv box you get a remote also.
With laptop there will be no remote.

Remote is essential for comfortable viewing experience.

 

[kanewolf]

But a pc have more freedom in apps

It just depends on what you want. Streaming? The major players (Roku, Amazon, Google) just work for almost any streaming. Is the media player on Roku the best I have ever used? No. But do the DVDs I have ripped and have on a DLNA compatible NAS work? YEP.

 

[yousefmahran]

It just depends on what you want. Streaming? The major players (Roku, Amazon, Google) just work for almost any streaming. Is the media player on Roku the best I have ever used? No. But do the DVDs I have ripped and have on a DLNA compatible NAS work? YEP.

I just want to watch youtube and netflix

 

[kanewolf]

I just want to watch youtube and netflix

I would get a low cost streaming device.

 

[yousefmahran]

I would get a low cost streaming device.

In my opinion just connect a laptop to the TV and go!

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

In my opinion just connect a laptop to the TV and go!

then why are you bothering with this thread if you don't want any other answers than that?