YouTube on a Dumb TV

Gaz1 on 27/08/2017 - 20:49

Hi,
I'm trying to help out an old guy that has an old large-screen TV & would like to get youtube onto it.
He has really basic technical ability (never used a PC) & has an old HP tablet he currently uses for youtube (via a Vodafone wifi dongle) but would like to have it on his TV.
I have tried Chromecast but is says his tablet is not powerful enough.
I'm guessing some of the smart boxes might work, but how would you type to search for the yotube content?

He said he's happy to buy a new smart TV, but his TV is really sill very good (46") & I presume he would still need some sort of keyboard for the smart TV anyway.
I would really appreciate any suggestions.

Computing

Comments

  • Savas on 27/08/2017 - 21:10
    +3

    Firstly get rid of the Vodafone wifi dongle please. This are probably better solutions, but I still use my Xbox 360 and a wireless keyboard for YouTube. Get him some GTA games as well.

  • altomic on 27/08/2017 - 21:12
    +2

    I have an andorid box, plugged into it is a dongle for a microsoft wireless keyboard&mouse .

    works a charm

  • PVA on 27/08/2017 - 21:19
    +4

    so his internet is all from a wifi dongle?, if thats so I wouldnt setup up the TV for easy viewing so he blows away all his allowance to quickly.

    • Gaz1 on 27/08/2017 - 21:24

      He doesn't want to use it for TV, just the odd youtube search that he does. He is in a reasonable coverage area, has been using youtube on the tablet for some time & uses virtually nothing out of his allowance.

  • [Deactivated] on 27/08/2017 - 21:59
    +1

    Second hand laptop - by the time you have purchased an android box, keyboard, etc you could easily get a laptop. Just check what input output combination you have. I had an android box and the quality was pretty poor. Find someone who has a laptop with a cracked screen that they don't want to repair. You can still use it on the TV perfectly. I have this as my media player at home - with a wireless keyboard.

  • AlienC on 27/08/2017 - 22:52

    Would he be open to gaming? Honestly just grab a console either xbox one or even a nvidia shield console. The navigation would probably be easier as well via controller or remote.

    Otherwise a mi box and remote should do the trick for like 1/3 of the price but the other options cover 4k Netflix and gaming so more entertainment options.

  • PinzVidz on 28/08/2017 - 00:11
    +3

    I have tried Chromecast but is says his tablet is not powerful enough

    Huh? The Chromecast takes over the stream, it's irrelevant how powerful the tablet is…

    • psy on 28/08/2017 - 08:25

      Hows the c.c getting internet?

      • ausdday on 28/08/2017 - 10:36

        through the vodafone wifi.

        Connect both Chromecast and HP tablet to the same wifi network, in this case, vodafone wifi dongle.
        Youtube app on the HP tablet should be able to detect Chromecast.
        Select the movie on HP tablet Youtube app and cast it to chromecast.
        Chromecast will stream the youtube through the Vodafone Wifi itself.

        If the HP tablet is really old, it might not support newer youtube app that has chromecast support. In this case, get a really cheap android tablet to replace the HP tablet.

        • Gaz1 on 28/08/2017 - 11:14

          The Chromecast app wont install - it says the tablet is not powerful enough.

        • ausdday on 28/08/2017 - 11:54

          @Gaz1:
          Can it be installed on your phone? You just need to install the app on your phone, help him connect the chromecast to the vodafone wifi dongle, and you don't need the app after that.

          I think the Chromecast app is called Google Home now.

  • spackbace on 28/08/2017 - 01:21
    +1

    Just video out from the current laptop to the TV? Cheap enough solution with the right cable…

    • Gaz1 on 28/08/2017 - 11:14
      +1

      Sorry, no current laptop - just the old HP tablet.

      • spackbace on 28/08/2017 - 11:19
        +1

        Ah ok my bad

        I'd go with an above suggestion, upgrade the tablet and he'll have the best of both worlds, the CC and a new tablet. $150 or so for a 10"?

  • Emerald Owl on 28/08/2017 - 08:07

    I would test out the chrome cast myself. It sounds like the best option because it so simple and uses a tablet he already know how to use. If not, android boxes such as the mi box, Apple TV or fetch tv if you up the price.

    • Gaz1 on 28/08/2017 - 11:16

      The Chromecast app wont install - it says the tablet is not powerful enough.

      • Halo375 on 28/08/2017 - 11:20

        It's likely that his tablet is on an older version of Android - that's why it won't download. If he has a more recent smartphone (iOS or Android) they both could be used instead for Chromecast however it does require a wifi signal to be present in the house, that could be an issue if they're running off a USB.

  • iamw0man on 28/08/2017 - 08:15

    Still using my ps3 for youtube & Netflix. Seamless once it's on the network.

    • Gaz1 on 28/08/2017 - 11:17

      He doesn't even have a vague interest in gaming.

      • iamw0man on 29/08/2017 - 08:40

        I rarely do either, they're as cheap as anything else these days, stream nicely and the interface is simple.

  • Ryanek on 28/08/2017 - 08:28
    +2

    Mi Box

  • pikapika on 28/08/2017 - 09:43

    How OLD is old when you're talking about the TV?

    • Gaz1 on 28/08/2017 - 11:17

      Maybe 5+ years, but is a very nice TV & has all the inputs (HDMI, etc).

      • Slippery Fish on 28/08/2017 - 12:02

        My main 41 is close to 9 now. Chromecast, set up on your phone then use his tablet to make it stream.

        • Gaz1 on 29/08/2017 - 11:12

          Can you do this when the chromecast app wont run on his tablet?

        • Slippery Fish on 29/08/2017 - 15:19

          @Gaz1: you would throw the content off the YouTube app once it's setup.

        • Gaz1 on 29/08/2017 - 17:07

          @Slippery Fish:
          That's interesting.
          His HP Slate 7 tablet has Android Jelly Bean 4.2.2 (and wont support anything later).
          Its really hard to get the info, but it appears you need a later version to Cast - is this correct?

        • Slippery Fish on 29/08/2017 - 17:34

          @Gaz1: tbh I'm not 100% on that, I use my phone.

        • scrimshaw on 29/08/2017 - 17:52

          @Gaz1:

          i can cast to my smart TV using a very old THL W8 (4.2.1) and a low end Snapdragon 410 Huawei phone.

        • Gaz1 on 29/08/2017 - 18:48

          @scrimshaw:
          That would really solve the problem!
          Can I ask how you get the "cast" option to appear in Chrome & Youtube without installing the Chromecast app?

        • scrimshaw on 29/08/2017 - 20:08

          @Gaz1:

          If you own a Chromecast, you need to see
          https://support.google.com/chromecast/answer/2998456

          Note: I did not have to do the above steps, since my Hisense TV uses Anyview Cast protocol which was a little different to Google's implementation. It invovled less steps…

          However, I did see the "cast" button appear in my Youtube app, which lets me send YT videos to the TV without Anyview Cast enabled. I'm not exactly sure if this is actually 'chromecast' API or something else.

        • Gaz1 on 29/08/2017 - 20:17

          @scrimshaw:
          Thanks for the link - I'll give this a go & see if I can make it work.

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 28/08/2017 - 11:29

    Mi Box or Fire TV Stick. Either is under $100 and easy as to use.

  • Gaz1 on 02/09/2017 - 16:51

    Thanks for everyones thoughts.
    I'm going to try to program the Chromecast using my phone as suggested by Slippery Fish & Scrimshaw.
    If that doesn't work I'll try a cheap android box as suggested by altomic.
    Cheers!

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