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Cheap and cheerful Smart TV Conversion By Julian James Why buy a smart TV when you can do this simple work-around with your existing TV. You could end up with a smarter TV than a smart TV! I recently converted my non-smart TV (a Panasonic TX32LXD70A) to a smart TV using a Raspberry Pi with the XBMC program (www.XMBC.org). This worked OK but the Catch-Up TV sites I wanted to watch (www.freeview.com.au/tvguide/CatchUp.aspx) have a more limited choice for Linux and Apple-based computers than their Windows counterparts. They also cannot support a proxy server to enable overseas TV channels to be streamed. This meant investing in a PC for the purpose. As I wanted a small set-top-box style of computer, I chose the Acer Veriton 1000 for its small size, measuring only 250mm high x 60mm wide and 200mm deep and having a separate “brick type” power supply which can be easily hidden. While it was being offered for sale by various ebay suppliers, I found one at Mission Australia’s Bellambi (NSW) store, which has a good IT department and has “pre-loved” computer packages from $100 upward. So I bought an Acer Veriton 1000 1.8GHz small-formfactor computer from them for $100 and connected this to Last issue, where Leo Simpson looked at using a large-screen smart TV as a computer monitor, he came to the conclusion that smart TVs weren’t all that smart! In fact, he commented “you quickly come to the conclusion that a good laptop or desktop PC is far superior (to a smart TV) in virtually every aspect”. This article, then, is very timely: it shows you how to get the best of both worlds – the power of the computer and the size/clarity/convenience of a large-screen modern TV set. 20  Silicon Chip my TV via the PC and the TV’s VGA sockets. The audio was connected from the audio output on the computer to the “Audio Input” on the TV, using a 3.5mm stereo jack to 2x RCA connector lead. This worked but the streaming program it displayed as a letterbox view, which made the actors somewhat squat and fat. The answer was to use the DVI-D output from the computer and connect to the TV with a DVI-D to HDMI converter (costing less than $3 post free from Ausutek on ebay) and an HDMI cable. On my Panasonic TV there are two HDMI inputs. The first (HDMI1) The DVI-D output on the PC (black plug at top) connects to the HDMI input on the TV set via a (cheap!) DVI-D to HDMI converter and HDMI cable. The audio out socket could be used to connect to a hifi amplifier. siliconchip.com.au IIntroducing ntroducing tthe he n new ew D DTX TX S Series eries o hip-like off c chip-like modules modules First member in the new DTX series of chip-like embedded modules with variety of functions. The BBC has “iPlayer” – similar to Australia’s “iView” (seen at left). The only problem is that it checks your IP address and if you’re not recognised as being in the UK, will only let you listen to radio programs. That is, unless you use a Proxy Server to fool it! will allow the injection of audio via the “Audio In” connections, the same used when using the PC VGA input. If your TV does not have this facility then a connection to a stereo system or a pair of computer speakers would also work. Using the HDMI connection has the advantage of being able to select an aspect ratio that shows the programs at full screen. Full system on module in an industry standard package for easy implementation in devices where space is a premium and time to market an important factor. In-System Embedded Development (ISED) concept, allowing software development directly onto the target hardware without the need of external development tools such as compiler, debugger/programmer, cables, etc. The whole DTX series is designed with the consideration for low-power applications. It is also “everyone for themselves” type, where every module has its own power converter thus significantly increasing the overall system reliability. For more information: contacts<at>dimitech.com 435-437 Nepean Hwy, Frankston VIC 3199 Phone: (03) 90168919 Fax: (03) 99232709 Just what is a “Smart TV”? It’s one of the buzz-words of the decade. But what is a “Smart TV” and how does that differ from the TV you’ve enjoyed for decades (well, since 1956 in Australia!)? In as simple a definition as possible, a Smart TV is a TV set with an inbuilt computer, which enables it to access a variety of services that a “normal” TV cannot. Obviously all that an older TV is capable of displaying is programming it receives either off-air via its antenna, or is fed to it from some form of video player/ recorder or, for example, from a Pay-TV decoder. It’s that last item, the Pay-TV decoder, that allows a standard TV (for want of a better description) to behave, at least to some extent, like a Smart TV, because it enables you to time-shift, slow down and speed up action, and so on. But a “real” Smart TV can do much more than this. Because it is connected to the internet, via a wired (Ethernet) connection or perhaps a wireless link, the Smart TV can interactively display just about anything that you can get from or do with the ’net. That includes watching “streamed” video from a huge variety of sources – whether that be downloaded movies, brief snippets such as you find onYouTube, even displaying web pages and so on. You can even use a Smart TV as your main audio device as well, playing music (downloaded or on your hard drive), running internet radio stations etc. It can run that other buzz-word of the moment, “apps” (or applications). And let’s not forget some of the most amazing games you’ll ever see/play! All this with remote control. We mentioned the word “interactive” a moment ago because a Smart TV, with its inbuilt computer, becomes an input device as siliconchip.com.au well as a display device. With appropriate hardware connected (eg, a mouse, keyboard, etc – although even these aren’t strictly necessary as they can be simulated on screen) you can do nearly as much as you can with a typical computer and monitor– even such mundane tasks as word processing and emailing! Smart TVs are becoming more “the norm” these days and are taking their place as centres of entertainment in the home – with capabilities way beyond what the old square box in the corner could ever do! Do you need to upgrade to a Smart TV? Not if all you want to do is watch TV programs – free-to-air via the antenna, or cable if you have it. Your old TV will continue to do this more than adequately (assuming, of course, it’s digital-ready or you have purchased a digital set-top-box). Can you upgrade an existing TV? The answer is yes, with reservations – after all, that is what this article is all about. But if you want to take advantage of more of the whizz-bang features of Smart TV, you’re eaither going to have to load more software into the PC and connect it as described here, or another route is to obtain a “media centre” (they’re quite cheap these days) and use that. You could also buy a set-top-box which has Smart TV capability and, quite likely, PVR (personal video recorder) facilities as well. You’ll almost certainly need a much more capable remote control but most set-top-boxes come with these anyway. July 2013  21 Here’s the “ExpatShield” proxy server – one of the most popular and very easy to use. But don’t forget to log out if you want to watch Australian programs, because they will think you’re outside Australia and stop you watching, just like iPlayer does! There are various zoom views but I chose the “Just” option as this reduced the cropping of the picture. I made the toolbar at the bottom of the screen taller so it showed the “Start” and “Minimised” Screen tabs, for easier operation. These disappear during streaming. I used the 32-bit (highest) colour quality and 1280x720 pixel screen resolutions. These refurbished computers come with Windows XP, free virus and other programs. As I am only going to use this for streaming catch-up TV and YouTube, I removed all the shortcuts to the programs that I would not be using and then created shortcuts to ABC, SBS, Channel 7 etc. So now it’s just a matter of selecting the required channel and program and off you go. Overseas programs If an overseas channel is required then it must be accessed via a proxy server and a Google search is required to find one in the chosen country. Some of these may charge a Altronics’ “Sunwave” Wireless Remote Control (Cat A1004) is two-faced! On one side is the full range of “normal” remote control buttons – volume, channel, numbers, start, stop, fast forward and reverse, shuttle control, etc, while on the reverse side is a small keyboard (in somewhat QWERTY format), a touchpadtype “mouse” plus several of the opposite side keys duplicated. It is intended for Smart TV applications and uses a 2.4GHz link with a tiny USB dongle (pictured). It’s priced at $139 at all Altronics stores. 22  Silicon Chip subscription, which start at around $5 per month. I like the BBC (UK) iPlayer channel but to view this channel here in Australia it must also be accessed via a proxy server. The easiest one to use is the “Expat Shield” (www. expatshield.com). This is a free download but only works for PCs at the moment. Once it’s downloaded it can be connected via the shortcut or the shield icon in the computer’s tray. When connected it assigns a UK IP address to the computer. This makes the computer appear to be in the UK – if it has an Australian (or other) IP address it won’t work. After connection, the tab can then be closed and any search will be via the proxy server. A connection can then be established to the UK online TV channels. Streaming from the UK via this proxy server can sometimes be slow and seems to depend on the time of day, The BBC offers HD quality streaming on some programs and this can stall sometimes, but generally it will work. There is a downside: don’t try to connect to any Australian channels as while running Expat Shield. Again, it wont work, as the reverse applies and it thinks you are in the UK! The other problem with Expat Shield is popup adverts, although these can be stopped by using Firefox and their “anti popup” add on. The BBC iPlayer (www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/tv) won’t let you watch TV programs if you are not domiciled in the UK (due to rights restrictions – it checks your IP address) but it does have a radio streaming service which has comedy shows, plays, documentaries etc. These can be accessed directly without the need for a proxy server. Once this has been set up, you only need a mouse to navigate the screen, but I opted for a wireless keyboard with trackball from Jaycar (Cat No XC-4943) which worked well. It is very tempting to remove the stand from the Acer and position it sideways in the TV cabinet’s DVD compartment but I found in this limited area the Acer got rather too hot for comfort, so I positioned it upright on its stand behind the TV. The wireless keyboard still worked well in this position and it’s nicely out of sight. So there you have it: a smart TV conversion for a little over $100, which is smarter than the average Smart TV as SC it can access overseas online TV sites. If you’re looking for a keyboard with more conventional-sized keys and layout, the Jaycar XC-4943 Wireless Keyboard will fit the bill. It is ideal for use with a Smart TV – in fact, you’ll find it most frustrating without having access to a “QWERTY” keyboard and mouse. This one also has a built-in trackball for added convenience. There’s also a near-identical-looking Bluetooth model (XC4945). Both are priced at $39.95 at all Jaycar stores. siliconchip.com.au