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Nexus 7 with portable DVD r/w NAS as wireless entertainment system for car or travel and can be used a wireless access point if you plug into your hotel or home ethernet port. I use a car inverter plug to power the samsung optical smart hub. I can read. write or stream files from cd or dvd or flash storage or hard drive attached to the hub. Can be accessed simultaeneously by 4 people. Two people can watch same dvd at different stages in the movie or 4 people can watch stream files off usb memory. UYou do not need root for doing this. It works out of the box. see my youtube video here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dKvwom5K8s
also see my other nexus 7 videos on my link in my tagline below. see my various nexus 7 and android play lists as well, which might be useful for some people. subscribe to my youtube channel if you like my videos as i will be uploading few more nexus related videos as i have shot some more but havent uploaded them yet and will do so soon.
my nexus 7 is in car entertainment system and is portable as not built into dash and can take with me while travelling. My wife and child watch live TV and tv catch up and surf the net or do skype video chats for free (excluding the cost of my unlimited data plan) by tethering it to my samsung galaxy note by wifi hotspot.
my total cost was 189.99£ for 16gb nexus 7 + about 70£ for samsung optical smarthub from amazon + 15£ for car inverter = cheap as chips in car entertainment system / NAS that can be shared by 4 people wirelesly and can play dvds, read / write / copy / stream to dvd / cd / flash drive / hard drive and do device back ups or watch internet tv and radio and skype video chats. Has got ethernet port to connect to hotel ethernet port to use a wifi access point when travelling. Can connect to laptop to act as internal drive via usb or as dvd player for TVs although i havent tried those features.
so I had obvious questions, like software, wifi setup, etc, but I guess this "smarthub" device has much of that built-in. how is it over bumps? lose data connection any? can this work with any video/media file type or does it have to be DVD movies only?
640k said:
so I had obvious questions, like software, wifi setup, etc, but I guess this "smarthub" device has much of that built-in. how is it over bumps? lose data connection any? can this work with any video/media file type or does it have to be DVD movies only?
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Click to collapse
i cant answer all the questions today but might be able to either tomorrow or over the next few days. I am on holiday for the last week and will be for about a week more. So busy travelling or making travel plans most of the time as am going on short breaks on a daily basis or recovering in between.
They sent me one with a EU plug and the fit into the inverter is a bit loose. Although i get a contact i dont like it being loose so just use an existing EU to UK plug adapter from tesco (think might have been £1 or so) to plug into my car inverter. The nexus 7 has no probs catching the signal or playing dvds or cds. I tried accessing documents and they work fine as do avi videos from what i remember but i emtied that flash drive for other stuff so cant check the formats now.
I didnt get to use the hub much as my 3y child was more interested with playing on the nexus 7 or watching cartoons on the internet television or my wife was watching television on it so i couldnt check it out as i was driving most of the time. Will try to check it out tomorrow or over the next few days.
The techradardeals website seems to have goofed up and i got an email saying my two 64gb flash drives usb 3.0 are not being delivered, so i am busy making other arrangements for my data for the trip. I had deleted some of my movies from my sd cards in anticipation of getting the drives but now have to copy them to alternate flash drives IF i can find some spares tonight as most of my existing ones are filled with other documents. But will definitely try some dvds tomorrow if my child allows it as she will be using the nexus 7 while i am driving! Today and the last few days she was busy playing on the nexus 7 in the back seat or watching internet TV or skype video chatting or my wife was surfing or watching internet TV, so i didnt get much of a chance using the device myself! Am wondering whether to get another nexus 7 now for only myself. This one was my childs present!!! which i thought i could use but my child has other ideas!!! so my PLAN to get a gadget for myself didnt work out!! I still use the tablet when at home or at night though. But my child uses the tablet the entire journey if she is not sleeping, by playing games or watching TV or listening to songs as she now wants to hear it on the tablet rather than the car stereo and she is only three soon to be four years old.
Anyway enough of me digressing from your queries.
You can see more videos and tutorials and FAQs for the device here http://samsung-odd.com/eng/
the user manual here http://www.samsungodd.com/WebManual/SmartHub/SE-208BW/en/index.html
specifications here http://www.samsungodd.com/WebManual/SmartHub/SE-208BW/en/Specifications_Product.html
you can directly connect this to compatible TVs or photo frames with usb slot function http://www.samsungodd.com/WebManual/SmartHub/SE-208BW/en/Using_AV_Function.html
I am not sure what codecs etc are supported. File sizes cant be more than 4gb. There are a couple more videos on this device on my "android accessories playlist" as far as i remember. see the one by mavericchoi if i remember the name right.
got a few dvds to test tomorrow and some videos (m4v, avi) copying to my flash drive now. will check it tomorrow or over the next 3 days and get back here. they work fine in the stationary car, so i dont see why they wouldnt work while moving unless the electrical connection gets loose. wifi signal strength is great.
640k said:
so I had obvious questions, like software, wifi setup, etc, but I guess this "smarthub" device has much of that built-in. how is it over bumps? lose data connection any? can this work with any video/media file type or does it have to be DVD movies only?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dvd works fine in my car and handles the bumps fine. Did not loose connection at any point. Flash drive seems corrupted, as my movies are not working working. But previous hard drive movies played fine.
I bought one of these as well, and it works great with the Nexus 7. I haven't put it in the car yet, as I'm still doing my testing, but here are the things I've noticed so far.
1. My MP4 files aren't playing when using the Samsung Smart Hub app. It always says unsupported media type. I used handbrake and the ATV2 setting, which works for every other third party player I've tried (BSPlayer, ES File Manager player), but the Samsung video player chokes on them. However, if I use the same ATV2 setting, but choose MKV, they play. Definitely an issue with the Samsung player.
2. The Samsung video player cannot handle any HD content without stuttering. That's pretty much a kiss of death for me, because I'm not ripping the DVDs that come with my BDs just to have them for travelling. So, instead I use ES File Manager - the navigation is very easy and the player works great for all of my HD content.
3. If you want to play DVDs using the streaming app, then the Samsung video player definitely works and does the job perfectly. The only issue I had was getting a message about setting the correct region. All of my mobile devices can play DVDs that way (HTC One X, Nexus 7, iPod touch, and iPhone 4s).
4. MP3s play great using the Samsung video player.
Those are really the only things I've noticed so far. I don't have any other media types to try, because I only use MP4 and MP3, but for me this device will do exactly what I want - have a mobile media hub during our long trips, that all of my mobile devices can use.
If you visit the Samsung ODD support website and read the manual, and watch the videos, setup is a breeze. First thing - make sure you already have a USB drive/stick/etc with some movies or songs on it, because the SmartHub will choke when you try to navigate around in the app. I have a 32GB SD card (Amazon Basics - cheap but works great) and a SanDisk MicroMate SD reader plugged into the Hub, and it works great. External USB hard drives work, too - I've tried two different 2.5 SATA drives and both had no issues. After you set it up, plug the USB drive in before doing anything else. I didn't bother with the included setup CD - I just connected the SmartHub to my home network via ethernet cable, let it acquire an IP, then I used IE and browsed to http://smarthub. I could set everything up that way, including doing a firmware update. My device came with A00, and A03 was available, so I went ahead and did the firmware update. Once that was done, I changed the SSID and password (the default SSID and password is on a label on the bottom of the device), changed the SAMBA sharing password, then I disconnected it from my home network and rebooted the device.
Next, I changed my Nexus wireless network to the SmartHub's - that's very important, because you can't use it at all unless your mobile devices and the SmartHub are on the same subnet! I think that's the biggest issue with people having problems getting things to work. I started the Samsung Mobile Smart Hub (previously downloaded from Google Play), set my SAMBA password, and I was up and running.
I don't think I'd use this for my home network streaming/playback, because I already have things in place that take care of media, but I don't think there's a better media hub type device for travelling.
Thanks. OP! I just ordered one as they are on sale for $40 at Amazon (US):
http://amzn.com/B007JUFLS0
Not knocking the Samsung thing -- especially at only $40 -- but anyone considering it should at least look at the (much more expensive) Seagate Satellite. It is a battery-powered 500gb HDD with onboard WIFI and file server. I've installed hacked firmware and can stream four different movies to four different devices simultaneously without problems. Now three kids of differing ages and tastes can watch whatever they want to watch on a long car trip.
At $40, the Samsung thing is a steal -- almost an at-the-cash-register impulse buy. At $160, the Satellite is a good value, but not an impulse buy. But being able to store 500gb of movies... well worth the money IMHO.
SoonerLater said:
Not knocking the Samsung thing -- especially at only $40 -- but anyone considering it should at least look at the (much more expensive) Seagate Satellite. It is a battery-powered 500gb HDD with onboard WIFI and file server. I've installed hacked firmware and can stream four different movies to four different devices simultaneously without problems. Now three kids of differing ages and tastes can watch whatever they want to watch on a long car trip.
At $40, the Samsung thing is a steal -- almost an at-the-cash-register impulse buy. At $160, the Satellite is a good value, but not an impulse buy. But being able to store 500gb of movies... well worth the money IMHO.
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But does the HDD come with an intuitive user I interface that kids can use and understand in order to select the movie they want to watch? That's the biggest draw with the Samsung solution, even if the interface is a little spartan in design.
SoonerLater said:
Not knocking the Samsung thing -- especially at only $40 -- but anyone considering it should at least look at the (much more expensive) Seagate Satellite. It is a battery-powered 500gb HDD with onboard WIFI and file server. I've installed hacked firmware and can stream four different movies to four different devices simultaneously without problems. Now three kids of differing ages and tastes can watch whatever they want to watch on a long car trip.
At $40, the Samsung thing is a steal -- almost an at-the-cash-register impulse buy. At $160, the Satellite is a good value, but not an impulse buy. But being able to store 500gb of movies... well worth the money IMHO.
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Click to collapse
Thank you for sharing this, any chance you could say where you got the firmware from? This could be pretty amazing with a head rest mount.
Trying to set up something in my camper so that I can watch downloaded movies or shows from my phones. I have a Note 3 with android 5.0.2 and miracast seems to be broken? When the Note 3 had 4.4 it worked fine and I used a Sony dvd player that it worked with just fine. It "sees" the player but won't cast to it.
I have a Google Pixel XL that does not see the dvd player for some reason. I brought a wifi router into the camper and tried to set up a chromecast (Gen 1). I can get it set up but then neither device, when connected to same wifi, see the device so that I can cast to it. I am going to grab a Gen 2 model from home and see if this will work.
Is there a simpler way to make this work? It was so easy just using miracast and now this has turned into a massive headache.
If you have the Stock FW on the CC, please ensure, that guest mode is enabled (via Google home). In this case the CC provided an own Wifi net if needed.
Mad07 said:
If you have the Stock FW on the CC, please ensure, that guest mode is enabled (via Google home). In this case the CC provided an own Wifi net if needed.
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Click to collapse
I've never been able to get the guest mode to work. It seems like no matter what the chromecast still needs an actual internet connection, even if only casting a movie/picture right from device.
So far what works for me but it's annoying. I have my actual Verizon phone turned on as hotspot, Set up the chromecast to connect to hotspot. I leave it up and running. My Note 3 has my movies on it so I connect to same hotspot and cast using Allcast app...I think. That's the only app that even seems to find the chromecast. Yes I have Google Home installed on both devices. If I turn off the hotspot Chromecast stops working. Neither device finds the chromecast after that unless I turn hotspot back on. Yes guest mode is turned on. A pin is never displayed but since devices don't see it it won't help anyway.
I had a spare wifi router and did the same test. Still need an actual data connection. If no data connection the devices do not see the Chromecast.
Technology is really frustrating at times. Miracast worked just fine until Google didn't like it and made the Chromecast. The Note 3 is old and close to being dead so I am not buying a MHL adapter for it nor will I buy a new tv that has something built in that does not seems to work either. Many other camping people are starting to run into this issue as well.
if you go in Google Home under your device, Settings, there is a possibility to switch the guest mode on. This means the CC works like a hot spot. Its written also on the screen. Every device, which is not in your network, could get an access. I don't know, at which time the guest mode will be disabled automatically. Maybe at this time, if you stream something over your own network to the CC.
Hi,
I bought a cheap "MiraCast" dongle from eBay that works great. Less than $14 with shipping included from China. They list them as a "2nd Generation Chromecast 2" screen mirroring devices, a little misleading, but I'm happy with the unit, as it was brand new, in a very nice box I might add. If you need a link, then PM me, or reply here.
PS, they picture a Chromecast shape, but the lead with a Wi-Fi antenna is a giveaway. Here is a link to get you started, and actually is titled better than the one I bought, which is sold out. There are lots more like it at varying prices. https://m.ebay.com/itm/2-Digital-HD...d=202018167243&_trksid=p2349624.c100408.m2460
Motorhome option to cast from phone or tablet or TV without Wi-Fi or hotspot connecti
I was looking at a thread that discuss different connectivity options without Wi-Fi but could not figure it out. Are there any updates to this? Right now the only results that I have is to hardwire an iPhone to the TV using the HDMI connection and Apple Adapter device. The Mira cast Dongle works most of the time but is intermittent at best.
My son upgraded to an iphone so I got his old S7. Using it and the sony dvd player I can use miracast again.
I have also set up my main phone as a wifi hotspot and connected a chromecast and my S7 to it as well and been able to cast. This method ties up both devices and then they also both need to be plugged in. My wifes Iphone can also cast to the chromecast when connected to my hotspot.
Best I can come up with for now.
Hey Guys,
I've been using a 256GB Exynos Note 8 as my first ever Samsung Smartphone for almost a year now, and I've been really loving the extremely versatile featureset it packs. It has hands down been the most useful Smartphone I've ever had after over half a decade of jailbroken iPhones and just switching to Android on a OnePlus One back in 2014. So much so, I've literally been using it as a Pocket PC for most of my computing needs, relying less and less on my Surface Pro 2.
However, there has been one pet peve that just keeps getting in the way of me enjoying my Note 8 to the fullest; whenever I try to miracast Netflix running on my Note 8 to my Microsoft Wireless Display Adaptor connected to a big screen (be it in my living room, bed room, or a hotel room), I only get audio and subtitles, no video Everything else -- including presentations, games and YouTube -- stream smoothly and very reliably from my Note 8 to whatever big screen I want, way better than even my Surface Pro 2 (1st party hardware). However, I just can't get Netflix to stream over miracast from my Note 8. Oddly enough, it works from my Surface Pro 2 with the latest Netflix app from the Microsoft Store.
Any genius out there have some suggestions on how to get Netflix working over miracast? I don't want them chromecast as they require their own internet connection instead of simply functioning via WiFi direct. Thanks in advance.
Try loading Netflix, then only starting the miracast?
Are you plugging this adapter into a TV at a hotel etc? Or is it your home TV?
The casting is something Samsung needs to fix its quite fiddly. If I'm casting to a TV I use Smart Things.
I think you should be running the app you're trying to cast from first. Then when you click the option it should recognise your MWDA.
I used to use my Surface Tablet to cast Netflix and it was a nuisance, so I gave up and plugged it directly into the TV and used a Bluetooth mouse.
barrieo said:
Try loading Netflix, then only starting the miracast?
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Click to collapse
Sorry for the very late feedback, for some reason never saw a notification in the XDA Labs app despite responses to my thread.
I just attempted this but all it does is still show a black screen with audio over Miracast, while the video appears on my Note 8's screen.
Bu5zm4n said:
Are you plugging this adapter into a TV at a hotel etc? Or is it your home TV?
The casting is something Samsung needs to fix its quite fiddly.
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Click to collapse
I tried it both at a camp/hotel and at home. Doesn't matter which TV I'm plugging it into, it's still the same end result; my Note 8 reliably connects over Miracast to it, but Netflix refuses to display.
Bu5zm4n said:
If I'm casting to a TV I use Smart Things.
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Click to collapse
Hmm, isn't that using Chromecast though? My Wireless Display Adapter doesn't show up when I attempt to add a device in SmartThings.
Bu5zm4n said:
I think you should be running the app you're trying to cast from first. Then when you click the option it should recognise your MWDA.
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Click to collapse
I attempted that, and as stated above, still the same end result.
Any other suggestions on getting Netflix to work over Miracast? Thanks in advance.
BUMP
The problem might be the MWDA. I never used one, I used a 3rd party display port to HDMI cable when connecting my Surface to a TV.
I cast apps from my Note 8 to my TV using Smartthings app. Or if you click the button which says 'button order' for your notification shade, there should be one that says 'smart view' I have successfully cast Netflix on my phone to my TV this way.
Bu5zm4n said:
The problem might be the MWDA. I never used one, I used a 3rd party display port to HDMI cable when connecting my Surface to a TV.
I cast apps from my Note 8 to my TV using Smartthings app.
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Click to collapse
The MWDA works perfect and reliably for ANYTHING else, besides Netflix. SmartThings is casting via Chromecast in your Smart TV, that's why it works with Netflix.
Bu5zm4n said:
Or if you click the button which says 'button order' for your notification shade, there should be one that says 'smart view' I have successfully cast Netflix on my phone to my TV this way.
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Click to collapse
That's exactly how I cast from my Note 8's screen to the MWDA, again, it works reliably with everything else but Netflix. The difference is it's using the Miracast protocol in the case of my MWDA, whereas the one to your Smart TV is using the Chromecast protocol (SmartView supports both).
Anyone else have any suggestions on getting Netflix to work over Miracast?
Bump
It seems rather difficult to find exactly what I need, especially with the myriad of remote control type apps out there.
I have a Galaxy Tab S hanging in the back seat of my SUV for our toddlers, the tablet is not connected to any internet connection, when I take it into the house I'll download several videos on to the tablet, problem is, to change to another app with other videos requires you to get up out of the seat and reach way back, not only not safe but impractical.
Basically I want a remote controlling/mirroring app so that I can control the tablet from my Galaxy Note 8, perhaps through wifi direct or Bluetooth or something. Also, I CAN do mobile tethering but I would prefer not to l, as I have limited monthly data.
Side Note: My note 8 is not rooted, but the Galaxy Tab S is.
I have a series 8 Samsung TV, and an S10. I saw a video from 2018 where a guy was casting what was on his TV to his phone. I know how to do it the other way, phone to tv, but I want to do the opposite, tv to phone. I tried selecting "smart view" from the quick settings buttons, but I'm only given the to cast the audio, and nothing else. In the video the guy uses an app called Samsung Connect. I found this apk online, but when you install it, it immediately asks you to upgrade to Smartthings. Anyone else ever get this to work? My tv is pretty new, a 2019 model to be exact, so I'm pretty sure it's capable. Thanks for any help!