converting a dumb TV to a smart TV via HDMI or USB

[Negita43]

Anyone know where I can buy a "dongle" for this available in Thailand

Thanks

[lostinisaan]

Electro Shock Therapy, Perhaps?

[kbelyeu]

There are quite a few options..

Minix Box

Chrome Cast dongle

Intel Compute Stick

Plug a laptop into the TV via HDMI and use a wireless keyboard and mouse.

Google some of these options and you will see a million other ways to "smarten" up your TV.

Kurt

[DPGumbypgh]

It depends whether or not you just want to mimick the smart tv features or have more flexibility ie watching downloaded movies on usb stick or portable hard drives. Do you also have a computer that you use near the tv?
For just mimicking the smart tv features then Amazon Fire Stick is probably the best but is not really available easily here would have to be ordered from outside the country or have a friend bring one.
Google Chromecast would allow you to watch almost anything from a local computer.

Minix / android boxes will let you do just about anything and are easy to update the software.

I have both a Amazon fire stick which is great for just streaming movies and tv shows but is tricky to update. I use this in the bedroom.
For living room main TV a minix box works much better and is a open system so can be fully customised.

[slipperylobster]

simply get ais fibre...includes a small android box. works great, for web surfing. Can use most any browser. Videos, youtube, music, radio, cable...all there.

Not good if you are hooked on windows. Then you simply get a eee pc (asus)...or similar small laptop and plug it in... I use the logitech remote keyboard with mousepad. I could use a remote mouse..but i like my lazyboy chair and hang the fifty inch sony on the far wall.

nice... takes some compromises on the mousepad. I don't want both a mouse and keyboard on my lap.

tons of android devices, plug in....but better to have a small laptop....as you can simply unhook it and take it elsewhere on trips..etc.

[SoiBiker]

Chromecast. Cheap, easy, does the job. Lazada sell them.

[Negita43]

Thanks everybody,

I already have 3 PC's, NAS box and 2 notebooks running both windows and Linux, connected by LAN and WIFI Also next to the TV in question I have a spare LAN cable (I prefer LAN to WIFI any day).

So after listening to you all and doing a lot of research I think I am going to go for a set top box - either an Amlogic S905 or a Rockchip RK3368 processor (both ex China) anyone have any experience of either of these boxes or indeed any alternatives?

[2fishin2]

I have a minix neo-z64 windows "box"

http://minix.com.hk/en/products/neo-z64-windows

and use this wireless keyboard/mouse combo device

http://www.cnet.com/products/microsoft-all-in-one-media-keyboard-with-integrated-multi-touch-trackpad-keyboard-english-north-america/

Works like a charm and its quality. You have to be careful with "boxes" as they are all not the same. The Minix brand arguably makes the best boxes.

[Negita43]

Thanks for your input 2fishin2

I have read a couple of good reviews about this manufacturer

I have looked at the site you gave me and my main concern is that the LAN is 10/100 and my whole system is Gigabit based and the HDMI is v1.40 whereas the current HDMI spec is 2.1 (although most use 2.0) I'm not a tech freak but in the world of IT, things change so fast that if I am spending money I like to buy the most up to date kit I can afford.

The minix neo X8 plus also appears to use an Amlogic A9r4 chip

BUT the key question is, are these boxes available in Thailand? (I'll have a look on Alliexpress for a China supplier)

Thanks agin for your help

[crabdog]

I have an old PC (i5 with SSD) connected to the TV and use a Tenda wireless USB stick and wireless kb/mouse. Running Windows 10 with Kodi Pulse build. Boots up in about 15 seconds, Kodi startup is almost instantaneous. Great for TV, movies and music and the wife can also watch youtube or her korean/thai series via Chrome.

[2fishin2]

Yes they are available at Fortune Town. Thats where I purchased mine. Its an awesome little computer!