Digital Media Distribution Within the Meetinghouse

[russellhltn]

Another Media Player alternative. WORKS REALLY WELL with mormon channel and LDS.org media.

So as a followup I just got my RockChip (UG802) Android Mini HDMI PC.

Can't say as I was too impressed with the Mormon channel, with the "Picture in a picture" type view. But the local playback performed well. Of course you need to add in the cost of at least the mouse to control it.

I think the ability to piggyback on existing Android development is a plus.

Does it have a way to used a wired Ethernet connection? WiFi creates too many problems - especially if you're receiving a webcast.

[johnshaw]

I have an android set-top-box that was around $60 direct from China. It has an Ethernet Port, RCA outs, and HDMI. It also has a USB port. We purchased to use as a webcast receiver that could re-distribute the audio/video through a meetinghouse previously existing AV setup. The Ethernet port was the important thing for me. Unfortunately, we haven't had a chance to test it yet, though our next Stake Conference is in March, we'll see how it goes there.

[JonesRC]

I have an android set-top-box...We purchased to use as a webcast receiver that could re-distribute the audio/video through a meetinghouse previously existing AV setup. ...Unfortunately, we haven't had a chance to test it yet,...

I would be interested in knowing what box you have, your setup, and how your test goes.

[wvpenfold]

As the STS I have taken the approach to allow multiple ways to get the new media onto the available TV’s throughout our Stake.

To start with I tested different devices: a Roku, Apple TV and 3 different mini android PC’s and found that the Rikomagic MK802 II New Generation Mini Android 4.0 PC Google TV Box HD IPTV Player from amazon.com for $34.99 was the best (and cheapest) match for streaming the new media, so I got one for each of our ward buildings. The device plugs into a HDMI port on the TV and gets its power from a USB port on the TV. I installed the Gospel Library app for Android which now allows you to download the videos directly to the device (the 1 gig memory is ample to start with but you can upgrade with a micro sd card) and if you happen to be in one of the classrooms with good internet service it streams from the app perfectly. On the opening screen I placed bookmarks to lds.org, and the Come Follow Me page which allows easy access to the websites. Also the advantage that you need to make sure they have is the ability to have 2 separate USB ports. One is used for an optical mouse (I only had to purchase one as there were 3 hanging around in our FH Library) an onscreen keyboard comes up when you need to type, and the other USB port is used for a flash drive so the teacher can download the content from home and bring it to class. I only had one building with an older flat screen TV that I had to buy a plug in USB power supply for. The device runs similar to a windows pc and the navigation through the file manager or to the internet is very smooth, and if you have run the Gospel Library app for Android you’re right at home.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0091U ... 04_s01_i01

The next things I purchased were cables to hook up different tablets and phones to the TV’s.

For the Apple users I got the AmazonBasics 6.5-Foot/2-Meter Composite AV Cable for Apple iPhone/iPad/iPod which is the 30 pin connector that goes to the RCA video and L/R audio for $22.99
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004SB ... 02_s01_i01

For the Kindle I got the Fintie Micro HDMI (Type D) to HDMI (Type A) Cable For Amazon Kindle Fire HD 7 Inch Tablet / Kindle Fire HD 8.9 Inch / Nexus 10 - 6 Feet Black for $8.99
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009QX ... 00_s00_i00

For the Android people I had to get two cables:
Rocketfish HDMI to Micro HDMI Cable - 4' for $5.97
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006SL ... 02_s00_i00

And a Gold Plated HDMI to HDMI Mini cable, 1.83 m/ 6 ft 2 pack for $4.51
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00104 ... 02_s01_i04

I also got a HDMI cable for each building at $5.73 for a 2 pack
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0014Z ... 02_s01_i03

Last for the computer users a RiteAV - SVGA Monitor Cable with 3.5mm Audio - 6 ft. for $5.14
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018M ... 04_s01_i00

By using the Mini-PC in place of the Roku, my Stake was able to equip the libraries with multiple ways to allow teaches to get the new digital media playing on multiple platforms; and at only a price tag of $83.21 (with Amazon Prime shipping is free). I have had all this in the libraries for a month now and given training on them in many of the wards (I like to follow the Stake after they do Ward Conferences) everyone is very happy to have ways to play the media and the only negative comment I have had is that we need a Mini PC for each TV with a HDMI port.

[jamesarm97]

I have been testing a setup in my local ward that is working out well. I am using the $35 raspberrypi running the media center os. The setup consists of the raspberrypi, SD card with os, wireless USB dongle, small wireless keyboard/trackpad combo (about 6"x2.5") and an hdmi cable. I preloaded a lot of the videos on and setup RSS feeds to the lds media and conference talks. The device is attached to the back of the tv and powers on and boots pretty fast. It also supports AirPlay (still testing) so members with content already on their ios device and stream to the tv.

[forrjoel]

I heard from a fellow in northern Idaho (an STS, I believe) that the church is planning to distribute Apple TVs for media distribution within meetinghouses. Their stake recently received a shipment of such and will install them soon. I thought this sounds odd as it seems to assume all members use iOS devices and may tie the hands of Android users, et al. Surprisingly, I find nothing on the forum mentioning such a plan and am wondering if users or mods in the know, such as JonesRC, can confirm.

Having recently lost a newer flat panel to theft, we bought a replacement Samsung smart tv that plays appropriate video formats from usb. In our old brick building, the paltry number of APs can't provide wireless coverage for all the classrooms. Ironically enough, the YM and YW rooms have the worst coverage, but that is a local matter to work.

[JonesRC]

The Church is not sending out Apple TVs. There is a lot of discussion surrounding the use of media in the meetinghouse but to date no decisions have been made in regards to any given solution. Media in the meetinghouse encompasses multiple facets that include, but is not limited to, display devices, players, infrastructure, and media management. Outside the current information that can been found at mhtech.lds.org regarding Western Digital and Roku players, there are no plans at this time to announce anything new.

[lmherdz]

This is what one stake has done with the roku & usb stick

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsF6GlqWvno

Need ideas for keeping the TVs safe
any? on how to store them?

[dwariner]

Another tool is the Meetinghouse Library. For details and discussion, see this topic: Meetinghouse Library Project.