Android Wear (+ phone comparability test)

[VJ]

an Android tablet used for converting Wi-Fi Internet to HDMI for the streaming of the BBC programmes (actually we have the possibility of hundreds of channels but, being Luddites and dinosaurs, we watch only the BBC through the Internet!

Can I ask how you get those channels?

I was thinking of putting a small Android tablet at my girlfriend's parents' place as a test. We got this cheap tablet that has a standard HDMI port, and I assume it would behave the same as those Android set top boxes (but without a remote). Interesting to read you use it as a permanent solution.

[Fat Tone]

Did I mention I recently won a Samsung Gear 2 from a CodeProject competition? It hasn't arrived yet but I am really looking forward to it. I'm really interested in trying the Spritzer speedreading app with it too.

I've never won anything major before, very excited

[Brian Ellis]

Can I ask how you get those channels?

My apologies for not having answered earlier but we were having a contretemps with a highly venomous snake in the garden, hardly compatible with a dog.

Assuming you have access to Wi-Fi, it could hardly be simpler. You obviously have to set up your tablet for HDMI and Wi-Fi. After that, go to Google Play Store and search for Filmon (or you can do it via a browser and Filmon.com). You will have a choice of several versions but they are all more or less the same. You have two options, pay or not pay! If you pay, you can have those programs which are in HD without advertisements. If you do not pay, like myself, the TV is in SD and you may get some advertisements on the setting up program but, once you expand at to full-screen the advertisements disappear from your TV. As my TV set converts all SD to 720 p, I see no point in paying for the HD, which may have more difficulty in streaming, depending on your Internet connection.

As I mentioned, we only look at the BBC channels but there are some 300-odd other ones we could choose from in any language under the sun!

We have been using this system for the best part of a year, now, and we very rarely get any glitches other than infrequent requests for my password (you have to register, even for the nonpaying versions). On an average, we use it four or five times per week for one to 3 hours, depending on the programs (mostly documentaries). We are very satisfied with it.

[VJ]

Did I mention I recently won a Samsung Gear 2 from a CodeProject competition? It hasn't arrived yet but I am really looking forward to it. I'm really interested in trying the Spritzer speedreading app with it too.

Congratulations!

My apologies for not having answered earlier but we were having a contretemps with a highly venomous snake in the garden, hardly compatible with a dog.

No problem. I hope everything is ok...

We have been using this system for the best part of a year, now, and we very rarely get any glitches other than infrequent requests for my password (you have to register, even for the nonpaying versions). On an average, we use it four or five times per week for one to 3 hours, depending on the programs (mostly documentaries). We are very satisfied with it.

I've never heard of the service, but quickly looked at it, and it works fine! I'll try it out to see how well it goes. Thanks!

[Fat Tone]

It turns out its the Neo, despite all the emails saying its the full version. And as I am outside North America I get the cash equivalent, about £116 (less conversion costs if they send a cheque). Still, that at least helps towards the £250 cost of the Gear 2, which I have ordered and is on its way from Samsung UK.

[VJ]

As I mentioned, we only look at the BBC channels but there are some 300-odd other ones we could choose from in any language under the sun!

I tested it with BBC, and it indeed works perfectly! Thanks!