Stream Photos Over Ethernet to Wall Monitor?

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS II USM Lens

09/29/2014 04:47:16 PM · #1

Anyone know how (or whether its possible) to stream photos over an ethernet connection to a standard computer display monitor? Essentially I am trying to create a digital picture frame from an off-the-shelf monnitor that can display content either from a computer in another room or, better yet, from a dedicated NAS device. For the former I would need to stream from Lightroom or similar with software to direct the signal to the ethernet outlet where the monitor is; for the latter I would probably need some sort of OS or software on the NAS that could drive the content to the monitor.

The existing digital frame products are mostly too small or too expensive, and most require loading pics on to a USB stick or uploading them first to a proprietary third party server and then connecting over WiFi. I am looking for a better solution.

FromDaRock

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

09/29/2014 05:29:50 PM · #2

You could use something along the lines of a Raspberry Pi loaded with raspbmc . This would give you a cheap media center with a small form factor that you could easily hook up to your monitor to do what you want (and more besides).

MadMan2k

Sony Alpha a6400

Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VXD

09/29/2014 08:35:17 PM · #3

I second the raspberry pi idea - always wanted to try one of those out. There might be some tinkering involved, but there are plenty of helpful folks out there on various forums for everything like that.

It's possible a smart TV would do what you're asking as well, not sure if that's in the budget or not. I've viewed folders of pictures a couple times on my Samsung, but it's usually tuned to the PBS kids channel.

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

09/29/2014 09:38:34 PM · #4

Why not simply run a long HDMI cable? It's a perfectly viable option now, and will require significantly less futzing around.

Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Canon Mount

09/30/2014 02:06:31 PM · #5

Thanks guys. That Raspberry looks like a great idea to explore further. Thanks! I want to set it up so I can either stream a slideshow as in a typical digital frame, or just use it to statically display portfolio photos on a slow rotation (changing every day or longer). Ideally I need to find a program that won't require a dedicated computer to be on all the time the monitor is on.

A long HDMI might have worked too except for the fact that the rooms are on different floors, and in-wall CAT-6 is already run to both locations whereas adding HDMI would be difficult. A smart TV connected to content on a Synology or Buffalo NAS might also work -- I'm looking into that as well.

Mike

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

09/30/2014 02:11:32 PM · #6

get a chromecast.

markwiley

Fujifilm X-Pro2

Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f/4 R IOS

09/30/2014 02:15:59 PM · #7

Originally posted by Mike:

get a chromecast.

I was thinking about this. I suspect the monitor doesn't have a HDMI port to plug Chromecast into. But, if it does this would be a good $35 solution.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

09/30/2014 02:25:53 PM · #8

Have not explored chromecast but I thought it just lets you mirror content displayed on your iphone or laptop etc. to the screen. Can it be set up to automatically fetch and stream photos stored elsewhere (i.e., on a NAS or a desktop HD)? Finding a monitor with an HDMI port would not be that difficult if that could work.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

09/30/2014 02:26:03 PM · #9

Originally posted by EstimatedEyes:

Thanks guys. That Raspberry looks like a great idea to explore further.

If you can use that as a controller you can probably just put the photos on a USB flash memory device and avoid the network altogether.

ETA: You can probably buy an old/used laptop and run regular slide shows or whatever for less than cobbling together something new ...

Message edited by author 2014-09-30 14:28:50.

Damon

Nikon D750

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR

09/30/2014 02:30:20 PM · #10

they have Cat5/6 to HDMI convertors on Amazon fairly cheap

markwiley

Fujifilm X-Pro2

Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f/4 R IOS

09/30/2014 02:42:41 PM · #11

Originally posted by EstimatedEyes:

I just got a Chromecast plug a few days ago. Mostly so far I have watched Netflix, listened to Pandora, and viewed a couple of photography videos. I have not played around with streaming images in a slideshow, but it looked like there are a couple of apps that support this. You do start the stream from a computer or phone. You might need to leave the application running in the background -- I am not certain. I may play with this and report back.

Mike

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Canon Mount

09/30/2014 02:53:18 PM · #12

Originally posted by EstimatedEyes:

its a bit more involved than mirroring, it stream content from a device running the app to the chromecast. you can download differnt apps too..

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ostec.photocast&hl=en

//lifehacker.com/the-best-chromecast-apps-1538438569

Message edited by author 2014-09-30 14:55:06.

MadMan2k

Sony Alpha a6400

Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VXD

09/30/2014 03:14:58 PM · #13

I have a chromecast, not a huge fan, but I have yet to play with the other apps.

All I used it for was Netflix, it just didn't work nearly as reliably as I'd like especially for pausing and restarting shows. The smart TV app works so much better.