Orb on the N800
I have desperately tried to like Orb. I’ve installed, uninstalled, and re-installed Orb several times in my life, usually trying to use it with a mobile device. I’ve tried it with several devices, and it always either buffers incessantly, or I just get lost in the interface (which, despite their best efforts, requires WAY to many clicks).
Anyways, so Nokia and Orb have “announced” a feature that already works before, similar to what they did with the N80IE, and they did it again with the Nokia N800, which I happen to have. I noticed that the version on the download page is slightly newer than the version I had on my PC from 3 days ago, so I updated.
One thing that I like about Orb is that you can select for it to setup a uPnP server as well, which means that when you are within your home network, you can access files easier. I might have enjoyed the WiFi on my Nokia N80 more if I had known about this feature.
You’ll find 2 videos after the break, comparing the 2 different methods of accessing Orb on your Nokia N800 Internet Tablet.
This first video is a walkthrough of the Mycast.Orb.com web interface on the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet. It’s very easy to use, specifically if you have any experience with the Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition interface. It is basically the same.
Just a quick video showing the Nokia N800 and Orb’s Web Interface. As you can see it’s easy to use and with the right settings, streams video nicely.
Some things to note:
1. Whatever stream you want to get from Orb on your PC, you need to have the corresponding codec installed. This means you’re going to have to install some sort of RealPlayer on your PC. Almost. You can get the Real Alternative codec here, that’s MUCH better than the full-fledged player.
2. When you first log in to Orb, you need to go to “Settings” and set the bandwidth to something less than 100kbps. Even on WiFi. Otherwise, you will get a “resolution not supported” error from the built-in Media Player on the N800.
This second video is of the Media Streamer application that you can install on your Nokia N800 Internet Tablet.
This is a video of my attempt to use the Nokia N800 in conjunction with Orb’s uPnP server functionality. I was trying to use the Media Streamer app, but found that I could not load the same video that had no problems playing back when accessed through the web interface.
The layout is identical to the Rhapsody application, and it will automatically detect your Orb uPnP server. As you can see in the below video, I was unable to get the video streaming successfully, as opposed to the Web-based interface. I think this is odd, and that’s something I will be exploring more.
If you’re using Linux or Mac, you’re unfortunately out of luck to use Orb (which is ironic, since the N800 uses Linux, and Nokia just announced this great feature). However, there are plenty of other apps out there that will accomplish nearly the same thing. Give it a Google.
hey ricky
wanted to add a clarification to your remark that, “If you’re using Linux or Mac, you’re unfortunately out of luck to use Orb (which is ironic, since the N800 uses Linux, and Nokia just announced this great feature).”
currently (and by “currently” i’m not officially suggesting anything about hypothetical additional options coming soon ;) you can only turn a Windows box into your personal broadcast machine by installing Orb - but you can ACCESS all the stuff you want from any device with a web browser (or suitable UPnP interface) and streaming player
as you mentioned, the N800 is a great example of a linux device acting as a player for what you mycast to yourself via Orb; macbooks are great playback devices too; and, of course, so’s my favorite of the moment, the Wii
Ian - Thanks for the clarification. You’re absolutely correct that you can view your MyCasted content from anything with a web browser.
However, at this time, you can only host the Orb server on a Windows machine.