Buzz
While your home entertainment system might be top-notch, it’s not much help when you’re away and eager to catch the Game of Thrones finale, enjoy a round of Mario Kart, or groove to a fantastic new band you’ve just discovered. With a few apps and a handy adapter, you can turn your Android device into a powerful portable media center.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to convert your Android device into a versatile portable media hub capable of everything shown in the video above. You’ll learn to set up a system that streams music and videos, doubles as a retro gaming console, and supports game controllers. Once complete, you can connect your Android device to any HDMI-equipped TV, essentially carrying your home entertainment system wherever you go. Whether you’re with friends and need a quick movie fix or just want something fun to do, this solution is always in my backpack, ready to go in minutes. It’s simple and incredibly convenient.
Essential Tools and Equipment
An Android phone or tablet with a decently fast processor. (If it handles 720p MKV files smoothly, it should work fine.)
An HDMI adapter compatible with your device (such as this one for the Samsung Galaxy Tab series).
An HDMI cable (in case your friends don’t have extras available).
Plex for Android, along with a few other apps we’ll cover later.
OPTIONAL: A Sony Sixaxis Wireless Controller (my personal choice) or a Nintendo Wiimote for gaming or remote control functionality.
What’s the total cost? You’ll likely only need to purchase an HDMI adapter, priced between $20 and $30, and Plex, which costs $5. If you don’t own a game controller, you can typically find one for $30 to $50 (or cheaper if you opt for a used one). Overall, the setup is affordable and offers great value for the price.
Step One: Test Your HDMI Adapter
This step is straightforward if you’ve ever connected a cable. Just attach the HDMI adapter to your Android device and link it to an HDMI port on your TV. In most cases, this is all it takes to display your tablet’s screen on the television.
Occasionally, you might need to do a bit more to get everything working. For example, with my Samsung Galaxy Tab, I also need to connect it to a power source using the additional USB port. Once powered, the tablet begins transmitting video to the TV. Other devices may have slight differences, so consult your adapter’s manual if you encounter issues.
Step Two: Configure Plex for Media Streaming
Plex is an exceptional media center application. Built on the open-source XBMC, it offers significant enhancements. It’s compatible with Windows, Linux, OS X, iOS, and Android. While free on desktop, it costs a modest $5 for Android. If you’re looking to stream media from home, this is the top choice. To begin, download it and also install Plex for desktop. If you’re an XBMC user or prefer not to run a full media center on your desktop, you can opt for Plex Media Server. The choice is available on Plex’s download page after selecting your OS.
Plex’s setup is straightforward: create an account and log in on all your devices, including your desktop. This simplifies remote connections without complex configurations. For those who prefer traditional methods like port forwarding or need detailed instructions, our guide can assist. Once set up, you can stream media from home to your device effortlessly.
Facing Image Quality Issues? Here’s the Solution A common issue is poor streaming quality. During testing, Plex defaulted to the lowest quality, despite my computer’s ability to encode HD and my internet’s capacity for large data streams. To resolve this, access Plex’s settings on your Android device. Adjust the streaming quality settings, which default to automatic detection. You can set a specific bit rate, though this didn’t work for me. I fixed it by enabling "Direct Play" in Plex’s advanced settings, resulting in excellent image quality.
Step Three: Create Your Retro Arcade
Android’s versatility shines with its array of retro game emulators. You can also use apps to connect multiple controllers wirelessly for an authentic gaming experience. We’ll discuss controllers in the next step, as they double as remote controls for your device. For now, let’s focus on setting up your retro arcade.
Mobile emulation can be quite detailed, so for comprehensive instructions, make sure to check out our full guide. However, installing a few emulators is generally straightforward. Here’s a list of our top picks for Android:
NES: NESoid
SNES: SNESoid
Sega Genesis: Gensoid
Nintendo 64: N6id
Sony Playstation: FPse
Once you’ve installed your preferred emulator, you can find games on sites like EmuParadise and CoolROM. Simply transfer the games to your Android device (or its SD card), and you’re ready to play them through the emulator.
Step Four: Connect a Wireless Controller
Even if gaming isn’t your primary goal, pairing a wireless controller is incredibly handy for managing your Android device from the comfort of your couch. You won’t need to get up to pause a movie, adjust settings, or switch apps. By mapping a game controller’s buttons to Android’s keyboard, you can effortlessly input commands from a distance.
While I favor the Sony Sixaxis Wireless Controller for its additional buttons and ergonomic design, a Nintendo Wiimote is also a viable option. You can connect up to four controllers of either type (or a mix of both), though a single controller is usually sufficient. If you’re at a friend’s place and they have spare controllers, you can temporarily pair those as well.
To pair controllers effectively, rooting your device is recommended. While some Wiimote apps don’t require root access, they’re less reliable, and Sony controllers aren’t supported without rooting. For Wiimotes, Wii Controller IME is a top choice at $3. It supports up to four Wiimotes, works with Classic Controller and Nunchuck attachments, and allows easy button mapping. For Sony controllers, Sixaxis Controller ($2) is the go-to app. Pairing involves connecting the controller to your computer via USB and using a pairing tool, but once done, it stays paired. Note that Sixaxis Controller isn’t universally compatible, so run the compatibility checker before purchasing.
Once your controller is set up, you can assign keyboard inputs to its buttons. In Wii Controller IME, tap the Mapping button to configure. For Sixaxis Controller, access settings via the Android menu, select Sixaxis Settings, then Keyboard Emulation, and finally Key Mappings. Map the start and select buttons to enter and home, respectively, and assign a top button or Wiimote’s back button to the back function. Use the directional pad for arrow keys. These mappings enable seamless navigation of your home screen and app launches from a distance. While button choices matter less during gameplay, they’re crucial for remote device control.
Step Five: Expand Your Media Options
At this point, your setup is complete. You’ve created a portable streaming media center and arcade, controllable with wireless game controllers. To enhance it further, consider transferring high-quality media files directly to your device for local playback. Add apps like Netflix, Hulu, Google Music, Amazon Cloud Player, Spotify, or others to enrich your experience. Android’s vast app library offers endless possibilities, from video conferencing with Skype to enjoying music and movies on a larger screen. With the foundation in place, simply install your preferred apps, and they’ll integrate seamlessly into your portable media hub.
Image courtesy of XYZ (Shutterstock).
