Media player advice

Eegorbishcan

I'm looking at various options for a media drive to hook up to my TV through a HDMI connection, I've been using my Laptop through a VGA recently and thats fine however I'd rather eliminate the laptop and get a media drive or adaptor of some sort.... I already have a storage hard drive so if I don't need to I will try and avoid getting one unless it makes sense!!

I've been looking at two options through Pixmania and unsure of the differences between the two:

WD TV drive - http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=408560

& the I-omega ScreenPlay TV Link - http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/1772722...tml#tech-specs

Both look the same but the I-omega one is slightly cheaper... can anyone see any differences with these? I'm sure I'm missing something!!

Or if anyone has any experience (good or bad) with either of these or any other alternatives maybe you could advise, thanks guys!

awkward

One of the key things to look out for is codec support. For example the WD device supports MKV while the other doesn't, so if that is important to you then the decision is easy.
Search google for reviews on both models.

mobby

I have the WD media drive and I am Impressed with it, plays anything i have asked with no issues easy and fast interface.

Eegorbishcan

Thanks guys

awkward wrote: »

One of the key things to look out for is codec support. For example the WD device supports MKV while the other doesn't, so if that is important to you then the decision is easy.
Search google for reviews on both models.

Is there generally a way of updating codecs on these adaptors? If needs be in the future?

delly

I have just bought the WD HDTV and looked at Iomega ScreenPlay and the other Iomega players, but didn't see the best of feedback concerning what they play.

If you can afford the extra few euro, go with the WD HDTV, as it is a super player that hasn't bucked at any filetype I have sent its way. I would also see it as more of a guaranteed firmware update in the future.

delly

Eegorbishcan wrote: »

Thanks guys




Is there generally a way of updating codecs on these adaptors? If needs be in the future?

Firmware updates do this, there is already one out for the WD HDTV.

Eegorbishcan

Thanks for your help lads, really appreciate it!

Think I'll go with the WD one so, their reputation seems to be slightly better as well! Only thing now is I've read some bad reviews about Pixmania in the meantime but thats another days work!

Thanks again folks!

GigaByte

I have the WD media player as well and think its a brilliant little product. The next firmware release should be very soon with better thumbnail support for movie indexing!

Lossy

Eegorbishcan wrote: »

Thanks for your help lads, really appreciate it!

Think I'll go with the WD one so, their reputation seems to be slightly better as well! Only thing now is I've read some bad reviews about Pixmania in the meantime but thats another days work!

Thanks again folks!

Get it in Komplett.
I ordered mine from Komplett on Monday and it arrived on Thursday (yesterday).
€111.50 incl. delivery.
Great little player btw.

delly

Got mine in Komplett as well. I've heard some bad stories regarding Pixmania plus Komplett have an official representation here if you have any bother.

Mick L

Sorry for hijacking this thread a little bit, I'm in the same position as the OP, want to eliminate the need for the laptop and have videos on an external HD so the WD HDTV sounds like it's a good solution but has anyone tried adding a USB-ethernet adapter and playing the videos from a windows PC on the network? Also, the graphics card I have on the laptop isn't great and it really struggles with HD video (the fans go crazy). I assume the WD HDTV has no problems with HD but how quiet is it?

Thanks

Lossy

Mick L wrote: »

Sorry for hijacking this thread a little bit, I'm in the same position as the OP, want to eliminate the need for the laptop and have videos on an external HD so the WD HDTV sounds like it's a good solution but has anyone tried adding a USB-ethernet adapter and playing the videos from a windows PC on the network? Also, the graphics card I have on the laptop isn't great and it really struggles with HD video (the fans go crazy). I assume the WD HDTV has no problems with HD but how quiet is it?

Thanks

Take a look here:
http://wdtv.wetpaint.com/page/Unofficial+firmware
.......you might find what you are looking for.

As far as I can tell the WDHDTV unit makes no sound. Depends then on how noisy your external HDD is if you are using one.