Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Watch Movies from external HDD on a TV

  • 15-12-2010 2:31pm
    #1
    BazMcG
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 156 ✭✭


    Hi all,

    I have bought my da a new external hdd and plan on ramming it full of old movies, tv shows etc for christmas. Now I bought a WD elements 1TB and basically was wondering how I could connect it to his TV for him to watch the stuff.

    I was thinking of connecting it to his laptop and using a VGA cable or something but it seems annoying having to go through that process everytime. Is there an easier way to do this? He has sky plus, can you hook it up to that box or anything?

    I've been having a read about this and there seems to be a few ways, but I want to know what would be best for a guy who isn't great with technology and doesnt involve me having to purchase much more if possible!

    Thanks,
    Baz


Comments

  • #2
    almighty1
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,183 ✭✭✭almighty1


    You'll need a decent TV that will natively support playing of movie files
    Generally the built in player will only support basic video and audio codecs.

    OR (and I would defo recommend)


    A media player. There is an excellent product in Aldi tomorrow which will do exactly what you want - it will play all common video/audio codecs from external HDD or network share. I have one of these already and will be buying another.

    http://aldi.ie/ie/html/offers/special_buys3_15337.htm


  • #3
    branners69
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,713 ✭✭✭branners69


    I have a few media players and I cant recommend Western Digital Media Players. They are around €100 and would sit in between your dads tv and the external harddrive. It would connect to the tv with a HDMI cable.

    Make sure whatever media player you pick can play mkv files with dts sound, otherwise you will have a crystal clear video with no sound!


  • #4
    PeterHughes
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 56 ✭✭PeterHughes


    I have a 1TB WD external hard drive and have connected to a WD TV live player. This allows me to plug the hard drive into the WD TV live play them via a HD cable on my TV.

    Works quite well, interface is easy enought to use, once your files are named and sorted fairly well.

    Good review here -->
    http://www.geek.com/articles/gadgets/review-wd-tv-live-plus-media-player-20100615/


  • #5
    almighty1
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,183 ✭✭✭almighty1


    I have both the Medion and the WDTV Live media players.

    I find that WDTV interface very slow and clunky. It also doesnt play files from my network drive without lag.

    Im gonna end up giving hte WDTV to my Dad and buying another Medion in Aldi tomorrow. I cant recommend them highly enough. It supports DTS audio also.


  • #6
    BazMcG
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 156 ✭✭BazMcG


    hi guys thanks for responses! would this play mkv's with good sound etc?

    http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Sound+and+Vision/Media+Players/Sumvision+Cyclone+Fusion+Media+player+SATA+HDD+docking+station+?productId=38514


  • Advertisement
Advertisement