recommendations for Comprehensive 1080p HDMI Media Player

antomack

I have been asked by a friend to recommend a media player for her family use, they are not very techy so looking for the most comprehensive version available. Will be looking to connect direct to the TV by HDMI, only really looking for stereo output but would be nice to have ability to pass RAW audio through an AV receiver in the future.

If there is no internal HDD then I'd have to buy an external usb drive for them to connect to the player anyhow so am wondering if it's best to get one with the internal HDD.

Requirements
1080p output
Comprehensive video support, H.264, MKV, WMV9, FLV, RM, RMVB, AVI, VOB, DVD, MPEG 1/2/4, XVID, DIVX, Divx HD
Photo playback
HDMI video output with audio
USB host capability for connecting usb keys and usb hdd's
Memory card support would be nice
Internal HDD drive support would be nice
5.1 audio support through SPDIF would be nice
Network support not required but would be nice
Support for copying of files from USB/Memory Cards to the internal HDD would be very nice to have
Budget of about €130 delivered maximum to include at least 500GB HDD, whether internal or USB.

I've come across a few possibilities as below but can't decide which is going to be the best. All the prices below include delivery.
No HDD
Sumvision Cyclone Micro 2 - c.€42 (£36)
Sumvision Primus - c.€56 (£49)
Western Digital TV Live HD - €90 (£78)
With HDD
Sumvision Primus with 1TB HDD - €104 (£90)
Western Digital Elements Play 1TB - €112 (£97)

Not limiting to the above options if anyone has specific recommendations.

richardw001

antomack wrote: »

I have been asked by a friend to recommend a media player for her family use, they are not very techy so looking for the most comprehensive version available. Will be looking to connect direct to the TV by HDMI, only really looking for stereo output but would be nice to have ability to pass RAW audio through an AV receiver in the future.

If there is no internal HDD then I'd have to buy an external usb drive for them to connect to the player anyhow so am wondering if it's best to get one with the internal HDD.

Requirements
1080p output
Comprehensive video support, H.264, MKV, WMV9, FLV, RM, RMVB, AVI, VOB, DVD, MPEG 1/2/4, XVID, DIVX, Divx HD
Photo playback
HDMI video output with audio
USB host capability for connecting usb keys and usb hdd's
Memory card support would be nice
Internal HDD drive support would be nice
5.1 audio support through SPDIF would be nice
Network support not required but would be nice
Support for copying of files from USB/Memory Cards to the internal HDD would be very nice to have
Budget of about €130 delivered maximum to include at least 500GB HDD, whether internal or USB.

I've come across a few possibilities as below but can't decide which is going to be the best. All the prices below include delivery.
No HDD
Sumvision Cyclone Micro 2 - c.€42 (£36)
Sumvision Primus - c.€56 (£49)
Western Digital TV Live HD - €90 (£78)
With HDD
Sumvision Primus with 1TB HDD - €104 (£90)
Western Digital Elements Play 1TB - €112 (£97)

Not limiting to the above options if anyone has specific recommendations.

Just my two cents - however if they aren't tech savy - I would go with two separate bits - a decent fairly idiot proof media box and a separate hard disk.

I think the western digital player are a bit over priced - but they do fit the bill - here's another alternative

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Asus-1080p-HDP-R1-Internet-Streamer/dp/B002OQPBVQ/ref=dp_ob_title_ce

The sumvision ones are fine - however I have seen some non-tech savy people reformat disks inadvertantly with these :-)

If you do want to get them an all in one - then

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Iomega-ScreenPlay-Plus-Multimedia-Drive/dp/B002ORX0RC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1300450585&sr=1-1

isn't a bad option - however it doesnt support mkvs from what I recall.

jaytobe

Howdy, was in PC World today and guy say there are combined Terabyte drive with network connections with media players available now...

Said Buffalo is good but generally online or iomega screenplay director

http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/10222/145/xx/101/9/criteresn.html?srcid=391&mctag=gu_goog_1284&gclid=CL7-woeG6KcCFcJP4QodNXhqaQ

Trying to find out if one of these is compatible with Sonos

Anyone used any of the above?

jaytobe

richardw001 wrote: »

- however it doesnt support mkvs from what I recall.

means what to the user?

BionicRasher

How about one of these new Iomega Multimedia players/drives. Apply the Promo Code of IOMGROUPSCH15 and its a straight 15% off. Might be a little over budget but not by much
Some good deals and I cant really fault the Iomega Screenplay I have (older version of the player) and its family friendly and easy to navigate etc
They also seem to be bringing out a Boxee version and that looks promising

http://go.iomega.com/en/products/multimedia-drive/screenplay/?partner=4725

soundsham

http://www.memoryc.com/products/description/Midte_MDT_MC1080_HDMI_Full_HD_1080P_Media_Player/index.html
&
http://www.memoryc.com/storage/externalharddrive/750gbtranscendstorejetusb3mobile.html

keep an eye out for 10%+ discounts they come out every once in a while

howamidifferent

Slightly overbudget but plays everything you throw at it...

Add your own 2.5 inch disk, supports upto 640GB standard 2.5 inch...Or stream to it from a NAS or any networked device...;)

jaytobe

Has anyone connected the LEC650 Samsung to a router/internet/media player...using the Iomega Screenplay Director. Its connected to the router easily (and to the TV directly via HDMI) but not reading it via router?

dolallyoh

wdtv live is the bugatti of them all. 100 euro delivered from amazon.
add a usb ext 1tb samsung drive
and download wdtv thumbnail generator.