Device to play avi etc directly on TV?

PaddyBloggit

I have a Samsung LCD tv with all the usual connections at the back.

I have a BOSE 1-2-3 surround sound system connected to it. I have alot of films in avi. format (and some other formats).

Is there a device (hard drive type?) that can store my movie files and that I can press play on it to play my films directly on the tv without having to convert them to a dvd format (which doesn't always work for me?

or can I connect a device to play through the BOSE system?

I've seen these on ebay:

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/390325679856?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/190538097411?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/190594357297?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/120792845804?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

Am I on the right track?

Thanks

mordeith

Those devices can all be connected directly to your TV. Bear in mind that they do not have any storage capacity themselves, you need to connect a USB stick/portable hard drive that contain the files you want to play. I couldn't vouch for any of those devices in tersm of reliability or format compatibilty. I have a WD-TV myself and am very happy with it. Other people like to go for solutions with in-built storage such as the Iomega screenplay. (Personally I think they're not the best though)

bonzodog2

Some external hard drive enclosures include a media player and come with a remote control, using an on screen display to navigate folders and select media files to play; maybe one of these might suit you.

Voodu Child

First check if your TV has a USB port and supports playing AVI off a drive or thumbstick. Many do.

Same for your DVD player, many of them nowadays will play a limited range of media files via a USB input or even off a disc.

johndoe99

if you have PS3, these can play various types too:

http://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/ps3/current/video/filetypes.html

ScumLord

I got one of these Storex, it played files off the internet perfectly but was a bit of a pain to get working with stuff I made on my own PC. It had Ethernet and USB connectivity.

I discovered that AVI is like saying "car", it could mean a whole host of different things.

As long as your getting properly encoded files from reputable pirates you should be fine, they seem to make their files as compatible with as many players as possible. If your encoding these yourself you could run into problems.

PaddyBloggit

mordeith ~ I wouldn't mind connecting an external hard drive to any of the above as I have a spare 350GB La Cie hard drive.

bonzodog2 ~ Thanks for the suggestion but I think I'd prefer to buy a dedicated device rather than using a standard hard drive.

Voodu Child ~ No USB port I'm afraid on either the tv or the dvd player.

johndoe99 ~ I don't own a PS3 so that's not an option for me.

ScumLord ~ The Storex has hdmi and optical connection points as does my tv. Because the Storex has USB connectivity I'd be able to connect my La Cie hard drive to it and play my films from it? Re. avi .... for example I've got some films in this format ... I'm not sure what you mean my 'a whole host of different things'.

Any further advice would be appreciated as I'm not fully clear about the direction I should be going in.


I'm attaching images of the connection panel on my tv (Samsung 46" LCD):

unkel

I have a Patriot Box Office

It cost me €79 delivered. It is a full HD player with 2 USB inputs (for your USB stick or an external hard disk) and it can take a 2.5" SATA hard disk inside as well

It can be networked and it can also use your wireless LAN via a USB dongle (I wouldn't recommend the latter for HD, wireless just isn't fast enough for HD)

It can be modded and it has great support online (with regular firmware upgrades etc.)

Very good value for money. Do a search for some reviews!

Doge

*cough!*

Coming soon, hopefully:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056441644

PaddyBloggit

That looks like the business unkel.

I found this in my search last night ... almost bought it!

http://www.futeko.com/products/MP00025.php

They do a comparison with other devices here.

Any comment on the Futeko Kaiboer H1055?

Where did you source the Patriot PBO (Box Office) Core Media Player?

It does look as if it has more than the Futeko to offer.

PaddyBloggit

I bought it unkel!

And must say I'm very pleased with it.

Thanks very much for your help and advice.

unkel wrote: »

I have a Patriot Box Office

It cost me €79 delivered. It is a full HD player with 2 USB inputs (for your USB stick or an external hard disk) and it can take a 2.5" SATA hard disk inside as well

It can be networked and it can also use your wireless LAN via a USB dongle (I wouldn't recommend the latter for HD, wireless just isn't fast enough for HD)

It can be modded and it has great support online (with regular firmware upgrades etc.)

Very good value for money. Do a search for some reviews!

ScumLord

PaddyBloggit wrote: »

ScumLord ~ The Storex has hdmi and optical connection points as does my tv. Because the Storex has USB connectivity I'd be able to connect my La Cie hard drive to it and play my films from it? Re. avi .... for example I've got some films in this format ... I'm not sure what you mean my 'a whole host of different things'.

When you see an avi file it's actually a folder that contains a video file and an audio file. The video file could be one of many video formats. I was making my own videos and it took me ages to get them working on the storex player. I had to go through every format available one by one to find one that worked.

PaddyBloggit

The Patriot Box seems to have no problem playing avi files and some other obscure ones that I have on my hard disk.

'Tis great ... I'm looking forward to a Christmas watching all the stuff I've meant to watch but never had the chance to watch properly!

(As long as the budget hasn't kiljoyed it for me!)

allanpkr

im a technophobe ,i am sorry in advance,, does anyone know if i connect a mini computer to a samsung TV vga ,can i browse the web through this, and use my TV as a moniter,also just seen mini computers yesterday on internet so not sure wot they are lololol.i did say sorry. thank you all for any help ,that may come

allanpkr

p.s. sorry for jumping thread

ScumLord

allanpkr wrote: »

im a technophobe ,i am sorry in advance,, does anyone know if i connect a mini computer to a samsung TV vga ,can i browse the web through this, and use my TV as a moniter,also just seen mini computers yesterday on internet so not sure wot they are lololol.i did say sorry. thank you all for any help ,that may come

As long as the mini PC has a HDMI out or the TV has a VGA in you should be fine. TVs are no different than monitors as far as the PC is concerned.

Lpfsox

I bought a WD-TV live hub recently for my mother - I small box with 1TB internal storage. Easy to use - installed some custom firmware and hacked around with it a bit to make it pretty much point and click; she sees the "cover" of a film, clicks on it and the film starts. Same deal with TV series; a picture representing the series, click on it and a list of seasons is presented, click into those for individual episodes. Everything is graphical, no need to understand file systems etc. The only downside is that it has no USB connector, so connects over LAN only.

I use a Playon!HD 2TB media player myself; slightly less user friendly (but no problem if you're used to windows file structures), and you can implement a jukebox feature if you want to see film covers etc but I don't bother. Again, highly recommended.

Both are small, portable units and connect to the TV with a variety of connectors (HDMI, Component etc).

allanpkr

thks for yor replies ,will take all info from all you experts once again thks