Networked Media Players - Play External HDD Content on TV

Fillmore · 18th February 2008, 15:30

Hi,

Wanted to get feedback from people who have a Network Media Player.

1.Are there any reliable models available in India ?
2.If yes what is the approx price / model ?

Features interested in

- Ability to upscale and stream from 720p upwards.
- 802.11g Wireless networking
- Ability to play from external USB HDD /Flash drive / PC wireless streaming
- With DVD Drive (optional though)
- Play as many video formats as possible including
(Vob's, Wmv , etc ..)

Ps: I am aware of the models availabe in the US, however
looking for inputs from anyone who has purchased any model in India.

-Fillmore

DerAlte · 18th February 2008, 16:12

I have had a DLink Media Lounge Player for the last 2 years. Bought in India for about 12K.

- Ability to upscale and stream from 720p upwards.
No

- 802.11g Wireless networking
No

- Ability to play from external USB HDD /Flash drive / PC wireless streaming
PC streaming only - needs server running on PC

- With DVD Drive (optional though)
No

- Play as many video formats as possible including
(Vob's, Wmv , etc ..)
Limited. Most other formats can be converted with Nero convertor for use with this player. Plays back mp3 and jpeg too.

bigman · 18th February 2008, 18:16

A modded Xbox (original) with Xbox Media Centre running on it makes a great network media player.

It is more flexible than the standalone HDD type player, plus the kids can use it for gaming.

I have got 3 such modded xboxes (all softmodded using krayzie ndure package).

Fillmore · 22nd February 2008, 11:36

DerAlte & bigman

Thanks for your responses.
However after checking out the options I have decided
to wait for sometime till the n/w media player domain
stabilizes and becomes more cheaper

.

-Fillmore.

Fillmore · 29th November 2008, 14:18

Started this thread for more info on HD media players.

Would like to know if Popcorn Hour A110 media player is available anywhere in India?
Also appreciate any first hand feedback from those who have tried it out.

The next closest choice that is available here is
WD TV HD Media Player. But this one does not quite have the features that Popcorn A-110 has.

If anyone else has come across any other 1080p HD media players please feel free to suggest.

From what I have seen
1. Popcorn Hour A-110 with WN-100
Welcome To Popcorn Hour

Pro's
- 802.11n Wireless n/w
- Its web enabled, you can download directly from Torrents / Play from Youtube etc..
- Stream music/videos from your laptop wireless
- Wide range of video and audio formats
- Digital Audio Optical out/pass through
- HDMI / Component / Composite Video out
- 2 USB ports for external HDD's
- Supports Internal HDD as well.

2. WD TV HD Media Player
WD TV HD Media Player ( WDAVN00 )

Pro's
- Supports 1080p video streaming
- USB connect to external HDD storing the content
- Wide range of supported video formats.
MPEG1/2/4, WMV9, AVI (MPEG4, Xvid, AVC), H.264, MKV, MOV (MPEG4, H.264) Not quite as good as Popcorn though
- Optical SPDIF out
- Excellent video playback ( from what some reviews suggest )

Con's
- No Wireless support

phantom76 · 2nd December 2008, 10:04

Couple more:
Elektron: Network media player
All features same as PCH. They ship to India and claim they will gladly mark it as a gift so that you can avoid customs duty.

TVX: Several models. Also available in India through some dealer called jaymm.
TVIX HD M-6500A. TVX has a nice display when compared to PCH and Elektron. I think all of them use the same Sigma chipset found in many BD players.

SX4_2007 · 7th December 2008, 10:33

I'm also looking for similar N/W media player in India ...
I found one with ittiam with HQ in Bangalore, pls. check with them and update your feedback in this thread.

Ittiam | Products | Network Media Player

Ittiam Systems (P) Ltd
The Consulate, 1 Richmond Road,
Bangalore 560025, India
Phone: +91-80-66601000
Fax: +91-80-66601063
Email: info@ittiam.com

MontyKING · 16th January 2009, 15:05

Friends,

I am looking for an ideal method for viewing external HDD content (movies, music, pictures) on TV, without a PC. There are apparently some gadgets in the market to do just that. But I do not know if they are available in India. Also it is not known if they are compatible with Indian TVs.

Pls see the links below:

Sling Media - SlingCatcher
Multimedia Adaptor: Connect your External Hard Drive to your TV
WD TV HD Media Player ( WDAVN00 )

Cheers
MK

ashthedivx · 16th January 2009, 15:11

WD TV HD Media Player is very well capable of running you media files on India TVs and play them very well. I suppose they can run mkv files as well.

saildrive · 16th January 2009, 15:32

great post montyKING

Just wanted to know what if there is a laptop or PC interface in between - how can one run the same?

Is there any software can be downloaded ?

cheers

appuchan · 16th January 2009, 15:34

There are three ways I can think of.

1. If the files are in avi/divx format, copy them onto a usb flash drive and play through your dvd player, assuming your dvd player has a usb port and it supports divx files. (HD content may not work this way)
2. Get a pc/laptop with HDMI/TV out port and play the content off the pc/laptop. (for HD content, you will need the graphics card to support HD resolutions)
3. Get specialized devices as mentioned above

sj_koova · 16th January 2009, 15:47

How about a Sony PS3?
Can it do what Monty is looking for?

kaushik_s · 16th January 2009, 15:51

Recently seen one similar player, it's an iOmega Screenplay 500GB, it plays many formats according to the salesperson. And this thing comes with HDMI, component and composite output. Seen the demo.. Not that much impressed as the avi files he had was not of high resolution. So didn't buy it but now thinking that may be I should've gone for it as it would've been convinient.

hrishig · 16th January 2009, 17:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaushik_s

Recently seen one similar player, it's an iOmega Screenplay 500GB, it plays many formats according to the salesperson. And this thing comes with HDMI, component and composite output. Seen the demo.. Not that much impressed as the avi files he had was not of high resolution. So didn't buy it but now thinking that may be I should've gone for it as it would've been convinient.

I think this is available at staples in pune for some 16k amount.

SumitB · 16th January 2009, 17:33

The WD TV can be made available by a person who goes by the handle katmandude on http://www.techenclave.com/forum

Apparently, the WD TV is a very capable and recommended device.

18th February 2008, 15:30	#1
Fillmore BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 511 Thanked: 596 Times	Networked Media Players - Play External HDD Content on TV Hi, Wanted to get feedback from people who have a Network Media Player. 1.Are there any reliable models available in India ? 2.If yes what is the approx price / model ? Features interested in - Ability to upscale and stream from 720p upwards. - 802.11g Wireless networking - Ability to play from external USB HDD /Flash drive / PC wireless streaming - With DVD Drive (optional though) - Play as many video formats as possible including (Vob's, Wmv , etc ..) Ps: I am aware of the models availabe in the US, however looking for inputs from anyone who has purchased any model in India. -Fillmore
	() Thanks

18th February 2008, 16:12	#2
DerAlte Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 8,035 Thanked: 2,920 Times	I have had a DLink Media Lounge Player for the last 2 years. Bought in India for about 12K. - Ability to upscale and stream from 720p upwards. No - 802.11g Wireless networking No - Ability to play from external USB HDD /Flash drive / PC wireless streaming PC streaming only - needs server running on PC - With DVD Drive (optional though) No - Play as many video formats as possible including (Vob's, Wmv , etc ..) Limited. Most other formats can be converted with Nero convertor for use with this player. Plays back mp3 and jpeg too.
	() Thanks

18th February 2008, 18:16	#3
bigman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NA Posts: 1,225 Thanked: 94 Times	A modded Xbox (original) with Xbox Media Centre running on it makes a great network media player. It is more flexible than the standalone HDD type player, plus the kids can use it for gaming. I have got 3 such modded xboxes (all softmodded using krayzie ndure package).
	() Thanks

22nd February 2008, 11:36	#4
Fillmore BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 511 Thanked: 596 Times	Network Media Player DerAlte & bigman Thanks for your responses. However after checking out the options I have decided to wait for sometime till the n/w media player domain stabilizes and becomes more cheaper . -Fillmore.
	() Thanks

29th November 2008, 14:18	#5
Fillmore BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 511 Thanked: 596 Times	Networked Media Players - Play External HDD Content on TV Started this thread for more info on HD media players. Would like to know if Popcorn Hour A110 media player is available anywhere in India? Also appreciate any first hand feedback from those who have tried it out. The next closest choice that is available here is WD TV HD Media Player. But this one does not quite have the features that Popcorn A-110 has. If anyone else has come across any other 1080p HD media players please feel free to suggest. From what I have seen 1. Popcorn Hour A-110 with WN-100 Welcome To Popcorn Hour Pro's - 802.11n Wireless n/w - Its web enabled, you can download directly from Torrents / Play from Youtube etc.. - Stream music/videos from your laptop wireless - Wide range of video and audio formats - Digital Audio Optical out/pass through - HDMI / Component / Composite Video out - 2 USB ports for external HDD's - Supports Internal HDD as well. 2. WD TV HD Media Player WD TV HD Media Player ( WDAVN00 ) Pro's - Supports 1080p video streaming - USB connect to external HDD storing the content - Wide range of supported video formats. MPEG1/2/4, WMV9, AVI (MPEG4, Xvid, AVC), H.264, MKV, MOV (MPEG4, H.264) Not quite as good as Popcorn though - Optical SPDIF out - Excellent video playback ( from what some reviews suggest ) Con's - No Wireless support Last edited by Fillmore : 29th November 2008 at 14:19.
	() Thanks

2nd December 2008, 10:04	#6
phantom76 BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 88 Thanked: 2 Times	Couple more: Elektron: Network media player All features same as PCH. They ship to India and claim they will gladly mark it as a gift so that you can avoid customs duty. TVX: Several models. Also available in India through some dealer called jaymm. TVIX HD M-6500A. TVX has a nice display when compared to PCH and Elektron. I think all of them use the same Sigma chipset found in many BD players.
	() Thanks

7th December 2008, 10:33	#7
SX4_2007 BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 37 Thanked: 0 Times	I'm also looking for similar N/W media player in India ... I found one with ittiam with HQ in Bangalore, pls. check with them and update your feedback in this thread. Ittiam \| Products \| Network Media Player Ittiam Systems (P) Ltd The Consulate, 1 Richmond Road, Bangalore 560025, India Phone: +91-80-66601000 Fax: +91-80-66601063 Email: info@ittiam.com
	() Thanks

16th January 2009, 15:05	#8
MontyKING BHPian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Noida, India Posts: 87 Thanked: Once	Play External HDD content on TV Friends, I am looking for an ideal method for viewing external HDD content (movies, music, pictures) on TV, without a PC. There are apparently some gadgets in the market to do just that. But I do not know if they are available in India. Also it is not known if they are compatible with Indian TVs. Pls see the links below: Sling Media - SlingCatcher Multimedia Adaptor: Connect your External Hard Drive to your TV WD TV HD Media Player ( WDAVN00 ) Cheers MK
	() Thanks

16th January 2009, 15:11	#9
ashthedivx Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 1,359 Thanked: 24 Times	WD TV HD Media Player is very well capable of running you media files on India TVs and play them very well. I suppose they can run mkv files as well.
	() Thanks

16th January 2009, 15:32	#10
saildrive BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: mumbai Posts: 184 Thanked: 54 Times	great post montyKING Just wanted to know what if there is a laptop or PC interface in between - how can one run the same? Is there any software can be downloaded ? cheers
	() Thanks

16th January 2009, 15:34	#11
appuchan BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Bangy Posts: 644 Thanked: 27 Times	There are three ways I can think of. 1. If the files are in avi/divx format, copy them onto a usb flash drive and play through your dvd player, assuming your dvd player has a usb port and it supports divx files. (HD content may not work this way) 2. Get a pc/laptop with HDMI/TV out port and play the content off the pc/laptop. (for HD content, you will need the graphics card to support HD resolutions) 3. Get specialized devices as mentioned above Last edited by appuchan : 16th January 2009 at 15:35.
	() Thanks

16th January 2009, 15:47	#12
sj_koova BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 677 Thanked: 625 Times View My Garage	How about a Sony PS3? Can it do what Monty is looking for?
	() Thanks

16th January 2009, 15:51	#13
kaushik_s Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,088 Thanked: 165 Times View My Garage	Recently seen one similar player, it's an iOmega Screenplay 500GB, it plays many formats according to the salesperson. And this thing comes with HDMI, component and composite output. Seen the demo.. Not that much impressed as the avi files he had was not of high resolution. So didn't buy it but now thinking that may be I should've gone for it as it would've been convinient.
	() Thanks

16th January 2009, 17:33	#15
SumitB BHPian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Shillong Posts: 989 Thanked: 265 Times	The WD TV can be made available by a person who goes by the handle katmandude on http://www.techenclave.com/forum Apparently, the WD TV is a very capable and recommended device.
	() Thanks