Playing movie files direct to telly? How?

jamfool

Ok guys

I need your advice please. Im looking for an xmas present for mum. She not a technical lady and doesnt have a computer in the house.

I want to be able to buy her a device that will enable her to play avi/divx/mpg/wmv files on her telly.

Now, i will be giving her these files so the device needs to either be portable or have a portable storage element, and it needs to be easy to use. These files range between 300Mb and 1-2Gb so HD or storage needs to be at least 2Gb, ideally 20Gb.

The only thing I can think of is an archos portable device. But these range between £150 and £500. And I dont really need it to have a display screen as all her viewing will be dont via a TV output into the scart channel on the TV.


I dont really know what to look for, there doesnt seem to be dvd players with SD card slots or anything else that would perform this funtion.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks

Jam

Donnie

Why not burn them on to DVD and then buy her a simple DivX/Xvid DVD player? Cheapest option.
There are DVD players with USB slots. Sandisk sell SD cards with a built-in USB connection.
There a few options for you.

jamfool

Hmm ok hadnt thought of that.
so something like this: http://www.microdirect.co.uk/ProductInfo.aspx?ProductID=11630&source=Kelkoo

DVD DIVX player will play multiple media files if i write them to DVD?
What if im mixing avi and WMV and Dvix it seems some of these players have a problem with that.
Can anyone recommend one of these?

Also looking at DVD player with USB drives..
http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/424180/art/sigmatek/xs-700-pro-dvd-divx-usb-h.html?srcid=4018

This is EVEN cheaper.

But there doesnt seem to be much technical specs on these things. These are alot of questions: Ie are there limits for USB devices.. can i plug in an 8gb usb pen drive?
will they play all video formats or just some?

Thanks though. I wonder if anyone has something like these that can recommend a good buy. Im interested in versatility more than anything. There are multiple formats it needs to play.

Thanks !

Donnie

There is no player that will play WMV files. You will have to convert those to MPEG or AVI.
WHSMITH have a DivX/XviD player for less than £20.

Donnie

The first one is a recorder.

http://www.sigmatekcomputer.com/

http://www.sigmatek-players.com/

jampton

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Freecom-Mobile-Drive-USB-2-silver/dp/B000GTQ91E

hard drive based solution

jamfool

Sorry but im Not sure how an external Hard drive will help - If she doesnt have a computer?
Do you mean to connect it to a DVD solution though the USB port? Would this work?

I found this. It seems ideal although is a little expensive:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=99078&C=GKW&U=TA&T=volume&criteria=Media%20Drive&gclid=CJeouKyQy4gCFQpFEgod5HlZAA

Its a HD 320Gb media player. A little expensive though at £150
Any other sugegstions?

crompton

buy an external hard drive, svideo cable and an audio cable. hook the cables from the pc to the tv and connect the hd to the pc

Donnie

crompton wrote:

buy an external hard drive, svideo cable and an audio cable. hook the cables from the pc to the tv and connect the hd to the pc

There is no PC....

Donnie

Anyway, there is no point in having a HD solution as he would need to transfer the files on to it in the first place.
Clearly a portable solution is required.
CD and DVD being the best solution, as they can be sent and reproduced easily if necessary.
You will need to convert the .wmv files before burning on to disc, but that is easily done.

It is possible to play videos via the USB function, but not .wmv files.

ollyshaw

Donnie wrote:

Why not burn them on to DVD and then buy her a simple DivX/Xvid DVD player? Cheapest option.
There are DVD players with USB slots. Sandisk sell SD cards with a built-in USB connection.
There a few options for you.

Yep I echo this. This is what I do!

Olly