Multi-media hard drive enclosure

meshead

Hey guys,

I've been shopping around for a media hard drive enclosure. I was hoping that those of you who have purchased or are planning to purchase one could share your experiences here. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, they - you can put a normal hard drive inside and plug it into your telly to watch and listen to all your media files (divx/xvid/vob/jpeg/mp3 etc). Here's an example of what one looks like:

I'm looking for something which i can put a SATA drive in which has the ability to record as well as play. The best I've found so far to meet my requirements is the Sumvison Zengo which costs around £55 @ SVP.CO.UK (45 quid with google checkout). Ideally I'd like to spend a little less but i may be too ambitious. Anyone who has any thoughts/suggestions please don't hesitate to share them!

ABH_3

I had an Sumvision Aqua for a while, it was 'ok' it played the files which is what it promised, what I didn't like was its inability to 'stretch' the files to the full width of the tv screen. It instead gave them full black borders, irrespective of the resolution the files were created in. I gave up, made a htpc and well that was that.

Go here: http://www.avforums.com/forums at the top of the forums is the word 'Search'. Click that, into the field copy 'Drive Player Enclosure' without the quotes, get a cup of coffee and start reading. I sugest this method as there is not firm name for these devices and as such questions are littered throughout those forums on recommendations\feedback etc. this is one such recent thread: http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4764332#post4764332

HTH

rockabilly_spike

never seen a SATA one but the media enclosures are generally good, we've sold the sumvision ones for a while and not had any back.
I think spending less than £45.00 on a recording one is gonna be virtually impossible.

meshead

Thanks for your comments guys. avforums is very useful indeed. Any more like it?