A Device to play movies on TV

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Hi all,

unsure if this is correct page, etc...

I am looking for some hardware that could be connected to a laptop to transfer movie files then act as a multimedia player outputting to my tv.

I know i connect my laptop via it's HDMI slot but i am looking for something more permanent.

things i would like it to have:-

- It's own hard drive so i could connect my laptop to it and transfer movie files to it or a device that accepts a hard drive
- Remote control to control the playback. i.e. stop, play, etc...
- 1080p / blu ray playback capability

Perhaps a small portable media centre PC is what i am after?

please help and all advice welcomed

cheers

Luke
 
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That's pretty much what a HTPC is. They come in various forms. Llano, i3, dedicated gpu, pre-built, self built, ... Not sure what to recommend, I suppose it depends on budget.
 
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cant external hard drives connect and play movies on lcd's via usb ports and play movies?

i know usb flash drives do
 
Apple tv and unlocke it

Although my first idea at seeing thread title it doesnt fit what Banjo is after seeing that it doesnt support blu-ray playback or have its own hdd (unless you got for the ATV1)

Where are your movies etc stored? If they are on the laptop then a simple media streamer will do the job but will mean the laptop being on to access them
 
Movies are stored on various hard drives, etc but what i would like to do is import all my physical dvd movies and the downloaded movies on to one device and use it idependently. Unsure if there is a copyright issue for importing dvds to a hard drive though?

Apple TV 2 appears to be a streaming device correct, my internet at home is not reliable or the fastest at peak times i get less than 1mb/s :( I was more looking for a device that can be stand alone and have streaming capibilities?

Does apple TV act as an access/interface tool, i.e. all files stored on a central location then it streams them via your home network to the tv?

I feel a HTPC would be the best option, but if there was a small portable device similar to apple tv?

Surprised there isn't something on the market similar to a DVD player that can store your movies and have an GUI to select which movie you want to watch :)
 
a playstation 3

or a WD Live

they would be my choices.

i put movies on a usb pen or stream from my nas to a PS3 and it is fine, hassle free.

plus, you could probably get a2nd hand ps3 for less than £100 and then you have a blue ray player too

and a games console too :)
 
i used to use a ps3 as a media center with the movies streamed from my pc via wi.fi worked lag free with quite a few types of files.but now use my Samsung 6 series tv which has a built in media center and it is connected to my network in/ pc using two of them wireless transmitters that connect to your home electrical plug sockets .and i can play most files fine.
 
thanks guys but all these things are central around to streaming and accessing files from a central location (laptop).

I am more looking for a device with a large hard-drive that has media playback functionality, with HD/Blu Ray supported and a remote control.

The WD elements Play model looks tempting but a USB 2.0 file transfer system worries me... could be days transfering movie collection!

Does the PS3 support transfering DVD's to its hard drive?
 

Interesting as i really like ASUS but this would mean i would have to buy a good external hard drive with a good transfer rate?

Would the usb connection cable effect the picture quality?

Reading customer reviews and they say they installed a hard-drive does this mean the device can be opened then you install a hard drive you want?
 
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what about an Acer Revo Net top ? I have one which I use as a media centre computer. super small, you can even mount it onto the back of your tv, they come in various specs and they're very eco 29watts :)

Mines on all the time doing downloads and watching films and tv show, iplayer etc.
 
what about an Acer Revo Net top ? I have one which I use as a media centre computer. super small, you can even mount it onto the back of your tv, they come in various specs and they're very eco 29watts

Mines on all the time doing downloads and watching films and tv show, iplayer etc.

Like this idea as well but how would i control the playback features, can this be done via a remote control?
 
ah sorry, forgot about that part.

I have a Logitech Dinovo Mini.
16av2v7.jpg

Its a fantastic bit of kit but not "cheap". you could by a remote for it yes. It was shipped with Linux, but I have loaded Windows 7 on mine. Some of the higher spec Revo's have windows 7 Home Premium on.

failing that you could get either a cheap wireless keyboard with a trackpad on it, or a universal media centre remote
 
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