Hard Disk Media Player

[Alex53]

I'm looking for an external hard disk enclosure that can connect to the TV set and play media (xvid, divx, mpeg, etc). It should come with a remote control.

Ideally it should have an ethernet connection too, but one that allows me to transfer the files across, not just play them from the remote location (the PC).

The Freecom Network Media Players apparently can only stream through the ethernet connection, but not copy the files across, could someone confirm/deny that point? The manufacturer doesnt mention it, only one review I read somewhere.

It would also be a dream if the drive could record from the TV to the hard disk, but I am pretty sure none do this.

Another important point is that the actual menu navigation, playlists, etc dont suck. I have read some horror reviews about very bad interfaces and playlists that disappear when you power off.

 

[Fr0dders]

you've basically got 2 things in the market

usually network media players that have no hard disc, that sometimes come with a DVD drive, and allow content to be played from a upnp server

you also get NAS devices, with ethernet ports that can act as media servers for the above

then theres network media players with hard drives. of which there are very few. Apples Apple TV is one, but most network media players only do that "play over a network".

have a look round the net for network media players with hard drives. there are a few kicking around, but there availability isnt great. Stockists are usually limted and you've never head of the ones that do sell it.

 

[Alex53]

I hear you.

The pity is that while the hard disk enclosure types are cheaper and will do the job, it feels like the ethernet interface is a little wasted by not being able to simply copy files across.

While a price around £100 is attractive, the prospect of having to disconnect the drive and connect it to the PC via USB every time you want to copy media into it, when its been connected via ethernet all along feels pretty stupid.

The alternatives add up to quite a bit. At one point I thought it was a possibility that one of these HDD enclosures would record from TV, but nah, the closest thing is the Kiss VR-558, which is a DVD/HDD player/recorder with ethernet.

All in one box, but costs an arm and a leg and quite frankly I think its cheaper to build your own little PC in a small media centre case with remote control and that would even do more stuff and probably network more nicely, plus be more customisable/expandable/fixable.

 

[Diesel]

I'm currently using the Freecom Network MediaPlayer35

You can get software to which enables you to use the Freecom Media Players as networked storage (thus meaning you can move files to them across your network).

The NDAS software required now seems to be available via the Freecom website, whereas you had to directly ask for it in the past.

Apparently you have to get a code from Freecom which they give you after supplying them with the Serial Number of the unit.