Network divx/xvid player/blueray or DVD with HDMI support?

[GSV]Lemming · 26 Sep 2009 at 11:39

I am trying to find a Blueray or DVD player with good divx/xvid/mkv support that can stream over the network as well. Can anyone recommend one? Tired of taking DVDRs through to my player in the lounge, a couple of powerline devices and a new player would solve it, but is there a good one out there at a decent price that wont break me?

[GSV]Lemming · 26 Sep 2009 at 13:04

This seems to solve all my issues, thanks very much

[GSV]Lemming · 28 Sep 2009 at 07:42

I have promised my son a PS3 for xmas, but dont want it on the plasma in the lounge where I watch tv/monies since he will want to play it there. Hes relegated to the old plasma in the conservatory

As mentioned though, I believe the PS3 does not play back all the formats I want, which makes it just as irritating as my current solution!

Released prices for the imminent BD390 are £175 retail and that puts the nail in the coffin of the PS3 for blueray playback for me.

[GSV]Lemming · 1 Oct 2009 at 08:16

Ordered a BD390 last night on its release at £170, fingers crossed for an early delivery.

[GSV]Lemming · 1 Oct 2009 at 16:16

I will, dispatched today so should get it at the weekend.

Powerline networking put in to get a steady data feed, wireless simply doesnt cut it for movie streaming all the time in my house.

[GSV]Lemming · 8 Oct 2009 at 07:01

Initial impressions are very good.

Network connection was easy using powerline connection as wireless can be a little hit and miss in the fireplace where the gear is located. I have not been able to create a share on my windows 2008 server that the LG can see so have resorted to Tversity, it seems MS stopped with DLNA compatible shares after server 2000 and XP from what I can find on the net!
As regards formats I have only had 1 failure so far, an H264 file, everything else (MP4,divs,xvid,mkv) has played seamlessly. Updates have been simple over the internet, and a small download to give access to an engineers menu has made the player region free for DVD.
It is fast to load both DVDs and BluRay discs, no errors playing either so far, and the picture is fantastic on those limited discs I have been able to get hold of for testing.
Connection to the TV is via HDMI, connection to the amp is via coax digital, no problems experienced with either.
I havent tested the front USB connection yet, apparently it supports both usb sticks and HDDs, again I wont need to burn a disc to take movies through.
Finally, the link to youtube is a bit gimmicky but it browses, searches and plays videos from youtube seamlessly, certainly gives a break from crap TV sometimes.

All in all I love this player. It really does all it says ont he tin so far.

[GSV]Lemming · 8 Oct 2009 at 07:38

No stuttering at all, its all very smooth altho I do not have any hi-def content on there as such.
I have shared files from XP, server 2000 and server 2008. XP and server 2000 shares are seen by the LG and stream files just fine, the server 2008 machine is seen by the LG, but not the shares, the other PCs on the network can interact with the shares no problem.
The 2000 and 2008 server are both dedicated, they have a 2ghz P4 and 2.6ghz celeron respectively so are by no means high spec.

I will test with a high def file tomorrow and let you know how I get on

In theory it should be fine, as I deliberately chose 200mbps powerline adaptors for just this purpose which others have found work well.

[GSV]Lemming · 8 Oct 2009 at 18:00

downloaded a sample 720p clip of 90 secs, I couldnt find anything longer to hand. It streamed fine, 720p and 5.1 DTS, I set it looping and had no issues with stutter or sound loss.

I will have a more complete test in a few days.

[GSV]Lemming · 10 Oct 2009 at 20:27

probedb said:
Can you possibly test it with some standard DVD VOBs? I'd really love to get my DVDs ripped and stored so I don't have to use the discs any more. Fed up of those stupid FACT warnings on discs I've bought!

Ripped VOBs to server using dvd fab, Apocalypse now played lovely and smooth over the netowrk

[GSV]Lemming · 11 Oct 2009 at 17:50

Another update for media streaming.

I tried to stream a 1080p rip of a full movie today, 11GB in size. Although the video was fine, no stutter, the audio did stutter. I will be testing via a USB HDD tonight just to confirm it was indeed my powerline network connection. I have tried changing the network connection to full duplex but it makes no difference. It seems 1080p streaming may be out of my reach, just, and I will have to settle for 720p rips.

I know there is gigabit powerline networking now available so maybe thats something I can try for the future, but I am happy enough being able to stream my dvd and avi collection with no issues, and HDD rips if I dont want to use the discs can be made using a USB HDD attached to the front of the player periodically.