Simple portable media player for movies (with RCA or HDMI out)

NVP · 11 Mar 2022 at 22:01

Howdy,

I'm struggling to get all my kids TV shows to fit onto DVD's in an acceptable quantity for use in the car, so I've decided to fob that idea off and try something else.

The car has two sets of RCA inputs, so I was thinking of simply getting a small, portable digital media player with either RCA or HDMI out that I can dump all their films and TV shows onto.

Reqs:
- small, so as not to be too intrusive in the car.
- remote controlled, preferably not IR so they don't need line of sight.
- easy to navigate menus, my kids are only young.
- RCA or HDMI out.
- Either a big battery or the ability to connect it to a 12v socket.
- Decent enough capacity for a shed load of movies and TV shows.

I've seen a load online but without trying them all I don't know which would fit the spec the best, specifically the ease of use.

So if anyone has experience of anything like this I'd really appreciate your advice on what to get.

Cheers

arknor · 11 Mar 2022 at 22:28

You can get USB > HDMI output on android phones with an adapter.
unless it changed.
my phones old as hell.
I'm guessing it's still a thing

probably doesn't fit your "ease of use" though

Pawnless Endgame · 11 Mar 2022 at 23:10

I received this from Amazon only 3 days ago, and I can confirm that it works with my Chromebook (Asus C343) and my phone (S20 Ultra). Off-topic, but when I connected my monitor to the S20 Ultra, it presented a desktop environment more akin to Chrome OS or Windows rather than Android. Thought that was pretty cool.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B083Z8QBJ5

What you need is USB-C to HDMI.

NVP · 12 Mar 2022 at 09:04

Thanks for the idea but my kids are too young (2 & 4) to navigate a phone like that. Not that they can't use one, but any issues with it I wont be able to help whilst driving.

A simple remote controlled player should be fine for them if the folder structure is created well.

NVP · 12 Mar 2022 at 11:02

So I think a Roku 3 device seems to tick all the boxes.

Can plug in a USB stick or HDD to keep all their shows on, and use the Media Player Chanel app to play them, doesn't look too complicated.

Can also connect it to my phones WiFi to use the other apps/streaming services if needed.

Has an RF remote, but also can control via my phone so I can help them out using my phone at the front of the car if needed.

I've found this type of 12v cigarette charger thingy to use instead of having an inverter connected up.

Can just use a HDMI to RCA converter to connect it up.

Seem decent? Anyone used a Roku device before? This is honestly my first time hearing of them.