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12-14-2020, 11:27 AM
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44 posts, read 19,758 times
Reputation: 38
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Hello All,
Please advise me what media player I should buy to just play family videos on a TV. I don't need a streaming device because I don't plan to stream anything from this device (I already have a chromecast for that). The videos are on an external hard drive meaning the media player should have a usb port (not micro usb).
I have an old Western Digital media player since 2010 but no audio support on newer MOV files recorded by recent cell phones.
This one only has micro usb:
https://www.amazon.com/Roku-Premiere...7962085&sr=8-9
Or I could go with this no name media player:
https://www.amazon.com/Player-AGPtek...7962085&sr=8-5
Or you could point out to me a better/brand name offline media player. Thanks a lot. |
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12-14-2020, 12:06 PM
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Location: McAllen, TX
4,927 posts, read 3,418,578 times
Reputation: 5835
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I had a Western Digital. That brought back some memories.
I prefer Android over any closed system like Roku.
For offline content and if you can afford it, an Nvidia Shield.
Non-Pro version is is smaller but only has Micro USB. You can get an adapter cable to convert to full size USB. It should support USB hubs? It also has ethernet.
https://www.amazon.com/NVIDIA-Stream...dp/B07YP94PBJ/
Pro model is bigger and offers 2 full size USB ports. It's about $50 more.
https://www.amazon.com/NVIDIA-Shield.../dp/B07YP9FBMM
There are also generic Android boxes. They probably average about $60. I see you posted one. I would spend a bit more, it will be faster and have more ports, not to mention RAM and internal storage.
You can also save your files on a PC or NAS and access over home network. I use Kodi installed on my Fire Stick but any Android device will do. I play from my home server. |
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12-14-2020, 12:41 PM
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Location: Cleveland, Ohio
13,016 posts, read 15,119,575 times
Reputation: 9124
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You have a Chromecast.
You don't need anything else.
Get https://www.videolan.org/vlc/download-windows.html and play anything from the hard drive connected to your PC on the CC TV. |
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12-14-2020, 05:04 PM
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44 posts, read 19,758 times
Reputation: 38
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gguerra
I had a Western Digital. That brought back some memories.
I prefer Android over any closed system like Roku.
For offline content and if you can afford it, an Nvidia Shield.
Non-Pro version is is smaller but only has Micro USB. You can get an adapter cable to convert to full size USB. It should support USB hubs? It also has ethernet.
https://www.amazon.com/NVIDIA-Stream...dp/B07YP94PBJ/
Pro model is bigger and offers 2 full size USB ports. It's about $50 more.
https://www.amazon.com/NVIDIA-Shield.../dp/B07YP9FBMM
There are also generic Android boxes. They probably average about $60. I see you posted one. I would spend a bit more, it will be faster and have more ports, not to mention RAM and internal storage.
You can also save your files on a PC or NAS and access over home network. I use Kodi installed on my Fire Stick but any Android device will do. I play from my home server. |
Would this one work?
https://slickdeals.net/f/14695562-nv...wegg-amazon-fs
Edit: Thanks. The one you recommended is the same one in my link. Appreciated!
Last edited by newbienoob9; 12-14-2020 at 05:15 PM..
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12-14-2020, 05:09 PM
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44 posts, read 19,758 times
Reputation: 38
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Peregrine
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I try to minimize PC involvement. The idea is to have a media player connects to a big screen TV and an external hard drive.
If I understand you correctly, I need to play the media on the external hard drive by using VLC on a PC and the PC connects to a big screen TV via HDMI, right? |
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12-15-2020, 08:55 AM
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Location: Cleveland, Ohio
13,016 posts, read 15,119,575 times
Reputation: 9124
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No. You play the video on the PC and using VLC you CAST the video to the Chromecast wirelessly. That's kind of the whole point of the first generation Chromecast which I assume you have?!? As long as the app supports it (VLC does).
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12-15-2020, 10:16 AM
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Location: McAllen, TX
4,927 posts, read 3,418,578 times
Reputation: 5835
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Quote:
Originally Posted by newbienoob9
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Yes, it would work very well.
I recommend Kodi for what you want to do. You just tell it where your files are and it will do the rest. There are instructions all over on how to do it. |
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12-15-2020, 04:34 PM
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13,602 posts, read 6,726,379 times
Reputation: 13128
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I loved the old WD players.
In my house I play videos through my Apple TV, either through AirPlay or through Infuse (I also use VLC).
So really most streaming players will do what you want, it comes down to preference.
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12-16-2020, 09:28 AM
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Location: Cleveland, Ohio
13,016 posts, read 15,119,575 times
Reputation: 9124
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gguerra
Yes, it would work very well.
I recommend Kodi for what you want to do. You just tell it where your files are and it will do the rest. There are instructions all over on how to do it.
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If going the Shield TV route i'd suggest Plex. It was designed from the ground up to specifically work with your own media,
https://www.plex.tv/ |
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12-16-2020, 10:13 AM
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1,415 posts, read 859,810 times
Reputation: 2484
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I have a flash drive plugged into the USB port on my router. I then use VLC downloaded to my Fire Stick to access and play my videos. Very easy, and works great.
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