Cheap Media Player

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Milutiche

172 posts

Master Geek

#195525 22-Apr-2016 20:05

Hey all, I'm looking for a cheap(under $100) Media player that I can plug my external HDD into and play movies off.
I want it to be 1080p and play various forms of downloaded content.

Basic is good

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704 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#1538400 22-Apr-2016 20:36

I would recommend a WD media player

Here is a basic one on trademe, but mind you, this has not internet connection,

Just connect your external hard disk, HDMI cable to the TV and away you go

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=1073078288

Jase2985

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#1538410 22-Apr-2016 20:44

^^^ i have one of those and they are great, very easy to use.

Milutiche

172 posts

Master Geek

#1538522 23-Apr-2016 06:43

THanks guys, so that one listed is normally about $190 by the looks so $50+ freight would be a good deal?

driller2000

935 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#1538529 23-Apr-2016 07:26

If you are prepared to wait ie. via china - the latest Amlogic S905 Android based streamers get ok reviews.

I have ordered one which will cost $87 NZD landed - incl 2G Ram, 16 G Rom, HDMI 2.0, GB Lan, 4.0 BT, Ac Wifi - so well specced for the price.

With Kodi onboard they can pretty much all file types and resolutions up to 4k - as opposed to the WD which may struggle on some.

And the play store means full access to all Apps - Media / Social / Gaming / News etc

The main risks with these is the lack of support and updates - esp for cheaper devices (but @ $88 its worth a risk in my book) and as its an import - if it breaks, returns will be expensive if its even worth it.

Jase2985

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#1538573 23-Apr-2016 10:38

Milutiche:

THanks guys, so that one listed is normally about $190 by the looks so $50+ freight would be a good deal?

na they stopped making them a little while back and the ones now are more expensive as they have more features, i think they went for around the 100 mark when i got mine.

PANiCnz

989 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1540663 23-Apr-2016 14:58

Raspberry Pi 3 + OpenELEC = problem solved!

qwertee

704 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#1540731 23-Apr-2016 16:46

I am using the one selling for $189 from Noel L.

Larger sized remote, built-in wireless, and hard drives connected to the WD media player are accessible on my laptop.

I download stuff on my laptop and copy them over wirelessly to the hard drives connected.

No need to unplug them and move them to and fro from the laptop and WD media player.

I am sure there are other ways. but this is how I am using it.

For a basic unit, the one on Trade Me will suffice

cheers

AliExpress

Shop now on AliExpress (affiliate link).

qwertee

704 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#1540733 23-Apr-2016 16:51

driller2000:

If you are prepared to wait ie. via china - the latest Amlogic S905 Android based streamers get ok reviews.

I have ordered one which will cost $87 NZD landed - incl 2G Ram, 16 G Rom, HDMI 2.0, GB Lan, 4.0 BT, Ac Wifi - so well specced for the price.

With Kodi onboard they can pretty much all file types and resolutions up to 4k - as opposed to the WD which may struggle on some.

And the play store means full access to all Apps - Media / Social / Gaming / News etc

The main risks with these is the lack of support and updates - esp for cheaper devices (but @ $88 its worth a risk in my book) and as its an import - if it breaks, returns will be expensive if its even worth it.

I am keen on this Amlogic S905 streamer

Can you provide me a link and where you ordered it from?

Milutiche

172 posts

Master Geek

#1540734 23-Apr-2016 16:53

PANiCnz:

Raspberry Pi 3 + OpenELEC = problem solved!

Tell me more, I've played around with Arduino a little in the past but never a Raspberry Pi

Milutiche

172 posts

Master Geek

#1540735 23-Apr-2016 16:54

driller2000:

If you are prepared to wait ie. via china - the latest Amlogic S905 Android based streamers get ok reviews.

I have ordered one which will cost $87 NZD landed - incl 2G Ram, 16 G Rom, HDMI 2.0, GB Lan, 4.0 BT, Ac Wifi - so well specced for the price.

With Kodi onboard they can pretty much all file types and resolutions up to 4k - as opposed to the WD which may struggle on some.

And the play store means full access to all Apps - Media / Social / Gaming / News etc

The main risks with these is the lack of support and updates - esp for cheaper devices (but @ $88 its worth a risk in my book) and as its an import - if it breaks, returns will be expensive if its even worth it.

Yeah I don't mind waiting for a while, maybe when you get yours you can post up a little review of it.

tdgeek

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#1540799 23-Apr-2016 19:05

qwertee:

I am using the one selling for $189 from Noel L.

Larger sized remote, built-in wireless, and hard drives connected to the WD media player are accessible on my laptop.

I download stuff on my laptop and copy them over wirelessly to the hard drives connected.

No need to unplug them and move them to and fro from the laptop and WD media player.

I am sure there are other ways. but this is how I am using it.

For a basic unit, the one on Trade Me will suffice

cheers

Same for me. And with AC wifi its a dream. (WDTV etherneted to my Airport Extreme) AC), laptop is AC

Milutiche

172 posts

Master Geek

#1540804 23-Apr-2016 19:09

I'm not too concerned about internet/network connectivity really, I actually have my PC hooked into my TV but it's so bloody noisy (power supply fan mostly) that it's a pain in the arse trying to watch a movie without waking the kids.

Jase2985

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#1540806 23-Apr-2016 19:15

the one linked in the second post above would be fine then

tdgeek

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#1540836 23-Apr-2016 19:26

Jase2985:

the one linked in the second post above would be fine then

Agree, looks like mine. No internet connectivity. I had mine with a wifi dongle and HDD ( 2 x USB), now via ethernet

Plays pretty much everything

Jase2985

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#1540838 23-Apr-2016 19:28

tdgeek:

Jase2985:

the one linked in the second post above would be fine then

Agree, looks like mine. No internet connectivity. I had mine with a wifi dongle and HDD ( 2 x USB), now via ethernet

Plays pretty much everything

indeed, out of the few thousand files ive tried to watch ive had many 3 that didnt work.

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