geekIT:

Thanks for the great suggestions, folks. I'm gonna have to digest all these ideas before I do anything else.

Regarding a couple of questions that people asked, No, I'm not dumping my WDTV Live - it's still working fine. (Except for the odd glitch when it refuses to play file 'X'. And usually needs resetting before it'll play anything else).

LOL, I'm just doing a Boy Scout 'Be Prepared' thing, so that I'm not left dangling IF the player dies on me.

By the way, a guy at Harvey Norman told me (if I understood him correctly) that some modern TVs would play my various MKV, AVI and MP4 files without the need for a 'go-between' media player. Via SD card or USB-connected HDD.

Is that correct? If so, it would seem to indicate that the TV would have to be a 'smart' one and also that it must have some sort of 'media-playing' software onboard. Yes?

My LG tv from about 7 years ago plays media via usb or via ethernet (UPnP).

Still running my WDTV in the bedroom connected to the DLNA server to stream media. so much easier than using hard drives

Personally I'd look at a ~$200 media player rather than dropping $600+ on a "smart" tv that in 2 years wont be getting firmware updates any more and you;ll be asking for a media player.

#notbitter  #noreallyImnot.

Raspberry Pi + OSMC is my choice.  Opens up a whole heap of other options as well.  You'll get plenty of support if you go this route.

davidcole:

Personally I'd look at a ~$200 media player rather than dropping $600+ on a "smart" tv that in 2 years wont be getting firmware updates any more and you;ll be asking for a media player.

#notbitter  #noreallyImnot.

 

Jaxson:

davidcole:

 

Personally I'd look at a ~$200 media player rather than dropping $600+ on a "smart" tv that in 2 years wont be getting firmware updates any more and you;ll be asking for a media player.

 

 

 

#notbitter  #noreallyImnot.

 

 

 

 

 

It's hard to get a brand name TV that's not smart nowadays.

I opted for the Sony as being Android its far more open than the rest.

Yeah I guess the point is I wouldn't pay the extra for that, but would pay for extra hdmi...which would normally be the smart model any way I'd say.  About 4 hdmi ports is where I'm happy.  Permanently use 3 of them on my current telly, and have one spare if I need it.  These new tvs with 1 or 2 hdmi just seem too limited.  But I cant add an avr into my current mix with the way my audio is set up, so thats my reasoning.

I run a couple of WDTV, they have been bullet proof for years. Frustrating that they can't handle 265, but I'm going to stick with them for the foreseeable as they are just so easy to use with a hard drive.

I've got a Vero 4k Box with OSMC. I've chosen it instead of a Mi Box as the performance should be better.

geekIT:

 

 

 

By the way, a guy at Harvey Norman told me (if I understood him correctly) that some modern TVs would play my various MKV, AVI and MP4 files without the need for a 'go-between' media player. Via SD card or USB-connected HDD.

 

Is that correct? If so, it would seem to indicate that the TV would have to be a 'smart' one and also that it must have some sort of 'media-playing' software onboard. Yes?

 

a lot of TVs (non smart) have a basic media player built in but it is really hit and miss as to what formats / resolutions / containers / bitrate they will support.

I think I have an unused WDTV unit. Not sure Live or not - can check it tonight.

If you're still looking for one, I am happy to give it away as I don't need it at all. I'm in Christchurch, pick up preferred as I don't wish to send away... (or if anyone else want it, just let me know...) after I have confirmed what model I have.