Adding USB functionality to old LCD tv

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gmball

568 posts

Ultimate Geek

#104954 23-Jun-2012 15:23

As the title suggests, I have a 40 inch Sony Bravia LCD flatscreen TV.

Its around 4 years old, it is rated for 1080p high definition output (also has HDMI input).

I have tv episodes etc on a portable USB hard drive, however the TV has no USB input.

I see that some DVD players have USB input, and there are also media players around such as WD Live TV boxes.

Picture and sound quality is important, any suggestions on the best means to be able to play my USB hard drive thru my TV.
Does the USB input on DVD players result in a poor quality picture, and can they play multiple formats such as AVI, MKV and MPEG video?

Any user experiences appreciated. Thanks!

trig42

5816 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#645160 23-Jun-2012 16:15

You will get better format compatibility with a media player like the WD TV Live - They have been on pretty good specials recently (I think B&B had them)

John2010

532 posts

Ultimate Geek

#645163 23-Jun-2012 16:31

gmball:
...Does the USB input on DVD players result in a poor quality picture, and can they play multiple formats such as AVI, MKV and MPEG video?

Any user experiences appreciated. Thanks!

We use the USB port on a Blu-ray player for video in various formats to one of our older TVs no problem at all.

Personally I wouldn't bother buying a DVD player instead of Blu-ray, but whatever just check in the manual before buying that it supports the formats you want via USB. You can find manuals for players from the main manufactuers' on their web sites.

scuwp

3888 posts

Uber Geek

#645202 23-Jun-2012 19:00

Blu-ray player + plug in hard drive = next best thing to media centre.

Our Samsung plays pretty much any format

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation