Tempted on iPad Mini

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Shindig

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#116400 28-Apr-2013 11:06

I had a Galaxy 7.7 a while ago, sold it but now with a looming 26hr flight with a 3yr old back to the UK, it has made me rethink the use and need of a tablet.

I am not really bothered about the full fat iPad with Retina display etc and the iPad mini might just foot the bill.
I am an Adroid fan boy but willing to try a different OS / Brand out etc. The Nexus 7 doesn't do it for me, really dont like the overall look of it.

A couple of questions about the iPad mini.

Can you use file browser and browser network shares from a NAS drive - copying and pasting onto the internal iPad memory?
MKV files - can you play these or do I need to transcode the file to Mp4?
iTunes - can I use the deivce without having ever to install itunes on my PC?

any other info and user opinions (esp what you hate about it) would be tops?

cheers

The little things make the biggest difference.

jarledb

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#806714 28-Apr-2013 14:07

Did some Google'ing now. And the first things I found was iTunes replacements that cost a bit of money (looks like in the range of 40 USD).

I think you might be better off going with iTunes if you want to use an iPad or other iOS devices.

You should check out VLC for iOS if you go with the iPad Mini: https://itunes.apple.com/no/app/vlc-streamer/id410031728?mt=8

Not 100% sure VLC still supports MKV, but Goodplayer does: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/goodplayer/id416756729?mt=8

With Goodplayer you can actually FTP the files to your iPad Mini (when you are on a local network via Wi-fi). And also via iTunes file sharing.

When it comes to dealing with file transfers. iOS deals with files per application, so its a bit different than dealing with Andriod file system (I presume from what I have read, I don't have any Android devices myself).

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kendog

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#808187 30-Apr-2013 19:08

I use the OplayerHD app, works really well as a video player.
Transfer files to it in iTunes.

tdgeek

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#808205 30-Apr-2013 20:04

You don't have folders to copy to or from as you do on Android or a desktop OS. Apps own the files. In the case of videos, in iTunes you will use the filesharing function. Browse and add. They will then copy to the iPad. Easy and quick, but not as easy and quick as Android with its file system access. And you really do need iTunes to manage files. Once you get used to it, its great IMO, providing that what you want to do is supported, so be sure to get the answer on each function you will need.

khull

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#808220 30-Apr-2013 20:10

I use Ace Media Player to stream MKV files over wireless from my NAS. It has it's hiccups at times but works well overall.

Only issue I have is the screen not being retina which is noticeable since I own both