paulr

I have a load of downloaded AVI films (700mb) on my laptop.

1. Watch them on the laptop
Not always in the best position, small screen, not great sound, but easy. No remote

2. Connect laptop to tv
Have to move laptop, them plug in and set up, not ideal. No remote

3. Rip to dvd
Time consuming


Are there any alternatives.
Ideally some box you transfer the films into, thats connected to the tv, has a remote. Or an adaptation of one of the above, ie rip five films onto one disc, then play as avi's in a disc player.

Simon C

I have an original xbox with xbmc on it for this very thing.

Although I suspect a new xbox (aint tried it yet) would do and the Ps3 as my setup.

Just ftp them over and jobs a good un

paulr

No PS3 or X box.

I have read about some dvd players that play avi films from a usb stick but there are issues with the format.

Proby521

iTrader: (1)

I have used an original xbox with XBMC in the past, but now use a 360 and either stream to it off my laptop, or transfer the files to a flash drive. Ebuyer are doing a cheap 'black box' at the moment for £15 which uses HDMI connection to tv. It plays files via SD or Flash drive, although will not play MKV files (no suprise at that price) it will play xvid,divx,avi,mp4 etc. It don't look pretty but a bargin at that price!!

stevebt

iTrader: (8)

I find media players are the best and there is no more dvds lying around as everything is either on usb hard drives or memory sticks

urban

iTrader: (1)

Personally I stream stuff from my laptop to the PS3 via wireless
Also my TV will accept USB sticks

paulr

What do you mean when you say media player?

rabbos

Something like this:

http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/12178031/Sumvision-Cyclone-MKV-1080p-HD-Media-Player/Product.html?ptsl=1&ob=Price&fb=0&&_$ja=tsid:11518 |cc:|prd:12178031|cat:Hard+Drives

paulr

Okay, cheers.

Ebuyer has this for 23 quid.

Sumvision Cyclone Micro Media Player Divx & ISO HDMI USB/SD Media player HDMI 1080p Upscaling - Ebuyer

I'm assuming you.

1, Connect it to the tv
2, Put an avi film on a usb stick
3. Put the stick in the device, then watch it on tv

Any drawbacks.

Markus

I've got a modified xbox running xbmc and also an AppleTV that is modified to run xbmc. I've setup the UnPNP options on the xbox which allows me to "see" it from the AppleTV upstairs and thus access the media I have on the xbox, very handy. I think it might also work the other way round, but I've not tried it as yet.

At some point I'll get a NAS and bung all the media onto there so both can simply access it and stream media from it. I'll also rip all my purchased DVD's to ISO and pop them on the NAS as well.

apples24

iTrader: (1)

that looks cool so does it connect to the tv via phono plugs-scart?

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

They ar HDMI, we have one, really good, plays anything !

apples24

iTrader: (1)

oh cool, so dload any format film put it on my usb stick and plug it in off you go



now thats got to be worth buying

Scooby Soon!

I have one of the ebuyer cheap xvid players, does not play everything! It does not like any large XVIDs (over about 1gb) does not like long file names and does not like some files what so ever!

Using xbox 360 now which works well, I think Western Digital do a nice system for about £70 I would pay the extra for one of those.

corradoboy

I have a Media HDD, 200+ movies, 2000+ mp3's, all our family pics and a collection of **** Mine's quite old now, but make sure it has the latest codecs, HDMI connection, 1080p and preferably wireless to save even having to connect the 'pooter to it.

paulr

I dont want anything you have to have the pc on for.

Jamo

iTrader: (23)

buy yourself a projector and connect the lappy.

OPTOMA|DS316|PROJECTOR, DLP, SVGA, OPTOMA, | CPC

this is mine in our living room.

corradoboy

You don't except for transferring files over. More convenient if you can do it wirelessly than having to connect up a USB cable, and also allows streaming should you want to.

stevebt

iTrader: (8)

JDM_Stig

iTrader: (3)

If you can network up
Scan.co.uk: 91-014-005005B - ZyXEL DMA-1000 Digital HDMI Media Theatre DLNA UPnP Media Streamer inc HDMI & SPDIF Out *Promo Price

daz1968

iTrader: (13)

acer aspire revo with xbmc or a dedicated media player are best options in my opinion

Bluie

I use a WD TV live that can connect wireless or use a WD passport or USB stick.

Great bit of kit..

Scan.co.uk: WDBAAP0000NBK-EESN - Western Digital WD-TV Live HDMI 1.3 1080P MKV/H.264/.ISO (+More) Media Player - See Spec

Scooby Soon!

Thats the one I was talking about earlier on in the post, can be had from around £70 if you keep your eyes on hot uk deals.

GazTheHat

Western Digital TV Live. Full stop.

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

I spotted one of these in Makro which might do the job: Q-Waves Wireless USB to HDMI Extender - Stream: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

Not cheap but, if it works then ideal.

My only concern is if the wireless link can handle the frame rate of a film (especially if HD) without it going all jerky when panning etc. Still, a good TV should be able to sort it out.

You can get infra-red remote controls for computers - my PC can be fully crontrolled via remote (it can even be controlled via the bluetooth on a mobile phone), so controlling it is a bit of a non-issue, especially if you use media centre (or similar). Alternatively a wireless mouse and keyboard would suffice (as long as they have decent range).

bigsinky

AC Ryan Play On HD. great wee media box. plays everything i have thrown at it. even 1080p blueray rips over an ethernet connection

James Neill

iTrader: (1)

I use an original xbox with XBMC. Failing that get one of these

Acer Aspire Revo Desktop PC - Desktops at Ebuyer

and put XBMC on it yourself. Will be great, believe me.

stilover

Nothing like w@nking off to your **** collection on a 42" Plasma rather than a cr*ppy 15" Laptop screen.

EddScott

I've been thinking about doing something similar myself.

PC in the loft with lots of space for DVDs, Blurays, music, pics etc etc.

PC in the living room for games, streaming and bluray disc playing

PS3 in our bedroom (I may sell the PS3 and get another WDTV because I don't use it for games much)

WD TV Live in our daughters room


For the OP, a WD TV Live would probably be the best bet. However you'd be at the mercy of the laptop with regards to wirelessly streaming media to the WD TV. You might get some reliability issues as apposed to a central "always on" location because the connection will likely be more stable.

bigsinky

50" is even better