Media player needed for kids

Grimspoon

Grimspoon

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Ok so I am trying to decide if I should buy a media player for my kids.

I am starting to get sick of taking DVD's in and out of my PS3 every 2 minutes. Also I can see the discs are starting to get scratched, boxes cracked etc.

Although damn expensive, I was considering getting a Mede8er or alternative.

My only concern is that my Sony STR-DH510 only has 3 HDMI ports all of which are being used, PS3, DSTV and Xbox. Could I plug it into the TV? I guess that wouldn't work as I wouldn't get sound through the Sony.

Are these media players even worth it? Would it be feasible to just buy a external HDD and plug it into the TV and use the Samsung media player?

Are there any specials on any decent media players at the moment?
 
Since its for the kids you can plug the media player directly into the TV via RCA's or Component.
Most media players have both.
 
DrYes said:
Since its for the kids you can plug the media player directly into the TV via RCA's or Component.
Most media players have both.
Click to expand...

That should work I guess. Only thing then is each time I will need to enable the TV's speakers. Guess I could just take the PS3 or Xbox out and plug it in when needed.

Any views on this one: http://www.takealot.com/electronics/mede8er-med500x2-media-player-bundle,10797248

Expensive, but looks pretty awesome, I like the fact that it has wireless.
 
Grimspoon said:
That should work I guess. Only thing then is each time I will need to enable the TV's speakers. Guess I could just take the PS3 or Xbox out and plug it in when needed.

Any views on this one: http://www.takealot.com/electronics/mede8er-med500x2-media-player-bundle,10797248

Expensive, but looks pretty awesome, I like the fact that it has wireless.
Click to expand...

Looks like good unit.You might want to get an int HDD tho.
Have you looked at the AC Ryan ,its a lot less ,and will do the job for the kids.
 
and also we do the med8er for R1999 the 500x2 but you still need to get an HDD unless you have wireless and can stream the movies off one of your pc's at home then do not need to put a HDD in
 
Last edited:
DrYes said:
Looks like good unit.You might want to get an int HDD tho.
Have you looked at the AC Ryan ,its a lot less ,and will do the job for the kids.
Click to expand...

I will have a look at the AC Ryan, I will also use it for me and the Mrs. Have lots of movies to watch.

labratza said:
and also we do the med8er for R1999 the 500x2 but you still need to get an HDD unless you have wireless and can stream the movies off one of your pc's at home then do not need to put a HDD in
Click to expand...

Currently I am streaming from my PC to my PS3, but I find it lags and stutters on some movies. Drives me NUTS!!!

Don't understand it though, streaming the Smurfs, average quality, about 1.2 GB's and it stuttered all the way through. Streamed Kung Fu Panda 2 Blue ray quality, 3.8Gb's and it streamed fine.

I would probably want to get a HDD though.
 
I use a Western Digital TV Live unit connected to my home network.

I normally stream data off one of the PCs on the network, though (on occasion) I connect a USB drive to the unit and watch off that.

Overall I'm very happy with the setup.
 
Grimspoon said:
Ok so I am trying to decide if I should buy a media player for my kids.

I am starting to get sick of taking DVD's in and out of my PS3 every 2 minutes. Also I can see the discs are starting to get scratched, boxes cracked etc.

Although damn expensive, I was considering getting a Mede8er or alternative.

My only concern is that my Sony STR-DH510 only has 3 HDMI ports all of which are being used, PS3, DSTV and Xbox. Could I plug it into the TV? I guess that wouldn't work as I wouldn't get sound through the Sony.

Are these media players even worth it? Would it be feasible to just buy a external HDD and plug it into the TV and use the Samsung media player?

Are there any specials on any decent media players at the moment?
Click to expand...

Kalahari is having a special:

http://www.kalahari.com/electronics/egreat-r6b-full-hd-media-player/4585/43874412.aspx
 
Any feedback on the Mecer High Definition Multimedia Player (MP1055)??

Onedayonly have it on special @ R499.
 
I have messed around with a friend's mede8er, and I am very impressed with it. I would love to get my own at some stage. Currently I just stream from my PC to my PS3 with PS3 Media Server, but there are hassles associated with that. I would also need to get an HDMI switch, as all ports on my receiver are in use too.
 
Garyvdh said:
You can also get HDMI splitter boxes... like this...
http://www.ellies.co.za/index.php?id=158

or this...
http://www.pricecheck.co.za/offers/5781744/Aavara+SW421+HDMI+1080p+Switcher+4+To+1/
Click to expand...

Ah that is a win! Nice one.

thisgeek said:
I have messed around with a friend's mede8er, and I am very impressed with it. I would love to get my own at some stage. Currently I just stream from my PC to my PS3 with PS3 Media Server, but there are hassles associated with that. I would also need to get an HDMI switch, as all ports on my receiver are in use too.
Click to expand...

The mede8er does seem the best one around but they are pricey. I am also streaming from my PC to PS3 and yes it has its issues. However when I used to stream from my iMac to my PS3 it streamed a lot smoother.
 
Both the Mecer MP1055 and the Egreat R6B media players use the Realtek RTD1055 processor which does not have any LAN support. Most of these 1055 players do not support WiFi either but I think that the A C Ryan Play!On Essential might have this feature. Personally I would rather look at the Egreat R6AII (comx, loot etc.) for ~R150 more (if available) which uses the RTD1185 and does have LAN, WiFi, Bittorrent, web browser etc. From a hardware point of view this would be similar to a Mede8er 450X2 etc.
http://www.comx.co.za/EG-R6AII-Egre...layer-Information-Price-Buy-Cheap-p-54755.php
 
Garyvdh said:
You can also get HDMI splitter boxes... like this...
http://www.ellies.co.za/index.php?id=158

or this...
http://www.pricecheck.co.za/offers/5781744/Aavara+SW421+HDMI+1080p+Switcher+4+To+1/
Click to expand...

The first one will not help at all, unless you need to send an HD source to more than one screen. The second one is a selector/switcher and will enable you to run more than one source into one HDMi input. You can normally select the source via the remote that comes with the unit. This is what you need...
 
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