Reccomend a Media player

Ecco

Ecco

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Hi Guys,

The uncle wants a media player to watch tv series and stuff which people have downloaded for him.

Whats a good value for money device, thats fairly easy to use (because he isnt a techi), that can be purchased locally?

Thanks
 
PS, i have no idea what to look for in these devices - i just use my PS3 - so i presume the device should be capable of playing back HD content, and as many formats as possible. Must have a remote.
 
Look at:
AC Ryan
Mede8er
Compro (cheapie)

Search this forum, there are a number of discussions on all of them.

I bought a Antec media player a few years back for my folks and they quickly got the hang of it. They all have similar interfaces, so best is really to look at specs and price vs. your requirements.
 
morkhans said:
Look at:
AC Ryan
Mede8er
Compro (cheapie)

Search this forum, there are a number of discussions on all of them.

I bought a Antec media player a few years back for my folks and they quickly got the hang of it. They all have similar interfaces, so best is really to look at specs and price vs. your requirements.
Click to expand...

The specs price and requirements is the problem.

If i knew that I would look for the stuff, but because i use a PS3 for this, i have never thought about it much. From a quick glance at the forums, i see mede8ter discussed quite a bit - fair assumption to make that its the more popular of the devices?
 
Can you get these devices at like a Makro, Dion or Incredible?
 
catweasel said:
The specs price and requirements is the problem.

If i knew that I would look for the stuff, but because i use a PS3 for this, i have never thought about it much. From a quick glance at the forums, i see mede8ter discussed quite a bit - fair assumption to make that its the more popular of the devices?
Click to expand...

Mede8er is popular. It's also a bit more expensive than the others, some say it's worth it. I own a mede8er and a friend recently bought a AC Ryan HD2. From the 10min I spent playing with his I'd say they are very close. I think I might actually like the AC Ryan remote more although it weighs almost nothing which takes away from that comforting feel any remote should have :p

catweasel said:
Can you get these devices at like a Makro, Dion or Incredible?
Click to expand...

I know HiFi corp sell some of the Mede8er models. Not sure about the others, but Esquire sell both the Mede8er and AC Ryan and anyone can sign up for an account.
 
Jennifer Lopez said:
u can get a wd mini for R400 at cna - most basic of basic - but i would NOT recommend it
Click to expand...

I use a WD TV Live ( http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=330 ) hooked into my home [CAT-5E] network.

The media player sources files from the PCs in my study, then plays them through a Rotel hub -> TV.

Being hooked into the network allows the unit to download firmware upgrades (approx monthly), watch stuff off YouTube etc.

The unit has been operational for about six months, and thus far I am very happy with it ...
 
rrh said:
I use a WD TV Live ( http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=330 ) hooked into my home [CAT-5E] network.

The media player sources files from the PCs in my study, then plays them through a Rotel hub -> TV.

Being hooked into the network allows the unit to download firmware upgrades (approx monthly), watch stuff off YouTube etc.

The unit has been operational for about six months, and thus far I am very happy with it ...
Click to expand...

mini sucks big time. can't play hd, mkv
 
rrh said:
I use a WD TV Live ( http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=330 ) hooked into my home [CAT-5E] network.

The media player sources files from the PCs in my study, then plays them through a Rotel hub -> TV.

Being hooked into the network allows the unit to download firmware upgrades (approx monthly), watch stuff off YouTube etc.

The unit has been operational for about six months, and thus far I am very happy with it ...
Click to expand...

Except for the last update, it broke more stuff than it fixed. Had to download and install a previous version update :(
 
Last edited:
Also recommend a WD TV Live, got one and organised one for my parents. Works well.
 
ITCynic said:
Except for the last update, it broke more stuff than it fixed. Had to download and install a previous version uodate :(
Click to expand...

I can't say that I had the same experience with the last update, though I did have a little fun: when the download was about 50% through my main PC decided to hibernate, taking the router along with it ... :(

I rebooted [the WDC] the next day. It discovered the sucky upgrade, muttered & complained, then re-downloaded and installed the file.

All working fine ...
 
Transcend HD-MP10 works nicely for me, however if I were to replace it I would look at the WD one with Ethernet connectivity.
 
External HDDs, flash drives - WD TV Live, R800ish.
Internal and external - Mede8er R1,600ish, Playon!HD R1300ish.
 
PostmanPot said:
External HDDs, flash drives - WD TV Live, R800ish.
Internal and external - Mede8er R1,600ish, Playon!HD R1300ish.
Click to expand...

Hey Postman...pls don't flame me but I was just about to try and PM you with a simple question:

Proline 46" LED TV Full HD, 1080P, 1920 x 1080, 5ms, 1400:1 - Blk, 2x8W SRS Surround VS Proline 46" LCD TV Full HD, 1080P, 1920 x 1080, 5ms, 4000:1 - Blk, 2x8W SRS Surround

I am a IT dealer so can get either for great price. I think the LED is just side- and not back-lit. Mostly for sport ( don't have HD decoder ) and series & movies via HDMI from eGreat Media Player.
I do value your input.
 
MightyQuin said:
Hey Postman...pls don't flame me but I was just about to try and PM you with a simple question:

Proline 46" LED TV Full HD, 1080P, 1920 x 1080, 5ms, 1400:1 - Blk, 2x8W SRS Surround VS Proline 46" LCD TV Full HD, 1080P, 1920 x 1080, 5ms, 4000:1 - Blk, 2x8W SRS Surround

I am a IT dealer so can get either for great price. I think the LED is just side- and not back-lit. Mostly for sport ( don't have HD decoder ) and series & movies via HDMI from eGreat Media Player.
I do value your input.
Click to expand...

Howdy. Not a problem at all, it's not like you are posting philosophical debates or current affiars LOL, so all on topic as far as I'm concerned. :D

Look, both of those TV's will be great for just about everything -- except what you need it for. :(

I have a hunch that those sets are costing you around R7,000. Well, that R7,000 would be far better invested in a HD Ready 720p (1366x768) plasma. Handles TV and sport way better, especially since yours is coming from a normal decoder. Furthermore, with a HD media player, I would imagine most if not all your HD content is 720p, meaning there is less of a need for FHD than even if you had FHD ripz.

R6,500 Samsung PS50C430 50"
R7,500 - R8,000 Samsung PS51D450 50"

Do try go for the latter. Samsung's brand new release, better picture quality and blacks, has a better USB media player and control/menu options than the C430.
 
PostmanPot said:
Howdy. Not a problem at all, it's not like you are posting philosophical debates or current affiars LOL, so all on topic as far as I'm concerned. :D

Look, both of those TV's will be great for just about everything -- except what you need it for. :(

I have a hunch that those sets are costing you around R7,000. Well, that R7,000 would be far better invested in a HD Ready 720p (1366x768) plasma. Handles TV and sport way better, especially since yours is coming from a normal decoder. Furthermore, with a HD media player, I would imagine most if not all your HD content is 720p, meaning there is less of a need for FHD than even if you had FHD ripz.

R6,500 Samsung PS50C430 50"
R7,500 - R8,000 Samsung PS51D450 50"

Do try go for the latter. Samsung's brand new release, better picture quality and blacks, has a better USB media player and control/menu options than the C430.
Click to expand...

Well I can get the Proline LCD for R5700 and the LED for R6200 so that's why I was tempted...deep down I knew plasma is the way to go. Interestingly enough I have a Mecer HD ready 37" LCD at the moment ( free gift no less )approx 4 years old. I see no problems with sport or any HD content. Quite the contrary.

I probably will get the Samsung 42" C450 series HD ready for R 4999 By the way, as far as you know...is the e.g. 42" the viewable screen size , corner to corner, or is it partial (screen under frame) ?
 
I believe from the AC Ryan, Med8er & WD Live, lets make it easy on the OP. Either one of them will fit nicely for his uncle.

My suggestion (purely to make the decision easier for you) is go for the AC Ryan Playon HD2.

Check out more on this player at the official website

If budget allows, get a wireless USB adaptor (not 3G) to keep cable mess down.

Also the PS3 is ideal for your uncle however if he is never going to play a game or his children for that matter then leave that out.

You won't be disappointed with the Ryan :)
 
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