Media Players - recommendations

[gavsadler]

Hi all,

The time has come to replace my media player at home. Currently I've got a bit of a fong kong version which is 6 years old now. It can only use an internal drive, there are no USB connections or card slots etc.

I've got a shed load of movies and tv series on 2 seperate external drives, so I'd like something which I can connect these to via a USB cable.

I have yet to start researching, so if you can advise me on what to look out for, that would be great.

Thanks

 

[Sendhur]

Hi bud

I have got this media Player:

http://shop.esquire.co.za/ProductDescription.aspx?id=1299134

only cost me R600 and works really well

:thumbs:

 

[Mrcloc]

Ye - that AC Ryan looks unbeatable.

http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/product_info.php?products_id=54669

 

[STaX@reflections]

Mede8er

Got one and love it. I had an old Iomega player before and it is nothing to compare.

 

[calypso]

Roku + Plex

 

[SP33DYV]

Just build one with an HP MicroServer. :idea:

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http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=89067

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http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/414750-HP-Micro-server-as-media-server

 

[hoosain]

Mede8er

Got one and love it. I had an old Iomega player before and it is nothing to compare.

+100000 on the mede8er
i have mine for about 6 years now plays anything and everything you throw at it space for internal hard drive + 2 external usb ports
with hdmi out

 

[Gilbert]

The Mede8er is good but I would go for the Western Digital media player mainly cause it's value for money.
Secondly, it's user friendly and it works.

I've tested several media player in the last year and the Western Digital tops my list.

When it comes to the Western Digital I would recommend that you stay away from the model with drive included. Some user noticed a performance drop when in long use. I would says this is due to heat.

Get one with a seperate drive which is the better option for flexiability.
External drives are at a good price now especially the 2TB.

 

[ChrisBrand]

I had to choose between the Mede8ter and the Western Digital. Went for the Mede8ter and very happy with it. Does the same as the Western Digital at cheaper price.

 

[Gilbert]

Forgot to mention that manufacturer for Western Digital offers a 2 year warranty by standard.

Last I checked Mede8er only offered a 1 year warranty on their devices and drive.

 

[kabal]

appletv2 + xbmc
or roku + xbmc

 

[SP33DYV]

appletv is not freely available locally though.

 

[r0ckf1re]

I have an Apple TV. I am sure it available locally now.

Its pretty cool.

I would also suggest the mede8r, great product and great quality.

 

[Bavs108]

If you have a PS3, use it as a media server with ps3media server. I'm not much of a gamer so my PS3 is used mostly for movies and streaming stuff from my pc. Haven't encountered many issues and don't see the need in getting a dedicated media player.

 

[GregSW]

The Mede8er is good but I would go for the Western Digital media player mainly cause it's value for money.
Secondly, it's user friendly and it works.

I've tested several media player in the last year and the Western Digital tops my list.

When it comes to the Western Digital I would recommend that you stay away from the model with drive included. Some user noticed a performance drop when in long use. I would says this is due to heat.

Get one with a seperate drive which is the better option for flexiability.
External drives are at a good price now especially the 2TB.

Agreed, I have a western digital player (without drive) attached to each tv, then I have a NAS drive with the content and all the players can access the centrally stored content. It will also work if you plug a drive into the media player it will be available on your network.

Shop around though, should pay about R1200 but incredible sells them for R1800 last I checked.

This also works to watch Netflix and YouTube as well as some other online content.

---

appletv is not freely available locally though.

It is now.

 

[Sersh]

Second the Mede8er, have one for over 2 years now, awesome.:thumbs:

 

[MikeR]

:thumbs: Mede8er

 

[yunuso]

my PS3 been working fine for 5 years now !

never needed a media player , but Medi8tor or western digital would be top of mind

 

[lambchop]

Iv got the apple TV and Mede8tor
Prefer the Med8tor for playing movies etc
Even better now that I have the Synology NAS hosting all my movies

 

[frikkieh]

Xbmc and old PC. Not as portable though.