External HDD to TV Solutions

BarryG

BarryG

I'll stick to my 2 inches
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I have a couple of large hard drives filled with various movies, music and pictures that I want to be able to access directly on my HDTV.

I want to be able to access all of this without turning my laptop on, so I think that rules out Apple TV.

Does anyone know a good device to allow me to stream media to the TV? Something with it's own remote perhaps?

I'm sure there are loads of options, but as this isn't an area I know much about I'm finding Google quite overwhelming.

Any suggestions? How do you do it?
 
I'd start with looking at WDTV Live. http://wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=330

I have one and it plays every format under the sun..... and now has BBC iPlayer and Netflix support on-board.

Has a USB port for attaching direct devices (hard drives / usb sticks) and can also connect via wi-fi or wired to your network.

And does come with its own remote. :thumbs:
 
I have a cyclone primus, doesn't stream but I find it no hassle to load stuff onto it. Plays every file I've thrown at it. I'll find a link for it when I'm not on my phone.
 
Thanks a lot, I'll have a look into WDTV and the cheaper Cyclone Primus. I know it's not all about the looks, but the WDTV does win for me there.

On a side note, Apple TV - can that be jailbroken to actually work as a media streamer without iTunes involvement?
 
Can you plug a hard drive into your telly via usb?

or

If you have a Nas can the tv play direct from the Nas if connected to your network?
 
BarryG said:
Thanks a lot, I'll have a look into WDTV and the cheaper Cyclone Primus. I know it's not all about the looks, but the WDTV does win for me there.

On a side note, Apple TV - can that be jailbroken to actually work as a media streamer without iTunes involvement?
Click to expand...

from what ive heard the ATV can be jailbroken to run XBMC
 
neil_g said:
from what ive heard the ATV can be jailbroken to run XBMC
Click to expand...

Yes, but the ATV Gen 2 is restricted to 720p video I believe..... The beauty of the WDTV Live is that it just works out of the box, all formats, all file sizes. :thumbs:
 
admirable said:
Can you plug a hard drive into your telly via usb?

or

If you have a Nas can the tv play direct from the Nas if connected to your network?
Click to expand...

Only as long as the TV can play the file formats he has. Certain TVs can't play certain containers and file extensions. You then have to get into the world of transcoding etc which is just one big annoying frig. :thumbsdown:

For the sake of £70, the WDTV Live really does take a lot of hassle out of the situation.
 
neil_g said:
the new ones are 1080, the previous models were 720.
Click to expand...

But there isn't a jailbreak for the latest V3 Apple TV yet is there? :'(
 
How about a Sony bluray player. Mine (BDP-S380) plays everything I throw at it.

I just plug in an external hard drive, via usb, then I'm good to go.... or stay and watch the movie :)

Also have iplayer, etc.
 
I plug my hd into the usb and it plays fine.
 
OK, just got back from the Apple Store in Covent Garden.

Apple TV is very clever with what it does, especially if you have a Mac and an iPad. The bottom line is the PC/Mac has to be on at all times for the Apple TV to stream it, and then it has to be in iTunes (so a supported format). It's just far too much hassle.

I've looked into the WDTV and this is exactly what I need. It can sit under the TV with a hard drive plugged into it and do my movies, photos and music from there.

Thanks for the tip, I had looked at the WDTV before, but now my mind is made up - and for the sake of £80.

Thanks :)
 
...and there is an app to use your iPhone/iPad as a remote.

Sold.
 
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