November 12, 201015 yr Hi again, I'm after some recommendations for a 'all-in-one' DVD and media browser/player for my folks to use. They have a large DVD collection and don't wnt to migrate completely off DVD's, but want the ability to play common movie files and have support for lots of codec's, ie: avi's, mpg's, mkv's, etc... Basically they'll be attaching a local USB drive/External disk to it and play movies, or from time to time, play a DVD. Any suggestions? Thanks.
November 12, 201015 yr HTPC running W7 Media Center with MediaBrowser. You can set it to run MCE when it is powered up or returns from sleep and also to auto play an inserted DVD. Peter
November 12, 201015 yr Dune Base or Prime. They have some newer players now but the prices don't justify the upgrade. I bought mine from duneplayer.com. Forum @ mpcclub.com. Dune doesn't have the best interface, though that can be mitigated somewhat with 3rd party software. My biggest selling point is that it just works and doesn't look goofy (like the Boxee Box).
November 12, 201015 yr I'd also say an HTPC type box with MCE 7 and Total Media Theater 3 and My Movies 3. That's what I'm using now and it works perfectly without having to do much fiddling with it at all. Nice and easy. You could get one of the new dell minis, vision 3d or zotac with blu ray.
November 17, 201015 yr Author Thanks for the current suggestions. I too use Win 7 + MediaPortal/MCE for my setup, but the key factors for my folks are: - Simple to use, not relying on a PC-based setup - Out-of-the-box, up and running style configuration, requiring few steps to have it working, and - The ability to play existing DVD + the added functionality of playing media from USB/External Disks The only one that has been suggested is the 'Dune BD Prime 3.0', which is pretty impressive, but a little expensive. I'm in Australia, and the cost to have one purchased and imported woud be an expensive exercise, and given it seems to be a Americian-based product, would it cause problems trying to run one here, ie: Voltage differences, AV standards, etc... Also, would their a cheaper alternative which could provide all of the above, perhaps one locally designed for the Western region of the world? Thanks.
November 17, 201015 yr hey I have used the first popcorn hour to the latest c200 there great but whent back to XBMC linux live cd, better subtitle support and codex but cause you need some commercial dvd support in the player maybe the iTab 38HD is something for you check here http://www.mediaplayerworld.com/index.php?topic=256.0 or at mpcclub
November 18, 201015 yr The only one that has been suggested is the 'Dune BD Prime 3.0'... and given it seems to be a Americian-based product, would it cause problems trying to run one here, ie: Voltage differences, AV standards, etc... Actually, the Dune is made by HDI, which is in China. You could check with Mike @ duneplayer.com to see if he knows of any Aussie distributors. Also, HDI released a newer line of players, so you might find some of the Dune 3.0 models on eBay since it is technically previous gen. Technologically speaking though, it's the same hardware.
December 21, 201015 yr Author Hi all and Thanks for your suggetions. I looked around and determinated the main features that my family would ever use, and also given the fact that their TV doens't even have HDMI (yeah I know, it only supports component), I decided to buy the Western Digital 1.0TB Elements Play Media Drive, see the link below: http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=570 It supports a lot of formats, have all the outputs you'd ever require, supports HDMI 1.4 (for when they get a new TV), and has all the connections you'd need as well. the UI seems very easy to use and the remote doesn't look daunting to pick up and use either. Again, Thanks for the suggestions.
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