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    Can an external USB HDD stream HD video good?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by QuadAllegory, Jul 4, 2009.

  1. QuadAllegory

    QuadAllegory Notebook Deity

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    I'm getting a SeaGate FreeAgent Go 500GB USB external HDD and want to watch high def blu-ray rips from it through USB on my laptop. Will the playback be smooth or will the slow transfer rate of USB and the 5400rpm drive cause choppy playback?
     
    QuadAllegory, Jul 4, 2009
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  2. Andy

    Andy Notebook Prophet

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    Yes, should be fine. I've watched 720p and 1080p content off my external drive. Plays fine, just takes a bit long to load and seek through the timeline.

    EDIT: hehe, hey there HBQ :D
     
    Andy, Jul 4, 2009
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  3. Han Bao Quan

    Han Bao Quan The Assassin

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    I don't see why not.
    Hey, look who's back.
    What's up Andy :D
     
    Han Bao Quan, Jul 4, 2009
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  4. Jlbrightbill

    Jlbrightbill Notebook Deity

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    I stream 1080p off my networked desktop to a living room PC to watch movies on the TV, so it'll definitely work on a hard drive.
     
    Jlbrightbill, Jul 5, 2009
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  5. paper_wastage

    paper_wastage Beat this 7x7x7 Cube

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    as long as it's not USB 1.1... sure

    (or actually USB 1.1 might even work... max at 11mbit/s, that's real life 1MB/s... maybe with enough buffering)
     
    paper_wastage, Jul 5, 2009
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  6. flipfire

    flipfire Moderately Boss

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    Playback will be fine.

    Loading and seeking might take longer though. If you have an eSATA port i suggest using that instead.
     
    flipfire, Jul 5, 2009
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  7. QuadAllegory

    QuadAllegory Notebook Deity

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    Thanks for the help guys!

    I would but I couldn't find a small enough drive that was 500GB in an eSATA version.
     
    QuadAllegory, Jul 5, 2009
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  8. Jlbrightbill

    Jlbrightbill Notebook Deity

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    Highest bitrate I've seen on an HD rip is 20Mbit, so as long as your hard drive is at least 20Mbps, you'll be fine.
     
    Jlbrightbill, Jul 5, 2009
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  9. flipfire

    flipfire Moderately Boss

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    Grab yourself a 2.5" 500gb WD Scorpio Blue and a 2.5" Vantec Nextar 3 eSATA enclosure. It is much better than buying a prebuilt external. It should work out cheaper (depending on where you buy) and sometimes you even get a longer warranty term.
     
    flipfire, Jul 5, 2009
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