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    Simple inexpensive device to play MP4 files on TV?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by HTWingNut, Dec 30, 2016.

  1. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

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    I have a friend that just doesn't care much about technology and doesn't invest much in his A/V equipment. I keep wanting to send him videos and such but he wants them on DVD. Pain in the butt. Is there an inexpensive device that you can plug in HDMI to TV and a USB drive with MP4 files for him to view easily and without effort?
     
    HTWingNut, Dec 30, 2016
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  2. OverTallman

    OverTallman Notebook Evangelist

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    An Android TV box will do I guess?
     
    OverTallman, Dec 30, 2016
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  3. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

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    Last edited: Dec 30, 2016
    HTWingNut, Dec 30, 2016
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  4. OverTallman

    OverTallman Notebook Evangelist

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    The thing in the first link is a digital media player, which can play music and videos, display photos, nothing else. Think of it as a Walkman hooked to a TV. Can't go wrong with it if you want a thing that just works.

    That TV box is decent, has a quad core Rockchip but the architecture is a little bit dated, still better than my dual core box though. If you want a better box, look for those with Amlogic S905 or S905X, also a quad core but even more powerful.
     
    OverTallman, Dec 30, 2016
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  5. jclausius

    jclausius Notebook Virtuoso

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    jclausius, Dec 30, 2016
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  6. jeffmd

    jeffmd Notebook Evangelist

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    As long as it is either an mp4 ripped from youtube or an mp4 you make yourself using low profiles like those designed for phones and streamers. There is 2 ways I can see going about this.. you can get the amazon fire TV which has a built in microSD card slot and load/play your media on the microSD card, or a more compact amazon fire stick (I'm using amazon here because they are android devices, good remote driven UI, and are competitively priced) and then utilize a wifi drive like http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA9B54SS5200 for $83. Or if you have a network accessable drive you can just stream it over your existing network. I just figured a wifi drive was easier for YOU to load things onto and then hand off to someone less tech savvy.
     
    jeffmd, Jan 1, 2017
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