So for watching Divx/Avi movies on a proper TV....

[Marcos]

Whats the best option?

I currently have a softmodded xbox doing the duty for my vids, and my brother has TV-out on his desktop for his vids. But we both want a better option.

He'll be moving to a laptop soon, so he needs a good way to watch avis on TV properly.

I don't know about you but watching episodes or movies on a PC at a desk is just sad, i have to see things through a proper tv.

Is there something like a hard drive in an enclosure, and it has stand-alone divx playback? I thought i saw something like that

[aidanjt]

You could try slapping together a media pc.

[DavidM]

Yes, we've a gadget from ATMT on offer at the moment that allows this... and doubles up as an external hard drive as well

For myself, I use a Ellion DVD Recorder, which plays DivX very nicely as well

[jimborae]

I use a Pinnacle ShowCentre 200 for all my Xvid, avi & mp3 needs. These used to be quite expensive but you can get them pretty cheap now. It can also output in HD too.

[Marcos]

You could try slapping together a media pc.

Waaaaaay too much work for what it is, thats essentially what my brother has and a whole PC just to watch avis is excessive.

Thats the problem i have with my xbox, it does the job but its big and heavy and cables and controllers etc, and only 2gig of space for vids.

Surely a single small device exists that does the simple task? I think i've seen it but i'm not sure

[Marcos]

Yes, we've a gadget from ATMT on offer at the moment that allows this... and doubles up as an external hard drive as well

For myself, I use a Ellion DVD Recorder, which plays DivX very nicely as well

Any chance you can link me to said product?


Also, i have seen those Philips DVD players that support Divx but burning to disk is another hurdle to jump.

[Marcos]

I use a Pinnacle ShowCentre 200 for all my Xvid, avi & mp3 needs. These used to be quite expensive but you can get them pretty cheap now. It can also output in HD too.

Does that only stream? I'd prefer something i could load GBs of videos onto and then let it play them independently.

[DanceswithUnix]

Do you have a storage server?

I use a Hauppauge MVP box, cost about 40 quid. It is network booting and has no on-board storage and so depends on a server. My server is a Linux box so I am limited to mpegs, but I believe the windows server it ships with can transcode divx to mpeg on the server and so play those as well.

Its advantage is that it is small and fanless.

[DavidM]

Any chance you can link me to said product?

www.scan.co.uk/todayonly - ATMT offer.

[mt50]

Waaaaaay too much work for what it is, thats essentially what my brother has and a whole PC just to watch avis is excessive.

Thats the problem i have with my xbox, it does the job but its big and heavy and cables and controllers etc, and only 2gig of space for vids.

Surely a single small device exists that does the simple task? I think i've seen it but i'm not sure

i have got a modded xbox that i use for xvid of TV shows, i 've got a larger HDD in it so you can keep a load of shows on, set it to boot to XMBC and buy yourself a DVD remote and thats all you need total cost £50 with a nice large HDD. maybe add a wireless thingy so no wires to your router/pc

deffo the cheapest setup and it's works ace. IMO

[Marcos]

Do you have a storage server?

I use a Hauppauge MVP box, cost about 40 quid. It is network booting and has no on-board storage and so depends on a server. My server is a Linux box so I am limited to mpegs, but I believe the windows server it ships with can transcode divx to mpeg on the server and so play those as well.

Its advantage is that it is small and fanless.

Looking for something simple like this:

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/produ...oductID=433413

But preferably with just a 2.5" drive, the less cables the better.

[Marcos]

www.scan.co.uk/todayonly - ATMT offer.

Is it this?

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/produ...oductID=433413

Thats along the right line, does a smaller device exist? I don't need any more than 20GB at a time. But at least this product is close. Thought it may have been cheaper though (not a complaint at scan, i just thought the technology would be cheaper by now)

[Marcos]

i have got a modded xbox that i use for xvid of TV shows, i 've got a larger HDD in it so you can keep a load of shows on, set it to boot to XMBC and buy yourself a DVD remote and thats all you need total cost £50 with a nice large HDD. maybe add a wireless thingy so no wires to your router/pc

deffo the cheapest setup and it's works ace. IMO

Yeah the xbox does a decent job, but i don't know how to install a larger drive without a modchip, i've only softmodded mine.

A small device like this:

http://forums.hexus.net/showthread.php?t=75841

that could possibly run on batts and output avi through a scart or phono.

Cause i'm a student i'd be taking it and plugging it into different Tvs in different rooms and houses, wherever i'd happen to want to watch something. rather than having a hefty box that takes a bit of setting up and is set-top style.

Maybe i'm just asking for too much at this time ,

[Marcos]

HERE WE GO:

http://www.cclonline.com/products/HDD3109/eshot0067

This is what i'm talking about, although it still requires AC power, but at least its a smaller cheaper device.

And it came with a free 30GB hd at one point, shame i missed out. Best solution i've found

[ash_rm]

That does look like a nice device.

I suppose it depends on what you want, since as you say you want something small.

Personally I'd just spend the money on a 250GB IDE drive and upgrade your XBOX + have some spare change. Have a look at some of the guides on Xbox Scene.

With the Xbox and XBMC you've got loads of advantages such as streaming videos, music and pictures across your network and from the internet. Good quality playback of video files and the fact that XBMC is always being updated and will more likely be able to support future codecs. More connectivity options, such as RGB Scart, S-Video and Component + HDTV output.

[Marcos]

I've just set up my PS2 to play divx movies from a laptop drive in a usb enclosure, no extra power required.

Handles all current divx, perfect for watching series etc since my PS2 is always available and plugged in, and doesn't need crazy good quality since its just some TV.

I think it'll be good, it'll do for now at least.

Now to sell my xbox