For those who missed out on this deal, this is the same unit, only even more reduced in price. This is a Stand alone unit, not networked, but works well, quick to boot, and handles most formats with ease. Has HDMI and video out, plays from USB and SD cards and will downscale FHD if you are re-purposing an older Screen. None at Marion S.A. but seem to be plenty at other stores
Many TVs don't support a bunch of widely used codecs, so you have to re-encode just to watch things on them. File extensions are usually the biggest problem with TVs, they tend to have very limited support though it is improving slowly.
(That said my Panasonic plasma seems to support everything under the sun, highly recommended TV)
Samsung F6400 supports everything it seems also, never had a problem.
Not always true, true hd or flac encoded audio don't work on my Samsung TV.
Samsung F6400 supports everything it seems also, never had a problem.
I have the same TV, it definitely does not support everything, and even when it does support a format, it often supports it poorly — e.g. some formats, it doesn't support fast forward/rewind, some it plays stuttering audio.
I've got a 4 year old Samsung TV, forgotten what model. It's probably supported 80% of the stuff I've thrown at it.
But overall I'd rather recommend using a PLEX server with transcoding.
@PainToad:
PainToad, why don't you explain it to us all, instead of sharing somewht useless insults?
Yep - for lower end TVs, quicker file access and a better menu - its processor, while not exactly a supercomputer, is better than the desk calculator chip doing work for the pension many cheaper TVs seem to use. It will do the video processing faster and downrate FHD if the one you are using is just HD or SD, something the viewer won't worry about especially on screens <30 inches at normal sitting distance.
I was looking to re-purpose an old analogue 30" Sony with AV only as a bulletin board at a local community centre, but I can't quickly find how to adjust the photo slide show speed. At this price, I can try hacking on the weekend without risking too much and probably finally realise my DOS script-bunny limitations…
cool thanks :)
i have an XBOX, Sony Blu-ray player and between them they can play pretty much every file i come across so no issues :) was just curious incase i missed something :)
I also find that some TVs and Bluray players baulk due to Cinavia protection when you try to play your own ripped DVDs or Blurays. Very annoying to have your own paid-for content and not be able to play it from your server or hard disk.
Many TVs have absolutely awful interfaces when it comes to USB playback. My Soniq TV are horrible and lose audio sync if a TV show is too long, even if it was recorded with its own PVR! My LG TV has an OK USB playback which supports MKV and 1080p, but you have to fast-forward, you can't jump direct to a specific time, which is annoying if you just want to jump to the end of a two hour movie or a three hour sport recording. Most dedicated media boxes allow you to jump directly to a specific time.
Some TVs don't have subtitle support. No idea if this Kaiser Baas does but I just bought one for the spare room, so I'll give it a go.
"play your own ripped DVDs or Blurays" annoying yes, PS3 is the same for cinavia - but you legally are not allowed to rip your own disks anyway.
Of course you're allowed to rip your own disks. Just for backup purposes only.
@BTRaynes:
Not legally. Even for backup. cds you can, to make mp3s, but not commercial dvd or bluray.
@PVA:
Legally backing-up (clarifying) your point:
Copying & Converting Formats for Private Use
Music: Copying CDs, MP3's, Cassettes & Records
Source: www.copyright.org.au
The reviews for it aren't good
These are actually very handy if you dont have a chromecast/plex/roku etc and play content from USB.
From someone that has a RAID/Mac Mini w/Plex setup, highly still recommend this.
Bought one to take on holidays due to the portability, and very happy with it. Able to play full 1080p mkvs no problems.
Got one for Dad for $50-ish. Idiot proof. Works a treat.
This… great to set up the parents, etc. No silly online stuff or too many features for them to get lost in!
any benefit over just using a TV's USB port where available?