Best way to watch DivX movies on TV in bedroom?

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  ThePensioner on 23/08/2012 - 01:35

  is there a set of possible solutions i can look at, like a gallery?

  thanks

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  scrimshaw on 23/08/2012 - 03:14

  If on a really tight budget, could try a generic DIVX player:

  http://www.google.com.au/search?tbm=shop&q=divx+media+player…

  There are some caveats with buying a cheap DIVX player though, mainly that they don't support a lot of file formats (some cheap ones don't play back MKV files) and may have issues with audio sync.

  WD TV Live is a good option for $88. In fact that's probably your best budget option.

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  dazamaz on 23/08/2012 - 08:07

  I bought the Boxee Box by D-Link for this solution. Cost ~$200 but plays more file formats than the WD Live, I am yet to find a file format I couldn't play.
  The other reason I went with the boxee over WD is I was just after a simple media streamer that worked via samba shares (windows network share) and the boxee does this well. From my research you have to install software on all the PC's you want to stream media from, personally this wasn't a very good selling point. WD Live also uses DLNA to scan/stream media, which from my experiences of streaming media to my PS3 is not the most efficient method if you have a large collection of media

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  battler on 23/08/2012 - 08:57

  +2

  You say you are looking to buy a new TV… most new TVs will have a USB playback facility that will play DivX from a USB stick.

  It is the simplest solution and avoids the need for another appliance….
  but note that whilst a USB enabled TV will play back from USB same as a WDTV Live will, the WDTV will probably have better compatibility with (a) a wider range of formats (codecs) and (b) high definition files.

  (I assume that although you don't have a laptop you have another computer elsewhere where you store all these DivX files, so just copy the one(s) you want to watch onto USB stick, plug into TV and press play on remote.)

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  maxsdadda on 23/08/2012 - 11:19

  I agree with Battler, a TV with a USB input will be your cheapest option.

  I've just come back from holidays and took a laptop with a portable hdd (1tb 2.5 inch) and as it turns out, plugging the hard drive into the tv worked just fine and played almost all files. MKV's played but no sound.

  Networking is your best option though, coupled with the wd media player, networking will share the internet connection too (you can watch youtube etc on the wd's), or even a ps3 will play divx directly from usb too and has wifi and a web browser and a bluray player And apparently plays games too :)

  I currently run a full gigabit network in my house with a file server, running to ps3 (using ps3 media server), running to ipad and iphones (Using stream to me), running to 3 x wd media players and also running to 2 tv's in other rooms (1 outside).
  The easy way to network without running the cables is to get the ethernet over power plugs.
  Basically you plug a tiny box into a power point and plug in your network cable and it turns your house circuit into network cable. You then plug another tiny box in the other end where you want to receive the data and it picks up.
  My old man is using the power point network and it's fine for streaming divx and sharing internet, where you have trouble is the higher quality (a few gig plus) bluray rips that stutter on slower network speeds. You can get them quite quick now (500 meg a sec or more) but they cost more.
  MSY is doing a deal on a DIR-623 (Which is a wireless router and modem in one) and you get a free wifi dongle or a free network to power starter pack.
  Hope I've not given you too much info, but it really depends on your budget.

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  batrarobin on 23/08/2012 - 19:07

  If you still decide on buying a TV without USB support, read my comment here for another solution :

  http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/78065#comment-999455