Like an Ipod Shuffle, but for video?

August 11, 2006 10:15 AM

I want something that has a few gigs of flash memory and video output to watch video on my TV. Any suggestions?

Does anyone know of a cheap, flash-based video player, preferably even without a screen? I'm looking for a gadget that I can fill up with video files from my computer onto flash memory, and then connect to a television to play them. Right now I burn television shows I record on my computer in DivX and then run them to my DivX-compatable DVD player - but all the junked DVDs makes me think there must be a better way. I've also got a wireless Dlink video player, but it's garbage.

I'd really just like a little gadget that has a few gigs of storage, some simple controls, and video output - no screen is necessary, since I'll be using a TV. I don't mind refilling it regularly from my main computer with new video files.

posted by fcain to computers & internet (10 comments total)

this sounds like a job for an xbox with xbmc. i've had one for two years now and i don't know how i ever lived without it. it's not little, but it's both probably the cheapest and most robust option. you can set it up wirelessly to play videos off your computer without even transferring them... it's probably what you wished the dlink player was.
posted by noloveforned at 10:25 AM on August 11, 2006

Why not buy a video card that supports multiple monitors of different sizes and has video-out? Then you can set your TV as a second monitor and watch TV on it while using your computer at the same time. Or, if the computer and TV aren't going to be used at the same time, you don't even need a card that supports two monitors simultaneously, just one with video out.
posted by solid-one-love at 10:40 AM on August 11, 2006

Personally, I use this device that converts VGA to s-Video, and I just run that into the TV. Not exactly what you were asking, but I bet you can buy a DivX capable machine for a lot less than an xBox...
posted by Squid Voltaire at 10:45 AM on August 11, 2006

I do wish I'd gone with the xbmc over the dlink. And I may still build one. And I do have a TV connected as a second monitor through my computer using an HDMI connection, but it's such a hassle, dragging the window back and forth. But that only works when my computer is right next to the television. Not to mention, it all drives my wife berserk with cable loathing.

I can't believe a device like this doesn't exist.
posted by fcain at 10:51 AM on August 11, 2006

Oh, well, hell. Fraser Cain. Long time, no see.
posted by solid-one-love at 11:11 AM on August 11, 2006

It does exist. You're looking for an external hard drive enclosure/network attached storage device with video out. Like this.

There doesn't seem to be a standard name for these things, but searching for "HDD media player" or "external drive enclosure tv out" should give you an idea of what's available.
posted by cnelson at 11:20 AM on August 11, 2006 [1 favorite]

It does exist, but it's not flash memory, it's a small hardrive. I have one and it works great for any source other than High Definition TV (it stutters a little on full High Def. signals). It coverts every conceivable kind of video format on board -- you just attach it to your PC, drag over the files, and then attach it to the TV to play -- and plays through s-video, composite video or even component video outs. It upconverts everything to appropriate video signals and looks great. It even has a little remote.
posted by The Bellman at 11:41 AM on August 11, 2006

I have a MediaGate MG25. It takes a 2.5" harddisk like cnelson describes above. Unfortunately, it has no facility for running off battery, but you could slap a flash disk like this into it and maybe rig up some sort of battery power yourself...
posted by xiojason at 12:18 PM on August 11, 2006

It sounds like the MediaGate is almost perfect. I found a few on Ebay reasonably priced. Thanks for the suggestion!
posted by fcain at 12:51 PM on August 11, 2006

Check out the Neuros MPEG-4 Recorder 2.

It needs no PC, accepts Compact Flash or SD memory cards and can record or play back MPEG-4 video streams. It also has a USB port that makes it look like a flash card reader in case you don't have one of those to read/write the cards. It costs about $150, comes with a remote and its UI is entirely video-based.
posted by todbot at 1:07 PM on August 11, 2006