How To Watch New Files on Old TV?

JH100 on 11/04/2016 - 15:09

Some of you may have heard the new standard for torrent releases is to be .mkv (etc) - https://torrentfreak.com/pirates-frustrated-after-tv-release… - and HEVC x265 is also growing in use.

I usually just plug in a usb stick to my old TV, not smart, and sometimes it doesn't play a mkv file so I convert it to Mp4, but the prevalence of mkv files is going to grow and with it probably the ratio of unplayable files. I would also like to be able to use HEVC as they are becoming more prevalent too, they are also smaller size files.

Is there something I can do or get to plug my usb stick into that makes these mkv and HEVC files playable on my old TV?

Cheap, simple and portable is desirable. If anyone can help.

Thanks …

Entertainment

Comments

  • bonezAU on 11/04/2016 - 15:17
    +2

    You can get Android based media players that don't cost too much.

    Something like these should do what you need:

    http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/MXIII-Android-4-4-Quad-Core-Smart…

    http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/4K-Android-4-4-Quad-Core-8GB-XBMC…

    Just be sure to read reviews before you buy because some of them are steaming piles of junk.

    • JH100 on 11/04/2016 - 15:46

      Thanks Bonez, I'll have a look.

  • miarn on 11/04/2016 - 15:31
    +2

    Is there something I can do

    Pay for the content you watch?

    • SirFlibbled on 11/04/2016 - 16:26

      Between Hulu and Netflix I barely need to use Channel BT anymore.

    • spackbace on 11/04/2016 - 21:47

      You getting Amazon prime for top gear? ;)

      • miarn on 11/04/2016 - 21:53

        Nope, because I lost interest in top gear a while ago. If it's good I might pick it up on br

  • AMLagonda on 11/04/2016 - 17:33

    Wouldn't a chromecast be easier?

    • JH100 on 11/04/2016 - 17:44

      It might be if wifi was working in the house, but it's not and so far unfixable.

  • spackbace on 11/04/2016 - 18:21

    WDTV/Apple TV. Don't necessarily need the wifi connection, can be used as a simple media player, but will play everything you throw at them

    • JH100 on 11/04/2016 - 19:08

      Looks like it does mkv but not x265 HEVC. http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=1270#Tab3

      • spackbace on 11/04/2016 - 20:34

        Can't say I've encountered that codec…

        • JH100 on 11/04/2016 - 21:45

          It seems to be reasonably new, and showing up more frequently recently. Small files at same quality for twice the size.

        • spackbace on 11/04/2016 - 21:46

          @JH100:

          Would take a while for a new codec to gain momentum amongst scene groups

        • JH100 on 11/04/2016 - 21:47

          @Spackbace:

          By new I mean a couple/few years. It's catching on.

  • tonyjzx on 11/04/2016 - 19:31

    I use an old laptop. These issues dont affect me.

  • PVA on 11/04/2016 - 19:35

    convert the format to something the TV plays.
    use something free like Any Video Convertor, its free.

    or do what they recommend - the ETTV group advises TV-show downloaders to convert the videos to MP4 themselves if they want, pointing them to the free Rebox tool that can do this in a few seconds.

  • PJC on 11/04/2016 - 20:02

    Kaiser Baas Media Hub?

    • JH100 on 11/04/2016 - 21:49

      Will have to look at that, thanks.

      • PVA on 11/04/2016 - 22:35

        they used to be cheap at office works.

  • mingofmongo on 12/04/2016 - 10:14

    Xbox One supports it - can be had on Gumtree for ~ $250 second-hand.
    https://www.facebook.com/x265project/posts/1606292042921208

    • spackbace on 12/04/2016 - 10:33

      As I've found recently, the XB1 sucks when it comes to audio playback on movies and won't do 5.1 on many files. Had to revert back to my WDTV :(

  • Cobalt_ on 12/04/2016 - 15:18

    Considered Kodi running on a Pi2? Cost would be anywhere from $50-100 depending on how you build it.

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