Need a Good Streaming Media Player

frostman on 31/12/2016 - 19:42
Last edited 31/12/2016 - 23:02 by 1 other user

I've been using the WD Live HD Media Player for around 8 years, it recently stopped working and kicked the bucket.

I only recently found out after its demise that good media players are hard to come by.

The good thing about the WD player was that:

a.) It had an external USB port to play direct from USB stick or USB HDD
b.) It played almost every file format and container like MKV, AVI, Mp4, etc

Now they don't sell these anymore and all I get when I google media players is the damned Apple TV which doesn't have a USB port for playback, forces you to get ITunes and you need to home stream from a computer.

Do you guys know of any media players around?

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • Edsanwong on 31/12/2016 - 19:44

    Xiaomi mi box 3. About $100.

  • ggkfc on 31/12/2016 - 20:05
    +2

    Chromecast + Plex

    • [Deactivated] on 31/12/2016 - 21:37

      This.

    • BensonP on 31/12/2016 - 22:02
      +1

      +1

      If you have a smart TV you may not need a Chromecast.

      I use Plex and it's fantastic.

      • frostman on 01/01/2017 - 12:00

        So you install Plex on your Computer where the videos are located and just browse the Smart TV to the Plex library?

        • BensonP on 01/01/2017 - 15:45

          Yeah you install Plex on your computer and create a playlist, just telling Plex where the files are. You can create folders for TV Shows and sub folders for seasons. Takes a good 20 minutes depending on the amount of TV.

          Then connect through your TV and enjoy.

        • ggkfc on 02/01/2017 - 12:24

          @BensonP:

          Main advantages: ease/convenient

          Set up Plex media server on your PC(with TBs of storage)
          Attach Chromecast to TV, and setup with WIFI

          Then you can play/choose stuff to stream onto TV via your phone

  • zyklotrop on 31/12/2016 - 20:44

    I had the WD player and used it for years. Loved it. Then codecs started changing and it couldn't play some formats anymore. Went to a Raspberry Pi with XBMC which did the same job, but faster, and was getting regular updates. Try a Pi, they are only around $30 and there are a few options for O/S and media players. +1 on ggkfc's suggestion as well, did that too and loved it!

  • Mrbean007 on 31/12/2016 - 22:14

    MINIX u1 if you have decent internet connection can do wonders :)

  • StewBalls on 31/12/2016 - 23:04

    Xbox 360 with Plex (free on consoles).

    • Guru-Choc on 01/01/2017 - 11:19

      Do you need to have a PC on for this to work, and Plex installed on a PC or can it just be on the Xbox360 ? Will it see my external drive hanging off my router because thats where all my media lives.

      TIA

      G

      • StewBalls on 01/01/2017 - 11:36

        You do need the Plex server running to use this method…however, you could conceivably run it from a low power machine like a Raspberry Pi if you don't want to run a full PC just to serve media.

        Playing files locally on the Xbox can be very hit & miss, unfortunately.

        • Guru-Choc on 01/01/2017 - 11:39

          Thanks for the info, I think I'll just grab a pre configured android box and save the pain.

          G

        • frostman on 01/01/2017 - 12:01
          -1

          That's the thing, XBOX can have issues playing various formats :(

        • StewBalls on 01/01/2017 - 12:11
          +1

          @frostman: Not when streaming via Plex…which is very different from local playback.

          For what Guru wants, IME the WD is still the best option…

        • Guru-Choc on 01/01/2017 - 16:14

          @StewBalls:

          Got a WDTV, use it when we go away, great little units. Only thing as pointed out, starting not to play some codec and the remote is just too damn small to be practical :(

          G

        • StewBalls on 01/01/2017 - 21:33

          @Guru-Choc: I'm yet to find a codec that won't play on mine; not to mention the plethora of alternate releases for most scene downloads; but it sounds like you really, really just want to buy something else if you're reaching for justifications like complaining about the remote, so best of luck to you.

        • Guru-Choc on 01/01/2017 - 21:49

          @StewBalls: I find the remote too bloody small to use, simply as that, I don't need to justify my needs to you or anyone else. As stated previously I am not using it at all except for taking away on holidays, it was retired many years ago and I have been thru a few other media players after it. Been using T-Box for quite a while now, but that is dropping sound at the beginning of most movies and TV shows now, and it just randomly turns itself off, so looking for something else. With 2 spare xbox360's in the house I thought it would be a simple solution, obviously not.

          G

        • nafe on 05/01/2017 - 08:53

          @StewBalls:

          x265 doesn't work on WDTV IIRC

  • conzors on 31/12/2016 - 23:28

    Ps4, added bonus of playing games and full internet usage. $300

  • AlienC on 31/12/2016 - 23:51

    Nvidia Shield TV for android mobile games (anywhere from $350 - $500 around about Australian dollars)

    Chromecast

    Xbox One / PS4

    Xiaomi Mi Box

    Laptop or PC of same valu

    Etc

    Take your pick

  • oscargamer on 01/01/2017 - 10:32

    Popcorn hour v10 is good

  • Crownanchor on 01/01/2017 - 13:23

    There are many good media players, lucky for you that the WD died as they are much improved now.

    Even that damned Apple TV in its 4th gen is very good, you can install Plex, stream from DLNA, use the many apps like Crackle, SBS, other catch up, and many news apps, plus a wide variety of music like Pandora and Vevo. There is so much content on Apple TV, and Siri is a great addition. The Apple TV is one of the best media players, its really not essensial to have USB on a media player.

    Alternativley there are Android TV such as Minux or thr MI Box, or other very low cost options available for $35 or higher.

    The Raspberry Pi is another option that is one of the lowest cost media players, especially with the Pi 3 and Kodi or a Plex client installed.

    The Chromecast and others like it is a very popular and low cost option.

    Or you could also use a Bluray player or smart TV if you really need that USB option.

    Its possible and becoming more common to have more than one media player.

    • frostman on 01/01/2017 - 13:44

      Even that damned Apple TV in its 4th gen is very good, you can install Plex, stream from DLNA,

      yeah but arnt I limited by Apple TV codecs? i.e unless it's a apsecial MP4 or Apple format, it won't play

      • Crownanchor on 01/01/2017 - 13:47

        You can install video player apps, and plex so you are not limited to Apple codecs.

        BTW, Plex handles almost everything.

        • frostman on 01/01/2017 - 13:54

          so you install plex on the Apple TV?

        • Crownanchor on 01/01/2017 - 14:05

          @frostman:

          Yes, there is a Plex client app for Apple TV 4 in the app store.

          Infuse is also an interesting app.

          Check out YouTube for Apple TV demos.

  • moar bargains on 01/01/2017 - 14:17

    You could also look at the Fetch TV (Mini for $149 or Mighty for $399 - main difference is that the Mighty can record TV).
    They stream online (e.g. Netflix, catch up TV) and local media (e.g. from your computers). Both have a USB port, and excellent file compatibility.
    I recently got the Mighty, and have been pretty happy with it so far.

    • frostman on 01/01/2017 - 22:28

      cool thanks ill suss it out

  • Guru-Choc on 01/01/2017 - 16:50

    Couple of WDTV on Gumtree for $25, grab them if you like the units.

    G

  • [Deactivated] on 04/01/2017 - 20:18

    Try GOM media player and check out if it works according to your requisite.

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