Multimedia device with PS3 like capibilities

[Coops19]

hi all,

I'm looking at purchasing a multimedia device for the lounge room that can:

- Play Blu-ray/dvds
- Access videos and music off shared drives over a wireless network
- Access Youtube
- Access the Internet

The only device I am away of with such capabilities is the PS3, which is pretty good value for ~$300.

Are there any other comparable devices out there for a similar price? Been looking at a few device makers websites but their not very clear with there tech specs.

Any ideas?

[CrazyMonkey]

WD TV LIVE?

http://wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=330

i think there's a 1TB model floating around for ~$300

edit:

doesn't play blu-rays though...

WD TV LIVE
http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/computer ... yer/657139

WD TV LIVE Hub (1TB)

http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/computer ... yer/632188

[Coops19]

that looks not too bad altough like you mentioned, without bluray

[Chucky]

WDTV Live is fantastic

Then simply buy a Blu Ray player later on (not that you will watch many Blu Rays when you own a WDTV Live)

[steve_rogers42]

yea WD TV Live has been getting some interesting feedback.

I for one use a PS3 + samsung tv, if it doesnt work int he PS, it works on the sammy :3

[ChainsawMcP]

I went with the PS3 in the lounge room - then when we banned the kids and set them up with their own area in the family room I put a second PS3 out there... both can access the media server...

Just a little point - Wireless G isn't quite up to stutter free HD...

[tranquil]

I think WDTV and a cheap standalone blu-ray player might be the way to go. If you want it all in one device then it's either a PS3 or build your own HTPC. HTPC would be the best option imo, but most expensive.

PS3 is great, but you rely on another PC (or NAS) always on to access your media via PS3 Media Server or something similar. Also as chainsaw said, streaming HD content over wireless to the PS3 can be a little dodgy, you can tweak it a little in PS3 Media Server though.

[Fireslide]

Boxee is very very good if you don't care about playing DVDs/Blurays

[LeX]

I use Asus O!play HDP-R1 Media Player (MSY sell them). It plays every file i have thrown at it and plays Bluray ISO's but i haven't worked out how to get menus too work.


This one would do everything you want but probably would be expensive...
http://www.asus.com/Multimedia/Bluray_H ... ay_BDS700/

[Hawker45]

I use Asus O!play HDP-R1 Media Player. It plays every file i have thrown at it and plays Bluray ISO's but i haven't worked out how to get menus too work.

This. The base model Asus sells for around $70 at most retailers and plays nearly every format under the sun.


Sent from my HTC Desire HD A9191 using Tapatalk 2

[Coops19]

thanks for all the replies, think I may end up having to go for a PVR however, the missus wants to record TV, was looking at this:

Topfield TRF7160 http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/home%20theatre/set%20top%20box/topfield-trf7160-500gb-hdd-personal-video-recorder/475738

and perhaps this for blu-ray and youtube:

Samsung BD-E5300/XY - http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/home%20theatre/blu-ray%20player/samsung-bd-e5300-xy-blu-ray-player/665712

[ChainsawMcP]

That's starting to get to the price where a HTPC setup with Blu-ray and TV tuner is in the ballpark...

No monitor required, doesn't need a top of the line processor, only a few gig of memory - not much required in the way of a GPU - in fact you can probably get away with onboard (or onchip) video nowadays... Bluray reader is only $60 - same for a HDTV tuner...

Or even look at a low-end notebook/laptop - and get a built in UPS (although your Blu-ray price goes up a bit for external...)