Want to watch movies thru an external hard drive on my TV

[Joel Hamby]

I don't have the model number of the TV in front of me but it shouldn't matter. I have a library of a mixed bag of video file formats(AVI, MP4, MKV) on an external HD(Western Digital) and want to run it thru an intermediary device(the TV does not support external HDs) that will then be plugged into the TV(HDMI). Should I use a Blu-ray or tablet or laptop? What's cheapest? What will give me the least amount of frustration as far as setup and extra wires needed? Also would like to make this mobile for easy setup at other homes/hotels, as well.

Thank you. I do not wish to format all of my video files to one type so please do not suggest doing so. Please suggest a device that is video format 'friendly'. Please suggest an actual model number and possibly a link to the device, not just "cheap laptop" or "get a tablet".

 

[R_1]

challenge accepted. budget?

 

[Joel Hamby]

challenge accepted. budget?

I suppose $150 would be reasonable. Cheaper would be better but def under $200. This is a gift for someone else. If there's some sort of funky wire/adapter that could be considered obscure, please link that as well.

 

[R_1]

you got it. @ 125.00-130.00 depending on shipping and local taxes
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834261435
i3, 4GB ram, HDMI, USB
only extra cable needed is an HDMI and heres the link
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882021128&cm_re=hdmi-_-82-021-128-_-Product

this has the virtue of being both mobile and easy.

 

[madmatt30]

http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA1NV36G8275&FM=1

That's all you need with kodi installed - no need to spend any more.

 

[Joel Hamby]

you got it. @ 125.00-130.00 depending on shipping and local taxes
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834261435
i3, 4GB ram, HDMI, USB
only extra cable needed is an HDMI and heres the link
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882021128&cm_re=hdmi-_-82-021-128-_-Product

this has the virtue of being both mobile and easy.

Uh oh. Reading the questions/comments on that item lead me to believe that the specs aren't genuine. Many say it has no HDMI port.

 

[Joel Hamby]

http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA1NV36G8275&FM=1

That's all you need with kodi installed - no need to spend any more.

So just run my HD to the MX V and Kodi will recognize the media and play it? That sounds super simple.

 

[madmatt30]

Yes mate - kodi plays ALL file formats - even full bitrate 20gb + bluray rips.

You may want to budget for a little wireless mouse/ keyboard setup as the included remotes are pretty skanky quality.

K410 works perfectly.
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126382&FM=1

 

[Joel Hamby]

Yes mate - kodi plays ALL file formats - even full bitrate 20gb + bluray rips.

You may want to budget for a little wireless mouse/ keyboard setup as the included remotes are pretty skanky quality.

K410 works perfectly.
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126382&FM=1

This is my 2.5" HD: http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236190

and according to this reviewer, 2.5" HDs aren't compatible unless they have external source of power: http/i.imgur.com/1jJI4ZH.png

 

[R_1]

you would need a powered USB hub. the hub will provide the power the device cannot. like this. (example only)
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4UB3AB4265&cm_re=powered_usb_hub-_-9SIA4UB3AB4265-_-Product

 

[Joel Hamby]

you would need a powered USB hub. the hub will provide the power the device cannot. like this. (example only)
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4UB3AB4265&cm_re=powered_usb_hub-_-9SIA4UB3AB4265-_-Product

Thanks for your help. I didn't know those existed.

 

[madmatt30]

Cheaper on amazon with everything preinstalled mate.

http/www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B015QSPWOY/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1453284467&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=android+box&dpPl=1&dpID=51myrWVWa%2BL&ref=plSrch

Also those boxes have triple USB ports - you can buy a powered hub but a twin USB splitter will do the job for powering the drive & is neater .
http/www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00NIGO4NM/ref=mp_s_a_1_9?qid=1453284664&sr=8-9&pi=AC_SX118_SY170_QL70&keywords=usb+splitter

 

[skippy07]

I don't have the model number of the TV in front of me but it shouldn't matter. I have a library of a mixed bag of video file formats(AVI, MP4, MKV) on an external HD(Western Digital) and want to run it thru an intermediary device(the TV does not support external HDs) that will then be plugged into the TV(HDMI). Should I use a Blu-ray or tablet or laptop? What's cheapest? What will give me the least amount of frustration as far as setup and extra wires needed? Also would like to make this mobile for easy setup at other homes/hotels, as well.

Thank you. I do not wish to format all of my video files to one type so please do not suggest doing so. Please suggest a device that is video format 'friendly'. Please suggest an actual model number and possibly a link to the device, not just "cheap laptop" or "get a tablet".

 

[skippy07]

I have been inquiring about the same problem myself as I have many movies in different formats that I didn't want to convert and found out the best way to watch flv, avi, mp4, mpg formats and other formats, is to buy an external media player, which connects to any make television via HDMI cable and connect your external hard drive to the media player. that's it. The external media player are not very expensive.