Help in choosing a media player

[naveenroy]

Hello everyone,

Looking for your valuable inputs in choosing a media player.

Existing setup:
1. TV is in the hall
2. Sony Bluray player in the hall - connected to router using ethernet cable
3. Netflix app not working on bluray player - some problem with DNS service

My requirements:

1. Should play Netflix (already using on computer using DNS service)
2. Have USB connectivity option - play movies off a USB hard drive
3. DLNA option - play movies, music off my computer - connected via ethernet cable
4. Optional - connect with media server like XBMC or Plex
5. Budget - around 7k INR. I can buy the player from the US.
6. RCA audio connections if possible. My amp only has RCA inputs. No digital.

My options:
1. WD TV Live - satisfies all my requirements. Though it cannot connect or use the interface of Plex or XBMC.
2. Roku 3 - satisfies even the requirement of the Plex interface. But cannnot read off a USB drive - AFAIK.
3. Amazon Fire TV - no DLNA. No USB capability.
4. Any other options?

Please help me out in this predicament.

 

[naveenroy]

And in my research, I looked at the Amkette Evo players also. How good are these in playing off a USB drive - 2 TB? NTFS? and also, how are their DLNA capabilities?

 

[rdevakumar]

Hello everyone,


1. WD TV Live - satisfies all my requirements. Though it cannot connect or use the interface of Plex or XBMC.

I am using WDTV Live at home. However, i am not using XMBC / Plex and i don't have any knowledge about them (except that i have tried install them in my PC and tester them in PC - Not tried to link WDTV). I have created simple media shares in my Windows PC and connecting them from WDTV player.

What do you mean 'WDTV cannot connect to XMBC/Plex'?

 

[haisaikat]

And in my research, I looked at the Amkette Evo players also. How good are these in playing off a USB drive - 2 TB? NTFS? and also, how are their DLNA capabilities?

I have evo tv for my in-laws, and while I have not tested DLNA but I can guarantee it will support as much as any android device supports due to the bounty of apps in Play Store which evo tv supports. Evo TV also supports XBMC. However it cannot output HD Audio (DTS-HD MA) so you should have your expectation set accordingly.

In my opinion for serious movie viewing you should consider ASUS OPlay series or WD series, there is a huge fanbase for AC Ryan, Himen B, media players too. Evo TV is more for converting your existing TV in to a smart TV with a All-In-One kind of entertainment / internet outlook.

 

[naveenroy]

Thanks for the replies guys. I finally decided to just move my PC to the hall - connecting the PC to the TV, getting a soundcard with good output and connect it to the amp. All done. Now, moving to the HTPC section to post my queries there.

THanks again!