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Portable Video Playback

KleptoKlepto
edited November 2010 in Chit chat
Can anyone suggest a device, cheaper than an Apple type device that is small and can play AVI's etc? I want to be able to watch British TV downloads without annoying everybody else. I just want something with a good screen and decent build quality. There seem to be a lot of these devices around but some of them are really cheap and nasty.
Post edited by Klepto on

Comments

  • AndyCAndyC
    edited October 2010
    I've got an old Zune 80, which does a pretty good job. Although these days I suspect you're better off looking for a decent smartphone than buying a standalone player. Well, that or a netbook, depending on where you're likely to be using it.
  • KleptoKlepto
    edited October 2010
    AndyC wrote: »
    I've got an old Zune 80, which does a pretty good job. Although these days I suspect you're better off looking for a decent smartphone than buying a standalone player. Well, that or a netbook, depending on where you're likely to be using it.

    Yeah, I've been looking at the Zune's. Seems like a good bet.
  • ewgfewgf
    edited October 2010
    The PSP is good for that, but (and here's the b*st*rd thing) it needs to be modded, and this can be a real git to do.

    The quality of the PSP's screen is very good for films (and photos and games), but the sound quality isn't too good, but you'll probably want to use earphones anyway so that's OK. Plus you can play PSP games on it of course (there are some good ones, but not many if you ask me), and some brilliant emulators, so I'd recommend one without hesitation provided you can get one that's (a) modded and (b) running the right firmware.

    That's the trouble - my own PSP is on it's way out (I use it only for Spectrum emulation and ebook reading, and it's excellent for both purposes), and I can't locally find a modded one, so either I have to buy one and manually mod it (which means messing about with the Pandora battery:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_Portable_homebrew

    and these tasks usually turn out to be far more difficult than they first appear to be), or I have to risk buying it from an online site who might just take my money and run.

    So basically, I'd heartily recommend a modded PSP, provided you can get one and provided it runs the right firmware, which might prove problematic for you. How I wish the PSP was open like the PC...
  • rich_chandlerrich_chandler
    edited October 2010
    ewgf wrote: »
    The PSP is good for that, but (and here's the b*st*rd thing) it needs to be modded, and this can be a real git to do.
    Absolute rubbish.

    MY son has a PSP and has downloaded video files which I have run through a converter and all happily play on his unmodded PSP.

    IIRC he has downloaded all manner of video formats all of which I have successfully converted for him.
    I wanna tell you a story 'bout a woman I know...
  • KleptoKlepto
    edited October 2010
    Well, I think a Zune will be good enough for my requirements. Wish I hadn't got rid of my GP2X though!
  • Scottie_ukScottie_uk
    edited October 2010
    An unlikely contender but try Binatone. :)

    http://teleguru.in/2010/09/binatone-launches-android-touch-tablet-at-half-the-market-rate/

    http://www.3g.co.uk/PR/Sept2010/binatone-launch-homesurf-tablets-at-low-prices.html
    Calling all ASCII Art Architects Visit the WOS Wall of Text and contribute: https://www.yourworldoftext.com/wos
  • KleptoKlepto
    edited October 2010
    Scottie_uk wrote: »
    An unlikely contender but try Binatone. :)

    http://teleguru.in/2010/09/binatone-launches-android-touch-tablet-at-half-the-market-rate/

    http://www.3g.co.uk/PR/Sept2010/binatone-launch-homesurf-tablets-at-low-prices.html

    Maybe if I was in India. Interesting though especially if it get's released over here eventually.
  • ewgfewgf
    edited October 2010
    karingal wrote: »
    Absolute rubbish.

    Good ol' genteel karingal....

    MY son has a PSP and has downloaded video files which I have run through a converter and all happily play on his unmodded PSP.

    IIRC he has downloaded all manner of video formats all of which I have successfully converted for him.

    Alright, maybe you're right and an ummodded PSP can play video files, I don't know that, as I've only tried to play them on my modded PSP, but you definitely need the PSP to be modded to run the emulutors, e-book reader, or any other non-official PSP exectutables.

    Still, if Klepto just wants to run video files and isn't bothered about anything else, then if Karingal's right (I presume he is) then a PSP might well be what he needs.
  • KleptoKlepto
    edited October 2010
    Think I can get a Zune cheaper than a PSP though and I don't really want all the other stuff. I just want to be able to watch videos.
  • Mr HelpmanMr Helpman
    edited November 2010
    I had a sony nwz s630f for about a year and a half, but the hold button has broken, so I can no longer use it and have gone back to using a more basic MP3 player. One thing I miss, is being able to watch BBC IPlayer shows on the bus. Does anyone know the cheapest ok quality video/MP3 player that plays BBC IPlayer?
  • rich_chandlerrich_chandler
    edited November 2010
    ewgf wrote: »
    then if Karingal's right (I presume he is)
    Of course I'm right, didn't you see my lips move?
    I wanna tell you a story 'bout a woman I know...
  • ewgfewgf
    edited November 2010
    karingal wrote: »
    Of course I'm right, didn't you see my lips move?

    What, you mean you have to mouth the words when you type them? I thought you only had to do that when you were reading :p
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