DVP 5990 and Exteranal HDs

[Wanderlustus]

Hey folks, can anyone reccomend an exteranl HD for my standalone? I see lots of "deals" in the adverts, but really unsure of what's a good grab.

And if some kind soul could point out the forum thread that deals with externals for standalones, I'd appreciate it.

[edDV]

The basics to help you search for details:

1. The drive partition must be formatted FAT32. Normally a FAT32 partition is limited to 30GB.
Software exists to get around this limitation.

2. FAT32 file sizes are limited to either 2 or 4GB depending on the device.

3. DVD Players have limited file structures and number of files they can list. This often causes readable file names to run out before the disk fills.

4. File names are often limited to 8 letters.

I'm away from my DVP 5992 right now so can't get further into details.

[Wanderlustus]

Thanks mate. #3 seems a royal pain, as does #4. Guess I have a bit of reading to do before making a purchase.

[jagabo]

The Philips 5990 and 5992 display 14 characters of the filename. You can get modified firmware that displays more -- about 40. They also support up to 300 folders with up to 648 files each.

[jman98]

Additionally we've had reports that if the external drive does not have it's own power source it may not work. External enclosures with their own power supply give you the best chance of success. A non-powered drive may work if it is a smaller form factor drive, but I don't remember any more than having read that here.

[s-toon]

check this out. http://forum.videohelp.com/topic366474.html

any questions let me know. I did not have to modify the 1tb hdd i bought. i just got it out of the box uploaded pics, videos, and music, according to the specs that the dvd player could support and they all played. the hdd was already fat32. You pretty much get a 1tb hdd that is allready fat32 so just upload your stuff to it and your set.

[cal_tony]

MY suggestion for an External Self Powered disk would be one with Esata support. ( much faster to load files from computer)

Next would be to find formats for the files you want to view before you start to load bunches of them.

Tony

[jagabo]

an External Self Powered disk

Yes, the USB port on the Philips players don't supply as much power as a PC USB port. If you must have a USB powered drive one with 2.5 inch laptop drive is your safest bet.

[Wanderlustus]

The Philips 5990 and 5992 display 14 characters of the filename. You can get modified firmware that displays more -- about 40. They also support up to 300 folders with up to 648 files each.

Yeah, I did know that about the 5990, Jag, I thought he was on about the limitations of EHDs. But your post makes me feel more secure about purchasing said thing.

[Wanderlustus]

check this out. http://forum.videohelp.com/topic366474.html

any questions let me know. I did not have to modify the 1tb hdd i bought. i just got it out of the box uploaded pics, videos, and music, according to the specs that the dvd player could support and they all played. the hdd was already fat32. You pretty much get a 1tb hdd that is allready fat32 so just upload your stuff to it and your set.

So, s-toon, what did you end up with in file totals on your EHD? Your last post in the suggested thread was in April of last year. very informative stuff.

[Wanderlustus]

Yes, the USB port on the Philips players don't supply as much power as a PC USB port. If you must have a USB powered drive one with 2.5 inch laptop drive is your safest bet.

Hey Jag, why is the 2.5 lappie drive to be prefered over the 3.5 ones? I'm looking a 1 terabyte sold at Futileshop for $99. Has it's own power source, and the reviews look pretty good. Mind taking a look?

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...gon=&langid=EN

Wait, are outside links allowed on this site? I can't remember.

[jagabo]

Hey Jag, why is the 2.5 lappie drive to be prefered over the 3.5 ones? I'm looking a 1 terabyte sold at Futileshop for $99. Seems to have it's own power source. Mind taking a look?

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...gon=&langid=EN

2.5 inch laptop drives require less power. The Philips Divx/DVD players don't supply enough power for many USB powered 3.5" drives. If you're getting a drive with its own power supply that's not an issue.

[KBeee]

USB is limited to 0.5A, so if the HDD needs more you're buggered

[Wanderlustus]

Thanks again Jag. You too KBee. Methinks I'm going to grab this one, as the price is certainly right. Apparetnly one has to re-set the drive to FAT32 and all, but from what I've read it's a small issue.

[jagabo]

USB is limited to 0.5A, so if the HDD needs more you're buggered

The Philips players supply even less. Presumably that's why they don't claim USB hard drive support.

[s-toon]

So, s-toon, what did you end up with in file totals on your EHD? Your last post in the suggested thread was in April of last year. very informative stuff.

1,294 jpg files between 2 folders + 45 avi files between 31 folders
http://forum.videohelp.com/threads/3...90-37-question

Will reply tomorrow with total number of files/folders im using now. I'm at work and can't remember of the top of my head, but do know that im about 400-500GB used up on my 1TB HDD with nothing but avi files.

YES IT WILL READ MORE THEN 648 FILES. Will it support more then 300 folders, idk. I did not test that out as I do not need that many folders.

[s-toon]

ok so here it is.

I am using a Western Digital 1TB My Book.

Pics.

Main. How I have my set up. 1 Folder for Movies, Tv Shows, Anime, and Cartoons.


My Book Properties.

523 gb used
408 gb free
931 gb total

Movies Properties.

1 movies
26 folders
173 files

Tv Shows Properties

1 tv shows
57 folders
481 files

Anime Properties

1 anime
51 folders
497 files

Cartoons Properties

1 cartoons
102 folders
788 files

240 total folders
1,939 total files

Inside the Tv Shows Folder (Main folder for tv shows and as you can see there are 26 sub folders a-z)


Inside the S folder inside the main Tv Shows folder. (1 sub folder for tv show Smallville)


Inisde the Smallville sub folder under the S folder in the Tv Shows main folder (9 sub folders for seasons 1-9)


Inside Season 1 of Smallville folder, that is in the S folder, and that is in the Tv Show main folder. (avi files of the complete season 1 for Smallville)


That is how I have my set up for Tv Shows, Anime, and Cartoons. Movies folder is alot simpler. Just a main folder for movies and 26 sub folders (a-z). I just stick a movie where it goes in a-z by alphabetical order.

Any questions and I will try my best to answer them.

[Wanderlustus]

Thanks for all the info, S-toon. Makes me wonder where the (mis)understanding of the external FAT32 limitations come from.

So, I'm guessing you're pretty damn happy with your choice of EHD, eh? Might just play it safe and buy the very thing.

One other thing: how quiet does this run?

[cal_tony]

I have a number of DVDs on my hard disks in Video TS form. I have not had any problems yet, but right now each movie has a Movie title folder, a Video ts folder and an Audio TS folder. All that is really needed is the movie folder. So I could cut back my folders by 2/3s if needed.

Tony