Hi Everyone - USB Question

[HiTekRedNeck]

I am looking for a TV for my camper that supports USB Video Input. I have a DVD player that plays my Flash Drives with .vob files. So there must be a 24" TV that will play them. TV manufacturers are shooting themselves in the foot by not adding this feature. I don't care to look at Photos on my TV ): .... That's like putting an 8 track player in a F-16 Jet.

[jagabo]

TV's with built in players are usually very picky about what files they will play. Look for any "smart TV". Or even better, get a small media player like the Western Digital WDTV series. They're much more flexible and will cost you less than the addition cost of a smart TV over a base TV.

[HiTekRedNeck]

Thanks Jagabo. I had to try a lot of different file formats to find one that plays on a DVD Player. VOB is the one that seems to work, or also iDvd format. Maybe I'll look for a portable player.

[turk690]

It's entirely possible for any current TV to be made with USB with a view to watching compatible files off a memory device connected to it. But, manufacturers have made neat little partitions in this regard: DVD and blu-ray players, and bigger TVs (>42" or so) have USB inputs; smaller TVs, no. That's tough.... but that's because they can

[HiTekRedNeck]

I have a 24" TV with USB input, but its a saddle on a sow....only plays photos. Hell I can do that on a Etch-A Sketch....LOL

[jagabo]

Vizio has a 24" TV that can play video from the USB port:

http://www.amazon.com/VIZIO-E241i-A1-24-Inch-1080p-Smart/dp/B00BF9MZ44/

At least one reviewer at Amazon says:

I have used a memory stick in the USB port several times to play movies, it will play the most common formats.

Samsung has one too:

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-T24B750KD-24-Inch-Smart-Monitor/dp/B00BJBTU5K/

[yoda313]

That's like putting an 8 track player in a F-16 Jet.

I don't want to sound to uppity or whatever but dvd vob isn't excatly the latest and greatest either. And I hate to say it but the f16 has one foot out the door also (The f35 lightning I think is the latest generation fighter jet fyi).

But you're more likely to need something that plays h264 video down the road. And h265 just came out but that will take years to integrate into the market.

Just be aware that as has been mentioned earlier tv systems are probably the most picky about formats and file restrictions.

I would personally look for a non smart tv in the range your looking at and put the savings toward a wdtv model or something similar. Than you'll be able to play virtually anything off a harddrive or usb stick. You can buy used too if you want and save even more.

Best thing is something like a wdtv or a boxee box is they are small so they don't take up much space (since you mention a camper). A large usb memory stick or a couple tb usb hdd would reduce clutter by limiting the attachments you would need. Though to be on the safe side get a powered usb hdd if you go the hdd route.

Edit - just be careful if you go with something less powerful like a roku. Depending on the model they don't have much in the way of file support. Read carefully before you buy a non wdtv unit.

Another option is a bluray player that plays files off a usb drive. However they also will have some file restrictions and scenarios it doesn't like - like certain audio formats or codecs it may or may not support.

Edit 2 - I see jagabo also suggested the route of non-smart tv and a wdtv. This would be the most flexible and probably cost effective route to take.

[HiTekRedNeck]

Thanks Guys. I looked at the Vizeo 24", and sure enough, it says it plays Video through the USB port also. I think Yoda has a really good point there. Maybe just go that route and get a streamer. I have Apple TVs, but they don't have the USB port.

[jagabo]

Oops, wrong thread.

[yoda313]

I think Yoda has a really good point there. Maybe just go that route and get a streamer. I have Apple TVs, but they don't have the USB port.

Just remember to research the unit before you buy it. You don't want to end up with a box that will have the same restrictions that a "smart tv" would have.

[usually_quiet]

I am looking for a TV for my camper that supports USB Video Input. I have a DVD player that plays my Flash Drives with .vob files. So there must be a 24" TV that will play them. TV manufacturers are shooting themselves in the foot by not adding this feature. I don't care to look at Photos on my TV ): .... That's like putting an 8 track player in a F-16 Jet.

Samsung's C550 T24C550ND is a another 24-inch TV/Monitor that can play video from a USB flash drive. http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-T24C550ND-23-6-Inch-LED-Lit-Monitor/dp/B00C18YUZU Some warehouse clubs sell this model too. The manual says it will play VOB files. I bought an similar Samsung model in May that my mother is using as a bedroom TV and it has been a decent little TV.

TV media players won't play everything that a dedicated media player can plays, and likely won't play DVD image files, but are more versatile than a DVD player for playing video files.

[HiTekRedNeck]

OK, Thanks for that info. I'm going to do some research tomorrow.

[jagabo]

If you're encoding your own files and have control of the properties you'll be fine with a Smart TV. But if you download files from various locations and don't want to waste time reencoding half of them get a good standalone media player. Or use an HTPC.

[HiTekRedNeck]

Looks like a decent WD TV runs about $100.00 at best buy. I was thinking, I could probably use my iPad 32GB and airplay to the TV through Apple TV. I just wouldn't be able to play a Thumb drive. That way I could use MPEG files directly from YouTube and wouldn't have to convert them to .VOB Decisions Decisions Decisions

[jagabo]

I could probably use my iPad 32GB and airplay to the TV through Apple TV.

You'll be limited to what the iPad and AppleTV support. Try playing an MKV file.

[HiTekRedNeck]

OK, Here are some at Best Buy

[yoda313]

The first model on the page looks good and even has built in wifi. Though of course lan would be best to ensure 100% stability.

I'm surprised it doesn't say "live" in the title as the older models that don't say "live" didn't have any internet connectivity.

Just as an aside I'd read up on the cheapest wdtv model listed and see if it supports netflix or amazon or hulu if that is important to you. I believe some of the internet models don't have those apps available but you'd have to read carefully before buying to see which ones those are (though they do have firmware updates from time to time so older models might have gotten those channels).

[jagabo]

Compare: http://www.wdc.com/en/products/homeentertainment/mediaplayers/

The $58 one is a "TV Play", not a "WD TV Live". No MPEG 2 or DTS support!

[yoda313]

Compare: http://www.wdc.com/en/products/homeentertainment/mediaplayers/

The $58 one is a "TV Play", not a "WD TV Live". No MPEG 2 or DTS support!

Thanks for pointing that out.

The dts shouldn't be a problem so long as it still does pass-through to the amp.

Mpeg2 would be a bummer though - is that to save money on the licensing of the codec?

[jagabo]

Mpeg2 would be a bummer though - is that to save money on the licensing of the codec?

Probably.

[theewizard]

my Sony media player, plays vobs, avi etc.. and netflix and amazon and several others, my old laptop did not have HDMI
my new laptop does have HDMI

media player menus leave something to be desired, but it does work

[lordsmurf]

I need something to stream ISO files.
WDTV Live is the current winner, but $100+

[yoda313]

I need something to stream ISO files.
WDTV Live is the current winner, but $100+

Check ebay or amazon for used ones.

Barring that what about a cheap roku? Aren't they dlna? Is iso part of the dlna spec? Probably not but I'd look into it. You might be able to go on the cheap with it if thats possible.

Though watch out for the first and second gen rokus that are 720p only. I'm not sure if the lite models are 720p only also. Check into those as a possiblity.