Have you ever dreamed of watching on the big screen not only dull TV shows, but also your favorite movies, remembering the warm moments of life captured in photos, listening to tracks that are pleasant to your heart? Maybe you want to get hold of a whole home theater with an amplifier and FullHD image? Then you definitely need to make a choice of a media player, which, in addition to the above functions, can satisfy other wishes.
Most popular connection interfaces
- RCA (aka composite, aka “tulip”) is the most terrible way to transmit a video signal through a single line, however, it is usually used on older TVs with a CRT tube.
- The component looks the same as the composite, but the main difference is the three wires, which, in turn, significantly improves the signal quality. The most optimal analog option.
- HDMI is the most popular modern input transmitting a digital signal. All modern LCD and plasma TVs are equipped with it (due to the high quality of transmission). All of the following models have an HDMI input.
Video Format Support
100% of modern players support H.264, MPEG1 / 2, Divx and Xvid codecs. Again, all the players presented in the review fully support the DVD-ROM format with menus and other “goodies”, HD codecs (MP2, VC1, H.264 / AVC), Blu-ray disc images, photos and music. When choosing a media player, pay attention to the formats that it supports.
Choosing a Network Media Player
Many buyers do not pay attention to the presence / absence of network capabilities, but in vain! After all, they make it possible to play video from a computer, network storage or even from the Internet. The highest network performance will be obtained with a combination: wireless WiFi 802.11n (namely the n-version, the most modern and fastest) + wired LAN port (consider its availability when choosing a media player).
So, we will go from the initial price tag and in the TOP. Go!
Asus
O ! Play Mini is a workhorse for 82 cu, which, due to its price segment, does not have a built-in hard drive and does not support the network. But she boasts the ability to play any video in the highest quality without “brakes”. There is also one USB v2.0 port, support for SD memory cards, composite input and
analog sound (RCA), as well as HDMI for connecting to modern thin TVs on which it will reveal its true potential if your choice of a media player ends with the purchase of this model.
Asus O ! Play Mini Plus - “pumped” version of the previous candidate, which receives network capabilities and a price of 117 cu Both wired and wireless interfaces are available, which significantly adds functionality.
Digma HDMP -311 is a player whose main feature is that it can act as a NAS (network attached storage), which can be accessed and used by other devices on the network, such as computers. It has a component input, and this, as we recall, is the most advanced analog, SATA port for connecting a 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch hard disk, which is closed with a rubber plug for security. There is both WiFi and a LAN module. All this happiness can be obtained for 130 cu
Iconbit XDS 8003 D - A top-end device for 140 cu, providing a huge range of features, ranging from support for Blu-ray 3D and connecting a keyboard with a mouse, and ending with the presence of as many as four (!) USB ports and a programmable remote control.
Now, if you need a media player, making a choice will be easier.