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Thread: Need a small ISO player

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    Default Need a small ISO player

    I have a bunch of video content that is stored in ISO format.

    I watch this stuff at home courtesy of a couple of ageing Seagate Theatre + units which work just fine.

    Would like to get a small media player to take on trips to play some of that ISO content onto a TV in the caravan.

    Just received a small, cheap unit from fleabay which claimed to play ISO, a claim that turned out to be a bit off target.

    Currently locked in an interesting Chenglish discussion with the vendor.

    Can anyone recommend a small media player for the purpose, preferably in the sub-$100 region, with a proven track record in ISO?

    All it will be required to do is play ISO files from a portable HDD, outputting HDMI to a TV……..none of that other fancy stuff.

    TIA



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    have a look at the WD TV Media Player

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    Quote Originally Posted by fandtm666 View Post
    have a look at the WD TV Media Player
    Thanks for that......quite a few of them on fleabay.....unfortunately the specs suggest that they don't handle ISO:


    Media formats

    AVI (Xvid, AVC, MPEG1/2/4), MPG/
    MPEG, VOB, MKV (h.264, x.264,
    AVC, MPEG1/2/4, VC-1), TS/TP/M2T
    (MPEG1/2/4, AVC, VC-1), MP4/MOV
    (MPEG4, h.264), M2TS, WMV9

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    Hi TD,

    Can't directly recommend this, but it seems to fit the bill. I have a Wintal PVR that has worked flawlessly for years.

    The fact that there's a highway to hell and a stairway to heaven says a lot about the anticipated traffic flow.

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    Thanks enf,

    Looks like the ticket....have just shot off a message to an ebayer to check that it will play ISO files from a HDD........if so, owe you a beer.

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    I just take my lappy with me. Does double duty as a player and 'net surfer.
    I'm out of my mind, but feel free to leave a message...

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    Quote Originally Posted by enf View Post
    Hi TD,

    Can't directly recommend this, but it seems to fit the bill. I have a Wintal PVR that has worked flawlessly for years.

    Checked with two ebayers selling the Micro2+.........both say it will play ISOs.

    Data sheet for the Micro2+ states:


    New Features
    The Micro2+ has several new features as an improvement over the Micro2:

    Automatically resumes playback of media!
    When MICRO2+ is powered off while playing media, media playback is resumed when power is reconnected unlike other players that simply return to standby
    Automatic resume only works when media is located inroot folder of connected storage
    New & Improved User Interface
    Flash Video (FLV) Support
    DVD ISO Playback
    PNG Image Support
    New remote with improved IR performance
    Supports recordings made with the Wintal PVR10HD!

    Looks promising.....it had better be 'cause I just bought one........one of the ebayers was offering 20% off, bringing it down to $63....couldn't resist.

    Will let you know how it pans out..........if it doesn't work, you'll hear the howl of frustration and anguish in Canberra

    Thanks again.

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    Quote Originally Posted by lsemmens View Post
    I just take my lappy with me. Does double duty as a player and 'net surfer.
    Yeah, could do that......but.......I think that watching stuff on a 60" and a 40" at home kinda spoils you for watching it on a 15" when one is out "roughing it"

    You know.......creature comforts and all that sort of thing......

    After 4-5 hours of wading a freezing alpine stream, being able to flop down and watch a movie on a "reasonable" screen becomes one of lifes' little luxuries.
    Last edited by Thala Dan; 17-04-18 at 04:47 PM.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Thala Dan View Post
    ...................................

    Will let you know how it pans out..........if it doesn't work, you'll hear the howl of frustration and anguish in Canberra

    Thanks again.
    I hear those howls every f*cking day over any number of things.......and I'm sure you've howled over a lot more than $63 in your time....

    I'm tempted to get one myself if it works out.
    The fact that there's a highway to hell and a stairway to heaven says a lot about the anticipated traffic flow.

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    these media players, ive bought lots, setup friends with a usb hard drive & 1 of these for movies



    not all play iso, this 1 does & others
    good for kodi if you have the patience
    work well with usb drives & sticks
    only thing is web browsing with the remote, otherwise their great
    even run teamviewer on them & control from a phone or computer
    https://www.facebook.com/philquad68

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    Quote Originally Posted by Philquad View Post
    these media players, ive bought lots, setup friends with a usb hard drive & 1 of these for movies



    not all play iso, this 1 does & others
    good for kodi if you have the patience
    work well with usb drives & sticks
    only thing is web browsing with the remote, otherwise their great
    even run teamviewer on them & control from a phone or computer
    Many thanks......I actually had that one in my watch list on ebay.......was one of the few units that included ISO in its specs.

    Was a bit leary about it though 'cause I know nothing about all this fancy Android/Smart TV stuff, so wasn't sure if it might not be too damn smart for me

    Now you've resurrected it, I'll keep an eye on it..........the Micro2+ I've ordered is for the caravan, but I'm thinking of fitting one up in the Campervan as well.

    Based on what you've said, the X96 might fit that slot....it's cheaper than the Micro2+, so that's a good start.

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    there are better, dearer types
    the 4gb ram looks good but 2x the price
    i find cheapies work ok, as said, not the greatest for internet but to play movies, simple as
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    You can plug your lappy into as big a TV or Projector as you like. You don't have to watch it on the lappy!
    I'm out of my mind, but feel free to leave a message...

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    Quote Originally Posted by lsemmens View Post
    You can plug your lappy into as big a TV or Projector as you like. You don't have to watch it on the lappy!
    True.

    But one runs up against space considerations in a caravan, and even more so in a Toyota Hiace campervan.

    Something like the Micro2+ with a USB stick or pocket HDD takes up a lot less room when setting up the TV than a laptop.

    Power consumption is also a consideration.............we do a lot of free-camping with no access to AC power.....all devices used get thoroughly vetted for their 12v power consumption.

    Again, the small media player wins hands-down over the laptop in this department.

    We always have a laptop with us, but only use it to check the weather, road conditions, and the news.........that is on the odd occasion when we actually have coverage.

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    Quote Originally Posted by enf View Post
    I hear those howls every f*cking day over any number of things.......and I'm sure you've howled over a lot more than $63 in your time....

    I'm tempted to get one myself if it works out.
    Well, maybe hold back on that, enf....that is if you want to play ISO with it.

    Arrived today.....plugged it in....first thing I noticed was that all the menus and graphics (with the exception of the opening screen) were identical to a different unit I just finished arguing about with another seller.

    And guess what, it performed exactly the same as that unit.......totally ignored my ISO files....this after I received an assurance from the seller (a large, Australian supplier of such gear) that "Yes they would support DVD ISO playback from a portable HDD".

    I have initiated the "Return" process through eBay.....let you know how it turns out.
    Last edited by Thala Dan; 20-04-18 at 08:32 PM.

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    Have you considered actually converting the files to a format that can be played on just about anything.. eg: mpeg4?

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    Quote Originally Posted by Thala Dan View Post
    ....................

    I have initiated the "Return" process through eBay.....let you know how it turns out.
    F*ck! A shame. Hope the process works, it always has for me. Did you contact the seller?

    @mtv..yeah, he COULD do that, but I presume he doesn't want to and shouldn't have to if the unit performed as advertised.
    The fact that there's a highway to hell and a stairway to heaven says a lot about the anticipated traffic flow.

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    Quote Originally Posted by enf View Post
    @mtv..yeah, he COULD do that, but I presume he doesn't want to and shouldn't have to if the unit performed as advertised.
    Yeah, I figured the same, but if it were me having difficulty playing files, or finding something that would play them, I would convert them to something readily available that plays them.

    To me, that's a simple solution and by the sound of it, something the OP has thought about.

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    Quote Originally Posted by mtv View Post
    Have you considered actually converting the files to a format that can be played on just about anything.. eg: mpeg4?
    Yep...have already converted a few to MKV.

    Works OK, but video quality is not as good on the big screen.........not a lot of difference on the smaller screen, except some noticeable loss of detail in darker scenes.

    Admittedly, that's allowing the MKV to compress the ISO, so maybe if I set the MKV to about the same size that won't be a problem.

    Getting that way I might have to bite the bullet and convert to MKV or such............but, oh boy, it's a damn slow process.......maybe I should buy a Cray

    @enf.......yeah, I've sent an explanatory message to the seller (turns out to be Radio Parts), as well as initiate the eBay return process.

    Bloody annoying though......there's nothing wrong with the files.......they play through any number of software media players, and can be analysed and converted by any number of software media converters. Additionally, they play perfectly through the Seagate Theatre+ players I bought eight years ago!

    But now I've had two "modern" boxes that won't look at them.

    Guess I'll have to keep on converting, and hope that the Seagates don't cark it in the meantime.

    Would like to try the X96 recommended earlier, but I'm getting a bit gun-shy now.

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    The tools used to convert them can affect the MKV or MP4 greatly. What are you using?
    The fact that there's a highway to hell and a stairway to heaven says a lot about the anticipated traffic flow.

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