Does such a thing exist??

[audi321]

Hi all, is there anything out there which will enable me to store all my DVD's, CD's, photos, videos onto which will simply play through my tv?

I'm not talking about a PC, I want something purpose made that goes under my tv and everytime I buy a new dvd/cd I can simply insert it into the drive and rip it straight to the internal HDD. Preferably with card reader also to do the same with photos/videos. Obviously it would need to recognise various file types.

The nearest thing I can find is a Western Digital TV media player, but this only goes half way to my needs (i.e. the Hard Drive is separate and I have to connect to a PC to rip the DVD's/CD's to it).

Cheers for any advice.

[DavidY]

Not quite what you want, but have a look at the Popcorn Hour (with internal HDD) or it's eqivalents, wil do most of what you want,though you have to rip he stuff through a PC/Mac and transfer data across the network

[PJ S]

What you're after is a standalone media server, which I don't believe exists - most, if not all, are as the name suggests, a server to access from various rooms in the house, over Cat 5e and DMX protocol.
Nothing to stop you buying one, but you're likely to need another box to get the required output from it, and yet another to interface with the controls via one of the numerous multi-function (all-in-one) remotes, like Harmony, Pronto, etc.

[audi321]

Hi, thanks, I've checked out the popcorn hour, but I really don't want to involve a pc or a network, just want a standalone unit with say a 1tb hard drive?

[DavidY]

You only need a PC or network to load material onto the HDD of the Popcorn Hour, it works like a NAS drive. It will then run happily off it's own internal drive.

[Plotloss]

What you need exists in an all in one box, with a HDD and the ability to rip DVDs straight to it.

They're available from a variety of manufacturers, iMerge, AMX, Crestron, Kaleidescape all make them and they all work very very well indeed.

The commonality between them all though is cost.

At entry level, installed, fully programmed with control you're looking at an entry point of roughly £10K all in for the store and capability to play to one zone.

[WZC1]

The Kaleidescape mini system is probably the closest thing to an all in one product that will sit under your TV. As Plotless mentions cost is the only factor, it will work time and time again and is simple to use.

Nick

[PJ S]

Plotloss said:

What you need exists in an all in one box, with a HDD and the ability to rip DVDs straight to it.

They're available from a variety of manufacturers, iMerge, AMX, Crestron, Kaleidescape all make them and they all work very very well indeed.

The commonality between them all though is cost.

At entry level, installed, fully programmed with control you're looking at an entry point of roughly £10K all in for the store and capability to play to one zone.

iMerge - that's the one I had in my head when replying.
Don't Linn make something similar too? The Kaelik or something?

[audi321]

Plotloss said:

roughly £10K

[audi321]

Right, I've just decided on an iTab from envizage solutions.

The sales guy was fantastic, gave loads of advice and price matched the amazon price.

I think this looks to do everything I have wished for, so when it arrives, I'll post my review!

Thanks for all your advice!

[Plotloss]

PJ S said:

Plotloss said:

What you need exists in an all in one box, with a HDD and the ability to rip DVDs straight to it.

They're available from a variety of manufacturers, iMerge, AMX, Crestron, Kaleidescape all make them and they all work very very well indeed.

The commonality between them all though is cost.

At entry level, installed, fully programmed with control you're looking at an entry point of roughly £10K all in for the store and capability to play to one zone.

iMerge - that's the one I had in my head when replying.
Don't Linn make something similar too? The Kaelik or something?

The Jag driver makes a digital audio player but I'm not aware they do anything in the video space. Not to say they don't mind just I don't know of it.