3.5 Inches External USB Hard Disk Media Player $36.69 + shipping

[thoro86]

* Removable hard disk function, USB2.0 interface
* Playback function: play AV programs such as MPEG4, DVD, VCD, MP3, CD, etc. and JPG pictures
* Edit function: copy / move / rename / delete files/ folders in HDD
* Super capacity: 20G - 200G hard disk; a 40G hard disk can store 20,000 MP3 songs or 70 MP4 movies
* Supports two or more disk partitions
* Subtitle option for DivX program, Multi language options
* Search playback, repeat playback, A-B segment repeat playback, etc.
* CVBS and VGA video output, can be connected to TV or computer monitor
* TV format: PAL/NTSC/AUTO
* Multi-function control keys on unit and full function remote control
* Stereo audio output and digital coaxial output
* Portable design

linky

 

[mudkicker]

Any reviews on this? I'm looking to buy one to play mp3 in my car. I wonder if it's possible. Any suggestions?
Is there a converter/adapter that will take the audio cables to the car cassette deck?

 

[Boyne7]

you could definitely set it up in a car. all you'd need would be a an RCA to minijack plug w/ a male to female minijack adaptor or a RCA to female minijack, both with a cassette deck adaptor. seconding the "reviews?" certainly looks interesting.

edit: apparently these forums aren't setup to take daylight savings into account, posted after the below post yet was placed before... strange.

 

[mudkicker]

Originally posted by: Boyne7
you could definitely set it up in a car. all you'd need would be a an RCA to minijack plug w/ a male to female minijack adaptor or a RCA to female minijack, both with a cassette deck adaptor. seconding the "reviews?" certainly looks interesting.

edit: apparently these forums aren't setup to take daylight savings into account, posted after the below post yet was placed before... strange.

Thanks for the tip! Would it be possible to connect this unit directly to the car speakers? I'm not that knowledgeable on car audio setup. Thanks in advance.

 

[Googer]

You would definitly want to use a hard drive designed for rough enviroments like Seagate EE25 or Hitachi Endurastar J4k30 or N4k30. Both units are designed for extreme heat, (road) bumps, and vibration. If you use a desktop HDD in a mobile (car) enviroment then you shouldn't expect it to last very long. HDD's die very quicky when operated in high temeratures and/or excessive vibrations. Larger Endurastar J4K50/N4K50's are not yet avalble for sale but one should expect them to become avalable sometime soon.

Product Infromation
[*]Hitachi
Endurastar J4K50/N4K50


- Highlights
* Highest capacity automotive drive at 50GB--67% more than prior model
* Expanded operating temperature range from -30° C to +85° C
* Highest operating altitude range of up to 5000 meters
* Based on proven technology--fourth-generation product


* J4K20 model is built to operate in temperature ranges of up to -20°C to +85°C
* N4K20 model is built to operate in temperature ranges of up to 0°C to 60°C
* 8MB cache buffer
http://www.hitachigst.com/portal/site/e...item.8188161d74f3d91492480021aac4f0a0/
http://www.hitachigst.com/tech/techlib.nsf/products/Endurastar_N4K30

[*]Seagate EE25
* 20GB, 30GB and 40GB capacities
* ?30°C to +85°C operating temperature range
* Up to 2.0 Gs operating vibration tolerance
http://www.seagate.com/products/consumer_electronics/ee25series.html

Avoid Desktop Drives
http://empegbbs.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/265889/an/0/page/0

Shopping
[*]Seagate EE25
[*]Endurastar J4K30 20GB and 30GB
[*]Endurastar N3K30 20GB and 30GB


Idealy flash based IDE drives should be considered for use in a mobile enviroment.

 

[mercanucaribe]

That thingw ould suck to use in a car. It has no screen so it would be like using a giant iPod Shuffle.

Edit: I guess the interface uses whatever it's hooked up to? Could you put a small monitor in your car?

 

[nomadh]

YYea how do you browse files on it? Any reviews on this thing? I couldn't find any.

 

[desolatum]

Agreed. Does anyone have links on how you browse files, either mp3 or video on the tv, and also in the car. Thanks in advance.

 

[unclebabar]

Anybody know if this is actually limited to 200 GB. Seems like an odd number for a limit.

 

[aimanzym]

just wondering that if it can play rmvb files. thx

 

[marvdmartian]

Originally posted by: unclebabar
Anybody know if this is actually limited to 200 GB. Seems like an odd number for a limit.

Still, now many mp3's or divx movies would you really need to put on this thing?? I mean, a "typical" divx movie is going to be 700mb, 1.4gb max. Even with formatting taken into effect, that's still in the vicinity of 125 to 250 movies you're going to be able to fit on this thing. MP3's aren't going to go over 10mb (for the most part), are they? Then you're talking 18K worth of music files.......your mp3 collection isn't really that large, is it??

The only question I have, concerning this deal, is whether anyone's dealt with this store in the past? There's no reseller ratings on them, so tough to know how good they might be, without some form of feedback. Guess I could paypal the money to them (that's a payment option), using a CC at paypal, for buyer protection.....

 

[unclebabar]

It not so much that I have a large mp3 collection, it's if my < 200 GB hard drive dies and I need to replace it with something larger because they just don't sell 200 GB drive anymore or if I just want to replace it with a larger capacity (to store home videos for instance). Because the store does have another that is advertised as being 500 GBs capacity (but more expensive and a little less sleek looking).

 

[harpy82]

Same site, i think This one looks a bit better +$1

 

[BIGFOOTPI]

Originally posted by: harpy82
Same site, i think This one looks a bit better +$1

Good find! That is DEFNITELY better- has what other does plus a vga out and 500gb capacity support... seriously considering...

 

[nomadh]

These are seriously odd products. As an mp3 player w/out a built in screen its not portable because it needs a tv to pick songs. W/out a screen its an ipod shuffle from hell. As a movie player its for someone who does lots of pc compressed video but isn't watching it on the PC. Its a replacement for a phillips universal format dvd player for someone who doesn't want to burn to optical. Or its just a usb HD enclosure that for a few bucks more plays movies.
I don't know what to do with this thing but I sure want to buy one

 

[harpy82]

Originally posted by: nomadh
These are seriously odd products. As an mp3 player w/out a built in screen its not portable because it needs a tv to pick songs. W/out a screen its an ipod shuffle from hell. As a movie player its for someone who does lots of pc compressed video but isn't watching it on the PC. Its a replacement for a phillips universal format dvd player for someone who doesn't want to burn to optical. Or its just a usb HD enclosure that for a few bucks more plays movies.
I don't know what to do with this thing but I sure want to buy one

how about going for a vacation and stuck in a motel with nothing but air tv ? although hardly have the use for it, but it's tempting to buy one just for the heck of it. Considering the 2.5" versions as well, which fits the pocket even better..

 

[nomadh]

I have a portable dvd player w/screen for that. My last hotel had the input port blocked. So a hd unit w/out screen would have sucked. Anyone know of a portable dvd player w/ screen that can do divx xvid mp3 etc? At the $70 price point that would be great.

 

[DaveSimmons]

This might make a good CD changer for a home theater setup, much smaller and much cheaper than a PC.

Price is very good if the unit is reliable, Geeks is selling similar enclosures for $80.

 

[JDJr]

Seems like it would be good for a car. It has a remote to navigate. Wish it had some reviews or something though. Maybe for this price it's worth a try.

JDJr

 

[airjrdn]

I chose a different enclosure, but it's basically the same size. Shipping however kills the deal. I have two options for it to be shipped to IL; Registered Parcel for $31.79 or Fedex for for $47.28.

 

[harpy82]

Originally posted by: airjrdn
I chose a different enclosure, but it's basically the same size. Shipping however kills the deal. I have two options for it to be shipped to IL; Registered Parcel for $31.79 or Fedex for for $47.28.

you are right, with shipping it cost about the same as eBay. and you get those faster since they are located in US.

 

[bigpow]

can anyone post what's the resolution of the box w/ VGA out?
also what's the limitation of the movie bitrates?