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Which MP4 Player?


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Old 03-09-2009, 00:02
iMeMyself
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My husband works nights and has hinted that he wants a player that he can watch films/TV programmes on during his breaks. Am I correct in thinking that he wants an MP4 player?

He already has a Sony Walkman mobile so I'm not really bothered about the MP3 part of it but want to get him something decent.

Can anyone recommend anything.

I'd look around but, to be honest, I haven't got a clue about the features on them.
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Old 03-09-2009, 00:13
kobashi100
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My husband works nights and has hinted that he wants a player that he can watch films/TV programmes on during his breaks. Am I correct in thinking that he wants an MP4 player?

He already has a Sony Walkman mobile so I'm not really bothered about the MP3 part of it but want to get him something decent.

Can anyone recommend anything.

I'd look around but, to be honest, I haven't got a clue about the features on them.
how much are you prepared to spend and what size screen you looking for? If you husband wants to watch TV/Movies I would suggest 3.5 inch minimum but 4.3 inches would be better. I think maybe a chinese player would be good for you. Not gonna cost you loads and they support multiple video codecs. If you buy from the right websites you will have warranty also.

There are some really bad chinese players out there but there is also others which a good quality.
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Old 03-09-2009, 00:17
iMeMyself
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how much are you prepared to spend and what size screen you looking for? If you husband wants to watch TV/Movies I would suggest 3.5 inch minimum but 4.3 inches would be better. I think maybe a chinese player would be good for you. Not gonna cost you loads and they support multiple video codecs. If you buy from the right websites you will have warranty also.

There are some really bad chinese players out there but there is also others which a good quality.
Would you like to suggest any good ones?
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Old 03-09-2009, 00:30
kobashi100
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Old 03-09-2009, 04:08
PrinceGaz
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An MP4 player is essentially a generic term for a video-player, like how MP3 player is a digital music player.

Unlike MP3 players, size matters with MP4 players, and smaller isn't always better as they need to be large enough to comfortably watch the screen. Too big a device though and it may be inconvenient to carry around, and then there's battery life. Given that it is going to cost well over £100, and probably upwards of £200 for an MP4 player with a decent sized screen, it would be worthwhile chatting about this with him instead of just making a purchase based on what you think he wants.
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Old 04-09-2009, 09:14
gemma-the-husky
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summary - personally, i would go for a portable dvd player - but see below


lots of options - screen size is important for viewing video, 2inch phone screen is too small - 3-4 inch is still a strain - personally, i would consider a portable dvd player - see below

one problem is how to get stuff into an mp4 player, because each player has a slightly different file format - downloads are big, and ripping dvds to portable formats takes a long time. as video files are pretty big, you need to think about this - eg feature films ripped to mp4 files work out about 400Mb or so. - so you will only get 4 or 5 on a 2Gb card.


so - some options

if you want to watch dvds only, then a 7inch portable dvd player will be cheaper and better probably - also handy for in car. if you have a dvd recorder you can record tv shows, or just watch prerecorded dvds


mp4 type options

ipod touch type thing, good 3 inch screen

psp will play movies on umd disks, but will also play movies on memory sticks - although slightly lower resolution. compatability with ps3, which may help

archos - very good, but slightly expensive - lots of attachments, one that lets you record staight off tv - you can also output back to tv, which is useful

larger screen mobile phones will be pretty good also

finally note also that all these players are also excellent mp3 players with album artwork etc etc

we have accumulated all of these over the years. personally, i find 3-4inch screens too small for continued viewing and we just use these for music and games. The portable dvd player gets plenty of use in car journeys/holidays etc
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Old 04-09-2009, 09:56
iMeMyself
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it would be worthwhile chatting about this with him instead of just making a purchase based on what you think he wants.
That does seem like the best thing to do but I wanted to buy it for him as a gift.

summary - personally, i would go for a portable dvd player - but see below

so - some options

if you want to watch dvds only, then a 7inch portable dvd player will be cheaper and better probably - also handy for in car. if you have a dvd recorder you can record tv shows, or just watch prerecorded dvds
Don't know why either of us havenever thought about this option - we already have two 7" portable dvd players (with carry cases) which we bought for in car entertainment for the kids.

I think the hubby may have been thinking of an MP4 player for the size/weight/carrying around reasons but a) he takes the car to work, b) he has a rucksack which the dvd player would easily fit into and c) we have a dvd recorder so he can put stuff on discs.

Can't believe the answer has been there all along, staring us in the face!!

Thanks to everyone who has posted - it is appreciated.
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Old 04-09-2009, 19:14
Dolares
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My husband works nights and has hinted that he wants a player that he can watch films/TV programmes on during his breaks
I LOLed
Reallly long breakes. Honestly, I want his job.
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Old 05-09-2009, 12:40
iMeMyself
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I LOLed
Reallly long breakes.
Why did you LOL? I never mentioned really long breaks.

He works (and works damn hard I tell you) 12 hour shifts so is entitled to more than one break per shift and, over the course of his working week, (he works 14 x 12 hour shifts over a four week period, varying days each week) will have time to watch more than one TV programme or film which is why I wrote films/TV programmes - you should not assume that each break would allow him to watch films/tv programmes.

HonestlyI want his job.
There are always vacancies where he works becasue, in his words, his job is "bloody hard work" and no one wants to apply for the vacant positions. Should I put your name forward?

Sorry to have gone off topic but I have to defend my o/h.
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Old 05-09-2009, 13:33
TheBigM
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There are two types of device: the first is primarily an mp3 player with built-in mp4/video capability. These are small and portable and the video is very clear though small. Of these I think the Creative Zen X-Fi is best.

The second type of device is really built around video with 7" screens and massive storage space. I recommend the Archos 7 series like here: http://www.archos.com/products/imt/a...try=gb&lang=en

a nice premium device.
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Old 17-11-2010, 02:48
supermanmud
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get him the Archos 28 internet tablet, $100USD (shipping costs not included)

- 2.8"
- Wi-fi internet
-'open' Google Android OS (open as in programmers can program the Andriod without hacking)
-has 8Gb memory
-can download and install Android Apps
-can open and edit Microsoft Words/Powerpoint/Excel documents and save as other formats
-can play movies, 3D games
-has g-sensor (gravity sensor)
-can play many audio formats, and video formats i.e mkv, and others

http://www.archos.com/products/ta/ar...8it/index.html
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Old 17-11-2010, 08:05
IvanIV
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Isn't 2.8'' bit too small? You can get (smart)phones with ~4'' display, although not in the same price range. But with a good plan it may be acceptable, And you get Android, too, if needed.
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Old 17-11-2010, 12:55
alanwarwic
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Has to be the Archos 5 for its Cortex A8(as on the iPad) CPU

MyPlayer (BBC iPlayer) can be installed and at under £175 for the 32GB version on Amazon it is still a best buy for what is essentially a Dell Streak without a Sim card.

The smaller Apple iPod touch is an option too although it has no expansion capability.
Similar to the touch would also be the San Francisco phone.
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