[tdenson]

I need half a dozen Android tablets for a CCTV application and would like something that is relatively cheap but does the job. Would like a fairly decent resolution (1280*1024) 4:3 aspect ratio (so I can display 4 cameras in 4 windows) but nothing else really matters - performance, storage, expansion capability, battery time etc. are all not at all important.
Any thoughts please ?

[c4rv]

do you need some sort of app to play back the video or is it via web browser ?

Does it need to have decent battery life ? Does it need decent wifi signal or are you playing the file from a memory stick or something ?

[tdenson]

Originally Posted by c4rv

do you need some sort of app to play back the video or is it via web browser ?

Does it need to have decent battery life ? Does it need decent wifi signal or are you playing the file from a memory stick or something ?

It's a specific app for the DVR in question (Swann), available for IOS or android.

Battery life not that important as I'll probably run it from a charger permanently. Yes, it will be wifi.

[TonyOther]

Originally Posted by tdenson

I need half a dozen Android tablets for a CCTV application and would like something that is relatively cheap but does the job. Would like a fairly decent resolution (1280*1024) 4:3 aspect ratio (so I can display 4 cameras in 4 windows) but nothing else really matters - performance, storage, expansion capability, battery time etc. are all not at all important.
Any thoughts please ?

I really wouldn't go for cheap and cheerful. On impulse I bought a Touchpad at my local Lidl and within hours regretted it. If you were running more than one program, it was tediously slow and a pain to use. I got into the habit of using an app to kill tasks before starting a new one, but that got to be a pain, too. Finally, I sold it while it was still in good nick (and got a little more for it than I paid, funnily enough, though just a pound or two) and bought a 7in Nexus. My advice: save up for a Nexus or perhaps a 7in Samsung.

[paulj48]

Originally Posted by tdenson

It's a specific app for the DVR in question (Swann), available for IOS or android.
.

I'd check some of the reviews for the Swann App as it doesnt seem that reliable really, I wouldnt like to shell out for 6 tablets only for the system not to work

[tdenson]

Originally Posted by TonyOther

I really wouldn't go for cheap and cheerful. On impulse I bought a Touchpad at my local Lidl and within hours regretted it. If you were running more than one program, it was tediously slow and a pain to use. I got into the habit of using an app to kill tasks before starting a new one, but that got to be a pain, too. Finally, I sold it while it was still in good nick (and got a little more for it than I paid, funnily enough, though just a pound or two) and bought a 7in Nexus. My advice: save up for a Nexus or perhaps a 7in Samsung.

Thanks, As it happens I have a 7" Nexus but I did say 10" in my OP. Also it will only ever run one application and never need restarting so performance is not a big consideration.

[clonmult]

Originally Posted by tdenson

Thanks, As it happens I have a 7" Nexus but I did say 10" in my OP. Also it will only ever run one application and never need restarting so performance is not a big consideration.

Too many people not quite reading your original requirements ...

Probably any of the no-name chinese Android devices will fit the bill - just check on CPU requirements of the application.

[tdenson]

Originally Posted by clonmult

Too many people not quite reading your original requirements ...

Probably any of the no-name chinese Android devices will fit the bill - just check on CPU requirements of the application.

OK thanks. I started looking on Amazon and although they have a number of cheap and cheerful tablets they all appeared to be 16:9 but none of them actually stated what they were. I really would like 4:3 as I said in my OP.

[tdenson]

Just put the CCTV remote app on both my iPad mini and my Nexus 7 and the difference is enormous, the mini is just so much better being 4:3. However, in the interest of cheap and cheerful I might have to settle for 16:9.

[tdenson]

After much browsing I came across the Coby MID9746 4:3 tablet that Maplin sell for £129.99. However, I saw a reference to it on one website that said it had no access to the Google Play Store. What does this mean - does it mean there is no way I can get the CCTV app onto it ?
(Edit) Just noticed the HP Playbook is 4:3 - can I get Play Store apps onto that ?

[Tassium]

It's usually possible to "sideload" an App onto tablets that don't support Google Play.

Basically this means you download the App from somewhere (Swann?) and then run it on the tablet. It installs as normal and that's it.

HP have the old HP Touchpad (not HP Playbook), that's 4:3 but it's not Android it's Web OS

But Android can be put on it. It's a DIY job and I don't know if every feature is working or how reliable it is.



There is the BlackBerry Playbook, that's a 16:9 7" I think.

[Tassium]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXuRs0AVS0U

Android on the HP TouchPad Web OS Tablet
----------------------
If Android worked reliably on it it would certainly be a nice device since the screen is an IPS type LCD, very good viewing angles.

And being made by HP it will no doubt be well made.

No warranty though, strictly a 2nd hand purchase.

[tdenson]

Originally Posted by Tassium

It's usually possible to "sideload" an App onto tablets that don't support Google Play.

Basically this means you download the App from somewhere (Swann?) and then run it on the tablet. It installs as normal and that's it.

I spoke to Swann who said it's only available on the Play Store. I have it running on my Nexus 7 - can I just move it across and install it ?

[tdenson]

Originally Posted by Tassium

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXuRs0AVS0U

Android on the HP TouchPad Web OS Tablet
----------------------
If Android worked reliably on it it would certainly be a nice device since the screen is an IPS type LCD, very good viewing angles.

And being made by HP it will no doubt be well made.

No warranty though, strictly a 2nd hand purchase.

Yes, I wondered about the Touchpad. No problem 2nd hand, I'll just throw it away in the unlikely event it fails, but not sure I can be bothered to faff around installing Android.

[Tassium]

Originally Posted by tdenson

I spoke to Swann who said it's only available on the Play Store. I have it running on my Nexus 7 - can I just move it across and install it ?

I don't know if that's possible.


I think any cheap tablet won't support Google Play natively, many (if not all) can have it added separately.

I cannot find the model number on the Maplin site, it looks like a Coby Mid-9742.

This is how to put Google Play on a Coby Mid-9742:

http://androidforums.com/coby-kyros-...t-mid9742.html

http://www.androidtablets.net/forum/coby-generation-3/

[tdenson]

Originally Posted by Tassium

I don't know if that's possible.


I think any cheap tablet won't support Google Play natively, many (if not all) can have it added separately.

I cannot find the model number on the Maplin site, it looks like a Coby Mid-9742.

This is how to put Google Play on a Coby Mid-9742:

http://androidforums.com/coby-kyros-...t-mid9742.html

http://www.androidtablets.net/forum/coby-generation-3/

On the basis of that I'll probably buy the Maplin one and have a play, thanks

[tdenson]

Bought the Maplin Coby, at first glance it looks superb value for money. Nice display, feels responsive, and above all for my application is 4:3 aspect ratio. One nice thing is that physically it has the identical dimensions to an iPad which means I can use lockable security enclosures designed for the iPad (of which there are lots around). Just got to get to grips with side-loading the CCTV app now.

[tdenson]

Side loaded the SwannView CCTV app, only took a couple of minutes, works a treat.
Very impressed by this Maplin tablet at £129.99.