Hi all,

I've been searching up and down whole day today in garage sales, bulk, notebook, home electronics and i came to too many models and mostly not the things I wanted. Can someone help me out here with their own experience and those who own one of it can let me know if it supports all of these features I need? I've been thinking where to ask this but i guess this is part of home items, so i hope i posted correctly here as i need some recommendations

First of all, my usage of the digital photo frame/Ipad alike device will be - watching movies on my bed! Yes, I do this, I know this is bad habit but living in a rented room, sometimes ppl need to lie down too rite?
Those of you who understands this, pls help me out here k. If an Ipad alike has almost same price, why not? Price nowadays for these 2 devices are quite steep!

Features I must need :
- 7 inch and above for viewing movies, the bigger the better
- audio jack out (3.5mm)
- battery support, either built in or AA/AAA batteries
- support for diff audio codecs
- support for lots of video codec such as avi and mpeg-4

Features that I would like to have :
- Bluetooth connectivity (to pair with my bluetooth speakers for ease of use) a bit plus here if have. I noticed Ipad alike such as Gpad, Epad, Apad, IRobot does not have this one..
- lossless audio codec a plus, Flac, Ape
- Wide video codec support, rm, rmvb etc
- can Read some ebook format, maybe PDF as well?
- remote control? I'm watching this on bed so.. i guess this is just optional
- if possible with AV/HDMI out so I can connect to TV or projector

Budgetwise :
If can lower than RM500. Initially only looking at photo frames but either the sellers don't have full specs or their pictures posted are small and not complete from every angle!
Then I found those Ipad alikes and got interested in those too

Those who have similar devices or experience in this pls do let me know ya

Thanks for the Help

I've always fancied a small laptop more than a tablet of similar size.

thought about that but budget wise <500 as most of the time i fully use it only to watch movies
plus if laptop i put on bed, it covers the ventilation, later go up in smoke haha
im not so sure about the Ipad alikes, it may be the same tho cos i never had one before, maybe someone can confirm this if these has heat issues as well?
but digital photo frame should be okay with not much heat i guess..

Wait for Dell Streak ?

i thin netbook should be better, at least is software based applications and able to solve some unsupported codec issues... if used digital frames and unsupported file format, you will dilemma due to hardware/chipset limitation... example my current media player even though supported for AVI, but video format is Xvid and failed to play the video file and no seek time features, i looking for new replacement now after 1 year usage... of cos use netbook can prevent such issues to the lowest due to codec are upgrade-able... just my 2 cents...

good input thx
hmm ok i may consider netbook then
but can my budget wise be able to get a used one maybe at lower than RM500? Seems I need to check out the garage sales again later

thx

netbook i think should around RM1k+ for new unit...
perhaps u bring ur own video files and applications to install at demo netbook unit (if possible)
try whether have any laggy due to weak atom processor (but still better than photo frame's chipset)
but of cos HD video definitely no-no for netbook...

ah ic, HD not good for netbook ugh.. so i need to do some converting first, its ok
hmm can't run down to the shop in KL, im from Sabah
well im checking out the garage sales, so far no netbook going under RM500 yet
How about Android handling of the movies? seems can support even for rmbv. I'm new to android

then u should as the question at handphone thread since involved android...
but definitely ur handphone battery will drain faster...

nola bro, im not asking one that comes with phone support
just an ipad alike android that can play some movies lah
i will try search wiki on android first
thx

Tablets for HD movies?

If you insist...

Can I say...one of the original Tablets?

http://www.archos.com/

http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...16383&hl=ARCHOS

http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...26025&hl=ARCHOS

or you can buy from ebay..which I think is much cheaper but risky

Take note, there are a few models with different memory size...

This post has been edited by azbro: Feb 8 2011, 06:22 PM

oh archos is too much for me bro
my budget only <RM500
thx

RM500?....good luck buddy

You might find it...but take note on its limitations...most of that price will not offer Flash 10.1...meaning no youtube support.

This post has been edited by azbro: Feb 8 2011, 09:34 PM

Try find used P4 laptop, you should get within your budget. It should play DVD Rip video without any problem. Not sure for 720p, might be possible also but 1080p is a big no no.
For bluetooth connectivity, you can use bluetooth dongle.

hmm yeah i might have found one but not as cheap lah
only android froyo 2.2 can install flash 10.1, but I just need to watch movies
thx, most of the P4 screen would not be that nice to watch nowadays i think. I'm just wondering if the netbooks are able to play 720p and 1080p? it should be okay or it also depends on the built in graphic chipset that comes with it?
Im going to pair the bluetooth with my Motorola EQ7 speakers. Will it connect if with a dongle and sound signals sent over?

Then, good luck finding something nice with your budget

netbook with atom for 1080p = , 720p still possible maybe with stuttering. Try using MPCHC.

You can use bluetooth pairing with dongle, but make sure to find the one with 2.0 + EDR

ah icic thx
yeah just read maybe, just maybe 720p works fine but not best
anyway, those 1080p i need to convert first. DVD rip are just fine for me then, no need waste time testing some more haha
the netbook already has bluetooth built in so it should be fine .. seems not all netbook are with built in bluetooth ready..
just one thing tho, i was wondering how does those androids with telechip/rockchip perform in 720p if comparing to the netbooks with builtin GMA950?
those android seems to have dedicated chip to play video better?

This post has been edited by Shoot@M3: Feb 9 2011, 05:59 PM

I have to admit....even my super duper expensive gaming laptop (with dedicated high end GC) also have problems playing 1080p stuff..

Maybe something like this will do
http://www.mudah.my/10+2inch+1GHz+512MB+An...+PC-8359469.htm

I dun think there is a point to play 1080p using a 10inch screen...and if you have the intention of connecting it through HDMI to a Large HDTV...better buy a Realtek 1055 media player

This post has been edited by azbro: Feb 9 2011, 06:04 PM

yeah not gonna ponder into 1080p stuff for the netbook
but how bout the droids like the one u posted here, can they handle 720p better than the netbook?
this is what baffles me. after all, all i need is a device that can play movies/videos smoothly

If I were you, I'll get media player (RM200) + 18.5" monitor (RM300+) + HDMI to DVI converter (RM30) + speaker.

nice idea bro and thx
but i wish to get something that i can travel with, ie lie down in bed with it, gonna hug it too haha
plus i already got the speakers, nais one hehe

get a portable DVD which supported for RMVB...
http://www.lelong.com.my/9-eview-swivel-po...0-11-Sale-P.htm
http://www.lelong.com.my/sast-portable-dvd...1-04-Sale-P.htm
http://www.mudah.my/7+inche+RMVB+DVD+Porta...ame-5167380.htm

burn all of ur RMVB movie into DVDRW...

wah i never thot these players can support usb as well..
pricewise quite ok.. hmm thx bro
waiting some replies from mudah on local seller on this
but im still may be going for real netbook, can do more on it

no USB features... the player only can read RMVB from DVD disc...

some of the portable dvd player does support usb bro
which is a good feature
thanks, i think my mind really set for netbook atm

But netbook has limited performance....I fancy a small lappy..but that will set you back about RM1~1.5K

One thing I learned abt specs...on paper and real life 'is' different. And that difference will break your heart to know its limitation.

advice noted bro,
but i found one selling for 2nd hand and am going for that one
yeah i know about the diff in real world for it, it won't be for gaming, or heavy work/usage
prolly for surfing and watching dvd rip movies plus some minor travelling usage

and also, might overclock it bit cos seems it does support
and yeah, i'm not new to overclocking so no worries

btw, thx all for the feedback
some summaries

Digital Photo Frames
- forget about this if you want one that has battery built-in support. Mostly or even all, comes with power adapter. Not suitable to watch movies on these

Android Tablets
- OFFICIAL tablet Gingerbread (Android 3.0) coming into market soon. You may want to wait for this if you want Flash 10.1 support, although Froyo (2.2) does support with some bugs in browsing the net
- Don't expect Bluetooth unless on the real tablet/phones
- Watch for Motorola Xoom, 10" pad with Gingerbread

Netbook
- Lower end - Some can support 720p well, while some stutters in video, NOT for 1080p
- Higher end should be able to support with Dual-core and ION graphics
- Not all Netbook comes with Bluetooth!
- so so performance only with light work

DVD Players
- some does have USB support to play direct from USB drives
- even have built-in Batteries
- Only for watching movies, tv, and some games on some units
- prolly best buck for movie goers nowadays for travelling or.. like me lying on the bed! syok betul!

well, only for those who are looking into my same needs

This post has been edited by Shoot@M3: Feb 10 2011, 12:52 AM