monitor for playing videos directly from an usb in a loop

[phaolo]

Hello,

do you know if there are monitors (not TV, due to taxes in my country) capable of playing videos directly from an usb stick or an SD card, without a pc?

I'd like to create a playlist to loop in my office.

Thanks!

[jaclaz]

Why not a photoframe?

(or digital frame or picture frame or LCD frame)

jaclaz

[phaolo]

Oh, hi Jacklaz (ciao)

I'd need it with a size of 32 \ 40 inches, are there photoframes that big?

[jaclaz]

Oh, hi Jacklaz (ciao)

I'd need it with a size of 32 \ 40 inches, are there photoframes that big?

Sure there are point is rather "how much do they cost"?

Examples:

http://www.bigeframe.com/

http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/937164742/42_Inch_LCD_Digital_Photo_Frame.html

An alternative could be to get *any* monitor and get a USB hard disk video player, example (el-cheapo):

http://www.ebay.it/itm/Box-Multimediale-Player-IDE-Lettore-Memory-Card-RCA-VGA-OTG-DATA-BANK-dvix-/131026089799?pt=Box_per_Hard_Disk_per_PC_e_Server&hash=item1e81c37747

Being - as reknown - very cheap I once solved the same problem you are having now with an old PC LCD monitor and an el-cheaper multimedia hard disk enclosure (with a salvaged from an upgraded laptop 10 Gb 2.5" disk in it).

I got the 2.5" case at a "wholesale" bargain (sale of items with either small defects or only cosmetical scratches and the like) for peanuts, cannot remember the exact model, but it was a MEDIACOM, if you want the model I can have a look if I can find it.

Nowadays, the same problem can be most probably solved (still using a "normal" monitor) by using one of those Android based sticks, though they are not very cheap (as they have a lot more functions than what you actually *need*).

jaclaz

[phaolo]

Cool suggestions, thanks.

Unfortunately, Big eframe is only in USA and I live in Italy.

The "any monitor + media box" seems the best option.

The cheap product has too low features for my needs, what do you think about the "Asus OPlay Mini"? (also Plus)

(the reported sorting bug should have been fixed with the new firmware)

[jaclaz]

I don't know.

I mean, Asus has a known record (at least from my personal experience) of making excellent products , but the thingy (which has also seemingly a not-to-bad price tag) looks like using some kind of proprietary firmware/software.

Since you are going HDMI anyway (being cheap I earlier suggested VGA based solutions, assuming that you would have used an oldish monitor) I would personally still have a look at the Android sticks, that could be more "flexible".

I have tested one, a RikoMagic RKM mk802iv which is not bad at all, though it needs still IMHO some better Wi-Fi capabilities, but with added on cable network works fine (for the uses that it was bought for), but it costs a little more than that Asus thingy, some previous versions do however cost fairly less.

For your needs, possibly the only thing that really matters is how well the thingy is cool/cooled, as it will be - I presume - ON a lot of time, possibly in a narrow space between the screen and the wall.

jaclaz

P.S.: Once set the cost aside the keywords you should use on google is "monitor pubblicitari" or "digital signage", here is an (italian) example:

http://www.digimax.it/it/digital-signage/monitors-digital-signage

Edited February 13, 2014 by jaclaz

[Ponch]

Hello,

do you know if there are monitors (not TV, due to taxes in my country)

Ain't the tax linked to the antenna/cable factor ? If not, there are indeed small media streamers for less than €100.

[jaclaz]

Hello,

do you know if there are monitors (not TV, due to taxes in my country)

Ain't the tax linked to the antenna/cable factor ? If not, there are indeed small media streamers for less than €100.

Naah, by cleverly posting US and Chinese info, I managed to get Phaolo reveal his country (which I suspected earlier but was not sure about).

In Italy the currently existing Law is dated (drum rolls ... ) 1938 !

More exactly it is R.D.L.21/02/1938 n.246:

http://www.associttadini.org/canonerai/disciplina.html

The Law, which rather obviously was related to radio only has been extended to include the TV (much later).

Unlike possibly in other countries, it is not a payment for the public TV service and/or for watching TV, but rather a Tax on the possession (mind you possession, not necessarily use, nor connected in any way with the existence of antenna(s)) of *any* apparatus receiving and/or capable of receiving or adaptable to receive radio or TV (aerial or satellite) broadcasting (whilst those not capable nor adaptable are of course exempt).

In 2012 a (much needed) "clarifying letter" was issued with an example list of the three types of devices, summed up here:

http://www.abbonamenti.rai.it/Ordinari/IlCanoneOrdinari.aspx

Full text is here: http://www.abbonamenti.rai.it/doc/nota-Agenzia-Entrate-canone-rai-22-02-2012.pdf

basically the listed devices that are exempt are:

• PC without TV tuner
• Monitor without TV tuner
• Loudspeakers/sound boxes
• Video/audio intercoms and entryphones

Those subject to the Tax are *any and all* devices including a tuner.

The matters is made more complex by the fact that there are two different (and two only) "kinds" of taxes, the "home" and the "special".

For home, it is easy as a single tax covers the home (including all devices in it), the cars radio(s) (yes there used to be a separate tax on car radios too that was finally abolished in 1997, as well as one - hear hear - on car lighters, also abolished ), portable devices carried by all members of the family and for devices in secondary house(s) (let's say in the country or at the seaside, "news" introduced in 1990).

The issue is with the "special".

Unlike the "home" (which is fixed and the same for all, for year 2014 it has been determined in € 113,50) the "special" is divided in several categories:

http://www.abbonamenti.rai.it/Speciali/IlCanoneSpeciali.aspx

a "normal" office would pay € 407,35 (but - as an example - a bank or a 1st or 2nd category shop would pay € 1.018,40)

jaclaz

[jumper]

Google "portable projector mp4"

e.g. £147.99 for the "Philips PicoPix Pocket Projector with MP4 Playback"

+ "Large image projection: up to 80" in size"

+ should be bright enough at 32-40"

Or use a surplus Overhead Projector (no bulb needed) with a phone/tablet/laptop lying on the transparency surface.

Google "overhead projector" (then add "diy")

If you have (or can get) a full-page Fresnel lens, try this:

The DIY $5 Laptop, Tablet, or Smartphone Home Theater Projector

[phaolo]

Naah, by cleverly posting US and Chinese info, I managed to get Phaolo reveal his country (which I suspected earlier but was not sure about).

In Italy the currently existing Law is [..]

Oh no, you finally discovered me! I should have never said "ciao" and "Italy"! Hihi

Wow, you wrote an entire essay there.. quite interesting, though.

I'll check the other suggestions too, thanks to all.

Edited February 18, 2014 by phaolo