Any image that you can see on your TV screen is just a displayed signal. The signal source can be an antenna, a computer or a media player for a TV. The latter is used to view photos or videos, as well as playing music files. Variations of media players for TVs are mass, how to choose the right one for your particular situation? We will try to understand.
Principle of operation
By itself, a media player is a kind of computer, the assembly of which is focused on playing media files of various formats. Many of the media players have USB slots, as well as ethernet ports. USB slots in media players designed for TV are used to read flash memory media. This function allows you to quickly play files saved on a flash card. The Ethernet input is for connecting a media player to the Internet. Advanced models allow you to watch movies directly from the network, without downloading. Media players with Wi-Fi for TVs are extremely rare. However, nothing prevents using the USB adapter with Wi-Fi for wireless signal transmission. But this function is not always useful, because the data transfer speed, especially when watching videos in high quality, is not enough. Modern models of plasma and LCD panels have built-in media players on the TV. The functionality of such a device will be somewhat lower, but for watching movies it will do.
Features of choice
If your TV has high definition, then you can select an external media player that supports Full HD files. This means that you can watch video with a resolution of 1080p. If your home has an Internet connection, you can choose a model that has online access to the most popular media storage Web.
Connection of a media player to the TV is carried out by means of S / PDIF, HDMI, RCA, eSATA, USB 2.0 connectors. Before buying a media player, make sure that it has outputs that will fit your particular TV model. Unsuccessful users manage to buy devices without the necessary outputs and are keen to understand how to connect the media player to the TV. Therefore, in order not to get into a mess, before making a purchase, make sure that your TV supports the device you have selected. External media players for the TV can also have their own hard drive, which can accommodate about 200 movies in Full HD image quality.
It is worth paying attention to the possibility of reading the device by the most popular formats of audio and video files. It is desirable that the list of playable formats contains OGG, MKA, TIFF. A media player that reads the listed file extensions is great for a 3D TV . Happy owners of TVs, able to fully convey the atmosphere of the cinema (with the function of 3D),
Be sure to base the choice of your future media player based on the already purchased video and audio equipment. Be careful about the compatibility of equipment, which you can find out by simply looking in the instructions of the devices. Be careful when buying, and you do not have to ask why the TV does not see the media player or does not play the selected movie.
If to generalize, then this device is a useful acquisition for a family where people like to watch movies and listen to music in high quality.