Modern models TVs are significantly superior in functionality to their predecessors. They can play video and audio from external media, access the Internet, and record programs. All this thanks to the media center. It can be either factory installed or purchased separately. Moreover, a self-purchased device, even from the very simple TV can make an entertainment center.

What is a media player and what is it for?

More recently, everyone used first VCRs and then DVD players. But technological progress does not stand still, and multimedia centers have replaced outdated set-top boxes. They still play and record files just like their predecessors. However, they have many more functions. These include:

1. Ability to play video and audio files of almost all existing formats.
2. Read images of any format.
3. Playback information from various media: USB, external hard disks, smartphones and tablets and other devices.
4. The ability to access the Internet, which provides access to all available information and various entertainment portals. This feature is implemented using the built-in browser.
5. Supports various functions: 3D, Wi-fi, game services.
6. Ability to save existing information.

REFERENCE! Each model of multimedia set-top box has its own set of capabilities, which is described in detail in the accompanying instructions.

Externally, they look like a small box; some models can be equipped with a liquid crystal display. Connection to a TV set-top box can be done in three ways: using wireless network Wi-fi, via HDMI wire or component output.

REFERENCE! Some models of media players are suitable for older CRT TVs. However, due to the design limitations of the TV receiver itself, not all functions will be available. For example, viewing video files in Full HD or 3D format will not be available.

Is it worth buying a media player?

It would seem that if you have a computer or laptop, a multimedia console becomes an unnecessary waste of money. After all, they have the same functions for transferring files. However, not all computers or laptops are capable of transmitting high quality video and audio. Yes, and connecting a laptop or computer is not always convenient, and sometimes various problems arise with synchronizing devices, which requires additional settings and takes a lot of time. Also, the multimedia console has a number of undeniable advantages. These include:

1. Almost silent operation. Cooling of a personal computer and laptop is provided by coolers that cannot operate completely silently.
2. The console takes up very little space.
3. Boots much faster than a computer or laptop.
4. A small number of wires are needed to connect to the TV.
5. They are very convenient and easy to use, which allows pensioners or children to use them without any problems. Yes, and watching movies and other content is much more familiar and comfortable on big screen TV while sitting in a chair.
6. All control is carried out from one remote control.
7. Freezes on the multimedia console are extremely rare.

Thanks to the existing advantages, the answer to the purchase question is “Yes”.

There are several types of media players:

1. The simplest and most inexpensive options without the ability to connect to a wireless network and without a hard drive.
2. Without internet connection, but with built-in hard drive.
3. Media players that connect via local network to a computer or laptop. This allows you to play files on your computer using your home network.
4. The most expensive models with a built-in hard drive, connection to a local network and Internet access. These are modern models that have the largest range of functions compared to simpler players.

ATTENTION! Some users think that multimedia devices and satellite receivers are the same thing. However, a significant difference between media set-top boxes and receivers is that players allow you to view the necessary files, IPTV and access the Internet. While receivers broadcast satellite television channels and record.

What to look for when choosing a media player

For a few more years, the range of media consoles was not very wide, since they were not very popular. However, quite a bit of time passed and consoles became in demand, which means the choice became much larger. In order not to get confused when purchasing the desired model of multimedia set-top box, you need to pay attention to the following parameters:

1. Interface. When purchasing, you need to study what outputs the set-top box has for connecting to a TV. The most popular option is HDMI cable, since it is capable of transmitting a high-definition signal.
2. Supported formats. Modern models can reproduce almost all existing ones on this moment video and audio standards. However, it is still worth researching before purchasing. specifications specific model.
3. Control. The player must have a convenient menu in Russian.
4. Service support. You need to pay attention to what media the player can read information from, and whether it has Internet access.

Modern models have all available functions, a user-friendly interface, user-friendly menus, and an updated operating system. This allows them to significantly complement and expand the capabilities of the TV.

What are media players? Why are they even needed? What they can do, how to use them and why they are MORE CONVENIENT and BETTER than anything else (BluRay, DVD, CD). – read more about this. A media player is a player for videos, music and photo albums (photos).

Media player plays files, which contain video, music or photos. How better player– the more different file formats it supports. Taking advantage the best models you can completely forget about the word “format”: just select and launch movies, music, photo albums using standard buttons on the remote control - just like on the old familiar BluRay, DVD, and CD players.

Why do you need a media player?

Because it is much MORE CONVENIENT than everything else that came before it - CD players, DVD players and BluRay players.

What exactly is more convenient? Here's what:

1) It is much easier, faster and cheaper to replenish your media collection - a library of films, music and digital photos.
2) Cataloging and searching for media collections is becoming much more convenient thing. One or two HDDs with files are much more compact than racks and shelves. Finding and running the file you need is much easier and faster than going through an archive of disks for a long time. In addition, you can organize information according to any principle convenient for you.
3) Storing information in the form of files is more reliable than on disks (BluRay/DVD/CD).
4) Compared to similar launching of files on a computer, using a media player is much more comfortable! You use it like a traditional player - sitting on the couch in front of a large TV. Agree, THIS is simply MORE USUAL AND CONVENIENT to watch a movie than at a desktop in front of a small monitor, holding the mouse, or than watching from a computer on a large TV, each time going to the keyboard and mouse to control it.

In addition, the player compared to a computer:

• quiet,
• more compact,
• has fewer wires,
• turns on faster
• Easily controlled with just one push-button remote control,
• hangs less often
• has a user-friendly interface like that of a familiar player, and not like a computer - both a small child and an elderly person who grew up in the pre-computer era can easily learn to use it.

How to use the media player

It depends on the class (capabilities) of the media player you are using. Of all the variety that is now on the market, we can roughly distinguish four classes of media players.

1) Players with a USB port, without a hard drive (HDD), without a connection to a local network (without a network port).

This is the class of the simplest and most inexpensive models. At the same time, they can work perfectly at the level for which they are intended.

Usage

The player is connected to the TV, media files are recorded on a USB flash drive (or USB disk), which is then inserted into the USB port on the player. Take the player's remote control and find it on the flash drive. necessary files, let's launch. We look, we listen - that’s all! Simple and convenient. The Jacktop Mini player belongs to this category of models.

2) Players with the ability to integrate a hard drive (HDD), without connecting to a local network (without a network port).

These models are slightly more expensive than previous diskless models. They are convenient because you can record and store files on the built-in HDD. If the HDD capacity allows, you can transfer your entire old DVD collection, all music/movies/photos from your computer to it and use only the player. A DVD player with racks of discs can be immediately sent to the dacha: where there is a media player, you will no longer need all this!

Usage

To record movies/music/photo albums on the player’s HDD, just connect the player to the computer as usual external USB drive and rewrite the necessary files. Then the player can be connected to the TV - watch movies, listen to music, leaf through photo albums.

In addition, these players, like the previous class of players, are equipped with an external USB port for connecting external USB hard drives and flash drives, from which the players can play files. Many models have a background music function, that is, when viewing photos can be accompanied by music. The most advanced models of this class can perform operations with folders and files, just like on a computer - copy, move, delete, rename, create new folders - and all this easily with the help of one remote control.

Note

These players (described in points 1 and 2) can only play SD video (cheap models) and SD and HD video (more expensive models). However, almost all new SD models are equipped with an HDMI output, and are capable of outputting an HD signal via component and HDMI outputs, scaling the SD picture to HD.

All media players of the two following classes (points 3 and 4) support real (720p, 1080i/p) HD video.

3) Players with the ability to connect to a local network (network port), but without access to the Internet - both disk and diskless models.

The advantage of these players is that, in addition to everything that models of the two previous classes can do, they can connect to a local network and play files from all available network sources - computers, network drives (NAS, Network Access Storage), other network players ( which have a built-in HDD).

Usage

The player connects network cable to the router (network router), video-audio outputs to the TV. Next you need to go to the player settings (setup) section network settings and set the parameters appropriate for your local network. In most cases, the factory settings allow the player to automatically connect to the network immediately when turned on. Next, those drives/folders on computers and network storage devices (NAS) where the media files we need are located need to be assigned a common network access so that they are “visible” from any other network device, for example, from a media player. After this, the media player will “see” all network drives/folders and will be able to play files recorded in them, and not just files from its local HDD or USB drives. The obvious advantages of this connection are that, firstly, the player has access to many more places where files are located, and, secondly, it is not necessary to copy files to the player (or connect external USB devices to it) - the entire media collection can be stored distributed across several network devices(or on one network server large capacity). For example, if there are several rooms in an apartment or cottage, each of which is equipped with a TV and audio system, it is enough to have only ONE network media server where all films, TV shows (recorded by a TV receiver), music and a collection of photos will be stored. In each room you can use your own network media player and watch something of your own - from a server over the network, without the need to first copy files.

4) Players with the ability to connect to a local network (network port), Internet access and the ability remote control(With remote computer) – both disk and diskless.

This is the most advanced category of media players. They have many options for use depending on the user's wishes, the technology he has and (often) the degree of familiarity with the topics "media players / computers / computer networks/ Internet”, since a number of initial settings still require some immersion in computer topics. But after the settings are made, anyone can use the player, regardless of the amount of knowledge and age. The media players Dr.HD MX80, XF100, XS50 belong to this particular class of devices. What such players can do (in very general terms):

• play files of almost any format (naturally heavy HD video files of tens of gigabytes);
• play files - from the internal HDD (if any), from external USB sources (disks, flash drives), from external eSATA drives (some models), network drives (within the same local network), from remote Web servers (via the Internet );
• download files (movies, music, photos) from the Internet (using the BitTorrent protocol);
• play IPTV and Internet TV channels;
• play the contents of popular Web media resources (YouTube, Flickr, Picasa, Yahoo Weather, etc., even viewing email inboxes);
• perform operations with files (copying, moving, deleting, etc.);
• have the ability to remotely control (over the network and via the Internet): managing settings, playing files (selecting a file, remote start, stop playback), turning on/off, downloading new files from the Internet, etc.;
• make it possible to install new software, including alternative software, which significantly expands the range of player capabilities.

If there are several rooms (not necessarily located nearby), each of which is equipped with a TV with a media player and Internet access, then you can either independently run the media player in each room, or manage the entire system of media players from one computer. This computer can be either on the same local network with the players, or remote and connect to each player via the Internet (see figure below). Even a pocket communicator, such as an iPhone, can be used as a computer. The players themselves can be either on the same local network or outside of a particular network.

From a remote computer you can launch files on each player, stop playback, change settings, turn the player on/off, etc. For example, you have a player at home (it is turned on and connected to the Internet), you are visiting, and so are your friends. There is a similar player (also with Internet access). You want to watch a movie or a photo album, or listen to music that is recorded in your home. What is needed for this? Just connect to your home player and run files from it as from a remote Web resource. In this way, you can easily exchange files with other player owners without overwriting files - just keep the players online (and know their IP addresses, of course).

How can I add content to my home media library? Here are some of the fastest, easiest and most common methods.

1) Many Internet providers have one or more FTP servers, where thousands of video and music files are recorded. Just download everything needed by the computer and reset to the player’s disk (if the player has a built-in disk), or to network folder computer, or to a separate network storage. Such downloading is free; traffic within the provider’s network is usually not charged.

2) Go to any of the Torrent trackers and just download what interests you. And completely free! Torrent tracker– Web portal, which contains an extensive catalog of films/music/photos/software/games/etc., from where special<*.torren t> files, which in turn when opened by the program torrent client, allow you to easily and quickly download the necessary media files - movies/music/photos/games/software/etc. Popular torrent trackers contain a truly huge database - you can find and download almost any movie (from Hollywood releases to classics and art house") or music. The most popular torrent trackers: thepiratebay.org, torrents.ru, tfile.ru, nnm-club.me, rutor.org, etc.

The most advanced players (the category described in point 4) usually have a built-in torrent client. You can run<*.torrent>file directly on the player, and the player will start downloading on its own, without the help of a computer (naturally, the player must be connected to a working router, and the router to the Internet).

3) Go to any movie or music Web resource that offers a download service (free or paid); files on such resources are often stored on the well-known file storage rapidshare.com (or similar ones) - from there you download them using the links indicated on the resource pages. If the download is paid, you are offered to pay via SMS. The amounts are usually ridiculous.

The enormous convenience of media players, their capabilities and flexibility of settings are worthy of several separate articles. A short use of such a device is enough to understand that DVD and BluRay players are already a thing of the past, if not the day before, and by and large they are not needed. What you REALLY NEED to have at home is the following:

• HD TV (display, projector) + separate audio system (stereo or 5.1);
• local network connected by a router with Internet access;
• at least one computer connected to the local network (for recording new media files);
• network disk drive (NAS) for storing the entire collection of media files (the NAS role can be performed by the same computer or another computer);
• media player (disk or diskless); if it has the function of connecting to a local network, then there are much more possibilities;
• if you watch TV, then you will also need a PVR receiver (satellite, cable or terrestrial, depending on what channels you want to watch), preferably connected to a local network.

On the media player you watch movies and photos, listen to music, watch IPTV and Internet TV channels, YouTube videos etc. On the receiver you watch TV channels coming from satellites, cable or over the air, if necessary, record your favorite TV shows and films, adding to your media collection of files.

And this is, in principle, a complete (or almost complete) list of what is needed for complete happiness. If it's a pity to throw away the BluRay and DVD players, you can connect them to the additional inputs of your TV and audio system and sometimes watch/listen to discs the old fashioned way.

For most users Personal Computer has been playing the role for a long time universal device, with which you can not only work, but also spend your free time with pleasure. In both cases, one cannot do without such familiar music and video recordings. As a rule, we come across such media files every day and rarely think about how the technology for playing them works. In fact, to work with such files you cannot do without special programs called media players. They provide playback of sound and music content thanks to a set of various media containers. There are a huge number of such programs today. As usual, some of them are available for downloading after payment of a certain amount. Others are classified as free software. We'll talk about them. Fortunately, there are plenty to choose from.
The developers have created a lot of media players that differ in both interface and functionality. But first, let's clarify - the fundamental difference between them lies in the ability to play exclusively music files or both types of files - both music and video.
And now to the heart of the matter. Any media player is special program, created for working with media files. In other words, you simply won’t be able to open such a file without a player installed on your PC. Programs of this kind can be considered the real “stars” of the virtual world. Few can compare with them in terms of regularity of use. As a rule, every operating system has a built-in media player by default. For example, on Windows this is Window Media Player, on Linux - Banshee and Totem. But many users rightly place higher demands on players. I would like the interface to be convenient and appearance you could customize it to your liking and build a playlist. And a holy place, as we know, is never empty. This is how a huge variety of media players appeared, among which everyone will find a program “to suit their taste and color.” How else can media players differ? This, of course, is a different set of codecs that allow you to read files of different media formats, these are advanced equalizer and sound settings, playing streaming audio and video, recording to discs, and editing files. Of course, not all players have a full range of such functions, but that’s what freedom of choice is all about. Perhaps the most popular free media players are iTunes, VLC Media Player, KMPlayer, Kantaris, QuickTime Alternative, as well as Songbird and AIMP, which work only with sound.

In recent years, the rejection of physical media has reached its apogee and today few people use already outdated CDs. Both audio and video content have successfully migrated to the format of disembodied files stored on hard drives or received in real time using streaming services. At the same time, the quality of multimedia is steadily growing and you can easily find music with a resolution of 24 bit / 192 kHz or even DSD 128, and TVs and projectors have learned to display 4K video.

It is quite natural that with the transition to a new digital era, special devices were required to work with this type of data. And of course they showed up. They became network audio and media players. The first of them are intended exclusively for sound reproduction and are aimed primarily at audiophiles, but the second are quite omnivorous and suitable for everyone, especially since their cost has recently dropped significantly. The average media player is capable of playing a variety of content from almost any source, be it removable drives, NAS, built-in HDD or Internet, supporting both wired and wireless transmission data. It is convenient and easy to use, and the resulting quality is very high level.

To be fair, it is worth noting that expensive modern TVs of top models have a built-in media player on board, and its functions can be performed by a regular computer, but each of these options has advantages and disadvantages. Despite all the convenience of using an “all-in-one” device, TVs often, although they support work with the main formats, do not support all audio and video codecs found within the same media container in various variations. In particular, this concerns multi-channel DTS sound, with which most representatives of this class categorically refuse to be friends. It will not be possible to install a hard drive inside, instead of which you will have to use a USB-HDD or NAS.

In contrast, computers work with any codecs and formats, but without an additional upgrade they cannot boast of the convenience of media players. Firstly, you will have to get a more practical graphical shell for remote use and buy a remote control. Secondly, in order to properly output multi-channel audio via the HDMI interface, you will need to purchase an appropriate video card, which can also cost a significant amount. And finally, a computer, especially a powerful one, often produces a lot of noise that is not conducive to pleasant viewing. However, for those who watch movies only occasionally and are not particularly picky about comfort or versatility, both of these options may suit you, but if you want to get a convenient and multifunctional device for working with any content, you should pay attention to a network media player.

The emergence of a new player

Asian manufacturers were among the first to actively produce network media players, among which Dune HD, which still exists on the market, can be considered a pioneer. In 2006, it introduced its first DVD player, which could play not only a standard video disc, but also various third-party formats that were not very popular at that time. After that, the Blu-ray drive took over, eventually giving way to the hard drive. The capabilities have been supplemented with modern interfaces and wireless modules, as well as support for multi-channel audio and 3D video. They are still produced in this form to this day, and the quality of the products of this Taiwanese brand is very high.

The second company that contributed to the development of media players was the Korean DViCO, which produced devices under the TVi X brand. From the very beginning, it decided to use a hard drive as a data source, so its the lineup was full of unusual shapes, which became possible due to the absence of the need to use a CD drive.

By the end of the 2000s, another Popcorn TV player appeared on the market, distinctive feature which had not only the ability to play files from a preinstalled hard drive, but also access to various online services such as radio and television, which allowed it to achieve high popularity in Europe and the USA, where the speed of Internet access at that time was already sufficient for normal operation level. In Russia, the device became known only later, when the Chinese company BBK began producing it, and dial-up was replaced by more or less sane broadband access.

Design Features

All network media players are developed on the basis of a chipset that is responsible not only for decoding the incoming signal, but also for supporting data input/output interfaces such as SATA, USB, HDMI or LAN. Additional functions such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or DVB-T/T2 are implemented by connecting the appropriate modules. The filling is packaged in a suitable case, supplied with power, connectors, a remote control and released for sale. Based on this, it becomes clear that the main capabilities and quality of operation of such a device largely depend on the chipset model used in it.

The vast majority of devices on the market are based on chipsets produced by Realtek and Sigma Designs. The first of them has modifications in its range entry level, installed in inexpensive players, while the second specializes in higher quality and functional options that are significantly more expensive. Sometimes you can also find products from AmLogic and Boxchip, but they are budget analogues of old Realtek developments and are not of particular interest.

The Sigma Designs lineup consists of 12 chips, grouped into five lines. All of them have support for HDMI 1.4 with CEC, high-definition video with 12-bit xvYCC color reproduction, stereoscopic 3D video (RealD), DTS, DD, DTSMA, TrueHD audio decoding and work with 100 MB, less often 1 Gbit networks. Each of them also has additional features, which can be found in more detail by reading the specification.

Realtek's assortment today includes three chips, the initial one of which is equipped with an HDMI 1.3 port with CEC, but is not equipped with a network card. Average preset PCI slot Express and 1 Gbit network interface. In addition, the top one is equipped with a 3D accelerator, can broadcast a stereoscopic signal via an HDMI 1.4 interface with CEC and decode 3D.

Representatives

Today, there are many models on the market, both from industry pioneers and newcomers like 3Q and iconBIT. In addition, the giants ASUS, Sony and others are also involved in their production. If we talk about classification, it is fully determined by the use of a particular chipset in the design, on which the capabilities depend. Conventionally, all media players can be classified into one of three price groups: cheap, medium and expensive.

Budget models costing up to 7 - 8,000 rubles will allow you to watch Full HD video and listen to music in the most popular formats. Gradually, devices with the ability to work with 4K resolution are appearing in this category. Multichannel audio codecs Dolby Digital and DTS are almost always supported. Various devices are designed to be used external drives, internal hard drives, usually purchased separately, or connection to a local network via an Ethernet port. There are modifications with a Wi-Fi module and an HDMI stick version. The remote control is included in the kit. Representatives include ASUS O!Play Gallery or IconBIT Movie FHD T2.

Mid-price ones costing up to 15,000 rubles work with all formats, decode 3D video and multi-channel audio, and are also equipped with a 1 Gbit network controller. Almost all of them allow installing hard disk, have their own Wi-Fi module and DVB-T/T TV tuner. The number of connectors for switching here is usually maximum, and the menu and interface are well designed. All this is complemented by the presence of Smart TV technology, which provides simple and convenient access to network services. Representative models: ASUS O!Play HD2 and IconBIT OMNICAST UHD.

Premium devices can do it all, but they do it much better. To achieve this, manufacturers are introducing various functions to improve picture quality, expand the color range, and so on. It is often possible to install a pair of hard drives in them, and the design is similar in form to classic CD players or audio components. As in expensive devices for working with sound, in such media players careful attention is paid to the set of components and circuitry. In general, premium class in its purest form. An example is the Dune HD Solo 4K model.

Conclusion

If you want to get a convenient and functional device that can work with most available formats, connect to the Internet and decode stereoscopic 3D video, then there are many worthy contenders in the mid-price segment. Those who have no need for extensive capabilities and 3D can easily choose a budget model. And finally, fans of watching movies on the big screen who have a good audio system in their arsenal will appreciate the advantages of expensive devices that provide a significant increase in quality.