[TriLUG] mostly OT: movies on the go?

[Ken MacKenzie via TriLUG]

Yeah we already have a ton of movies in digital format.  I used to run
miniDLNA and now use mediabrowser (name of the project changed recently) to
feed local media to all of the TV's in the house.  We cut the cable a while
back.  Depending on the quality you rip the movie at will of course vary
the size.  What you might consider doing is altering the rip quality for
use on a tablet.  Even though most tablets can do 1080p at their screen
size that really doesn't matter unless your nose is just about touching the
screen.  I refer to this diagram:

http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/629/200ppdengleski.png

Ken

On Mon, Jul 20, 2015 at 11:28 AM, Robert Dale via TriLUG <trilug at trilug.org>
wrote:

> I have not used external storage. I think they have 16GB devices and
> can usually fit 2 - 4 movies (2 - 4 GB) that I inevitably end up
> copying for them. I also don't have many movies in digital format.
> They don't seem to mind watching the same movie repeatedly.  Sometimes
> they even play nice and share a screen when one has a movie the other
> wants to see. So in a way, not having abundant, external storage is a
> good thing.  However, I am glad to see options for external storage
> and power in case I need to go that route.
>
>
>
> On Mon, Jul 20, 2015 at 11:06 AM, Dewey Hylton <plug at hyltown.com> wrote:
> > i'm seeing the exact type of feedback i expected and hoped for.
> filesystem/database corruption due to lack of proper shutdown of a rpi
> device never occurred to me. makes perfect sense, and though it saddens me
> (this was my original first choice) it'll remove the rpi from the list for
> me in this case.
> >
> > after more thought, i decided i really don't want to deal with the
> laptops in the car. they're overly bulky for what we need, though
> availability of the $15 power adapters does make them more attractive.
> >
> > the set top boxes are an interesting idea too - i typically take a roku
> with me, as it plugs right into most hotel TVs and happily plays movies
> right from a thumb drive. i could use this in the same way in the car, i
> think - assuming i could find a display i like. i'd love to know what you
> have used and liked.
> >
> > but overall after hearing recommendations from this list, i think the
> tablet route might be the easiest/smartest way forward. i have an ipad mini
> and an original google tablet, neither of which has a way to accept thumb
> drive or sd card. i don't mind selling the two tablets to fund two others
> which would be a better fit. so what tablets do the happy parents (and
> other users) recommend? amazon shows a whole slew of them, but some details
> such as sd card slots don't really stand out so it's hard to tell what i'm
> looking at. and an earlier comment about how to actually access the
> external storage worries me a bit too. so any specific information here
> would be warmly welcomed.
> >
> > thanks for all the responses! i honestly thought i'd get more
> recommendations for rpi (linux!) but what i'm hearing makes perfect sense.
> and i'm glad to be reminded i'm not the only parent having encountered this
> situation.
> >
> >
> > ----- On Jul 20, 2015, at 10:32 AM, Triangle Linux Users Group General
> Discussion trilug at trilug.org wrote:
> >
> > 2 tablets + 2 sets headphones = happy parents
> >
> > The tablet is a wonderful multi-purpose device. Not only does it go
> > where you go for other boring activities (eg. sitting at the <insert
> > adult function> for 2 hours), but the movies can be more personalized
> > - my kids are slightly further apart and have different movie
> > interests - and they can have their ereaders (modern version of
> > books), music, games, and apps; not everyone likes just watching
> > movies for hours on end.  And for those with time constraints, the
> > table is done. It's ready to go.
> >
> >
> >
> > On Mon, Jul 20, 2015 at 9:58 AM, Reginald Reed via TriLUG
> > <trilug at trilug.org> wrote:
> >> +1 on using a cheap Android tablet.  I've recently ordered a few USB OTG
> >> cables that provide a standard female USB port as well an female micro
> USB
> >> for power that charges the phone/tablet.  This is what I've purchased:
> >>
> >> http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C452XFO
> >>
> >> So far I've been able to charge my Nexus 6 with a USB drive attached and
> >> been able to use a USB ethernet adapter for a Chromecast (single micro
> USB
> >> that powers it and provides Ethernet).
> >>
> >> --Reggie
> >>
> >> On Mon, Jul 20, 2015 at 12:40 AM, Jeff Patterson via TriLUG <
> >> trilug at trilug.org> wrote:
> >>
> >>> I use an android tablet and save movies to an external SD card that is
> on
> >>> the tablet.  Works like a charm :)
> >> --
>