Playing Unconverted M2TS Files Directly On Television

[hillwalker]

I currently have c.600GB of M2TS files recorded by my Sony HDR-S11 camcorder stored on an external hard drive. Does anyone know how to play these files directly onto a TV. My television, a Samsung has its own media player, but doesn't support M2TS files. The only ways I can think of playing them are:

1. To re-load videos of current interest onto my camcorder and play them through the HD lead - This works well, but is inconvenient.
2. To convert them - Inconvenient and very time consuming.
3. Buy a separate media player (e.g. Popcorn Hour) - Kind of defeats the object of having the Samsung one, plus additional expense.
4. See if any Sony Blu-ray players have a USB input to connect my hard drive to. I know their players support the M2TS files - Don't really want to buy a Blu-ray player just yet until the price of discs fall.
5. Figure a way of installing playing software into the Samsung - Ideal solution, but may be risky?

Any ideas would be gratefully received.

[jlearmonth]

Could you not "batch" convert them.
And perhaps burn to DVDs.

[senu]

Panasonic BD players although they only read off the SD card slot
PS3
or
WDmedia player for £70 :A ( small) additonal expense but very versatile and will read off your Ext HDD with ease and cheaper than PCH .although no networking
My Phillips also has a usb slot and media card reader( ie media player) but also has limited file file formats
I find using the WDTV VFM in that..also its small portable and outputs 1080p
Sony BD players have USB but not for input from any data source but to store bd live content off line
And seriuosly, how far down do you want BD player prices to fall? I got 2 for £300 odd last year and Im loving them though they have been "replaced" (Panasinic bd 35 and Sony bd 350)
Cheaper ones are sub £100 but it may be false economy to spend too little..
Just a though

[hillwalker]

Thanks for the replies.

jlearmonth - There are several reasons why I'd prefer to avoid convert & burn:

1. I've tried several conversion software - They're all slow (I have a very quick PC), as is any AVCHD conversion software.
2. I'd rather keep the files in their original format - Conversion at best may keep the original quality. At worst.....
3. I have c.600GB of M2TS files and increasing. The last thing I want to do is to convert them, plus I'd have to buy another large hard drive to store the copies.

I think it's needless to convert video files, much better to keep the original quality, save hours/days of on-going wasted time and find a way of playing them directly.


Senu - The WD media player doesn't play M2TS files.

You've mis-read my post, my Blu-ray reservation wasn't to do with the cost of the players, but of discs.

I wasn't aware of the Panasonic Blu-ray player option. Thanks for that.

I received a message from Sony last night stating they have no products that will play M2TS files via a cable. The research I've done indicates this is true for their Blu-ray players, not sure with their TVs (even though I won't be buying one), untrue for their PS3 which will play these files.

My ideal solution would be a future Samsung firmware upgrade. Unfortunately, they've stated they have no immediate plans to support M2TS files. There is the possibility that someone may write an unofficially modified piece of firmware. Not sure whether I'd have the courage to implement it though.

[senu]

Originally Posted by hillwalker

Senu - The WD media player doesn't play M2TS files.

Shame that
It most definitely does MTS from Sony though. I have one and Im currently trialling the Sony XR200V which outputs them and the files play perfectly well

You've mis-read my post, my Blu-ray reservation wasn't to do with the cost of the players, but of discs.

Apologies
I have however got BD discs off Blockbusters ( ex rental) , CEX ect for about £ 5-8 each and now have over 50
..and there are bargains to be had (BOGOF) if you lookout for them .. Still Im not sure when they will get very low to single figures as DVD now is. DVD took a good 10+ years to get this low cost
. Buying at say, HMV at full price is certainly not to be recomeded


[QUOTE]
No worries that is an idea You couls also makelow cost AVCHD disc on DVD media and play off the Panny
But that would take a while

My ideal solution would be a future Samsung firmware upgrade. Unfortunately, they've stated they have no immediate plans to support M2TS files. There is the possibility that someone may write an unofficially modified piece of firmware. Not sure whether I'd have the courage to implement it though.

They may never implement it and you would be risking the TV ( with no comeabacks) if you tried to alter firmware just for this

I would really consider giving the WDTV a go if you can convert them and still keep HD quality
If you can email a short clip ( les than 20mb) I can test it

[hillwalker]

Thanks Senu. Considering my options I'll probably go for a Panasonic DMP-BD60 player*, for the USB input, plus I haven't got a Blu-ray player. Apart from a slow start-up it's got great reviews and feedback.
If my TV didn't have an in-built media player I probably would have bought one. As it is, it seems silly to buy one just to play a single type of video file. Having said that, I am curious and will take up your kind offer of the e-mail attachment test.

*Update - Just downloaded the manual for the DMP-BD60/BD80 players. Only shows DIVX as being playable through the USB input connector and a maximum of 128GB connected USB device.

[rogs]

Originally Posted by hillwalker

The WD media player doesn't play M2TS files.

Mine does - check it has the latest firmware, or simply just change the .m2ts file extension to .mts, either option will work

[senu]

Originally Posted by rogs

Mine does - check it has the latest firmware, or simply just change the .m2ts file extension to .mts, either option will work

Thanks , the latest firmware is a must have anyway..

For a 600Gb HDD full of video, I would seriously consider it. The media players on a TV are usually half hearted affairs IMHO

[hillwalker]

Thanks for the replies fellas. Looks like the ball's back in court.

[senu]

Your m2ts file plays without modification on WDTV media player
Very Fast red loud plane..
'Nuff said..

[hillwalker]

Thanks Senu, it's much appreciated.

Before I make my mind up can someone correct me if I'm wrong about the Panasonic Blu-ray players: that they only play AVCHD files in the SD slot, and that the USB (128GB limited) input will only play avi videos.

[senu]

Actually I have the BD35 and have never bothered with using its USB.. will get curious.... It doesnt have USB (the Sony does) and SD slot is for AVCHD and Jpeg only
Divx, jpegs and mp3 is playable via optical disc
Th SD card slot also uses SD card to store BD live content ( as the Sony d350 uses USB media and takes up to a maximum of 32Gb on SDHC
I must say Im not sure what the BD 60 or 80 are capable of but they have USB terminal which plays divx, jpeg and mp3 but limited to FAT 32 and 300 folders 200 file contents
Not for you I think....

[hillwalker]

I quick thank you to senu and a brief update of my "problem" playing M2TS files:

I ended-up buying the WD Media Player, and for £70 it's a very good bit of kit. It plays virtually everything that's thrown at it, including my Sony Camcorder's files. Additional plus points are:- The player will accept 2 x USB storage devices simultaneously and collate their content into one central menu, which can be accessed individually. It also plays DTS audio via it's optical output.
Negatives: The god-awful file display structure. And, to a lesser degree, the delay of the player responding to the handset.

[senu]

Glad you like it..not perfect but you could do worse for £70. I take it you've updated the firmware
http://www.wdc.com/en/products/wdtv/
I got a small WD 250Gg HDD to go with it "Passport" its called

[hillwalker]

Originally Posted by senu

Glad you like it..not perfect but you could do worse for £70. I take it you've updated the firmware
WD TV Product Update
I got a small WD 250Gg HDD to go with it "Passport" its called

I upgraded the firmware straight away. It's connected to the brilliant 1TB Freecom XS hard drive (www.freecom.com/ecproduct_detail.asp?ID=4004). Totally silent, runs cool and is great looking in an understated way. Completely disappears on the TV stand, it doesn't even have a light - Great!
I was going to get another one, but I'll wait 'till next month when the USB 3.0 version becomes available (Freecom).