[redbulluk]

Having broken my last karaoke player by sitting on it (don't ask), I need a new one. As I also need a Media Player for just watching movies / displaying photos etc. and I'd like to kill two birds with one stone. I'd like to get a player which I can add to a wireless network and transfer video files across to it. I have a few questions.

I assume that media players come in 2 main types - ones which include a hard disc and ones which don't. Opinions - which is best to go for? I assume the benefit of those without, is that you can upgrade the size when necessary?

I can't find one with audio / microphone input, but I have seen products like this audio input converter - Singing Machine SMM-117 DVD Karaoke Converter - Convert your DVD player into Karaoke System: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo
Will this do the job? Are there better alternatives?

[Uridium]

Have you thought about a PS3?

Great media player and althoguh not 'proper' Karaoke Singstar is very very good and has a huge catalogue of tracks

[redbulluk]

I did consider it a while ago, but I need storage too.
Also, I tend to download videos that people have uploaded to Youtube with vocals removed and lyrics added - previously I was burning to DVD, but now I'd like to transfer them to a media player.
Hopefully, this will also add the benefit of a nice menu system and remove the disadvantage of drunks dropping DVDs on the floor while squinting at the case looking for 'show me the way to amarillo'.

[Uridium]

Originally Posted by redbulluk

I did consider it a while ago, but I need storage too.
Also, I tend to download videos that people have uploaded to Youtube with vocals removed and lyrics added - previously I was burning to DVD, but now I'd like to transfer them to a media player.
Hopefully, this will also add the benefit of a nice menu system and remove the disadvantage of drunks dropping DVDs on the floor while squinting at the case looking for 'show me the way to amarillo'.

Ps3 will do all of the above. you can either stream the movies from a PC/NAS, store them on the PS3 internal hard Drive or play from a USB device. The standard 120Gb or 250Gb intenral hard drive is easily swpaped with a bigger drive if required (laptop harddrive upto 500Gb) and doing this doesn't affect warranty.

[redbulluk]

wow. I didn't realise that, but I've just looked in to it.

it looks like it could be an option. do you know if the mics can be used, while using the internal drive (or an attached external drive) to play video?

[redbulluk]

hmm. actually, while i'm thinking about it, my original question also still stands.

A PS3 is going to cost me £240 (and I won't use the gaming facility much), whereas a media player is c.£120?

Any other advice on media players and the converter option?

[activeuk]

Sumvision have just releaed a cyclone miko karaoke media player with hdmi which ups the pic to 1080p

[redbulluk]

I can't find any reference to 'miko' (or a karaoke player by Cyclone).

Do you have a link ?

Also, I've seen mixed reports about Cyclone. Are they any good?