Android Tablets

[markbsi]

I need a bit of advice, I'm considering buying myself an android tablet but I have some specific needs for it.

 

1) it must be able to play mkv format videos up to DVD quality smoothly

 

2) have a USB port to plug in external portable hdd.

 

I like the look of the acer iconia a500, just unsure if it's powerful enough. Transformer is no good as USB port is on keyboard dock so i may as well just have a laptop then

[Stu]

What size screen? New Google Nexus 7 looks cool.

[PeeWee]

What size screen? New Google Nexus 7 looks cool.

 

What this man said!

Quad core tegra and ddr3 ram make the nexus7 a steal at £159 for the 8gb and £199 for the 16gb version.

 

Pretty much the Android tablet to beat at the moment and comes with the much awaited Jellybean OS as standard.

 

Usb is in the form of a mini usb port but no hdmi out on this.

 

Knowing it's purpose will help decide.

 

Any real reason you need the usb HD option?

Would a large usb pen drive not suffice?

See my thread when these were announced here

http://www.escortevolution.co.uk/forums/in...=147725&hl=

[markbsi]

My reason is i have a small htpc connected to the tv with a 1TB hdd with series upon series of tv episodes, I would like a tablet for when my other half is using the tv i have something else to keep my from needing anti depressants while her soaps are on,

 

As for screen size the bigger the better, thats what i liked about the iconia, having said that the price of that nexus is good

[PeeWee]

I would say the Nexus would be fine.

To be honest I would simply have my series in divx format for 7" tablet viewing.

That way you could simply throw a series at a time onto the nexus or alternatively as I mentioned get a 32/64 gb usb pen?

Another thought (and how I watch mine) is to connect via wifi to my home network & watch any movies or series by streaming them from my main server (or in your case your htpc).

I would say streaming them is the best option.

All you need to do is share your 1tb drive via your htpc and away you go.

[shawdreamer]

I would say the Nexus would be fine.

To be honest I would simply have my series in divx format for 7" tablet viewing.

That way you could simply throw a series at a time onto the nexus or alternatively as I mentioned get a 32/64 gb usb pen?

Another thought (and how I watch mine) is to connect via wifi to my home network & watch any movies or series by streaming them from my main server (or in your case your htpc).

I would say streaming them is the best option.

All you need to do is share your 1tb drive via your htpc and away you go.

no mention of your Advance II lad? covers all his bases I think doesnt it?

 

1080 HDmi out (with real dual screen support in the more favoured customs roms too if ya wanna take that route) you can even reverse the internal/external storage capicities so a 32Gb SDcard reads as 32Gb internal..... plenty of space for recorded tv and films then, plus iirc it'll atleast run flashplayer 10.2 minimum if not 11 which would cover any realtime web viewing he might wanna do too.

[PeeWee]

I would say the Nexus would be fine.

To be honest I would simply have my series in divx format for 7" tablet viewing.

That way you could simply throw a series at a time onto the nexus or alternatively as I mentioned get a 32/64 gb usb pen?

Another thought (and how I watch mine) is to connect via wifi to my home network & watch any movies or series by streaming them from my main server (or in your case your htpc).

I would say streaming them is the best option.

All you need to do is share your 1tb drive via your htpc and away you go.

no mention of your Advance II lad? covers all his bases I think doesnt it?

 

1080 HDmi out (with real dual screen support in the more favoured customs roms too if ya wanna take that route) you can even reverse the internal/external storage capicities so a 32Gb SDcard reads as 32Gb internal..... plenty of space for recorded tv and films then, plus iirc it'll atleast run flashplayer 10.2 minimum if not 11 which would cover any realtime web viewing he might wanna do too.

 

Nope!

Because I purchased mine before the release of the Nexus7.

Nexus7 has a far better resolution plus tegra3 quad core cpu, in fact the Nexus7 pretty much wipes the floor with any 7" android on the market atm.

also with the Nexus7 running the far quicker more stable Jellybean OS it's a no brainer for £159.

[shawdreamer]

I would say the Nexus would be fine.

To be honest I would simply have my series in divx format for 7" tablet viewing.

That way you could simply throw a series at a time onto the nexus or alternatively as I mentioned get a 32/64 gb usb pen?

Another thought (and how I watch mine) is to connect via wifi to my home network & watch any movies or series by streaming them from my main server (or in your case your htpc).

I would say streaming them is the best option.

All you need to do is share your 1tb drive via your htpc and away you go.

no mention of your Advance II lad? covers all his bases I think doesnt it?

 

1080 HDmi out (with real dual screen support in the more favoured customs roms too if ya wanna take that route) you can even reverse the internal/external storage capicities so a 32Gb SDcard reads as 32Gb internal..... plenty of space for recorded tv and films then, plus iirc it'll atleast run flashplayer 10.2 minimum if not 11 which would cover any realtime web viewing he might wanna do too.

 

Nope!

Because I purchased mine before the release of the Nexus7.

Nexus7 has a far better resolution plus tegra3 quad core cpu, in fact the Nexus7 pretty much wipes the floor with any 7" android on the market atm.

also with the Nexus7 running the far quicker more stable Jellybean OS it's a no brainer for £159.

 

maybe so but he isn't asking for the best bargain for his "money"

 

he's askin for the best bargain for his "needs"

 

The Nexus is a good tab at a good price but its alot more than he wants and theres lower priced lower spec tabs that can still blitz his requirements afterall.

[PeeWee]

I would say the Nexus would be fine.

To be honest I would simply have my series in divx format for 7" tablet viewing.

That way you could simply throw a series at a time onto the nexus or alternatively as I mentioned get a 32/64 gb usb pen?

Another thought (and how I watch mine) is to connect via wifi to my home network & watch any movies or series by streaming them from my main server (or in your case your htpc).

I would say streaming them is the best option.

All you need to do is share your 1tb drive via your htpc and away you go.

no mention of your Advance II lad? covers all his bases I think doesnt it?

 

1080 HDmi out (with real dual screen support in the more favoured customs roms too if ya wanna take that route) you can even reverse the internal/external storage capicities so a 32Gb SDcard reads as 32Gb internal..... plenty of space for recorded tv and films then, plus iirc it'll atleast run flashplayer 10.2 minimum if not 11 which would cover any realtime web viewing he might wanna do too.

 

Nope!

Because I purchased mine before the release of the Nexus7.

Nexus7 has a far better resolution plus tegra3 quad core cpu, in fact the Nexus7 pretty much wipes the floor with any 7" android on the market atm.

also with the Nexus7 running the far quicker more stable Jellybean OS it's a no brainer for £159.

 

maybe so but he isn't asking for the best bargain for his "money"

 

he's askin for the best bargain for his "needs"

 

The Nexus is a good tab at a good price but its alot more than he wants and theres lower priced lower spec tabs that can still blitz his requirements afterall.

 

It would be foolish to buy an unsupported import from china for £80 when for £159 you will get a long term branded supported tab with the latest OS.

The Nexus7 is better quality, 4 times faster & much more suitable for his needs in media playback.

The screen type is far better enabling a better angle for viewing, the resolution is far better & will be far better for streaming HD video from his htpc.

Advanced II is great for geeks and those who are willing to tinker, the Nexus7 is a far better out of the box tablet for his needs.

The build quality plus after sales service will also be better on the Nexus7, if your chinese tablet crashes and burns don't expect any after care from Ainol

China is an expensive place to send your tablet back to.

Don't get me wrong I love my wee 7" tablet but I am realistic & offer advice based on a persons need & future requirements.

Edited August 5, 2012 by PeeWee

[markbsi]

Got my tablet, ended up going down a different route and got an Acer Iconia W500.

 

Runs on windows 7 but after a few days realized that windows 8 was a better option. I've got the release preview on it and its running pretty nicely so far. Hoping the final release will be better again.

 

For the 199 I paid for it the tablet is spot on.

[PeeWee]

How did you get it so cheap?

[markbsi]

HMV, I was loking on google and it said there were a few local, checked and it was HMV, they didnt have it on display but I thought i'd go in and ask they had it