Dears,
I’m asking for your DVD player recommendations - I’m done with the streaming platforms. I’m looking for something simple and robust with all the important key features but I’m a little lost with the current offer. What’s a must have?
Ideally, I’d go for a player that has both HDMI and USB-C in output, to make sure it still works fine in the future - but I’m not sure USB-C output exists. Now I’m also questioning the need of BluRay/image upgrade, as it shouldn’t be too expensive.
Do you use a DVD player? What is your recommendation? Would any 2nd have from 2010’s do the job?
Thanks in advance!
EDIT: I understand USB-C output does not exist - and any 2nd hand Blu-ray player would be perfect and be quite cheap! Thanks all for your comments!
I bought a Sony Blue Ray player back in 2014 and though it doesn’t see much use now that I have a Plex server, it still works over a decade later.
Gosh, I haven’t seen a CD or DVD in ages.
I’ll second the thrift store suggestion. I picked up a Samsung BD-H5100 bluray player at the local FreeGreek for $5 and it has been nice to just pop a disc in and not worry about all the streaming shenanigans.
I’d say you might as well look for a bluray player. Second hand bluray discs are some times cheaper than the DVDs and sometimes the quality bump is nice. IMO, 4k bluray isn’t worth it. I’ve watched a few 4k blurays and while I can tell there’s a difference I’ve never felt myself missing the extra quality when watching a normal bluray.
Another option to consider is an old game console. Anything back to the ps3 has a bluray drive. (Though, not the xbox360, iirc? Also at one point Microsoft forced you to make an account and buy a license to watch blurays, so make sure that’s not a thing for any game console you consider.) And I know at least the ps3 had an official remote you could buy so you didn’t have to use a controller.
From a privacy perspective, all your options are the same as long as you don’t connect whatever you get to the internet.
Thank you so much for your suggestions, I can have a ps3 easily, so it’s cool knowing for this remote, thanks for sharing!!
Do you use a DVD player?
Yeah. But actually being able to watch stuff on it and just copying it over for convenience is a small step on Linux. Just read a bit about DVD/Bluray encryption on Arch wiki, it’s gaga.
but I’m not sure USB-C output exists.
Not that I’m aware of, no. It’s either HDMI or (if you getting the older Blu-ray player) one has Composite or Component output.
Now I’m also questioning the need of BluRay/image upgrade, as it shouldn’t be too expensive.
You can always get it second-hand which would be cheaper than getting it new and make sure you don’t connect to the internet.
Also as someone that has BluRay player, I prefer BluRay over DVD disc for it being in HD and also, it can still play DVDs. If you already have BluRay collection or don’t mind spending a bit to get it on that format, go for it.
Any good thrift shops in your area? I’ve seen even Blu-ray players selling for just a few bucks.
Thanks, I’ll go see if they sell any!
I suspect that you’ll have a very hard time finding a player that has a native HDMI port, and a USB-C port is probably out of the question with a typical player. I think the other commenters are probably on the right track with using either a console (unconnected to the internet) or an drive for a PC. You may also be able to find a standalone blu-ray player with these features, but I think the USB-C connectors are unlikely. Just make sure that whatever you find, you keep it disconnected from your network (unless you use a PC) if you want privacy.
I also try to move away from streaming to physical media, DVD, BluRay etc. My local movie store only had Panasonic DVD/BluRay players, and reviews generally looks good, so bought a Panasonic and it does the job well. Can recommend.
Thanks, I appreciate your feedbacks!
What about BluRay Player in the form of PS5 or Xbox Series X?
Well I don’t have one, and have no real interest in having those tbh. Also using a controller instead of a remote seems a little less straightforward for play/pause/volume up/down, no? Should I consider those options?
Since we are in the privacy community, maybe not. I only proposed it for convenience and if this didn’t cross your mind.
Privacy aside, with PS5 or Xbox you get a device with two features. Plus new games are insanely pretty, I really like Forza 5. Since this is not what you want, I can propose maybe one alternative, better fitting for privacy community: use Linux Box in the form of a mini PC and get a USB optical drive.
A while ago I was considering a similar thing, just instead of dvd, I was considering blu-ray. Couldn’t find really a cheap one which works with 4k, so im sticking with mini PC option and an Xbox
That seems like a big step for me as I never used Linux before but that’s definitely something I was considering. My point was to find a chromecast replacement with that (and still access arte.tv for instance). What mini-PC did you go for? Are you happy with this choice? Can it be used for selfhosting?
Linux is not what it used to be.
When you think linux (on the desktop), don’t think nerdy terminal thing… Think a bit more complicated Android when using gnome and when talking normal use. You still can use it for advanced features like self hosting, but for advanced things you would need terminal. Regarding normal use, I installed it for my mom… No complaints, no viruses, she is super happy since people today mostly use a web browser.
Mini PC can be used for selfhosting, yes. Server is a ‘role’. It’s not necessarily hardware. So you can selfhost a bunch of things on rpi, Linux phone or actual server hardware. Subscribe to selfhosted community and see what people do there. Easiest is maybe to start with network file share to work with windows (in Linux world this is called samba).
Self hosting will not come always with a gui and you need to learn things like podman (a container engine), but recently a management tool called cockpit bacame very usable. I think i saw that they even have samba configuration GUI, but I’m not sure. Anyway, Cockpit is a web tool, so if you have it enabled, you can fix and change things from another computer. Check the screenshots: https://cockpit-project.org/
If Arte Works via a browser, install Firefox and that’s it.
I use a mini PC from HP, elitedesk or prodesk not really sure, with Intel 8gen cpu. Size is like 2x 100g chocolates. I would advise against this specific micro pc - due to some hp firmware stupidity - it causes HDMI to not have Sound out-of-the-box. Some manual configuration is needed (if you do opt for it, I can tell you how to fix it).
To avoid these problems. I would go for AMD CPU of 4000 gen of later. That kind of pc on willhaben costs roughly 200-300eur.
You can check also afbshop they tend to have refurbished equipment for really good prices with warranty from time to time.
Dud, I really appreciate your help - thanks for sharing all this information. I’ll start from the very basic, think about something similar to the thing you got your mom, for the most user friendly experience. Then when I understand a bit more i’ll dig into the cockpit project and other self hosting solutions!!
Thanks also for not recommending HP, this is the kind of feedback that makes the difference. Take care!!!
Why not coinsder buying USB bluray/DVD reader which u plug in to PC ?
What’s the added value doing that? I’d then have player>PC (dedicated to TV)>TV.
If you want a player with video out it’s almost guaranteed to not have any USB out for copy protection reasons. But a random PC plus the USB drive of your choice will fit both requirements.
U can buy any cheap nettop which cost about 70$ on eBay for example something like HP mini connect to USB bluray reader and using display port to HDMI wire connect to tv generally it would cost about 90$ together
