Can we stream HD-DVD movie files to a player from external storage?

[rayenyc]

Hello and sorry if this is a repost.

My Toshiba HD-2A has an ethernet port; used for firmware upgrades and to enable web features for movies.

The unit has DHCP and a MAC address.

Can I configure this so I can see the player on my network?

Then, if I can see the player on my network, can the player play HD-DVD movies stored on my hard drive (networked pc) or external storage device (NAS)?

Thanks,
RayE

[vertigo]

not yet, but I hope someone figures out how to make it do it soon. I have a tv tuner card that allows me to archive tv shows, and I would love to be able to plug in my external harddrive and watch the whole last season of 24 in hd

[allargon]

Are you talking about using a Slingbox?

http://www.slingmedia.com/go/slingbox-pro

[rayenyc]

I was thinking more like: I have HD-DVD movies "backed up" on my external networked storage device.

If I connect my player to my network via ethernet, can my HD-2A play these movies??

The player has the capability to connect to the internet via ethernet, grab files and store them on its persistent memory (128mb) to play them later.
I believe these are the web enabled features that comes with some HD-DVD movies.

Does the HD-2A have the capability see my NAS on the network? Can it to play these movies off the NAS?

Similar to the xBox 360 HD-DVD add-on, wherein the drive can play movies off the HD-DVD movie disk and movie files stored on the local PC.

[CochiseGuy]

Originally Posted by rayenyc

I was thinking more like: I have HD-DVD movies "backed up" on my external networked storage device.

If I connect my player to my network via ethernet, can my HD-2A play these movies??

The player has the capability to connect to the internet via ethernet, grab files and store them on its persistent memory (128mb) to play them later.
I believe these are the web enabled features that comes with some HD-DVD movies.

Does the HD-2A have the capability see my NAS on the network? Can it to play these movies off the NAS?

Similar to the xBox 360 HD-DVD add-on, wherein the drive can play movies off the HD-DVD movie disk and movie files stored on the local PC.

Isn't it the Xbox console that can play movies off an HD DVD disc or files stored on a local PC? And it can do that because the code is written into the Operating System (OS). Those web enable features on HD DVD titles are authored on the disc. So to do what you are suggesting, someone would have to either write code into a Firmware update for the player, or author an HD DVD disc to tell the OS to go to a specific IP address and follow a specific set of instructions. Neither option seems very viable.

[rayenyc]

"Isn't it the Xbox console that can play movies off an HD DVD disc or files stored on a local PC?"

Interesting, I did not know about this.

"So to do what you are suggesting, someone would have to either write code into a Firmware update for the player..."

Exactly what I was thinking; some third party firmware.

If this feature was enabled, I would and maybe more people would keep their HD-DVD players.

[Z22_Z33]

Originally Posted by rayenyc

"Isn't it the Xbox console that can play movies off an HD DVD disc or files stored on a local PC?"

Interesting, I did not know about this.

It's alright, for some reason MSFT does not advertise these functions in the least bit. Last I checked it wasn't even mentioned in the manual, it's even buried on MSFT and Xbox websites.

But it is interesting people keep forgetting the 360 add-on is just a disc reader, nothing more. The console, the bigger white box, the actual Xbox 360 does all the work. It's a great media box, and the local area network connections are great and it actually works.

I was wondering the same thing you were. But it went, is there some way to make my A-35 act like an Xbox 360, read media from my computer and actually be able to use the USB port, as well as the other things it does, plus much more, and minus all this DRM stuff. Do I really need to be connected to the net to watch a DivX movie?!

Originally Posted by allargon

Are you talking about using a Slingbox?

http://www.slingmedia.com/go/slingbox-pro

No. Pretty much we just want to use it at home, not on the go on our cell phones.
Plus we already have the HD-DVD players, so why spend an extra 400 dollars for something these players should already do, and should be more than capable of doing.

[ates]

Originally Posted by vertigo

not yet, but I hope someone figures out how to make it do it soon. I have a tv tuner card that allows me to archive tv shows, and I would love to be able to plug in my external harddrive and watch the whole last season of 24 in hd

PS3 and xbox360 can play files in HD resolution. I have .avi and .wmv 1920x1080 files that play fine off my external hard drive.

[Guns4Hire]

Hopefully someone creates a hacked firmware out there so we can get the most out of our players.

But its probably a long way off if ever.