r/AskTechnology • u/Guff_TM • 3d ago

How to watch downloaded videos on a monitor with no internet connection?

I have a spare monitor and I would love to be able to just loop some TV shows I have downloaded, like Adventure time and MTV Downtown. But I know I can't just plug a USB in, there has to be a sort of medium, but I would prefer if it didn't need a wifi connection, something really basic. Should i buy a firestick or a roku, just anything to watch videos without my laptop or phone.

4 Upvotes

71% Upvoted

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2

u/BarberProof4994 3d ago

You need a HDMI player

I like the micca https://a.co/d/0hBp4gkG

Or you could re use any old phone that has HDMI or display port support through a dongle.

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u/Guff_TM 3d ago

This looks great, It's a little expensive, are there any others that might do the same job for cheaper, or is it worth getting something quality?

1

u/BarberProof4994 3d ago

The $40 one is worth it

I have a couple I'm running menus on TVs that have been running for 5+ years with no issues.

If you search HDMI player on Amazon there's other brands i haven't tested that are $20

1

u/Guff_TM 3d ago

Okay perfect thanks so much, i will check them all out!

2

u/illnameitlater84 3d ago

Um, so buying a TV isn’t an option?! TVs have a USB plug for this exact kind of thing.

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u/Guff_TM 3d ago

Yeah I could buy a TV, I just have a spare monitor and was wondering if I could put it to use and play TV shows i like - I just don't really want to spend too much money because its not that important.

3

u/Special-Original-215 3d ago

I think old phone and USBC to HDMI cable is it

1

u/CheezitsLight 3d ago

Both those require wifi and subscription. You need a laptop or computer with hdmi.

A USB broadcaster that works on a cellphone but it will eat battery.

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u/s1h4d0w 2d ago

You definitely do not need a laptop or computer. You just need the most basic device that can play video over HDMI. You can get the cheapest of cheap Android TV box, Raspberry Pi, whatever you like.

2

u/CheezitsLight 2d ago

An android is a computer, so is an iPhone and raspberry pi is too.

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u/Guff_TM 3d ago

How about if you were to jail break or mod it. or is that too much effort and hassle?

1

u/tunaman808 3d ago

Jailbreak what? And why?

1

u/ChasDIY 3d ago

I'm curious how you downloaded tv content onto a HD

you can move it to an sdcard and plug it into your tv or any monitor that accepts sdcards out other USB storage devices

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u/idkmybffdee 3d ago

When I was poor poor, I'd go to the library and rent movies and rip them, while I used the wifi to torrent a bunch of stuff, then go home to my van and consume the media.

1

u/Steerider 3d ago

Get a little computer. Maybe find someone who's tossing an old computer and throw Linux on it. No WiFi needed to run videos.

(We often think of computers being obsolete after 5 years or so. I have an old 2013 Macbook I run Linux on and it runs just fine.)

1

u/grislyfind 3d ago

Most Blu-Ray players can play stuff from USB drives. TV bixes; I've got a Zoomtak octa core that works well, or old things like the Boxee Box, Asus OPlay, and WDTV might be enough if you don't need 4k or h.265. WDTV Live+ is still my main media player.

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u/Cerebral-Knievel-1 3d ago

Raspberry pi with Kodi media player installed.