| | |  | Computer Accessories | Home » » Iomega ScreenPlay USB 2.0/AV 500 GB HD Multimedia Drive 34200 | | | | | | | Description: | | Enjoy the convenience of watching digital files on your home theatre or TV without being connected to the computer! The Iomega ScreenPlayâ¿¢ 500GB Multimedia drive is a cost-effective high quality multimedia player, plus high capacity storage for your media collections of photos, videos and music files. In a compact, sleek black style to complement your home theatre system, the ScreenPlay Multimedia drive is compatible with the latest media formats such as MP3, AC3 (Dolby Digital Encoding), WAV, MPEG-1; MPEG-2 (AVI/VOB); MPEG-4 (AVI/DiVX 3.11, 4.x, 5.x/XViD) and JPEG. | | | Features: | |
• Media player with 500 GB storage allows user to watch and listen to digital media files without a computer
• HDMI output for full HD support; also supports SCART, composite, component, and coaxial output
• Remote control included
• Compact, sleek style complements home theater systems
• Backed by 1-year warranty
| | | Product Details: | | | Product Length:
| 7.7 inches | | Product Width:
| 2.3 inches | | Product Height:
| 5.0 inches | | Product Weight:
| 2.0 pounds | | Package Length:
| 9.4 inches | | Package Width:
| 6.5 inches | | Package Height:
| 4.4 inches | | Package Weight:
| 3.15 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 58 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 58 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
41 of 45 found the following review helpful:
 Flawed but useful device for playing back audio files on your home stereo systemJun 08, 2008
By suetonius
"seutonius"
The Screenplay HD Multimedia Drive allows 500 GB worth of files to be stored on one small device and played back on your tv or stereo system without the need for a computer. The unit is smaller than most 5" external hard drive enclosures. It includes a small remote that conveniently snaps into the base for storage.
The connections provided are HDMI (for picture and sound), component video, stereo audio and video (Red white yellow connectors) and digital audio (via a single RCA cable). A SCART connection is provided for users in France other countries where this unusual connection is used.
The unit has an on-screen display that allows it to be controlled by looking at a menu on your TV screen.
I found that the unit handles video files poorly. Very large files (more than 300 MB) take a long time to load and sometimes the device crashes completely. The quality of 640 x 480 video on a 32 inch LCD looks surprisingly good, better than the display on my computer monitor. HD files are not recognized. The on-screen display doesn't even show them even though they are visible when looking at the directory with the unit USB connected to your computer as an external hard drive.
Jpgs are handled well enough but there is an annoying delay between pressing next on the remote and the next image being displayed. If the folders created by the user contain too many files (near a thousand rather than a hundred or so) response time becomes unusably slow. The slide show mode allows changing the time between dissolves but the time is far longer than indicated. It does not recognize the Raw digital image formats Nikon NEF or Canon CR2. Given that these are slow to load on a fast computer it is probably best that they didn't try to include that feature.
Music files are handled best by the Screenplay. It will play mp3, WAV and WMA files. It does not recognize FLAC and EAC. Response time is acceptably fast keeping in mind folder size. When opening a folder containing audio it will automatically play the entire folder. Alternatively, the user can stop the autoplay and look for a particular audio file within the folder.
It is capable of playing back sound through the television's built in speakers but I have instead connected it to an amplifier. The quality of the sound coming as amplified by my Sony receiver was very good. Playing back my music library of WAV files ripped from CDs was my primary reason for purchase. Given that, I will rate the device as acceptable for that purpose especially since 500GB is currently plenty of storage space for me. Users who wish to primarily playback video may have less positive opinions. It can do that and display images but with some drawbacks related to the limited amount of processing power available. Since very large video files can slow down even a fast computer it isn't surprising that this little gadget has problems with them as well.
25 of 28 found the following review helpful:
 Works as advertised, no issuesJul 30, 2008
By T. Ali Al Raisi
Bought this player recently to handle my digital video library.
Before doing anything, I checked at the manufacturers website for a firmware update. Found one and installed it before doing anything else. This review refers to a machine that was updated with the latest firmware. I am not aware of any issues that existed prior to the firmware, since I never used the machine prior to installing the update.
I uploaded more than 150 GB of video files and some audio files.
Machine works as advertised.
I tried connecting it with Composite and Component. Component connectors provide superior picture on my system. My TV has only one HDMI connection, which is being used by my PS3.
I tried high quality DVD files including some that are bigger than 4 GB. All work fine with no stall or issues. Both picture and audio quality is better than I expected after reading the reviews. I set it up to produce progressive standard definition picture over component. Works really good. Picture looks fine on Sony Bravia HD screen with Denon Amp through a home theater setup.
I do not think that you can get better for the price.
Small, light weight, nice remote, and big storage. Nothing to complain about.
Highly recommended.
Lost one star because it says HD on the box, but probably does not run HD movies. I have not tested that though, so I am just going by what I hear.
I would not hesitate buying it again.
12 of 13 found the following review helpful:
Compact Portable Movie LibraryJun 11, 2008
By Gloria
This drive is exactly what I expected it to be - a compact, portable drive that will play a library of movies without having to get up and change the DVD's. I can take the drive over to a friend's if we're in the mood for a movie, but cannot decide which one, or leave it in my bedroom so I can tap into the uncut, unedited version of my favorite movies if inspired by a showing on cable TV. Transferring files are easy via a simple "click and drag" or saving directly onto the unit as though it were a portable hard drive.
The unit comes with RCA, component, and HDMI ports to accommodate the various connectivity options a user has. I have it hooked up via the HDMI and have had no problems. Audio and video are crisp. There is also a credt card sized remote that conveniently snaps onto the bottom of the drive for storage/transport ease. The only thing I wish was better is the setup features. There are no explanations for what the different audio options are unless I test it out via trial and error. The instruction manual on the installation CD will tell me if no "x" then no "y," but I can still get the unit to produce different results despite what the instructions say.
I'm not sure why the other reviewers believed this drive is meant for high definition (HD). The box says it upconverts the picture and processed the "HD" picture. I processed "HD" to mean Hard Disk. It's the same shorthand used for camcorders - HDD is hard disk drive.
6 of 6 found the following review helpful:
 Great bang for the buckSep 05, 2008
By Spreck76
This unit will do everything it says it will do. It's main function is playing back digital media (music, pictures, movies) on your TV. It has an HDMI out to go into your HD TV (hence the "HD" in the product name). I think some reviewers who have complained about the unit have the wrong expectation. Think of it as a way to play your movies/music on your TV, that's all (see main function stated above).
That being said, I have not had any major problems with this device. Some reviewers report clunky/jerky video playback and lockups. After having it for 2 months I can count on one hand how many times I have had to reboot it. The firmware update may alleviate some users problems, not sure.
I have played large files of video files in VOB format (over 7 gigs) and smaller files converted to xVid format (350-700 megs) and it works like a champ. The quality is excellent (looks the same as a DVD) and is very convenient as it is a small footprint. I actually bought two, one for the living room and one for the bedroom so I don't have to go hunting for any DVD's, it's all at a touch of a button, on demand. For the price you can't beat it.
5 of 5 found the following review helpful:
Actual item good, but beware of Amazon bundled items!May 08, 2009
By E. Environments
Have only had the Iomega device one week. So far, so good.... This "review" is more to warn buyers about the appealing "Frequently Bought Together" pitch you will see on the item page! In this instance, it was for a HDMI 2m/6ft cable AND an Eforcit 10ft HDMI-HDMI cable for a mere two dollars extra. Sounds like a deal, right??? As the saying goes: "If it sounds to good to be true, it probably isn't true". The aforementioned cables WILL only cost two bucks, BUT THE POSTAGE will cost you another $20-25! Cables, light-weight, cost very little actual postage to mail, but in this "deal", they will cost you plenty!!! Buyer beware....
See all 58 customer reviews on Amazon.com
| | |
|
