Cheapest tablet that will play videos

Rich_D · 09-30-2012, 01:28 PM

I'm considering joining a gym, and when I use the cardio machines I like to watch movies. The last time I joined, I watched movies on my palm T/X, but it is long gone. At home, I have the tv and a dvd player, but I'd like a portable option.

My requirements:

Cheap
Play AVI or MP4 video files
Cheap
7"
Cheap
Bluetooth would be a bonus, but not necessary

I won't be using the tablet for anything else.

ZBoater · 10-07-2012, 07:49 PM

Nexus 7

Cdesja5 · 10-07-2012, 08:05 PM

Kobo Arc 16 gb for $199. Will be released in November.
http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/19/k...ands-on-video/

After this review was released, Kobo decided to double the storage on the base model and offer 16GB for $199, 32GB for $249 and 64 gb for $299. Runs on ICS and Kobo has confirmed it will be updated to Jelly Bean in a few months.

princysharma1990 · 10-09-2012, 05:29 AM

I think Samsung Galaxy tabs are cheaper and provides much more features in much less prices.

JD Gumby · 10-09-2012, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by princysharma1990

I think Samsung Galaxy tabs are cheaper and provides much more features in much less prices.

Nah. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (7 inch) is $250 (MSRP) for a 1GHz dual-core CPU, 1 GB RAM, 8GB storage (though with a microSD slot), and a 1024x600 screen. In terms of features and specifications, it is outclassed by the similarly-priced Google Nexus 7 (16 gig storage at that price, but no microSD slot, and a quad-core CPU) and the upcoming, and far cheaper, Kobo Arc ($200 for a 1.5GHz dual-core, 1 GB RAM, 16GB storage, and 1280x800 screen - at $250, you'll get 32GB storage, making it a far better deal, despite the lack of microSD slot, than the Tab at either price point)

WillysJeepMan · 10-15-2012, 06:54 PM

Drop by your local BigLots and pick up a Polaroid PMID701i for $80. 7" ICS tablet... has a microSD slot, video out, and can play Netflix and with MX Player virtually all video formats. I have one (just to tinker around with) and it makes a nice simply player.

Rich_D · 10-16-2012, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillysJeepMan

Drop by your local BigLots and pick up a Polaroid PMID701i for $80. 7" ICS tablet... has a microSD slot, video out, and can play Netflix and with MX Player virtually all video formats. I have one (just to tinker around with) and it makes a nice simply player.

This might work! Thanks!

ApK · 10-16-2012, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich_D

This might work! Thanks!

Indeed. One of the cheap off-brand tablets. Biglots often has them for even cheaper than that.

That's definitely the route for someone who put 'cheap' on their list three times and 'good' not once.

$199 Nexus? $250 Galaxy?...please. Might as well suggest an iPad.

HarryT · 10-16-2012, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ApK

Indeed. One of the cheap off-brand tablets. Biglots often has them for even cheaper than that.

That's definitely the route for someone who put 'cheap' on their list three times and 'good' not once.

$199 Nexus? $250 Galaxy?...please. Might as well suggest an iPad.

Beware of battery life. These cheap no-name Chinese Android tablets often have extremely poor battery life. Better battery life and better screen is what you're paying for with the Nexus, Galaxy Tab, etc.

Depends what you need, of course. If a 1h video playing life is adequate for your needs, that's great.

AnemicOak · 10-16-2012, 01:47 PM

Might be able to pick up a used 1st gen Kindle Fire for a reasonable price, would be much better than a lot of the generic no-name devices.

Rich_D · 10-17-2012, 11:19 AM

If I go this route, the tablet will be tossed in a gym bag and handled roughly. I just need it for 30-60 minutes of distraction a couple times a week. Like I stated in my first post, I don't need anything else but video. $60-$80 is perfect.

ApK · 10-17-2012, 11:32 AM

Let us know if you get one. I've never actually tried one of those cheapies in person, and I'd like to hear how it works for you.

booklover6 · 10-17-2012, 11:41 AM

I'd rather have the rumored $99 Nexus....I'm ready to order.

AnemicOak · 10-19-2012, 04:01 PM

I don't really know anything about this seller, but someone just mentioned them to me as a source for cheaper tablets. Thought I'd pass it along...
http://www.lightinthebox.com/c/android-tablets_4781

Teknikal · 10-25-2012, 02:21 PM

Personally I'd go for a Nexus or Samsung as you know they have the horsepower for any video file out there, another factor is the Samsung's already come with all the needed codecs.

I imagine a lot of video on the cheap knockoffs would end up a stuttery mess or like a slideshow.

09-30-2012, 01:28 PM	#1
Rich_D Fanatic Posts: 581 Karma: 1314896 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, PA USA Device: Android phone, Kobo Glo HD, nook ST with Glo (backup)	Cheapest tablet that will play videos I'm considering joining a gym, and when I use the cardio machines I like to watch movies. The last time I joined, I watched movies on my palm T/X, but it is long gone. At home, I have the tv and a dvd player, but I'd like a portable option. My requirements: Cheap Play AVI or MP4 video files Cheap 7" Cheap Bluetooth would be a bonus, but not necessary I won't be using the tablet for anything else.

10-07-2012, 08:05 PM	#3
Cdesja5 Wizard Posts: 1,117 Karma: 2094306 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Montreal, Canada Device: Lots and lots of electronic gadgets...	Kobo Arc 16 gb for $199. Will be released in November. http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/19/k...ands-on-video/ After this review was released, Kobo decided to double the storage on the base model and offer 16GB for $199, 32GB for $249 and 64 gb for $299. Runs on ICS and Kobo has confirmed it will be updated to Jelly Bean in a few months. Last edited by Cdesja5; 10-09-2012 at 09:56 AM. Reason: Wrong link! Corrected to right one...

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Do I need a separate app to play videos in KF?	wyndslash	Amazon Fire	2	07-04-2012 08:32 AM
Color Can't play youtube videos	debteb	Nook Color & Nook Tablet	40	11-26-2011 11:40 PM
Request utube videos do not play	scootsmckay	enTourage eDGe	2	07-08-2011 12:14 PM
Won't play videos on websites - normal?	readerhead	Nook Color & Nook Tablet	3	01-29-2011 10:38 AM
Request Ablity to play embedded youtube videos	D4N14L	enTourage Archive	0	05-26-2010 05:23 PM

10-07-2012, 07:49 PM	#2
ZBoater Gadgeteer Extraordinaire Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2012 Device: Paperwhite, Nexus 7, iPad 3	Nexus 7

10-09-2012, 05:29 AM	#4
princysharma1990 Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2012 Device: none	I think Samsung Galaxy tabs are cheaper and provides much more features in much less prices.

10-15-2012, 06:54 PM	#6
WillysJeepMan Guru Posts: 656 Karma: 2877892 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: Kobo Touch, KFHD7, GTab 8.4 Pro, iPadAir 2	Drop by your local BigLots and pick up a Polaroid PMID701i for $80. 7" ICS tablet... has a microSD slot, video out, and can play Netflix and with MX Player virtually all video formats. I have one (just to tinker around with) and it makes a nice simply player.

10-16-2012, 01:47 PM	#10
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	Might be able to pick up a used 1st gen Kindle Fire for a reasonable price, would be much better than a lot of the generic no-name devices.

10-17-2012, 11:19 AM	#11
Rich_D Fanatic Posts: 581 Karma: 1314896 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, PA USA Device: Android phone, Kobo Glo HD, nook ST with Glo (backup)	If I go this route, the tablet will be tossed in a gym bag and handled roughly. I just need it for 30-60 minutes of distraction a couple times a week. Like I stated in my first post, I don't need anything else but video. $60-$80 is perfect.

10-17-2012, 11:32 AM	#12
ApK Award-Winning Participant Posts: 7,402 Karma: 69116640 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NJ, USA Device: Kindle	Let us know if you get one. I've never actually tried one of those cheapies in person, and I'd like to hear how it works for you.

10-17-2012, 11:41 AM	#13
booklover6 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,545 Karma: 14008730 Join Date: May 2008 Location: PA (USA) Device: Kobo Clara, 2E, Libre 1, PW4, PW5, 2022 Kindle, Kobo Libre Colour	I'd rather have the rumored $99 Nexus....I'm ready to order.

10-19-2012, 04:01 PM	#14
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	I don't really know anything about this seller, but someone just mentioned them to me as a source for cheaper tablets. Thought I'd pass it along... http://www.lightinthebox.com/c/android-tablets_4781

10-25-2012, 02:21 PM	#15
Teknikal Fanatic Posts: 574 Karma: 5264318 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Belfast Device: Sony T1, Note Pro 12.2, Honor 10	Personally I'd go for a Nexus or Samsung as you know they have the horsepower for any video file out there, another factor is the Samsung's already come with all the needed codecs. I imagine a lot of video on the cheap knockoffs would end up a stuttery mess or like a slideshow.