What's the best option for watching video on a 1280x800 tablet screen?

I'm thinking of buying a new Nexus 7 tablet which has a 1280x800 screen. Assuming I can load movies onto it, what's the best option for watching video on a screen that size? XviD HD? x264 720p? Something else?

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Originally Posted by Skiz

I'm thinking of buying a new Nexus 7 tablet which has a 1280x800 screen. Assuming I can load movies onto it, what's the best option for watching video on a screen that size? XviD HD? x264 720p? Something else?

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Honestly, no one can really claim what would satisfy you. If you have no complaints watching SD xvid videos on your TV, that won't change on a tablet. You might consider SD x264 based on system space alone, especially if you spend every waking moment watching programming on it and being generally efficient.

Snee recently told me that HD is pointless on screens less than 40".
I tend to trust his word on such matters.

The memory isn't all that capacious on any tabs so go down the SD route for sure.
I would say also to go with XviD or DivX since they're ubiquitous and will save you converting.

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Originally Posted by manker

I would say also to go with XviD or DivX since they're ubiquitous and will save you converting.

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He wouldn't have to convert x264, any modern device that plays video supports the H.264 codec. With android, Moboplayer excellently handles the matroska container.

I did give a couple of other reasons.
I only mention the converting thing as I was sure you wouldn't have to convert them. Not that you wouldn't have to convert them but would have to convert x264.

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Originally Posted by manker

I did give a couple of other reasons.
I only mention the converting thing as I was sure you wouldn't have to convert them. Not that you wouldn't have to convert them but would have to convert x264.

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Why do you give me the impression that you think it means something different?

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Originally Posted by mjmacky

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Originally Posted by manker

I did give a couple of other reasons.
I only mention the converting thing as I was sure you wouldn't have to convert them. Not that you wouldn't have to convert them but would have to convert x264.

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Why do you give me the impression that you think it means something different?

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:eyebrows:
I'm not sure. Perhaps it means something different from what I think it means and that's why you've gotten that impression. It could be that you didn't read my post properly. It might be that you're incapable of it until I clarify something that's puzzling you.

I'm at a complete loss as to how we're going to get to the bottom of this vitally important quandary.

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Originally Posted by manker

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Originally Posted by mjmacky

Why do you give me the impression that you think it means something different?

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:eyebrows:
I'm not sure. Perhaps it means something different from what I think it means and that's why you've gotten that impression. It could be that you didn't read my post properly. It might be that you're incapable of it until I clarify something that's puzzling you.

I'm at a complete loss as to how we're going to get to the bottom of this vitally important quandary.

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That's easy, give me your definition. Then you can pick up those fiberglass sticks and splinter your rectum.

First tell me what 'it' is.

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Originally Posted by manker

First tell me what 'it' is.

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I forgot, which thread is this again? Is it my cock? Sometimes that's the solution to my problem.

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Originally Posted by manker

Snee recently told me that HD is pointless on screens less than 40".
I tend to trust his word on such matters.

The memory isn't all that capacious on any tabs so go down the SD route for sure.
I would say also to go with XviD or DivX since they're ubiquitous and will save you converting.

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SD is for chumps. :snooty:

For TV's, I'd generally agree with Snee. It all boils down to pixel density. TVs under about 40" don't usually have the required aspect ratio to display 1080.

I suppose I also shouldn't be asking which option is best, rather which will give the best quality without having more pixel quality than the device can make use of. Obviously 1080 content is unnecessary. I suppose the 720p x264 stuffs is best option. :idunno:

I rarely splurge the bandwidth for 1080p. When I want something looking especially nice, I grab a 720p. One of the nice hurdles that the Nexus has going for it over some of the previous tablets that have momentarily caught my eye is that it will play a full 720p. I have a feeling that the video will look great, and won't be too cumbersome to transfer.

My wife and I are setting aside money to add a good flash for her recently acquired Canon 7D, then the next item will be the Nexus 7. At $250 for the 16GB version, it seems like quite a bargain. Please post your thoughts if/when you get your tab.

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Originally Posted by Skiz

Obviously 1080 content is unnecessary. I suppose the 720p x264 stuffs is best option. :idunno:

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If that's what you're asking, then yes, 720p x264 is what you're to be looking for.

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Originally Posted by megabyteme

I rarely splurge the bandwidth for 1080p. When I want something looking especially nice, I grab a 720p. One of the nice hurdles that the Nexus has going for it over some of the previous tablets that have momentarily caught my eye is that it will play a full 720p. I have a feeling that the video will look great, and won't be too cumbersome to transfer.

My wife and I are setting aside money to add a good flash for her recently acquired Canon 7D, then the next item will be the Nexus 7. At $250 for the 16GB version, it seems like quite a bargain. Please post your thoughts if/when you get your tab.

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It's been many years I think since I downloaded anything non HD. All my TV shows get snatched up in 720p and the movies in 1080p. I have 46" LCD in the living room and a 37" LED in the bedroom, each equipped with it's own media PC running XBMC. With movies, I almost always have to wait longer for the 1080 versions over the faster 720 releases, but I'm a snob, what can I say?

I went ahead and pulled the trigger on the Nexus 7. Should ship in a week or so. I'll try to follow up after sufficient "testing".

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Originally Posted by mjmacky

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Originally Posted by Skiz

Obviously 1080 content is unnecessary. I suppose the 720p x264 stuffs is best option. :idunno:

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If that's what you're asking, then yes, 720p x264 is what you're to be looking for.

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Werd.

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Originally Posted by Skiz

SD is for chumps. :snooty:

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:lol:
Yeah, I'm like that, too. I blame Busyman for everything.
However, I've compared HD and SD on a iPad (albeit 1st gen) and I can't tell the fecking difference - although it's immediately obvious on a big telly. I just thought that having 20 films on the tab instead of 3 might appeal.

Having said that, I'm not even sure where you would use it. I've never watched a whole film on a tablet even though I've owned at least one for a couple of years.
Add some qualitative data to the thread and tell us where the modern man who has large flat screen tellies in the bedroom and living room would watch a film on a tablet.

You know I have to say the same I have an Acer A500 ( a big 10" tablet) with 32GB of internal storage and I have added a 32GB micro SD card to it and have I watched a whole movie on it.... errrr no, not when I have full 5.1 surround sound hometheater in the bedroom as well as the main system in the lounge, it seems kind of pointless really, and you will hurt your neck looking down for that length of time or strain your arms holding it out, or end up buying a stand for it so that it stands upright like a laptop screen.

Wouldn't it be beneficial for use as a kid distraction device while on car trips- as in attached to the back of a headrest? If nothing else, what about the co-pilot seat?

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Originally Posted by megabyteme

Wouldn't it be beneficial for use as a kid distraction device while on car trips- as in attached to the back of a headrest? If nothing else, what about the co-pilot seat?

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Pretty sure Skizo doesn't have kids - unless you think he's planning to abduct one.

Reading what you wrote, though, it might be good for travelling. I do remember watching almost a whole series of Weeds on my phone while flying to Tenerife one year.
My missus was thrilled.

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Originally Posted by megabyteme

Wouldn't it be beneficial for use as a kid distraction device while on car trips- as in attached to the back of a headrest? If nothing else, what about the co-pilot seat?

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Already waaaaay ahead of you there with a DVD player that has a slave unit for the other child in the other seat, but before you go hang on DVD's your so 90's, it has a card reader preloaded with yet another 32GB micro SD card to keep the little critters happy on long trips, with 34 movies to choose from they are happy little campers and I only have to update the selection every now and then. :naughty:

We used to spot yellow cars and hawks and groundhogs and try not to get car sick.
It may not be as fun but I'm fairly sure that our brainwaves weren't permanently set to a low alpha level.

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Originally Posted by IdolEyes787

We used to spot yellow cars and hawks and groundhogs and try not to get car sick.
It may not be as fun but I'm fairly sure that our brainwaves weren't permanently set to a low alpha level.

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Yes, yes, I'm certain spotting yellow cars and roadkill must have done wonders for your mental status. makes me wonder why they don't just teach those valuable skills in school. :unsure:

@Art: I'm still gnu to the hole parent thing. Still in the car prep stage... :fear:

It's called regal viewing, that kind of watching takes place upon the throne. The throne being the one place where technology has permeated my life the most.

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Originally Posted by manker

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Originally Posted by Skiz

SD is for chumps. :snooty:

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:lol:
Yeah, I'm like that, too. I blame Busyman for everything.
However, I've compared HD and SD on a iPad (albeit 1st gen) and I can't tell the fecking difference - although it's immediately obvious on a big telly. I just thought that having 20 films on the tab instead of 3 might appeal.

Having said that, I'm not even sure where you would use it. I've never watched a whole film on a tablet even though I've owned at least one for a couple of years.
Add some qualitative data to the thread and tell us where the modern man who has large flat screen tellies in the bedroom and living room would watch a film on a tablet.

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Last year the missus and I took a 2 week long road trip through must of the Southwestern US. It was muchas epic but I regretted having just an iphone to interweb with in the evenings to catch up on the news, email, etc. We're doing another 2 week road trip this year (peppering the Northwest) and we're leaving in about a month, so I wanted to snatch something up before we left. I'll put a movie or two on it in case we have a down day or something.

No way I'd be watching movies on it while at home.

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Originally Posted by IdolEyes787

We used to spot yellow cars and hawks and groundhogs and try not to get car sick.
It may not be as fun but I'm fairly sure that our brainwaves weren't permanently set to a low alpha level.

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^This.

I can't stand seeing kids with their heads buried in video game or movie while out in public, at a restaurant, on a road trip, camping...

Kids have no character any more. I live in a dense neighborhood and I probably haven't seen a kid riding a bicycle in at least 3 years. It's pathetic. /oldmanrant

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Originally Posted by skiz

i live in a dense neighborhood

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:D My neighbors are too.

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Originally Posted by Skiz

I live in a dense neighborhood

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Chances are, so does everyone else unless you don't have any neighbors.

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I live in a dense neighborhood

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Is it possible to be racist against Texans if one is a Texan.

:eyebrows: :eyebrows: :eyebrows:

I usually get mSD encodes for my tablet as there perfect fit with quality and size

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Originally Posted by Skiz

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Originally Posted by manker

:lol:
Yeah, I'm like that, too. I blame Busyman for everything.
However, I've compared HD and SD on a iPad (albeit 1st gen) and I can't tell the fecking difference - although it's immediately obvious on a big telly. I just thought that having 20 films on the tab instead of 3 might appeal.

Having said that, I'm not even sure where you would use it. I've never watched a whole film on a tablet even though I've owned at least one for a couple of years.
Add some qualitative data to the thread and tell us where the modern man who has large flat screen tellies in the bedroom and living room would watch a film on a tablet.

---

Last year the missus and I took a 2 week long road trip through must of the Southwestern US. It was muchas epic but I regretted having just an iphone to interweb with in the evenings to catch up on the news, email, etc. We're doing another 2 week road trip this year (peppering the Northwest) and we're leaving in about a month, so I wanted to snatch something up before we left. I'll put a movie or two on it in case we have a down day or something.

No way I'd be watching movies on it while at home.

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Originally Posted by IdolEyes787

We used to spot yellow cars and hawks and groundhogs and try not to get car sick.
It may not be as fun but I'm fairly sure that our brainwaves weren't permanently set to a low alpha level.

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^This.

I can't stand seeing kids with their heads buried in video game or movie while out in public, at a restaurant, on a road trip, camping...

Kids have no character any more. I live in a dense neighborhood and I probably haven't seen a kid riding a bicycle in at least 3 years. It's pathetic. /oldmanrant

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I will happily lend you my kids and my SUV sans the video player and even a tank of gas so that you can admire the beautiful scenery here that you have read so much about Skiz. With the kids on a bad hair day I'm not sure exactly how much scenery you will be able to take in between the refereeing you will be doing, not to mention the yelling, the swerving to the side of the road so that you can look directly at them to make sure that it won't happen again (which it will a few minutes after you drive off).
As a parent I can say hand on heart, that sometimes you need a distraction to make them SHUT THE FUCK UP, before they kill each other. The player isn't always on, not even 30% of the time, but there are times when they need or want to be entertained, and the alternative isn't a fun place to be.
That being said, my children both have bikes, which they use and my daughter has her own pony, and we have always had a large trampoline which gets used alot, so much as I am aware of the changing face of childhood and the intensely visual world we live in these days, I am trying to give my children alternatives to that primarily audio/visual stimulii.

At least he wouldn't have to deal with it very long as he will be limited to just one tank of gas.

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Originally Posted by megabyteme

Wouldn't it be beneficial for use as a kid distraction device while on car trips- as in attached to the back of a headrest? If nothing else, what about the co-pilot seat?

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Would work as a kid distraction although you need to set an age requirement as my brother used his ipad to distract his 2 year old son and then found the thing 15 mins later with crap splattered on the screen as Rio played in the background :wacko:

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Originally Posted by blkmex

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Originally Posted by megabyteme

Wouldn't it be beneficial for use as a kid distraction device while on car trips- as in attached to the back of a headrest? If nothing else, what about the co-pilot seat?

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Would work as a kid distraction although you need to set an age requirement as my brother used his ipad to distract his 2 year old son and then found the thing 15 mins later with crap splattered on the screen as Rio played in the background :wacko:

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As long as it keeps the kids quiet... :lol:

How interesting. My head was buried in a book or bottle when I was growing up (and no, I'm not an old fart). I don't have a tablet and have gotten rid of my "smartphone". The problem with today's kid is that they are spineless cowards. They have no backbone.

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Originally Posted by blkmex

and then found the thing 15 mins later with crap splattered on the screen as Rio played in the background :wacko:

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This made me :lol:

I bet your brother wasn't too amused though :P

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Originally Posted by Hole69

How interesting. My head was buried in a book or bottle when I was growing up (and no, I'm not an old fart). I don't have a tablet and have gotten rid of my "smartphone". The problem with today's kid is that they are spineless cowards. They have no backbone.

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Head buried in a book is a tried and tested metaphor that works, head buried in a bottle is just stupid.

How many kids have you got, btw.
I'm betting none and that you're an embittered socially awkward hermitard.

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Originally Posted by Hole69

How interesting. My head was buried in a book or bottle when I was growing up (and no, I'm not an old fart). I don't have a tablet and have gotten rid of my "smartphone". The problem with today's kid is that they are spineless cowards. They have no backbone.

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I don't see one equating to the other.

Anyway everything went directly to hell with the invention of the Victrola and that Godawful rock and rolling music.
Before that everything was obviously fine.

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Originally Posted by manker

.....you're an embittered socially awkward hermitard.

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Hermitard, what a splendiforous new word to add to the lexicon of fuckspastic putdowns, I may just have to use that in future discussions. :blink:

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Originally Posted by manker

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Originally Posted by Hole69

How interesting. My head was buried in a book or bottle when I was growing up (and no, I'm not an old fart). I don't have a tablet and have gotten rid of my "smartphone". The problem with today's kid is that they are spineless cowards. They have no backbone.

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Head buried in a book is a tried and tested metaphor that works, head buried in a bottle is just stupid.

How many kids have you got, btw.
I'm betting none and that you're an embittered socially awkward hermitard.

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Of course I have none of the little shits. Waste of time and space. I detect more bitterness and staleness in your post than mine though.

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Originally Posted by Hole69

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Originally Posted by manker

Head buried in a book is a tried and tested metaphor that works, head buried in a bottle is just stupid.

How many kids have you got, btw.
I'm betting none and that you're an embittered socially awkward hermitard.

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Of course I have none of the little shits. I'd have to find a female willing to fuck me first.

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fix'd

What about the standard 700mb or so .avi file on a tablet?