Customer Reviews

Iomega ScreenPlay USB 2.0/AV 500 GB HD Multimedia Drive 34200

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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....

This unit installed effortlessly on my main computer via a USB connection. After loading it full of pictures & videos, I took it over to a TV at a friends house. Using the ordinary yellow red white audio video out cable, it plugged right into the TV front panel. It displayed all the movies, image files, & even the audio files stored on it. It's nice and small, easy to carry. Will fit in a small handbag. Has very good outputs for audio & video including HDMI, & component video, and digital audio coax. It doesn't have a fiber optic audio output connection. It does have some type of European standard socket that kind of looks like a VGA or printer output but it's not. I am not familiar with it either. The internal operating system seems to handle most all of the ordinary mp3, mp4, avi, divx, jpeg type files I copied, but on it's own - it doesn't play back everything. There were some files that will play through on my desktop computer, but won't play on the internal operating system of the drive when connected to an external audio/video device. Overall, it's a really neat little external hard drive, and a really oustanding value at the $220 or so selling price. I like the portability, the remote control, & the fact that it will plug into just about any kind of t.v. set or projector. Audio & video quality are very high quality. And, I like it's very large 500gb capacity.

I too, was fooled how easy this unit looked to operate. Didn't work out of the box, Iomega tech support is for the pits! I had to spend over 1 hour (on 2 different occasions) talking to a tech person in chat! No toll free support unless you pay. BAD way to get me to like your product.

Oh, I paid full retail at J&R. Unit had American Idol programs on it, so it was obviously a return. Iomega said unit is at fault and will replace, with a REFURB!!!! If I wanted a refurb, I could have spent half on a refurb.

Great way to get me to continue to be Iomega customer.

I am sorry I bought this. Now, it's only being used as external storage.

Sad

I bought this device to play and store the HD content from my new HD video camera. The problem? It only supports standard-defnition files and upscales them to 720 or 1080. Given that fact, I don't believe this should be listed as an "HD" multimedia drive. DVD players that upscale make this clear by specifying "HD upconversion", and this is no different. The device functioned just fine at showing photos and standard definition video, but it simply was not what I was expecting based on the item description.

DVD movies are expensive. I got tired of the kids scratching them. This device works great. I have a program that can rip (even copy protected) DVD's to an avi file. I did this with all the kids' DVDs, transferred them to the multimedia hard drive just like any other external hard drive, took it back to the TV and plugged it in. Voila. No problems with any of the video playback.

One can organize your videos anyway you like with folders. I have adult and children and then subfolders A-G, H-N, O-Z. One could do action films, animated,...whatever. Navigating uses the four directional buttons, with right button to open a folder and left button to go up the directory. Very fast.

I have had the Screenplay HD 500Gb for awhile now. I have had very few problems. It has been a great mobile entertainment center for when I am out on the road. Some features I don't like. The remote has failed on me and no one has a replacement. Luckily it was still under warranty and Iomega replaced it. Secondly the cables are RCA to a Stereo type Plug. You forget that cable and you are SOL. Overall it plays great just don't mess with the video resolution settings. If you set it too high by accident you have to hit a certain key combo to reset it. The new Screenplay Pro HD 1Tb fixes alot of these features and added a bunch more. It's only drawback is they removed shuffle random as a option on the remote. Something I like for my music. Overall they are both great units.