# Hardware player for mobile use **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussions\ **Created:** [July 2, 2016, 2:37pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/hardware-player-for-mobile-use/150152 "2016-07-02T14:37:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![PandaJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/57b2e6/32.png) [@PandaJack](https://forums.plex.tv/u/PandaJack)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2016, 2:37pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/hardware-player-for-mobile-use/150152/1 "2016-07-02T14:37:41Z")
I have a full plex setup at home. I want to add a device to my boat that will run a plex client to stream from my server. But since most of the use will be on the water without fast internet (or no internet), I need to be able to play files I bring with me on a USB stick or portable hard drive. I have many android devices, tablets, small laptops etc. But I want a dedicated device I won’t be moving around all the time. A big factor is low power consumption. If it could run directly off a 12 volt supply, that would be a big plus. The Roku seemed like a good choice until i read that that the direct file playback is poor. ([http://www.techradar.com/us/reviews/audio-visual/av-accessories/roku-3-1203038/review](http://www.techradar.com/us/reviews/audio-visual/av-accessories/roku-3-1203038/review)) I plan to purchase a computer monitor (VA type LCD) for a display, and I would rather not be limited to HDMI only. Perhaps I am better off with plex client box AND a device that just plays files. I despise everything Apple so no options there. ---
**Author:** ![rsava](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/rsava/32/3737_2.png) [@rsava](https://forums.plex.tv/u/rsava)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2016, 2:49pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/hardware-player-for-mobile-use/150152/2 "2016-07-02T14:49:26Z")
Have you looked at this: [https://wdpassport.plex.tv/](https://wdpassport.plex.tv/) That can be your server, the 3TB drive is enough for a decent size library . As for a client, a Raspberry Pi (although I think it is just HDMI, not sure). Here is a forum for that. [https://forums.plex.tv/categories/rasplex](https://forums.plex.tv/categories/rasplex) ---
**Author:** ![PandaJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/57b2e6/32.png) [@PandaJack](https://forums.plex.tv/u/PandaJack)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2016, 3:17pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/hardware-player-for-mobile-use/150152/3 "2016-07-02T15:17:03Z")
I just saw that a few minutes ago. Looks interesting. That’s a heck of a lot of content. Thinking I may not need to stream from my server. ---
**Author:** ![PandaJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/57b2e6/32.png) [@PandaJack](https://forums.plex.tv/u/PandaJack)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2016, 3:31pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/hardware-player-for-mobile-use/150152/4 "2016-07-02T15:31:38Z")
At first I thought the WD Passport Pro would attach directly to my TV, but it seems I do still need a client to watch content. Also the unit does not transcode. In real terms, what does this mean? What can’t I do with it? ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/2/a/2acb9765406f63293d357b4ec509ec39aa28f2ad.png) [@system](https://forums.plex.tv/u/system)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2020, 9:34pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/hardware-player-for-mobile-use/150152/5 "2020-01-07T21:34:30Z")