Get one of these, http://www.play.com/Electronics/Electronics/4-/18049055/Cyclone-Micro-2-MKV-MultiMedia-Player/Product.html?searchtype=allproducts&searchsource=0&searchstring=media+player&urlrefer=search
just plug your external hard drive into it, much much easier than plugging your laptop into the tv via HDMI, and extremely portable.