First off, no network players for me, I've had it with them, too damn finicky. One day they work, the next day( firewall is blocking port 3389). Well the firewall didn't block it yestarday. If you can plug an external drive and play music or movies with it, its not for me. Also if you want to sell me a media player for movies, if you it can't decode dts or pass it through, keep it. There are some movies and especially concert dvds' that only have dts. Also if it says it will pass it through, then let the player do it and don't tell me how to work around it. Also I don't want to be locked into specific formats because you want to control my computer, Apple and your ipod and apple tv, keep your machines. That being said, itunes is the best music organizer in the business it you use just for that purpose.
I have not seen one unit yet that does all but there are some units that do a nice job.
The wdtv is a great inexpensive unit to play music and view pics directly from an external hard drive but no dts for movies. I use it for music and photos. The mediagate hd-800, solid for movies, all kinds of formats and codecs and dd5.1 and dts. For music, fo getabout it. It is expensive.
I've had the Apple tv for awhile for music, did a great, great job but the networking started to give me fits, I even wired it directly to pc and the same thing, so out it went. Had popcorns but problems with dts, so out it went. Had mvix units, again no dts, so out the door it went.
Right now, pretty satisfied, and I can do all I want. My thing is functionality, if the gui isn't pretty I will take that as long as its easy to find and play my files and folders.
I invite you all to chime in. Agree or disagree lets hear about it.


Joe

H
t
p
c

H
t
p
c

The OP doesn't have a DTS-capable receiver, therefore he doesn't have the "t" in your acronym.

Buy a cheap HTIB that decodes DTS/ DD5.1 over coax/optical. I have the AC Ryan unit coming this weekend.

Buy a cheap HTIB that decodes DTS/ DD5.1 over coax/optical. I have the AC Ryan unit coming this weekend.

Problem with that is it seems there's a few units that only decode DTS from their source, and can't decode DTS from other external sources such as a NMT, or the WD.

I personally don't have any sympathy for anyone that wishes every device they had decoded DTS. AVR's with DTS support are cheap as hell, and a dime a dozen, if you're willing to spend a bunch of money on media players, but not have the basic foundation of transmitting the codec that half the industry uses, it's not the source player manufacturers fault. Manufacturers offset cost by give and take of features, it's up to the consumer to research the products out there to see which one(s) suit their individual needs. I realize it'd be great to just be able to hook up any device to any TV alone and play anything, but there's just no solution out there that does it all, and let's face it, if there were one device that did everything, it's cost would probably be a lot more than most people that don't want to spend the money in the first place are willing to spend.

ahem, ahem, I am not asking any of these units to decode dts, I've got a Marantz 7200 that decodes just about anything you can throw at it, I am just asking a unit to do what it is advertised to do, pass it through. The popcorn 100 says pass through but if it will not they try to give you a work around, no sir just have your player do as described. You see the wdtv says it doesn't decode nor pass through, but I do not need it to, i just need to play standard wav files, hence its good by my standards and the price is right. My mediagate 800 hd, although expensive says it has pass through dts and it does, again I rate it as a good player.
There is quite a bit written about media players on this forum and I've had a decent amount of experience with these players, some deliver and some don't.
Apple for sure makes some of the best products out there, however they've released there new apple tv and for the money you would think you could use the usb ports for external drives, but no it cannot, and that folks is just plain stupid.
Disagree with me thats fine, but please realize if I am asking a unit to pass through dts I have something to decode it.

Joe

You see the wdtv says it doesn't decode nor pass through, but I do not need it to, i just need to play standard wav files, hence its good by my standards and the price is right.

The WDTV certainly does pass-through DTS, it doesn't pass-through DTS-HD/MA because it isn't 1.3 HDMI, and they can't pass through optical. It isn't listed in the specifications probably because it doesn't decode it. It plays .wav fine, I have quite a few DTS albums in .wav form that play beautifully.

The OP doesn't have a DTS-capable receiver, therefore he doesn't have the "t" in your acronym.

An HTPC is a special PC designed for home theater. It does not by any means require a receiver.

An HTPC is a special PC designed for home theater. It does not by any means require a receiver.

But wouldn't the whole point of a HTPC be to hook your PC into your Home Theater? Unless your HT is running speakers off the 3.5mm jacks out of the back of the PC, I'd guess it would make sense to have a AVR in there somewhere.

ahem, ahem, I am not asking any of these units to decode dts, I've got a Marantz 7200 that decodes just about anything you can throw at it, I am just asking a unit to do what it is advertised to do, pass it through. The popcorn 100 says pass through but if it will not they try to give you a work around, no sir just have your player do as described. You see the wdtv says it doesn't decode nor pass through, but I do not need it to, i just need to play standard wav files, hence its good by my standards and the price is right. My mediagate 800 hd, although expensive says it has pass through dts and it does, again I rate it as a good player.
There is quite a bit written about media players on this forum and I've had a decent amount of experience with these players, some deliver and some don't.
Apple for sure makes some of the best products out there, however they've released there new apple tv and for the money you would think you could use the usb ports for external drives, but no it cannot, and that folks is just plain stupid.
Disagree with me thats fine, but please realize if I am asking a unit to pass through dts I have something to decode it.

Joe

I have an popcorn a-100 (two actually) that pass DTS via hdmi or optical. My PC a-110 will even decode it.

But wouldn't the whole point of a HTPC be to hook your PC into your Home Theater? Unless your HT is running speakers off the 3.5mm jacks out of the back of the PC, I'd guess it would make sense to have a AVR in there somewhere.

Sure if you can afford it. Not all of us are able to afford the same things. Regardless an HTPC is a pc, nothing more nothing less.

my htpc has hdmi out with audio

Sure if you can afford it. Not all of us are able to afford the same things. Regardless an HTPC is a pc, nothing more nothing less.

It doesn't have anything to do with afford, the OP apparently can since he's had at least two different media players, both of which cost more than a DTS capable AVR. Of course if we were talking about affordable, a $100 AVR is a lot cheaper than a $500-$1,200 HTPC, even a good entry level AVR can be had for less than the graphics and tuner cards of a worthwhile HTPC. I personally think a HTPC is the best solution for what a lot of people seem to want, but it has a few disadvantages too, portability or lack there of, size, not everyone wants a keyboard and mouse laying around, integration, etc...

Just a note, all but the Apple tv and Popcorn were returned for a refund. Had the Popcorn for about a year but wanted to be able to play dts concert videos. Some people are able to get the popcorn to pass through with no problem, just go to their forum and you will see just as many folks that can't and either give up as I did or play loop de loops with 10 different work arounds. The apple tv I have for about 2 years and has just started giving me headaches with the networking, even when I used a wired ethernet cable.
So, know I am not rich by any means but a man has to have his toys. Basically I use the media players strictly for music, the mediagate is used for concert videos I ripped to a hard drive and now am using the wdtv for cds' i've ripped. Its just so much better to have your whole collection so handy.
I didn't realize you can pass through dts with the wdtv, I wish I'd had known that but its too late now, present set up is working for now, but you never know, tomorrow is another day.
About the htpc, when all is said and done I don't believe it would be any cheaper nor more convenient. Most of the other audio and video equipment would still be needed except for media players and they are not going to be more expensive than an htpc. An htpc is a viable alternative but would have to be much more thought out process.

Joe

SageTV HD-200

Go ask some questions / read through the media extender / standalone player forums over there.

I have 2. and it is a good unit.

It doesn't have anything to do with afford, the OP apparently can since he's had at least two different media players, both of which cost more than a DTS capable AVR. Of course if we were talking about affordable, a $100 AVR is a lot cheaper than a $500-$1,200 HTPC, even a good entry level AVR can be had for less than the graphics and tuner cards of a worthwhile HTPC. I personally think a HTPC is the best solution for what a lot of people seem to want, but it has a few disadvantages too, portability or lack there of, size, not everyone wants a keyboard and mouse laying around, integration, etc...

A receiver is useless if you have nothing to watch your videos with. I dont think he said he wants something to output DTS, just something that can downmix it with no fuss, which an HTPC.

Plus you can get a great HTPC for $400 easy.

SageTV HD-200

Go ask some questions / read through the media extender / standalone player forums over there.

I have 2. and it is a good unit.

Keep in mind HD200 is only HDMI 1.2. Also, to get max benefit out of it you would need to purchase SageTV Software (you can use as a stand alone media player).

A receiver is useless if you have nothing to watch your videos with. I dont think he said he wants something to output DTS, just something that can downmix it with no fuss, which an HTPC.

Plus you can get a great HTPC for $400 easy.

He's got an AppleTV, Popcorn Hour, and WDTV, at least according to this...

all but the Apple tv and Popcorn were returned for a refund...now am using the wdtv for cds' i've ripped.

Entry level AVR, and a Popcorn Hour < $400. Can you price out a great HTPC for $400? I'd like to see the components used. I priced one out, and cpu/mobo/gpu were closing in on $300, no RAM, HDD, PSU, case, OS, etc...

He's got an AppleTV, Popcorn Hour, and WDTV, at least according to this...



Entry level AVR, and a Popcorn Hour < $400. Can you price out a great HTPC for $400? I'd like to see the components used. I priced one out, and cpu/mobo/gpu were closing in on $300, no RAM, HDD, PSU, case, OS, etc...

Heres a few from a great thread on this site.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=14239773&postcount=2522

Heres a few from a great thread on this site.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=14239773&postcount=2522

I've seen that thread, I reserve great for...well, great things, not just good enough, and even the low-end stuff in there is bordering on breaking $400. Don't get me wrong, I know where you're coming from, but to me if you are building an HTPC, than it seems logical that the HT part has to exist somewhere in there, and even with a HTPC, you are still going to need an AVR to acheive the HT.

I've seen that thread, I reserve great for...well, great things, not just good enough, and even the low-end stuff in there is bordering on breaking $400. Don't get me wrong, I know where you're coming from, but to me if you are building an HTPC, than it seems logical that the HT part has to exist somewhere in there, and even with a HTPC, you are still going to need an AVR to acheive the HT.

Yah I agree, for the whole thing to be complete you need a nice audio set up. For me those $400 are plenty. I dont really need it for more then to play any video I can throw at it which those should do.

Theres definitely plenty more bells and whistles you can add to it.

maandjojo, very few have experience with a variety of these devices, so I'm very interested in the thread you've started.

BUT ... I find it hard to follow your post.

Could you please clarify what equipment you currently have and how you use it/them?

First off I'm using a complete 5.0 speaker system with the Marantz 7200 used to power surrounds and used as a preamp for center and front speakers with an Adcom 555II 200 watt amp powering front speakers and audiosource mono 150 watt amp for center.
A blue ray and hd dvd player, the wdtv for cds ripped to external hard drive and the mediagate 800 hd to watch concert dvds ripped to external hard drives. I've got direct tv hd receiver for tv watching.
I believe that is the whole picture.
I will repeat myself a bit here, My main idea of the post is what are the rest of the folks doing, and just a gripe about networking units. Damn satisfied now but there was some pain involved. Thought I might be able to shed some light and hopefully others can use my mistakes to help them out.
The htpc idea is quite viable but most folks here I am sure are not pc genius' and for them the htpc can be more money to spend and I don't feel as convenient. Plus you still need all the other equipment. An htpc will only take the place of my wdtv and mediagate, thats' it.
Also, with all the responses the post is doing what I had expected. Ideas.

First off I'm using a complete 5.0 speaker system with the Marantz 7200 used to power surrounds and used as a preamp for center and front speakers with an Adcom 555II 200 watt amp powering front speakers and audiosource mono 150 watt amp for center.
A blue ray and hd dvd player, the wdtv for cds ripped to external hard drive and the mediagate 800 hd to watch concert dvds ripped to external hard drives. I've got direct tv hd receiver for tv watching.
I believe that is the whole picture.
I will repeat myself a bit here, My main idea of the post is what are the rest of the folks doing, and just a gripe about networking units. Damn satisfied now but there was some pain involved. Thought I might be able to shed some light and hopefully others can use my mistakes to help them out.
The htpc idea is quite viable but most folks here I am sure are not pc genius' and for them the htpc can be more money to spend and I don't feel as convenient. Plus you still need all the other equipment. An htpc will only take the place of my wdtv and mediagate, thats' it.
Also, with all the responses the post is doing what I had expected. Ideas.

My current setup:

- HP MediaSmart Server (all media is stored/streamed from here)
- 2 DIY HTPCs - Windows 7 x64. These are the main "media extenders" that I use in my house (high WAF using Media Browser in Windows Media Center). I have the logitech DiNovo Mini as a wireless keyboard/mouse, but also have HTPCs working with my Logitech Harmony remotes.
- Popcornhour - store my son's movies on the internal hdd, setup in playroom. Also makes for a portable movie jukebox when traveling
- SageTV HD200 - set up for my mom so she could access content off my HP Server
- AppleTV - paper weight
- PS3 - use as a Blu Ray player, media extender features too lacking to consider seriously
- Xbox360 - use primarily for games. Although better with W7, file limitations too limiting to consider seriously.

All devices are connected via cat5e/6. Hope this helps.

Paper weight, best idea yet.

Joe

I have a PCH A-110 w/a 360 GB hd inside and a Sans Digital 4-drive bay connected via USB, in which I currently have two 1TB hd's. I'm one of the few I know of that hasn't networked my PCH, I'm not interested in any of that stuff, plus any hassles I've read about pretty much always concern networking. Instead I have the A-110 slaved to my PC using a USB port that has an on/off switch. Once or twice a week I switch it on, the PC recognizes it, I copy my files, switch it off, play my files on the PCH. Easy enough. If the movie or tv show is a "keeper" I then move it from the PCH internal hd to the USB drives for long-term storage.

My popcorn was the 100 and basically my only b@t@h with the unit was it was advertised as dts passthrough it just didn't do it. Then to pacify those who complained about it they wanted us to jerk around with a bunch of work arounds. That was an issue with a few other machines also.
Again, that being said, hcour, you've got a nice setup.

Kudos,
Joe