I'm considering purchasing the Tivx 4100SH to replace my dead DSM-520, but I have a few questions I haven't been able to find answers to.

1. How stable is the 4100 with MPEG2 videos (standard and high definition)? Any crashes, sync problems, etc.?

2. Does the 4100 provide multiple fast forward and rewind speeds (X1, X2, X4, etc.)? If so, which speeds are available, does it show the speed it's running on the screen, and how smoothly does it run?

3. Is there a "skip" function to jump 30 seconds ahead from the current position (for bypassing commercials and whatnot). What about a reverse skip?

4. If I use the 4100 without a hard drive, how well does it stream media from my PC? Do I need server software (Tversity or similar) on my PC, or will it access the shared folders directly?

5. If I put a hard drive in the 4100, can I send files to the 4100 from my PC (using command line operations in batch files)?

6. My DSM-520 only showed about 28 characters of each filename. How many characters does the 4100 display? Does it should the actual filename, or do I have to define "tags" like the EVA8000?

7. If I organize videos into folders on my PC hard drive (Home Movies, HD samples, TV Shows, etc.) will the 4100 keep the organization, or will it lump them all into one big list?

8. Are there screenshots of the user interface somewhere? So far, I haven't seen any.

9. Does anyone have the 4100 IN STOCK, right now? It doesn't matter how good it is if I can't find someplace to buy one.

10. If I don't need the H.264 decoding, does the 4100 offer any advantages over the older 4000?

11. Are there any known "issues" with the 4100 as it is now?

12. Does the 4100 provide any way to delete files from the host PC (to delete TV shows after I have finished watching them).

Sorry for all the questions, but I appreciate any information you can provide.

Thanks!

Anthony

1. How stable is the 4100 with MPEG2 videos (standard and high definition)? Any crashes, sync problems, etc.?
very stable, plays ISOs and IFOs very reliably


2. Does the 4100 provide multiple fast forward and rewind speeds (X1, X2, X4, etc.)? If so, which speeds are available, does it show the speed it's running on the screen, and how smoothly does it run?
YES, speeds up to x32, MPEG2 over xi8 speed not that smooth


3. Is there a "skip" function to jump 30 seconds ahead from the current position (for bypassing commercials and whatnot). What about a reverse skip?
not sure from the top of my head but pretty sure there is 10s or 15s skip froward so 2-3 times will get you 30s not sure about reverse skip

4. If I use the 4100 without a hard drive, how well does it stream media from my PC? Do I need server software (Tversity or similar) on my PC, or will it access the shared folders directly?
YES, tvix streams media from networked shared HDD or attached USB drive
it supports NFS share (only one form one PC :mad: ) has to be named TVIXHD1, so only one folder can be shared -you will also need to install small (less 1Mb) piece of software
SAMBA -they say its slower than NFS, didn't see any difference even over Wi-Fi MPEG2 streams played flawlessly

5. If I put a hard drive in the 4100, can I send files to the 4100 from my PC (using command line operations in batch files)?
via FTP or USB

6. My DSM-520 only showed about 28 characters of each filename. How many characters does the 4100 display? Does it should the actual filename, or do I have to define "tags" like the EVA8000?
more than 28 characters, but probably less than 256
no, you don't have to edit(define) tags

7. If I organize videos into folders on my PC hard drive (Home Movies, HD samples, TV Shows, etc.) will the 4100 keep the organization, or will it lump them all into one big list?
files will be organized the same way as on your HDD


8. Are there screenshots of the user interface somewhere? So far, I haven't seen any.

9. Does anyone have the 4100 IN STOCK, right now? It doesn't matter how good it is if I can't find someplace to buy one.

10. If I don't need the H.264 decoding, does the 4100 offer any advantages over the older 4000?

11. Are there any known "issues" with the 4100 as it is now?


12. Does the 4100 provide any way to delete files from the host PC (to delete TV shows after I have finished watching them).

yes

ES, tvix streams media from networked shared HDD or attached USB drive it supports NFS share (only one form one PC :mad: ) has to be named TVIXHD1, so only one folder can be shared -you will also need to install small (less 1Mb) piece of software SAMBA -they say its slower than NFS, didn't see any difference even over Wi-Fi MPEG2 streams played flawlessly
First off, Tvix has a problem with external HDD over USB. For example, H.264 streams play even worse from an external HDD than they do over NFS - and they don't play well at all over NFS.

The main difference between SMB and NFS, playability-wise, is that SMB hogs a lot more CPU power. That leaves less CPU for decoding which causes playback issues. High bitrate HD MPEG-2 streams choke the box over SMB, but play very nicely over NFS. There's no point even trying H.264 over SMB.

Also, I haven't renamed any directories to "TVIXHD1" and the 4100 can access my shares just fine. I'm using two Infrant ReadyNAS NV+ RAID boxes for streaming.

First off, Tvix has a problem with external HDD over USB. For example, H.264 streams play even worse from an external HDD than they do over NFS - and they don't play well at all over NFS.

The main difference between SMB and NFS, playability-wise, is that SMB hogs a lot more CPU power. That leaves less CPU for decoding which causes playback issues. High bitrate HD MPEG-2 streams choke the box over SMB, but play very nicely over NFS. There's no point even trying H.264 over SMB.

Also, I haven't renamed any directories to "TVIXHD1" and the 4100 can access my shares just fine. I'm using two Infrant ReadyNAS NV+ RAID boxes for streaming.
you are correct, no need to change folder name but the network share name has to be TVIXHD1 if you want to use NFS -according to the user manual. The netshare software allows you to share only 1 folder.
I must admit that h.264 (1080p) content played brilliantly over SMB/NFS even streamed over Wi-Fi from laptop -smooth no stuttering whatsoever. Will exercise more of that tonight. Got my 5100 Friday last

ReadyNas, well lucky you. How can you convince your wife that spending another €1000 on the box that only collects dust and adds more wires to already cluttered room? :o

Other than H.264 support and the HDMI port, are there any significant differences between the TVIX 4000 and TVIX 4100?

My primary use will be to watch TV shows recorded in MPEG2 format (typically 4-16 mbps) from my PC.

I'll be streaming over a wired network connection (no internal hard drive).

Does the 4000 provide the same fast forward, rewind, skip, and deleting capabilities as the 4100?

Is the 4000 as stable as the 4100? Any known problems with the 4000?

I don't need H.264 or HDMI, so if the two units are otherwise identical I'll save the extra $100.

Does anyone have screen shots of the 4000 user interface, primarily the video listing?

Thanks,

Anthony

[COLOR=Yellow]you are correct, no need to change folder name but the network share name has to be TVIXHD1 if you want to use NFS -according to the user manual.
Nope. I'm using NFS in both of my ReadyNAS boxes, and there was no need to change directory or share names.

I must admit that h.264 (1080p) content played brilliantly over SMB/NFS even streamed over Wi-Fi from laptop -smooth no stuttering whatsoever.
I'll apologize in advance for this: I don't believe you. Here's why. I've tested the 4100 with a great number of MPEG-2 and H.264 files, with resolutions of 1080i and 1080p, over CIFS/SMB and NFS, and from external (USB) and internal HDDs. There's simply no way Tvix can do that - especially over SMB, which sucks so many CPU cycles simply for the transport alone that there's not enough left for H.264 decoding.

And I find the Wi-Fi claim even more preposterous, to be honest. You might have a 54mbit/s Wi-Fi equipment, but I'd wager you aren't getting even half of that in real-life situations. There's no way you can stream high bitrate (~25mbit/s) H.264 over Wi-Fi and have the result play smoothly.

I commented on the poor playback of 1080p H.264 over NFS on another 4100-related thread and asked for other users' comments on their experiences. The last time I checked, not a single person had reported success with 1080p H.264 over NFS. There's a reason for that: the chip can't do it. I with it could, I really do.

I'll apologize in advance for this: I don't believe you. Here's why. I've tested the 4100 with a great number of MPEG-2 and H.264 files, with resolutions of 1080i and 1080p, over CIFS/SMB and NFS, and from external (USB) and internal HDDs. There's simply no way Tvix can do that - especially over SMB, which sucks so many CPU cycles simply for the transport alone that there's not enough left for H.264 decoding.

And I find the Wi-Fi claim even more preposterous, to be honest. You might have a 54mbit/s Wi-Fi equipment, but I'd wager you aren't getting even half of that in real-life situations. There's no way you can stream high bitrate (~25mbit/s) H.264 over Wi-Fi and have the result play smoothly.

I commented on the poor playback of 1080p H.264 over NFS on another 4100-related thread and asked for other users' comments on their experiences. The last time I checked, not a single person had reported success with 1080p H.264 over NFS. There's a reason for that: the chip can't do it. I with it could, I really do.
I agree, there is something fishy about bigstrand! or he has left out some details that might explain his claim...but I doubt it.

I agree, there is something fishy about bigstrand! or he has left out some details that might explain his claim...but I doubt it.

I'll prove it as soon as I get back home (now at work). I will shoot short video and post it on the site of your choice.
I was surprised by that too. But it really played well. Downloaded some promotional HD (1080p h.264) videos on my laptop used laptop as its easier to connect it to my 5100. The wireless router (linksys) was 2m (meter=3ft) away form laptop. the box was connected to that router via network cable. The same with ripped DVD stored on HDD (IFO+VOBs) I was even able to FF

Nope. I'm using NFS in both of my ReadyNAS boxes, and there was no need to change directory or share names.
how do you think, will this work with Windows Services for Unix? You can run NFS server with that tool installed, I am assuming that then you can share more than one drives/folders from the same IP

I'll prove it as soon as I get back home (now at work). I will shoot short video and post it on the site of your choice.
I was surprised by that too. But it really played well. Downloaded some promotional HD (1080p h.264) videos on my laptop used laptop as its easier to connect it to my 5100. The wireless router (linksys) was 2m (meter=3ft) away form laptop. the box was connected to that router via network cable. The same with ripped DVD stored on HDD (IFO+VOBs) I was even able to FF
Hey, how about simply pointing me to the same promotional HD files? Where did you download them from?

how do you think, will this work with Windows Services for Unix? You can run NFS server with that tool installed, I am assuming that then you can share more than one drives/folders from the same IP
It most defintely should work, yes. Before I purchased my ReadyNAS boxes, I had no way of streaming over NFS (none of my other RAID boxes support NFS), so I installed Windows Services for Unix into a Windows 2003 Server - only to uninstall it a bit later to the tune of rather loud cursing. It messed up the 2003 Server rather badly; it wasn't enough that NFS didn't work (I was a bit too busy to browse the net for additional info on the setting up), but it completely destroyed the box's CIFS/SMB throughput. After the uninstall and a reboot, SMB throughput returned to normal, thankfully.

Hey, how about simply pointing me to the same promotional HD files? Where did you download them from?
it turned out I wasn't entirely truthful when making that bold statement about 'flawless' playback over my Wi-Fi
Ran test again and apparently the video which played well was only 720p http://sky.com/hd/hd-video-downloads.htm clip Underwater Wonderland 2
Seemingly other H.264 videos tested I did not played long enough to see the stutter as it takes about 20-25 seconds for stutter to become apparent. test this file:Coral Reef Adventure(1080p) off http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/musicandvideo/hdvideo/contentshowcase.aspx
the thing is that video plays well but there is sound stutter or no sound at all but only after 20-25 seconds. Another one is pat metheny group HD clip but cant remember where it was downloaded from
These files (all) play from internal HDD or networked (wired) shares
Another file 30s Nero HD profile (from out there -cant find it again) stutters badly
its packed in mp4 (video:H.264/MPEG-4 AVC audio: mp4a: MPEG-4 AAC LC) even from internal HDD
apologies about misinforming, it was not my intention to deceive anyone, just bad memory plus inadequate testing

Ran test again and apparently the video which played well was only 720p http://sky.com/hd/hd-video-downloads.htm clip Underwater Wonderland 2
And it's not H.264 either, that's WMV.

Seemingly other H.264 videos tested I did not played long enough to see the stutter as it takes about 20-25 seconds for stutter to become apparent. test this file:Coral Reef Adventure(1080p) off
Again, those clips aren't H.264, they're also WMV.

Another file 30s Nero HD profile (from out there -cant find it again) stutters badly its packed in mp4 (video:H.264/MPEG-4 AVC audio: mp4a: MPEG-4 AAC LC) even from internal HDD
Nero Digital (i.e. their version of AVC) seems to be a bit incompatible with H.264 media players.

I bought a 4100 to replace my 4000 with high hopes. The 4100 in the end didn't really add anything great for me except for the HDMI out. Once I can drop an ethernet cable into my master bedroom the 4000 will replace an old XBMC setup.. I will be glad to get rid of the noisy xbox!

On a side note.. if anyone is looking for a 4000 pm me..

ok - i'm done...time to ask a stupid question b/c i'm not tech-savvy enough to understand what my options are based on everything i've read.

i hate the GUI of the TViX for music playback and would prefer to continue using Foobar from my laptop to "control" what is being played through the TViX and into my a/v receiver.

is this doable? does this make any sense?

sit on couch with laptop on lap. create playlists. open albums. whatever. have these play through very nice speakers. too much to ask?

thank you so much for a reply.