What do you think?

If it can do everything they advertise, then yes. We'll see when we find out how well it runs 1080P x264 MKVs :D

What do you think?
If it can do most of what the specs say then in my opinion it will kill anything on the market today and will help lead a new generation of media players!:D

Not yet. But if it can deliver on what it says it should be great.

I'm buying one as soon as it comes out.

The website scare me a little. I just seems a tad...sparse. I'm interested, but I'll certainly wait until the reviews are in before I plunk down my $$$.

The website scare me a little. I just seems a tad...sparse. I'm interested, but I'll certainly wait until the reviews are in before I plunk down my $$$.

I think the website is sparse because it hasn't been released. Wait till device is out then we'll see some more info.

It will be less a TViX killer as DViCo still has the advantage of the HDTV tuner / recording. Against Tomacro, the things liook rather less positive. Let's not forget the PopCorn Hour has limitations in connection options for sound and video, PC and then some. Still needs to be fully tested before it can be compared.

Since both DViCo and Tomacro can play up to 1080p files just as the PopCorn will do but in additiona (especially DViCo) has many generic features and tricks up it's sleeve, the difference and convenience will be high enough for people still inlcuding the older players in their choices...

After all... if all three can play the same content (maybe in a lesser speed to start etc...) people will look at features and options for convenience, design and so on and all players stand a chance there...

It's a tough competition joining, but the PopCorn Hour is more like an attractive new
option and not yet a killer... It could be, depending on it's possibilities and perfromance...

What I am missing in the popcorn hour:

- Optical S/PDIF
- S-Video Output
- USB-PC-Connection for fast transfers (Ethernet is rather slow for large files)
- S-ATA (for bigger Harddisks)

I think the Tvix 6500 will have all this and everything the popcorn hour has. But price and availibilty are still unknown for the nextgen Tvix...

in my eyes it make no sense about optical and coaxial, coaxial is same as optical
S-Video i never need it but if you really need it then wait for the other devices which will come also but more expensive then the popcorn device
USB-PC Connection yes this an really bad point but we will see what is coming to germany ;-) (no more words on that)
S-ATA hmm dont need it ide is with 500GB thats enough if i need more get an nas ;-)

cHarOn

Optical is better for me, because coaxial makes humming noise at my environment (bad electronic installment at old house).
I need S-Video because I want to use the device also on my older TV-Set for SD, while using HDMI at my projector for HD.
I have a NAS, but it would be nice to have 1TB-Harddisk inside for travelling.

But I think you can't have the "big" solution for that price, so I'll wait for the other manufactures.

yep you can wait for other devices ;-) but why you wont take an component to scart cabel ;-) better PictureQuality then SVHS. only my thinking ;-) in my eyes 1TB HDD´s are still to expensive so it is better to take 500GB HDD.

cHarOn

but why you wont take an component to scart cabel ;-)
Because component uses YUV and my TV receives only RGB on Scart. It is an older 32"-16:9-Sony-TV.

ah ok bad thing time to go for an new TV ;-) only joking then wait for the other devices i have an hifi like syabas device at home which have all the connectors you need ;-)
But as it looks like this will be around 400-500 USD

cHarOn

My only drawback is that it has no opitcal audio. My surround sound system in the living room only has optical while the one that i'm buying for my bedroom has both optical and digital coaxial.

My only drawback is that it has no opitcal audio. My surround sound system in the living room only has optical while the one that i'm buying for my bedroom has both optical and digital coaxial.

Yeah but you can pick up Coaxial to Optical converters for under $20. So $179 + $20 = about $200, vs. a Tvix that costs $379. You can pick up a whole separate Popcorn Hour box for your bedroom system that has coax input with the savings :D

Yeah but you can pick up Coaxial to Optical converters for under $20. So $179 + $20 = about $200, vs. a Tvix that costs $379. You can pick up a whole separate Popcorn Hour box for your bedroom system that has coax input with the savings :D

I didn't know there was coaxial to optical converters, I'm to assume I'll still be able to hear everything in 5.1?

time to use Google and see where I can get one. Got any places you recommend.

lol good point kaido lol

I didn't know there was coaxial to optical converters, I'm to assume I'll still be able to hear everything in 5.1?

time to use Google and see where I can get one. Got any places you recommend.

From a quick google:

http://www.svideo.com/coaxtoslink1.html

or the opposite:

http://www.svideo.com/toslinkcoax1.html

$20 a pop :D

Edit: Monoprice has it stuff cheaper:

http://monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10423&cs_id=1042302&p_id=2947&seq=1&format=2

I think the website is sparse because it hasn't been released. Wait till device is out then we'll see some more info.

That makes no sense. What information would they add after it has been released that they couldn't add now? Unless, of course, the product is vaporware and the final specs aren't yet known.

There's just something about their site that makes me cautious to part with my money. Between the low price for the specs and the low quality of the site design, I just think something seems off. Let's just chalk it up to a gut instinct. I'm not saying that the thing is going to be a piece of crap or that there's something shady going on, I'm just saying I'm going to keep my cash in my pocket and let you buy one first. :)

hehe the site is that simple because syabas normaly makes not an selling page normaly ;-) the hardware is everywere the same because syabas designed two board which will come into all devices the only crap on that device is the case ;-)

cHarOn

The Popcorn Hour kind of looks like this from Cisco:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps7220/index.html

Spec sheet: http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps7220/products_data_sheet0900aecd805ace6f.html

Could Cisco be building these for Popcorn Hour?

TC

I would say they're both just getting their cases from the same place

If Cisco were building these for Popcornhour, our cost will be more than double the $179 price tag. It could be the other way around though.

If Popcornhour deliver on their spec and no letdown on the initial review from the early adapters, then I think this thing will kill all the media players on the market in a very short time.

yes, it's only the casing and agree with v770, if the unit delivers it will not just be a
killer for DviCo... Also for others like mvix, Tomacro, rapsody, Ziova, and more... let them first become available and then see what of the hype actually lives up to the unit.

the FW is ok already...
Now let's see the hardware and how everything works together...

With everyting i've read so far i still think the Popcornhour product is unsurpassed in it's balance between features and price. So far i've not read of any missing feature that justifies the huge price difference compared to others.

It looks like the Popcornhour will perfectly suit my needs without these features:
- USB-host: I will never use that feature because once the unit is in my HT-setup i will not take it out every time i want to load some files on it. NFS/SMB/FTP will do fine... just a little slower.
- Wireless: Wireless is a joke if you want to play HD content, so forget about it.
- HDMI1.3: Only interesting if i will upgrade my high HT to the new formats.
- Optical SPDIF: i'll buy a converter if needed.
- Recording: It takes a different kind of device i.m.h.o.

The only feature worth a few extra euros would be decoding of E-AC3 (to SPDIF and LPCM) since it is a mandatory format on HD-DVD... The rest of the new formats we can live without.

I hope DviCo/Tomacro/Others find some features/arguments to convince me to spend at least twice as much on a new player, otherwise they are doomed i.m.o... :p

as i wrote in the other thread e-ac3 isnt a problem already tested today with an mkv file with included e-ac3 ;-) they now work on the evo thing to get that also working ;-)

cHarOn

Charon99, you should be more complete...
It will not pass E-AC3 to a receiver but decode to multi channel PCM over
HDMI or downsample to AC3 to pass over S/PDIF. Just not to let confusion
get the better hand...

Take some rest in between Charon... Your words start hauntung you :-)

lol yes i know really confused i think i need some sleep lol. thx Hi-jack that you clear that out for me really bad if you dont know the correct words in english and then i produce such a **** lol. sorry all.

You are doin fine pal...
Glad to see some more extreme hard working people providing help and info... Those are ok in my book :-)

7.5" x 5" x 1.5"

vs

Width 10.5"(270mm) x Depth 5.25" (132mm) x Height 1.25" (32mm

So it's not the same case, surely?

Same design, different format. The cases are for both bought outside. It's not own
design... Same style casing, different size... Same plastic though :-)

So how will the HDD be hooked up? I'm assuming through a USB port?

nope over ftp, samba but not over usb!

cHarOn

A USB slave will be added in a model launched later in november... The Samba/FTP will
be too slow to copy over huge content as 4GB files up to God knows how many. This is
a flaw of the first unit for sure. Further down the line, already talks about adding
Wireless (100An, so would the n mean Wireless N?)

It's the only thing I currently don't like, the early changes between USB Slave or not,
Wireless or not, HDMI 1.1 or HDMI 1.3, US version without nSCART, EU with SCART...
It will cuase a little confusion as beside the SCAR5T and HDMI, I don't see why not
both USB and Wireless (N or not) have been designed by default knowing the chip's
I/O performance is limited and USB transfers are very much needed to fill up 750GB.

(Wireless B/G would be wasted as for HD content, not good enough)

mhhhh, let's not bitch about that for now. The price makes up fo a lot so let's first see
the players and then start bitching for improvements :-) I would consider having a
removeable slider HDD in the unit which you can slide into your PC much like Trans-Gear
did... No need to move the player, just move the HDD :-)

yep we also telled them about slide out hdd best way would be like icybox made it with sata you dont need an tray to remove it ;-)

usb slave brings right now nothing because internal hdd is ext3 and for customers i think it is to difficult to play with ext2/3 drivers under windows ;-)

ntfs3g dont performs that fast right now but we will see what it can brings us in the future in my eyes it is more an streaming client ;-)

cHarOn

If you take into account that Tvix has been out alot longer and has the community support base, I would say Tvix wins. The Popcorn device will no doubt have its qwirks and bugs that will take months to work out and then months for them to release firware...no thanks. I was set on the Tvix 4100SH, but I'm going to hold out to see what the 6500 has to offer.:)

yep we also telled them about slide out hdd best way would be like icybox made it with sata you dont need an tray to remove it ;-)

usb slave brings right now nothing because internal hdd is ext3 and for customers i think it is to difficult to play with ext2/3 drivers under windows ;-)

ntfs3g dont performs that fast right now but we will see what it can brings us in the future in my eyes it is more an streaming client ;-)

cHarOn

Streaming client with internal HDD and Samba server? Someone must have
been drunk while designing it then :-) lol In such case a solution would exist
in licensing linux mounting software for PC's (similar to what NDAS does with
a SCSI driver) like Paragon Mount Anything that mounts Linux formatted
drivers as a drive letter on PC.

It's really the global picture on must see and not their own ability to come at
ease with missing options or abilities. the player is a HD player / streamer and
should be looked at like that for most users without NAS or willing to use PC...

I can see some conflicts in the design but I keep being positive because of
the price. We all have to admit there is some awkwardness in it but in the
end, it will be used mostly for streaming but stand alone (without PC and
NAS) still is over 50% of the users prefered method is fill hdd and play...

While the torrent is a feature using internal HD, so is the Samba server there
for a reason and the ability to use FTP and copy. The flaw is mainly with the
limits of the chip's I/o performance which makes the need for swapeable
solution or USB slave quite "high importance".

We might share different opinions on that... :-)

If you take into account that Tvix has been out alot longer and has the community support base, I would say Tvix wins. The Popcorn device will no doubt have its qwirks and bugs that will take months to work out and then months for them to release firware...no thanks. I was set on the Tvix 4100SH, but I'm going to hold out to see what the 6500 has to offer.:)

There's room for both to coexist... Same for Tomacro...
It will be a tough competition, cheap alternative but not immediately a killer
for other brands but that might come... Syabas is heavy on FW force so we
expect regular releases...

Anway, it's true DvICo has it's user base Syabas still needs to built up.

If the
1. Appearance can be improved.
2. ********** actually works for large files (4-50GB)
3. Decent network transfer speed(gigabit) AND can be mounted as a normal network share by PC's.
4. No sybas crapware.
5. Navigation with thumbnails in addition to text navigation.
6. Is reliable and has a speedy processor.
7. Has all the Tvix features.
then, it will be a Tvix killer-otherwise they are an unknown and will not have much of a chance???

ALL the sybas products I have had/used have been total crap.

really hmm i had also some and in my eyes there werent crap!?! as i get the tvix 4100 this was crap not now anymore but it was!!! Syabas onknown?!?!?! do you live in the right world?!?!?! is helios unknown is pinnacle (showcenter is from syabas) unknown?!?!?! I think you have to open up ypour eyes then lol.

Tvix still has no shoutcast avaible why?!?!?! dont understnd it ziova mades in my eyes nicer firmwares then dvico. Dvico is good pushed by community and newssites is that the reason why you think syabas is unknown.

sorry but cant go with your comment.

mfg cHarOn

It will not have GBit, neither will DvICo's 6500. The chip only supports 10/100. Can't be
loaded as Network drive unless they add NDAS to it. The difference between Syabas old
FW and this one is very different but it doesn't speak for itself that it will do everything
it should or work well. So far we seen promising results on test cases... That's all we
have for facts right now...

Surely DVICo exceeds the old Syabas players, no argue there. If it also exceeds the
new generation, no one knows. Not you, not me, not anyone :-) We are just speculating
and discussing... (which is fun :-) )

Biggest and only flaw to me for Syabas was not having SMB and DVD streaming support.
For all the rest, they had issues and limitations, just like any other player out there...
Both DViCo and Syabas are respcted but experience, everyone must admit, is better with
DvICo partially because the way Syabas develops and can not add "big changes" in the
olde FW (DVD ISO would be too much and also SMB would have been too much) and OEM
vendors did not sell enough units / wanted to put money ont eh table... Who knows...

This is different. This is pure inhouse concerns with no other parties so if ever Syabas as
gonna throw big eyes... this is it... They can make a new first impression and they will make
a good one if they can keep up with the communities to grow along with our needs...

We'll read about many opinion in a couple weeks so let's see what comes up.

I didn't know there was coaxial to optical converters, I'm to assume I'll still be able to hear everything in 5.1?

time to use Google and see where I can get one. Got any places you recommend.:cool:

Monoprice has it stuff cheaper:

The flaw is mainly with the
limits of the chip's I/o performance which makes the need for swapable
solution or USB slave quite "high importance".


Excuse my ignorance but what is the difference between USB-host and USB-slave? :o I would like to connect a USB memory stick to one of these to play stored files. Is that possible?

Also, I'm confused by what was noted above concerning the HDD. I thought the device can accommodate an internal IDE drive. Is that correct?

Thanks again

yep thats usb host usb slave would be if you wanna connect the popcorn to your pc that the popcorn acts like an external usb hdd to fill it up ;-)
Still there are only usb hosts so you can add directly usb stick usb hdd usb keyboard,............ for direct access to it over the popcorn device

Thanks cHarOn99

I'm intrigued by the NAS capabilities of the Popcorn Hour. Could it act as a media server to other Networked Media Players such as my Linkplayer?

Yes, if they suport SMB it should be possible (untested). It's an SMB server so players supporting that should be able to load content from it...

I don't think the Linkplayer supports SMB, but the Ziova does.

(Anyone out there, please feel free to correct me)

yes the ziova supports it

A USB slave will be added in a model launched later in november... The Samba/FTP will
be too slow to copy over huge content as 4GB files up to God knows how many. This is
a flaw of the first unit for sure. Further down the line, already talks about adding
Wireless (100An, so would the n mean Wireless N?)

It's the only thing I currently don't like, the early changes between USB Slave or not,
Wireless or not, HDMI 1.1 or HDMI 1.3, US version without nSCART, EU with SCART...
It will cuase a little confusion as beside the SCAR5T and HDMI, I don't see why not
both USB and Wireless (N or not) have been designed by default knowing the chip's
I/O performance is limited and USB transfers are very much needed to fill up 750GB.

(Wireless B/G would be wasted as for HD content, not good enough)

mhhhh, let's not bitch about that for now. The price makes up fo a lot so let's first see
the players and then start bitching for improvements :-) I would consider having a
removeable slider HDD in the unit which you can slide into your PC much like Trans-Gear
did... No need to move the player, just move the HDD :-)

Is there any reason for me to care about that if all I want to use it for is streaming to the TV from my NAS ? I just don't want to put a hard drive in it if it's not required.

you dont need to pit in an harddrive but then torrent wouldnt work and some syabas things like that it is an server, if you dont need it its no problem.

cHarOn

Unknow and they refer to the manufacturer of the popcorn, not sybas.

cHarOn99....if I understand you correct, are you saying that I would not be able to transfer files from my PC to an internal drive on the device? (apart from using FTP...which is a no go in my books....500gig of movies to transfer....phew!)

K

Both FTP and SAMBA will be used. Over samba you should be able to map the drive to a
drive letter but the speed will be low concerning signa's i/o performance. A USB slave
will be added to the model launching in November... (according to PopCorn hour)

The first units won't have this which indeed, is not convenient...
It's more a streaming device but if you add samba and internal hdd, we expect those functions to be available...

i know for some it may be important to fill up the popcorn ;-) samba and ftp should work around 4mb/sec which is not that good maybe when they include my ftp solution it can go up to 5-6mb/sec which isnt good still but better then nothing hehehe.
USB Slave will come the question is how good it will work or how the make it because right now the internal hdd is ext3 which is no problem when you use an mount program under windows ;-) but could make some customers nervous lol.
But we will see what really comes when the device is avaible.

cHarOn

Both FTP and SAMBA will be used. Over samba you should be able to map the drive to a
drive letter but the speed will be low concerning signa's i/o performance. A USB slave
will be added to the model launching in November... (according to PopCorn hour)

The first units won't have this which indeed, is not convenient...
It's more a streaming device but if you add samba and internal hdd, we expect those functions to be available...

Ok thanks...just seemed very odd why you'd have to format the internal HD in a format that a PC (nativley) can't read, and then don't add a USB PC connection for file transfer.

A lot of folks use lan over power line adaptors, which is ok for streaming 720p stuff, but 1080p would need to be on a local drive....yes, that could be a USB drive, but with only 2 USB ports, that limits you to 2T of local space, rather than 3T by using the internal HD too...

Just my 2 cents...

K

1080p stuff can be streamed over lan without problems right now i tried it with 42mbps mkv´s from my qnap device so you dont need the internal or usb hdd to play hd material. But also i also say it is for some people an problem when they see they cant fill it that easy as other devices provides right now. But we will see what happens because right now there is some conservation between syabas and me and also i think with other persons about the usb slave issue.
So we have to wait a little bit.

cHarOn

1080p stuff can be streamed over lan without problems right now i tried it with 42mbps mkv´s from my qnap device so you dont need the internal or usb hdd to play hd material. But also i also say it is for some people an problem when they see they cant fill it that easy as other devices provides right now. But we will see what happens because right now there is some conservation between syabas and me and also i think with other persons about the usb slave issue.
So we have to wait a little bit.

cHarOn

Ok thanks...I assume your lan connection is hard wired?...have you tried it with a lan of power line adaptor (as not everyone will have cat5 throughout their house..lol)

K

no dont tried it with powerline adapters ;-) (dont like that things) and my house is full with lan in every room ;-) so also dont need wlan or powerlines ;-). I think or i hope for some guys of you that the WLAN N card will do the job but i´m also sceptic on WLAN but we will see.

no dont tried it with powerline adapters ;-) (dont like that things) and my house is full with lan in every room ;-) so also dont need wlan or powerlines ;-). I think or i hope for some guys of you that the WLAN N card will do the job but i´m also sceptic on WLAN but we will see.


I'll take powerline over WLAN anytime...

K

then you dont see the N standard in action ;-) but also me an cable is an cable

Powerlines are cool if you have proper wiring.
Surely wlan is better in the form of Wireless N and finally sufficient for streaming high
bitrates unlike 802.11 b/g. By the way, for those interested, we verified that Tomacro
and DvICo still support more mkv formats that the popcorn hour but things will be added
to draw the line allike...

Today, testers received a new version Beta which includes streaming of ISO over lan
(SMB) and contains a list of other enhancements... These should directly benefit
PopCorn Hour as well when it's ready for release...

Enjoy

both USB and Wireless (N or not) have been designed by default knowing the chip's I/O performance is limited and USB transfers are very much needed to fill up 750GB.
Can you supply some more information on this please? When you say the chip's I/O performance is limited, by how much and where is the occurring, in the chip itself or on the motherboard?

Filling up the hard drive over network using SMB or FTP will only result in 4-5
MB/s at maximum since the hardware can't handle more. That's why we consider
for huge files like 1080p, a different method like USB is much desired.

Streaming over LAN is a good solution but even there, it's not optimal for high
bitrate files and can cause issues due to buffering and performance problems
of all kinds. Wireless is even impossible to be used for ISO or HD streaming for
which at least Wireless N is needed to get it running without problems...

Same limitations apply to all stand alone network players using Sigma Chip except
those suppoting NDAS. This solutions uses SCSI drivers that also reach higher transfer
speeds...

Let's compare things according to our test results...

Copying a 4GB file with NDAS would reach 10MBps throughput leading to roughly 400 seconds time, 6 minutes and 40 seconds. (best case scenario) Copying 4GB file with FTP/SMB would reach 5MBps throughput leading to roughly 800 seconds time, 13 minutes and 20 seconds on a Sigma platform. (best case scenario) With USB, the same 4GB file would take roughly 2 minutes and 40 at 25MBps average (more or less, depending on PC...)

In the end, the USB becomes a valuable time saver to fill up a hard drive and stream local content which exactly because of networking instabilities and avoiding issues could be a solution to ensure the movie has maximum chance to play completely without isues. Not that network is so unstable it will blow your pleasure, but internal playback is still the most assured option that things will run fine with high bitrate files...

Hope that clears it up a little.
If you're a bit lucky, network streaming will never be a problem, no need to copy content over. For some, it will be
mandatory as hardware influences the ability of streaming beyind the player's reach (switches, routers, cabling etc...) forcing the other part of consumer to actually use internal hdd for ISO DVD and HD files.

no dont tried it with powerline adapters ;-) (dont like that things) and my house is full with lan in every room ;-) so also dont need wlan or powerlines ;-). I think or i hope for some guys of you that the WLAN N card will do the job but i´m also sceptic on WLAN but we will see.
You are right to be sceptical about wireless. Even N is useless for HD streaming purposes. I've never been able to play a HD movie smooth from start to finish with N-class equipment... ;)

Yep, often N wireless is worse than G atm

. By the way, for those interested, we verified that Tomacro
and DvICo still support more mkv formats that the popcorn hour but things will be added
to draw the line allike...


Care to expand on that?

Filling up the hard drive over network using SMB or FTP will only result in 4-5
MB/s at maximum since the hardware can't handle more. That's why we consider
for huge files like 1080p, a different method like USB is much desired.

Streaming over LAN is a good solution but even there, it's not optimal for high
bitrate files and can cause issues due to buffering and performance problems
of all kinds. Wireless is even impossible to be used for ISO or HD streaming for
which at least Wireless N is needed to get it running without problems...

Same limitations apply to all stand alone network players using Sigma Chip except
those suppoting NDAS. This solutions uses SCSI drivers that also reach higher transfer
speeds...

Let's compare things according to our test results...

Copying a 4GB file with NDAS would reach 10MBps throughput leading to roughly 400 seconds time, 6 minutes and 40 seconds. (best case scenario) Copying 4GB file with FTP/SMB would reach 5MBps throughput leading to roughly 800 seconds time, 13 minutes and 20 seconds on a Sigma platform. (best case scenario) With USB, the same 4GB file would take roughly 2 minutes and 40 at 25MBps average (more or less, depending on PC...)

In the end, the USB becomes a valuable time saver to fill up a hard drive and stream local content which exactly because of networking instabilities and avoiding issues could be a solution to ensure the movie has maximum chance to play completely without isues. Not that network is so unstable it will blow your pleasure, but internal playback is still the most assured option that things will run fine with high bitrate files...

Hope that clears it up a little.
If you're a bit lucky, network streaming will never be a problem, no need to copy content over. For some, it will be
mandatory as hardware influences the ability of streaming beyind the player's reach (switches, routers, cabling etc...) forcing the other part of consumer to actually use internal hdd for ISO DVD and HD files.
Just trying to understand where the restrictions are. If we ignore the external factors to the NMT, ie the lan connection or wireless, what is the limiting step in the NMT for bitrate handling? Would it be the IDE connection or the Sigma chip itself? I have followed the Netgear EVA8000 threads and there seems to be some issues with high bitrate files like you get from HD sources and the chip they implement with.

The Sigma chip.
It is performant enough to handle HD files though. (4-6 MBps is the max i squeezed out
of any player so far except for NDAS but that does not depend on the Sigma chip. (It's
actually an extra chip inside the unit i think taking care of NDAS transfers)

Yep, often N wireless is worse than G atm

What is the reasoning for this thought?

Is N as good as it should be? No, is it worse then G? It does not look like it.
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/component/option,com_wireless/Itemid,200/

Popcorn Hour seems to meet my three big needs in a drive-based media player:

- Supports 1080p output (HDMI or Component)
- Supports h.264 codec + MKV wrapper
- Can copy files to the internal drive over LAN (or WAN)

I've looked at the TVIX units as well as the Mvix units, but neither support that oh-so-high-quality h.264 + MKV format. Unless their pages are wrong and they do now support it, looks like the Popcorn Hour is the one for me...

Popcorn Hour seems to meet my three big needs in a drive-based media player:

- Supports 1080p output (HDMI or Component)
- Supports h.264 codec + MKV wrapper
- Can copy files to the internal drive over LAN (or WAN)

I've looked at the TVIX units as well as the Mvix units, but neither support that oh-so-high-quality h.264 + MKV format. Unless their pages are wrong and they do now support it, looks like the Popcorn Hour is the one for me...

My Tvix M-4100SH supports H.265 + MKV, but only up to 720p. I believe the next firmware coming out is supposed to add 1080p x264 MKV support.

My Tvix M-4100SH supports H.265 + MKV, but only up to 720p. I believe the next firmware coming out is supposed to add 1080p x264 MKV support.

Really?...the Tvix is only 720p MKV?...well that's one up for the Lim - 720p & 1080p MKV supported...

K

Really?...the Tvix is only 720p MKV?...well that's one up for the Lim - 720p & 1080p MKV supported...

K

Of course not. TViX supports both 720p and 1080p MKVs. Similar to Lim - they use the same low-level firmware from Sigma. TViX processor cannot handle some L5.1 profile clips with 16 frames encoding which results in macroblocking. This profile usually causes problems for high resolution video - 1080p.
Same happens for Lim and for some 8634-based players.

Yip, also Popcorn has this...
Off course the lim fans immediately twist to their advantage...
I think they should get their FW prooperly before they can match up against DvICo...

My unit, 3 months old, only works "with some" firmware releases...
Ooptions stop functioning in version a and work in version b but not in version c and in
version d even more is broken but if i return to version A these function again...

Go figure... Not happenning with TvIX which i can actually use between the issues it has.
It's also not a TViX killer (who came up with that title, one of the Tomacro fans?)

No VFD
No USB Slave
No FTP
Less playback than DvICo (needs some firmware updates)
less functions
Less price...

Sounds the same to me as if they add in all that, they probably end around the same pricing...
The PopCorn is very attractive but does not mean it's a killer. It's good and our tests work our fine so far which is
a big heads up for Syabas. It's actually a Tomacro killer for me as arriving, the unit caused my attention to shift
from Tomacro not offering me all the issues I have with LimHD200i, even if it has less playback support on H.264
"for now"... :-)

Countdown 3...2...1... Hi-Jack is going to get thrashed by the Lim lovers for less than favorable comments of the Lim....

Nah, Tvix nut huggers are far more annoying esp those who claim to be unbiased :D

To answer the orginal question, not yet.

Until I can buy one i'll let you know.

Woke up at 6am and wasn't able to get any. I blame all the people on west coast.

Damm you all.

Nah, Tvix nut huggers are far more annoying esp those who claim to be unbiased :D

Whatever Johny boy...
I dont dream about progress and then ye'll how good it will become if my
dreams come true. I yell about what it can do today and how it al works...

I suggest you sometimes read about the issues and not only on your own
limited experience of "only" using a couple samples. I prooved my stories with
facts, examples, videos that show the errors and so on so people know who
to believe... You or me... and frankly, I don't care the pro lim's discrediting
me all the time. (or at least try)

I don't even know why I still bother reading your posts or reply to them.
Bash me all you want, it doesn't change that the Lim is not working fine at all
and our recommendation is to stay away from it... :-)

If that makes me a nut hugger for TviX, i'm glad to be one as it saves people
from making the same mistake as many before them... Most pro's agree, the lim
ain't good at all at the moment, so goodluck matching up your opinion with ours
and get people to believe you who not even can have a decent discussion...

My post zas pretty honest above...
Can't live with that huh Johny?

hey guys, let's forget about the HDTV tuner and DVR function, it's not important for majority of the people....i guess....

I saw 6500A has 512MB RAM wheres A-100 only has 256MB. May I know what's the purpose of having more RAM? is it for video playback or just for file transfer?

Would this memory thingy be a bottleneck to playback certain high bitrate 1080p video?

hey guys, let's forget about the HDTV tuner and DVR function, it's not important for majority of the people....i guess....

I saw 6500A has 512MB RAM wheres A-100 only has 256MB. May I know what's the purpose of having more RAM? is it for video playback or just for file transfer?

Would this memory thingy be a bottleneck to playback certain high bitrate 1080p video?

I've played some of those Planet earth files at 1080p and have had no problem what so ever.

Would this memory thingy be a bottleneck to playback certain high bitrate 1080p video?

The highest bitrate video you could get is from Bluray (native broadcast feed cap still lower than 40Mbps). If a bluray player with EM8634 and same 256M memory could handle it, why couldn't popcorn?

What is the 'real' shipping status of PCH? since its by queue number invite to purchase, I really want to hear from someone who has used this product. Thanks.

The highest bitrate video you could get is from Bluray (native broadcast feed cap still lower than 40Mbps). If a bluray player with EM8634 and same 256M memory could handle it, why couldn't popcorn?

I see... so what's the purpose for 6500A putting the additional 256MB RAM? Just to jerk up the price? :cool:

Presumably the extra RAM has advantages for applications other than basic video playback running on the boxes? The Tvix presumably has some PVR type stuff connected with its tuner? The PCH is going to allow user applications to run on the box - which presumably will also require RAM?

What is the 'real' shipping status of PCH? since its by queue number invite to purchase, I really want to hear from someone who has used this product. Thanks.

I was in the first batch that shipped. I've been using it to stream divx/xvid and DVD ISO since then and haven't any major issues. I've been using various video streamers since the early days (DLink 320 and Roku HD1000 were my first attempts). The PH unit does what I need it to - reliably stream video off of a Thecus N5200 NAS. I haven't made the jump to any 1080p content yet, so can't comment on how it handles it, but PQ, features, and reliability have been great through the first 30 days for me. Looking forward to "normal" ordering to open up so I can pick up a couple more units for other TVs in the house.

Yep - I've had my PCH for well over a week and used it quite intensively - streaming over the network using http, playing off an external USB thumb drive and a large NTFS hard drive. Very happy with it.

.ts files with AC3 audio play in 5.1 via Dolby Digital raw bitstream over HDMI which was a nice surprise.

The only files that don't play are old WMV files using earlier Windows Media codecs - which I read wouldn't play ISTR.

Have been experimenting with GBPVR - a PC based PVR app that supports ATSC, QAM, DVB-T, DVB-S and analogue capture cards in multiple configurations - and the writers have implemented an HTML based front-end that the PCH will display, allowing remote control via PCH, including EPG navigation etc. and streaming of recorded TV. Doesn't do undelayed live TV yet - but as long as you start recording and allow 30" it will then play back the recording as it continues. Not as slick as Media Center and the XBox 360 - yet...

Not perfect - but as an early Beta it is very encouraging.

I've had my A-100 for about two months now and I have to say it has been more then worth it. It Has played all scene 720p/1080p mkv's, plays raw Blu-ray, and upscales DVD's to 1080p quite nicely. EVO support is in the works so hopefully Syabas can tweak their h264 decoder to properly support high bit rate raw h264 streams. MPEG2(HD)/VC-1 work like a charm, even VC-1 HD-DVD's that I have converted to Blu-ray(.m2ts) via Scenarist play flawlessly :)

I've had my A-100 for about two months now and I have to say it has been more then worth it. It Has played all scene 720p/1080p mkv's, plays raw Blu-ray, and upscales DVD's to 1080p quite nicely. EVO support is in the works so hopefully Syabas can tweak their h264 decoder to properly support high bit rate raw h264 streams. MPEG2(HD)/VC-1 work like a charm, even VC-1 HD-DVD's that I have converted to Blu-ray(.m2ts) via Scenarist play flawlessly :)

"RAW Blu-ray"?? How to achieve that? connecting a USB bluray player?

"RAW Blu-ray"?? How to achieve that? connecting a USB bluray player?

I suspect the BluRay content is on a hard disc, and it is from this that the .m2ts (BluRay video file type) stuff is being played. There are legitimate reasons for doing this if you master BluRays yourself, but equally there are legally dubious reasons for doing it as well.

Yep - I've had my PCH for well over a week and used it quite intensively - streaming over the network using http, playing off an external USB thumb drive and a large NTFS hard drive. Very happy with it.How times have moved on since the days of our Sigma Xcards eh!


Cheers

How times have moved on since the days of our Sigma Xcards eh!

Cheers

Hello SeeMore - yep - haven't times changed?

Was going through some "boxes of bits" (not the binary kind) last weekend and found my XCard. Remember thinking what a great bit of kit it was - but sadly hampered by closed drivers. Once I found a way of getting XP Media Center and a Radeon to deliver 1024x576 50Hz interlaced RGB with mixed syncs (via a VGA to RGB SCART cable) I retired the XCard and Jove Player solution - XP Media Center worked so much better with dual DVB-T tuners.

The PCH is a nice bit of kit so far - few rough edges, but it does a lot of things right. (50Hz stuff played at 1080/50p, 60Hz stuff at 1080/60p, and plays nearly everything I've thrown at it. There is almost nothing in the box either!)

I suspect the BluRay content is on a hard disc, and it is from this that the .m2ts (BluRay video file type) stuff is being played. There are legitimate reasons for doing this if you master BluRays yourself, but equally there are legally dubious reasons for doing it as well.

Why not to suggest that content played from internal BD over the LAN?

how's the output for 1080p/24 sources? convert to both NTSC and PAL? would it be better than those Plasma TV that accept 1080p/24 and convert them all to 60Hz?

how's the output for 1080p/24 sources? convert to both NTSC and PAL? would it be better than those Plasma TV that accept 1080p/24 and convert them all to 60Hz?

Believe 1080/24p media can be output at 1080/24p (there is a 24p output option ISTR) Not sure how it copes with 24p vs 23.97p material, and whether the output is 24p or 23.97p (or if it is clever enough to do both)

If you don't have a 24p capable display I believe it will AUTO to 1080/60p (presumably with 3:2) - though I haven't checked.

Sorry for odd question, but when is the PCH available to order (again?)?

I would be happy to do a detailed photo and video review :)

Believe 1080/24p media can be output at 1080/24p (there is a 24p output option ISTR) Not sure how it copes with 24p vs 23.97p material, and whether the output is 24p or 23.97p (or if it is clever enough to do both)

If you don't have a 24p capable display I believe it will AUTO to 1080/60p (presumably with 3:2) - though I haven't checked.

actually my question is more towards the output quality. Assuming the panel is 1080p/24 input capable but not 1080p/24 output capable (eg, Panasonic/Samsung Plasma), would using A-100 to convert 1080p/24 source to 1080p/50/60 better than sending the 1080p/24 source directly to the TV?

but well, I shall be receiving my A-100 soon and perhaps I'll be one of the person to answer this myself.....I got a 5084.....

I want one...

I was gonna get a 6500a when they came out - this seems better.

The only thing i don;t see it able to play is x264.

From what I have read - all the HD files Im tring to play in XBMC that studder to freeze will play on this no problem!

I want 2 - one for me and one for my wife (she will hog mine)

2 month wait period just to pre order huh! dang!

The only thing i don;t see it able to play is x264.

From what I have read - all the HD files Im tring to play in XBMC that studder to freeze will play on this no problem!

It plays x264 just fine along with every other hi def file I've thrown at it.

besides some lossless audio format which will be supported eventually, if popcorn can't play, dun expect 6500A to play it either....

Believe 1080/24p media can be output at 1080/24p (there is a 24p output option ISTR) Not sure how it copes with 24p vs 23.97p material, and whether the output is 24p or 23.97p (or if it is clever enough to do both)

If you don't have a 24p capable display I believe it will AUTO to 1080/60p (presumably with 3:2) - though I haven't checked.


The NMT/A-100 will play 24p(Bluray) material @ 24p but doesn't output 23.976 yet. If you set the output on the A-100 to 1080p/24 and try to play a source file with 23.976 you will get stutter. The 23.976 mode is in beta testing right now but should be ready soon. Hope that helps.

yup, was trying to play a 23.97fps media, and got a shock when I saw my Plasma is stuttering like crazy......I thought something wrong with my TV!

the upscaling for decent resolution media seems pretty cool. However for very low resolution source, the upscaling capability seems quite bad......does SMP8635 has a good scaler built in? comparable to those pro scaler chip?

yup, was trying to play a 23.97fps media, and got a shock when I saw my Plasma is stuttering like crazy......I thought something wrong with my TV!

the upscaling for decent resolution media seems pretty cool. However for very low resolution source, the upscaling capability seems quite bad......does SMP8635 has a good scaler built in? comparable to those pro scaler chip?


Yes, the scaler in the SMP8635 is quite nice. At least I think so.

any screens??

can you guys try the quicktime movie trailer Narnia2? My Plasma was shuttering like crazy while using 1080p23 mode, worse than 1080p24 and 1080p60....

http://www.apple.com/trailers/disney/thechroniclesofnarniaprincecaspian/hd/

I have a PCH, and a Tomacro, PCH is already better and has huge potential beyond today...

What do you want to know ? :)

Here too.
PCH is by far better than LimHD200i.
While firmware development of Tomacro is dead, the PCH is lucky enough to get a firmware every month. Besides that there are custom developed applications for the PCH that are very promising, and add to the standard functionality.

Yep - PCH seems to be very actively supported with new firmware. There are still issues - but the most recent upgrade has around 50 fixes and new features.

23.97 and 59.94 output has been added alongside 24 and 60 for instance, as has time seeking in MKVs apparently.

Hi
Can any one tell me, what is the best way of backing up your dvd collection (320 disc) on to the popcorn? and what programs are best for doing this.

Cheers

I've been on the wait list for almost two months now. A recent contact with their customer service folks tell me that some will be shipping in Feb, but I'm not holding my breath. I hope they're worth the wait.

I hope they're worth the wait.

Most definitely :) You are basically getting a dual format+ HDM player at less then half the price of a stand alone HDM player. The only real draw back is that BD+ hasn't been cracked but once, and if, it is cracked then the NMT platform will be a true dual format HDM player at a fraction of the cost of most HDM players with added bonuses like x264, MKV, FLAC, and DTS/DTS-HD(HR) support to boot. Good stuff.

:D

I just received a mail to say I can now pre-order at the popcornhour website, but when I go there, there's no link to order. Any ideas??

I just received a mail to say I can now pre-order at the popcornhour website, but when I go there, there's no link to order. Any ideas??

Did you sign in? If so, there should be a pre-order button right next to the price.

I also got my email notification. Ordered this morning. They say late Feb to early March. Looking forward to trying this thing out.

To those who just got the invite to order- How long ago did you register to pre-order?
I registered a few days ago and the site responded saying something like a 2 month wait for the invite :(

Can't say for sure, but 2 months sounds about right. I am guessing mid-December. Hopefully it is worth the wait. I was aware of this thing before they started taking preorders but I had no idea it would be this high in demand so I didn't get on the list until I finally realized I would never get one if I don't.

To those who just got the invite to order- How long ago did you register to pre-order?
I registered a few days ago and the site responded saying something like a 2 month wait for the invite :(

Do you want my invite to pre-order? I dont plan on using it, I've got a Tvix 6500 on the way...

To those who just got the invite to order- How long ago did you register to pre-order?
I registered a few days ago and the site responded saying something like a 2 month wait for the invite :(

I registered the beginning of December and got my invite yesterday. Placed the order right away. So now i probably have another 2 months wait. I sure hope it turns out to be a good one. I have the Mvix 760HD and that one is fine for playing DVD iso files but won't play HD DVD or Blueray. From what i've read the Mvix isn't good for music but i don't use it for that anyway.

Do you want my invite to pre-order? I dont plan on using it, I've got a Tvix 6500 on the way...

Gosh I do, i will even send you an amazon cert for a couple of movies

Do you want my invite to pre-order? I dont plan on using it, I've got a Tvix 6500 on the way...

Yes! I would appreciate it koncise.
PM me if you don't mind.
Thanks again-Rob

[It seems my post was lost due to outage, so here it's again]

Does anyone have an opinion on which box would be better for my needs: PH or SageTV's HD extender? I need something that will play backed-up DVDs (NTSC & PAL, ISO & VIDEO_TS), AVI files (DivX/Xvid), and MKVs with subtitles. I have an HTPC (Vista Ultimate) that does all that for my main TV, but I want to extend functionality to my other set (SD now, will get HDTV soon).

Also, can anyone tell me how exactly does PH organize/display media? Say, I have a few seasons of AVI/MKV shows, will it be able to pull metadata and display episode descriptions, thumbnails, etc.?

I registered in December as well. Got the invite yesterday and ordered. Two months probably before I get it.

[It seems my post was lost due to outage, so here it's again]

Does anyone have an opinion on which box would be better for my needs: PH or SageTV's HD extender? I need something that will play backed-up DVDs (NTSC & PAL, ISO & VIDEO_TS), AVI files (DivX/Xvid), and MKVs with subtitles. I have an HTPC (Vista Ultimate) that does all that for my main TV, but I want to extend functionality to my other set (SD now, will get HDTV soon).

Also, can anyone tell me how exactly does PH organize/display media? Say, I have a few seasons of AVI/MKV shows, will it be able to pull metadata and display episode descriptions, thumbnails, etc.?
Hi-Jack did a review of the Popcorn Hour A-100 here: http://www.mpcclub.com/modules.php?name=Reviews

[It seems my post was lost due to outage, so here it's again]

Does anyone have an opinion on which box would be better for my needs: PH or SageTV's HD extender? I need something that will play backed-up DVDs (NTSC & PAL, ISO & VIDEO_TS), AVI files (DivX/Xvid), and MKVs with subtitles. I have an HTPC (Vista Ultimate) that does all that for my main TV, but I want to extend functionality to my other set (SD now, will get HDTV soon).

Also, can anyone tell me how exactly does PH organize/display media? Say, I have a few seasons of AVI/MKV shows, will it be able to pull metadata and display episode descriptions, thumbnails, etc.?

It plays all your video formats of choice - though you don't specify what format MKV (i.e. which video and audio codecs).

It doesn't do Metadata, cover art etc. at the moment - just filenames and folders.

Quality is fine - I'm using it HDMI into a 1920x1080 LCD TV and it just works.

Well, since I got the invite for PH, I was actually looking for someone to compare PH vs STV, but thanks for pointing out the review. I read it when it initially came out so I just re-read it and it seems PH has ways to go before it can compete with SageTV's extender even when it comes to media playback (obviously, STV extender can be used for recorded TV, but that's beside the point).

My number came up on the pre-order also, so I ordered one over the weekend. Hope I make the first batch (mid March?) and not the second batch (end March?).

Any word on EVO support? I think there are tools to convert our now semi-extinct HD-DVDs, but there is no way I am buying more hardware for this format given what is going on. Right now I have the XBOX 360 add on drive, which I play on the Xbox and on the PC with a bunch of kludges.

It would be nice to host the HD DVD titles I have on the Popcorn Hour device while I wait for a Blu Ray devices that sends all the uncompressed audio formats over HDMI to my Onkyo 905.

FYI, i got an email at the start of Feb and ordered shortly thereafter (around the 8th or 9th). I just got an email today saying it finally shipped. Hopefully I will have it in a week or so.

FYI, i got an email at the start of Feb and ordered shortly thereafter (around the 8th or 9th). I just got an email today saying it finally shipped. Hopefully I will have it in a week or so.

Just got my email that mine was shipped too. Hopefully it won't take too long to get here but i'm in Mich, the other side of the US so i expect about a week. I ordered mine on Feb 5th.

I've been playing around with the Mvix 780HD but can't wait for the Popcorn Hour.

Just got my invite as well, but now I see a potential competitor in the IstarHd: http://www.istarhd.com/

Reviews are VERY similar given the same firmware is used, but this one is a little smaller, includes a fan, and has an exposed SATA connector as well as VGA on the outside. And, perhaps more importantly, it has Optical AND Coaxial audio out, not just Coax like on the PCH.

Had not seen the STV before now, but can't tell what actual containers it supports. Their site just gives the codec types.

Just got my invite as well, but now I see a potential competitor in the IstarHd: http://www.istarhd.com/

Reviews are VERY similar given the same firmware is used, but this one is a little smaller, includes a fan, and has an exposed SATA connector as well as VGA on the outside. And, perhaps more importantly, it has Optical AND Coaxial audio out, not just Coax like on the PCH.

Had not seen the STV before now, but can't tell what actual containers it supports. Their site just gives the codec types.

I saw that too but it doesn't have an enternal hard drive so if you want some portability you would be carrying around an external drive with it. I haven't heard much about it yet, and haven't seen a price.

Price is basically the same https://www.istarhd.com/order/index.asp (~$200)

Yup, I got my "shipped today!" email as well! Looks like Popcorn Hour is honest with their communications... a good thing.

Price is basically the same https://www.istarhd.com/order/index.asp (~$200)

It will be interesting to see what kind of reviews it gets. It looks nice. As long as all your files are on a server it would be great. I'm going to keep an eye on it. I can always use one for my cottage so i'm not hauling dvds up there all the time. The prices of these units are right. I just wish someone would come out with something that would record in HD too. I'd be willing to spend a few bucks on that. As far as ripping HD DVDs (oops, for get about that one) blue-ray discs to a hard drive, i don't have any idea how to go about that yet. Something i want to eventually be able to do but that's going to require tons of storage. Right now i have 3TB but Blue ray files would fill that up fast.

Yup, I got my "shipped today!" email as well! Looks like Popcorn Hour is honest with their communications... a good thing.


When did your credit card get charged? Mine was charged over a week ago....so im pretty curious what the recent process has been.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1118284/popcorn_hour_a100_review/

Found a video review here that I had not seen before.

When did your credit card get charged? Mine was charged over a week ago....so im pretty curious what the recent process has been.

I got my charge email on the 18th, so exactly 1 week later I got the shipping email. A little annoying that they charged prior to shipping, but at least I will (hopefully) get my unit prior to my b-day :)

I am quite frustrating for using popcorn, I left it untouched for a few days and the toy just refused to boot up ....does anybody also encountered similar boot up problem? It's very troublesome to plug out everything just to get it booted and then plug in again....SATA connector is fine, but IDE? OMG.....

does Tvix has similar problem? I'm considering switching to Tvix if i still can't get a solution to the popcorn.

I am quite frustrating for using popcorn, I left it untouched for a few days and the toy just refused to boot up ....does anybody also encountered similar boot up problem? It's very troublesome to plug out everything just to get it booted and then plug in again....SATA connector is fine, but IDE? OMG.....

does Tvix has similar problem? I'm considering switching to Tvix if i still can't get a solution to the popcorn.


FYI, this is probably a better forum for troubleshooting the popcorn hour issues:

http://www.networkedmediatank.com/index.php

My full review of the Popcorn Hour A100 is up. Give me your honest opinion:

Popcorn Hour A100 Review (http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1118284/popcorn_hour_a100_review/)

I am quite frustrating for using popcorn, I left it untouched for a few days and the toy just refused to boot up ....does anybody also encountered similar boot up problem? It's very troublesome to plug out everything just to get it booted and then plug in again....SATA connector is fine, but IDE? OMG.....

does Tvix has similar problem? I'm considering switching to Tvix if i still can't get a solution to the popcorn.

Do you get the brief Popcorn Hour boot-up screen that then disappears? If so it is possible that your video settings have been scrambled. If you wait a few moments and then press TV Mode followed by 0 to select AUTO mode, it may well produce a display. This has happened to me once in 3 months with my PCH. However I don't use an internal hard drive as I, along with many, have concerns about the heat generated in the fan-less box.

Do you get the brief Popcorn Hour boot-up screen that then disappears? If so it is possible that your video settings have been scrambled. If you wait a few moments and then press TV Mode followed by 0 to select AUTO mode, it may well produce a display. This has happened to me once in 3 months with my PCH. However I don't use an internal hard drive as I, along with many, have concerns about the heat generated in the fan-less box.

nope, nothing at all....that's the problem....

last time, I know it's booted up in its very native mode (composite NTSC/PAL) when I get to see the very first popcorn logo. But now ,it's absolutely nothing......

That networkmediatank forums is like a dead town by now....even direct email with popcorn seems a bit slow too.......why can't they just provide a hard reset kind of thing for us to reset the unit in 1 go?

got my ship notice today, so it seems like the next batch from China did show up and they are sending them out...

Status on mine is as of 6:15 this morning it is at my local postoffice. So i should have it today or tomorrow. I'll have to keep an eye out for the "MailWoman", she isn't the most ambitious, if there is a car, bike, or any snow in front of my mailbox she refuses to deliver the mail. Some of my neighbors haven't gotten mail in 4 days because they had (small) piles of snow in front of their mailboxes. Nothing major, just enough that she would have to actually step out of her truck to deliver it.

Not bad, shipped 2-25 from CA and here in MI today.

Really anxious to get me hands on this.......

Go my notice that it shipped as well. Hopefully I will get it by tomorrow. My card was also billed on the 18th, but when placing the order, it did say that the card may be billed before the unit is actually shipped due to "google checkout procedures"

My full review of the Popcorn Hour A100 is up. Give me your honest opinion:

Popcorn Hour A100 Review (http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1118284/popcorn_hour_a100_review/)
Excellent review! Very well done. Popcorn should pay you and feature your review on their website -of course removing the few negatives you mention.
Maybe you should mention it's a 15 min. video review (for those of us at work :D) that just starts playing when you click on your link. I think that's the first video review I ever sat through all the way...:)
Really professionally done eugovector!

My order is in; now I have pre-order buyer's remorse ;-)

Excellent review! Very well done. Popcorn should pay you and feature your review on their website -of course removing the few negatives you mention.
Maybe you should mention it's a 15 min. video review (for those of us at work :D) that just starts playing when you click on your link. I think that's the first video review I ever sat through all the way...:)
Really professionally done eugovector!

Thank you, I will certainly take the length into account in future reviews. I knew it was long, but I just couldn't get it under 10 minutes (the youtube limit, lame), so I just shot for the 1000mb metacafe limit. The popcorn hour just does so much, it couldn't be crammed in.

Thank you, I will certainly take the length into account in future reviews. I knew it was long, but I just couldn't get it under 10 minutes (the youtube limit, lame), so I just shot for the 1000mb metacafe limit. The popcorn hour just does so much, it couldn't be crammed in.

Hi,

Why does it show the cost as $189 instead of $179?

Thanks.

My order is in; now I have pre-order buyer's remorse ;-)

Why, pre-order buyer's remorse?

Mine was delivered. Found it on the edge of the porch next to a pile of snow. It's dry but cold so i'm waiting until it gets room temp before turning it on. Got my evening planned out for tonight!

If any of you new users decide to run the Popcorn Hour off a unRAID server... please let me know how it works out. My Popcorn Hour has issues (which I have posted on the Popcorn Hour community support site) with my unRAID server.
Thanks... Rob

Hi,

Why does it show the cost as $189 instead of $179?

Thanks.

Hmm...major oversight on my part. I pulled that number from somewhere, not the most up to date popcornhour.com page.

I'll try to see if I can replace the video with a new one, encoded with the correct price. For now, I'll put a comment on the page with the correct price.

I got my PH this afternoon and started to set it up about 2 hours ago. This thing was a breeze. I installed a 80gb hard drive in it. Walked through the step and it connected to my network without a hitch. I then updated the firmware over the network, then downloaded and installed all the apps, over the network and everything is up and running. It connected to my Buffalo Linkstation Pro Duo without any problems. I have some hd Mkv files on it and they have played flawlessly. I was concerned about this but my worry is over. So far i only have one complaint. I have a External USB Hard Drive enclosure that holds 4 drives and has auto on/off. but it won't turn off when i shut the PH down. It must still supply a signal over the USB when turned off. This was really a great feature that worked well with my Mvix. Maybe a firmware upgrade could fix this. I'll have to look to see if i can find a place to submit update requests.

Other than that, so far i am very pleased with it. The picture quality is outstanding, especially on the HD files. There are a lot of features on this unit but the quick start guide just gets you going. I'll be doing some more searching to see if there is more detail documentation on it. Otherwise i'll just play around with it, most of it is pretty straight forward.

That's good to know. Try this, turn it off and then immediately hit delete. This should turn off all the lights. To turn the popcorn hour back on, you'll have to disconnect and reconnect the power, so if this works for you, you shoulld explore a switched outlet of some kind.

This is a criticism that I should have put in the review: the popcorn hour really needs a hard on/off switch. Even when it's "off" the popcorn hour uses energy, so if you're a kilowatt miser, you'll want it on a switched outlet.

Good news is, there's a lot of little hacking that can be done with such an open design. I can easily see someone installing a notebook drive, hard switch, and correcting some of that front panel LED bleed.

Hmm...major oversight on my part. I pulled that number from somewhere, not the most up to date popcornhour.com page.

I'll try to see if I can replace the video with a new one, encoded with the correct price. For now, I'll put a comment on the page with the correct price.


Hi,

Send you a PM.

Thanks.

That's good to know. Try this, turn it off and then immediately hit delete. This should turn off all the lights. To turn the popcorn hour back on, you'll have to disconnect and reconnect the power, so if this works for you, you shoulld explore a switched outlet of some kind.


Tried your suggestion but the USB drive stays on. I had to physically disconnect the power to the PH for the USB drive to shut off. I connected it back to Mvix to make sure it was working and it worked fine on it. One other thing i notice on the PH is the volume level is really low, even with the setting at 50. I have to turn the tv level up almost twice as high.

I don't understand why the PH still draws power even when it's turned off. Seems like a waist to have it drawing current. At least the hard drive shuts off but i still don't see the point of it. Unless it's to save boot time when you turn it on. I'd rather wait a little longer and have this thing completely shut down. Not just an energy stand point but to save on the electronics inside it.

The other thing i just thought of is i have my Buffalo Linkstation turn off automatically when the last pc shuts down for the night. i hope the PH doesn't keep that alive all the time. Putting an X10 control on it would be a option but also a pain.

Ok, i just tried it, i shut down the pc and the Linkstation did shut down. However, if i store files on it for the PH that will cause another problem since turning on the PH doesn't wake up the Linkstation. So i'm going to have to re-think this setup that i had for my Mvix.

Another thing i noticed is when i boot up the pc it turns on the hard drive in the PH. So basically the hard drive in the PH is going to be on all day as my pcs are.

Question: If you have a torrent downloading, does it continue to download even when you turn off the PH with the remote? Something i haven't tried yet.

I just got mine yesterday and I did not have much time to play with it, but I ran into problems. I hope I don't have a dud.

All I did was take it out and hook it up via the RCA composite. I did not want to worry about HDMI or anything like that. I just wanted to get it up and running and it was most convenient at the time. I plugged it in and there was no picture. I hit the power button and it came up. Then I put a flash drive in the USB with some avi's. I loaded the USB and then all of a sudden the picture went as if it was turned off. The lights were still on though. I hit the power button on the remote and nothing. I was forced to unplug and plug back in. Sometimes it boots and other times it doesn't After many attempts I got a file to play from the flash drive and then I hit pause and walked away for a minute or 2 and when I came back, the picture was gone. I am hoping I am missing something, but it appears that this is a dud. Has anyone had an experience with communicating with the company on technical issues?

Thanks

I have not yet received my Popcorn Hour but I do know that the offical support forum to submit bugs, feature requests, and learn more about the unit is here:

http://www.networkedmediatank.com/

Laters,
Jeff

Got mine last night. Had initial issues with hdmi handshake, but after i set it to 720p 60hz on the setup menu, it worked like a charm. I upgraded the firmware thorugh the network with no issues. Then I installed a 300GB drive to test out and there were also no issues with the apps. As everyone has reported, SMB transfers are SLOW. But I also did not have any problems streaming any content off SMB Shares. I use the Dlink DNS-323 NAS and was able to add the shares to the "home" page and stream 1080p content straight out of it with not skips I even used a file that gives me problems on the machine I use CoreAVC that has a Pentium D 840 and it played without issues. The only problem with streaming was the fast scan feature, after you use it with streamed files, it does not recuperated. You have to stop and re-start file. That did not happen off either a USB drive or the built-in drive.

Overall, so far the Popcorn hour has not disappointed me and has lived up to expectations.

I just got mine yesterday and I did not have much time to play with it, but I ran into problems. I hope I don't have a dud.

All I did was take it out and hook it up via the RCA composite. I did not want to worry about HDMI or anything like that. I just wanted to get it up and running and it was most convenient at the time. I plugged it in and there was no picture. I hit the power button and it came up. Then I put a flash drive in the USB with some avi's. I loaded the USB and then all of a sudden the picture went as if it was turned off. The lights were still on though. I hit the power button on the remote and nothing. I was forced to unplug and plug back in. Sometimes it boots and other times it doesn't After many attempts I got a file to play from the flash drive and then I hit pause and walked away for a minute or 2 and when I came back, the picture was gone. I am hoping I am missing something, but it appears that this is a dud. Has anyone had an experience with communicating with the company on technical issues?

Thanks

Probably not a dud. The operation of these things is kind of wonky, but they work and they play virtually any kind of file you can throw at them. The Popcorn Hour upscales to 720P or 1080i or even 1080p and looks beautiful and sounds great too, especially for the money.

Anyway, I recommend you do some reading at two places to help you with your technical issues:

Start here:

http://www.networkedmediatank.com/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

Then check here (the sales and technical guys are great about responding to posted questions, especially if you have read the wiki first, before you post).

http://www.networkedmediatank.com/

Good luck. I've had mine about 7 weeks and love it so far. I haven't even installed a hard drive in it yet, so I don't have full functionality for it, but I see it has great potential. Also, keep in mind that the engineers are addressing known bugs through frequent firmware updates. They seem to be very responsive to issues brought to their attention at their forums.

I just got mine yesterday and I did not have much time to play with it, but I ran into problems...

Thanks

I think you need to go into the settings and select 480i if you're going to be using the composite output. Otherwise, hook up the HDMI and see if that works, since that's probably what you'll be using eventually.

I wonder if this unit will eventually support native EVO files (HD DVD)? There are tools to remux our now dead as doornails HD DVD software...but I'd rather play them natively. Right now I play these on the XBOX or the HTPC with all kinds of kludgy software, but Popcorn hour would be the best.

For fun I tried remuxing two discs...but only one works on the HTPC. Therefore I assume that one will work on the Popcorn Hour but the other won't. There are threads on the network media tank site explaining the remux process to create ts files. Main problem with me is that I am a power use but not a programmer, so some of the threads go over my head. Similar to some of the threads on the forums for the ATI 2400/2600 card and PowerDVD.

IS there a Main Popcorn hour thread? Or is this it?

There is a thread comparing the A300 (as fair as I know there is no such model number) to the DVICO 6500. But most of the activity seems to be here. I suspect that activity will pick up a lot this month as the new batches are shipped out.

IS there a Main Popcorn hour thread? Or is this it?

This is a forum for the PH
http://www.networkedmediatank.com/index.php
You'll find a lot of information there.

Probably not a dud. The operation of these things is kind of wonky, but they work and they play virtually any kind of file you can throw at them. The Popcorn Hour upscales to 720P or 1080i or even 1080p and looks beautiful and sounds great too, especially for the money.

Anyway, I recommend you do some reading at two places to help you with your technical issues:

Start here:

http://www.networkedmediatank.com/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

Then check here (the sales and technical guys are great about responding to posted questions, especially if you have read the wiki first, before you post).

http://www.networkedmediatank.com/

Good luck. I've had mine about 7 weeks and love it so far. I haven't even installed a hard drive in it yet, so I don't have full functionality for it, but I see it has great potential. Also, keep in mind that the engineers are addressing known bugs through frequent firmware updates. They seem to be very responsive to issues brought to their attention at their forums.


I have no idea how you guys are getting yours to work so nicely. If you go over to www.networkmediatank.com you will see tons of people have problems with booting to freezing to everything. I finally have gotten mine to boot and I can actually play a file, but the screen goes black a few minutes into it everytime. I am now using component (a lot of people on the support forum are having issues with HDMI). At first I thought I was all set until I sat down to watch a movie tonight and it went black a few minutes into it. The lights are still on. Only way to get it back is to unplug and plug back in. Also yes, my settings were correct...component and I have tried NTSC and 720p60 and 720p50. I just don't understand how to get this thing to work. I think mine is a dud and the problem is if I return it and every get another one, it will also be a dud. It seems as though there are a lot of them out there. But congrads to those who got theirs to work.

I don't think the Popcorn hour is a Tvix killer. It doesn't have HDMI 1.3, only 1.1. Future Blu-Ray titles will need 1.3. Although I'm not too sure if this requirement will stay with the movie if it is ripped onto the hard drive..

I have no idea how you guys are getting yours to work so nicely. If you go over to www.networkmediatank.com you will see tons of people have problems with booting to freezing to everything. I finally have gotten mine to boot and I can actually play a file, but the screen goes black a few minutes into it everytime. I am now using component (a lot of people on the support forum are having issues with HDMI). At first I thought I was all set until I sat down to watch a movie tonight and it went black a few minutes into it. The lights are still on. Only way to get it back is to unplug and plug back in. Also yes, my settings were correct...component and I have tried NTSC and 720p60 and 720p50. I just don't understand how to get this thing to work. I think mine is a dud and the problem is if I return it and every get another one, it will also be a dud. It seems as though there are a lot of them out there. But congrads to those who got theirs to work.

Mine has been fine for nearly three months, playing most files I've thrown at it via HDMI to a Sony Bravia in 720/50p and 60p, 1080/50i and 60i, and 1080/50p and 60p. It has also worked fine in Composite and S-video at 480i and 576i.

The areas that need more work are DVD aspect ratio handling for 16:9 480i/576i displays (it considers all SD displays 4:3 for DVD purposes), far-from-great subtitles with .srt files, and limited zoom/aspect ratio tweaking in file mode.

Quite a few people with out AV Receivers are a bit miffed it doesn't decode DTS (no licence) and only does DTS-pass through to a DTS receiver - but this is pretty clear in their sales literature.

There are concerns about the temperature the thing runs at (it only has a small heatsink and no fan) - but for the money it is hard to beat. As a work horse 1080i .ts player for H264 and MPEG2 stuff, as well as Divx and MPEG2 SD .ts stuff, and DVD ISOs with menus, it is pretty hard to beat.

I don't think the Popcorn hour is a Tvix killer. It doesn't have HDMI 1.3, only 1.1. Future Blu-Ray titles will need 1.3. Although I'm not too sure if this requirement will stay with the movie if it is ripped onto the hard drive..

Not sure where you get that future BluRay titles will need HDMI 1.3... I've not heard of BluRay using either Deep Color or xvColor (as opposed to AVC HD camcorder recordings playing back on AVC HD compatible BluRay players) - so that aspect of HDMI 1.3 isn't relevant to BluRay. I'd be VERY surprised if Deep Color or xvColor content appeared on BluRay anytime soon - as it wouldn't work on most current players even if it were supported.

BluRay DOES, optionally, support DTS HD Master Audio and Dolby True HD, in addition to PCM multichannel, as audio formats - and for DTS HD MA and Dolby THD decoding in an amp (as opposed to the player) then HDMI 1.3 is required - though if you decode in the player or use PCM then HDMI 1.1 is fine.

The PCH supports the legacy DTS and DD5.1 streams that can be cored out of a BluRay, as well as multichannel PCM. It doesn't support decoding of DTS HD MA or Dolby THD, or pass through of these formats to an amp it is true.

However if you are trying to play BluRay content on the PCH you will be extracting it from a BR first anyway - so this won't be a major issue...

yup, dun be overwhelmed by HDMI 1.3. I doubt most people have a lossless receiver too. :D

I am very annoyed by the boot up issue, perhaps the set is really faulty, RMA-ing in progress....

I received an invite to place an order on 2/17 and placed my order on 2/19, but have not gotten any notice of shipment. Has anyone else placed orders on or around this date and gotten a ship notice or has their credit card been charged?

I received an invite to place an order on 2/17 and placed my order on 2/19, but have not gotten any notice of shipment. Has anyone else placed orders on or around this date and gotten a ship notice or has their credit card been charged?

It can take some time. It took well over a month for mine to ship once i placed the order. It all depends when they get more shipments in.

Supposedly there is a version of the firmware that decodes evo in software. Anybody try this? Is have prepared a .ts file of one HD DVD title as an experiment to try when the machine comes in. On the HTPC, I only get audio in media player classic with this particular file. All other players find no audio. Quite strange. Plus it stutters. It will be interesting to see how the Popcorn handles the file.

I also got my unit....it does exactly what i wanted it to do..play hd files off a usb drive or my local network....

Since i only watch HD material on the TV its hooked up to, 65" 1080p display.....the interface is not slick or fancy....but it works....

Im very satisfied, for less than 200 i have a way to play all my HD vids from various places I store them....

I'm still putting mine through the (extended) paces, and should note that I've experienced a couple freezes. All were easily resolved by disconnecting, then reconnecting the power. If I had more skillz (and this wasn't a loaner), I'd hack a hardware switch in.

I've also had a couple ISO files that I've had to decompress into VOBs to get them to play.

Still, quite amazed for $200.

Supposedly there is a version of the firmware that decodes evo in software. Anybody try this? Is have prepared a .ts file of one HD DVD title as an experiment to try when the machine comes in. On the HTPC, I only get audio in media player classic with this particular file. All other players find no audio. Quite strange. Plus it stutters. It will be interesting to see how the Popcorn handles the file.

The firmware that decodes evo if for the istar mini hd. They esentially use the same firmware.


If i'm correct evo support will come in the next firmware release for the popcorn.

my only issue so far was a 1080p file that the dts crapped out on when it was on my network....using the myihome interface....

put the same file on a 2.5 usb WD passport...and it played back perfectly

[QUOTE=eugovector;13289675]
I've also had a couple ISO files that I've had to decompress into VOBs to get them to play.
QUOTE]

Was there something wrong with the ISO files. That's all i use is ISO and it plays fine.

I'm thinking of putting a fan into my unit to keep it cooler. I have one fan that would fit perfect and would be very easy to install. I'm going to see if i can find another one like it. It would be easy to mount to the mess side and then block the rest of the opening on the end with the fan and it would pull air through the unit and cool the drive and the chip. Attached are a couple of picks, it's not completely installed. Power would be easy to get off the hard drive connector.
Anyone have any opinions.
I hope the pics come through.

[QUOTE=eugovector;13289675]
I've also had a couple ISO files that I've had to decompress into VOBs to get them to play.
QUOTE]

Was there something wrong with the ISO files. That's all i use is ISO and it plays fine.

I don't think so, they came straight from DVD Decrypter. Maybe that program is too old to make proper ISOs with newer DVDs. What do you use?

I'm thinking of putting a fan into my unit to keep it cooler.


I wouldn't trade off the noise for a slightly cooler system, especially if it's running within the normal operating temps. That tiny little fan is going to buzz like crazy.

[QUOTE=Burnerbum;13291585]

I don't think so, they came straight from DVD Decrypter. Maybe that program is too old to make proper ISOs with newer DVDs. What do you use?

I use imgburn, it's a free program and works good. Just do a search.

I wouldn't trade off the noise for a slightly cooler system, especially if it's running within the normal operating temps. That tiny little fan is going to buzz like crazy.

Actually, i tried the fan out and it was pretty quite. I guess i could mount it temporarly and see how noisy it would be. You don't think the PH gets too warm?

Actually, i tried the fan out and it was pretty quite. I guess i could mount it temporarly and see how noisy it would be. You don't think the PH gets too warm?

Not at all. If you can still touch the heatsink w/o burning yourself, it's not too warm.

If you have a Hard Drive in there also, that may be another manner, but I recall hearing some recent studies that say Heat isn't quite the HD killer we once thought.

I have read a ton of of the forum posts / reviews and am still curious as to how the popcorn hour compares to other players.

Specifically, I am interested in the Popcorn Hour vs. Sage TV Media Extender vs. Istar.

I will be using this 95% for streaming from a server (not using any connected HDD etc). I know that one con to the Sage TV is that it needs software running on the host PC rather than just a Samba or NFS share.

Are there any other considerations I should know about before buying?

danyal711, all SMP8634/5 based players are equally bad....unstable i meant....

Hi all,

Looking use the PH internal hard drive as my music store.
Then mapping network drive to the PH on laptop - and have iTunes library pointing to the share.

Has anybody else done this or forsee issue with this kind of set up??

Thanks in advance!
Keith.

Hi all,

Looking use the PH internal hard drive as my music store.
Then mapping network drive to the PH on laptop - and have iTunes library pointing to the share.

Has anybody else done this or forsee issue with this kind of set up??

Thanks in advance!
Keith.

Haven't tried this - but you might want to install Ext2/3 drivers on your PC (if you are using Windows) so that you can format the drive on the PCH (which is needed to partition it correctly), then remove it and connect it via USB directly to your PC (using Ext2/3 drivers to read/write) to speed up the initial iTunes library transfer to the drive. My iTunes library is around 200Gb - and that would take a week or three to copy over SMB.

Hi all,

Looking use the PH internal hard drive as my music store.
Then mapping network drive to the PH on laptop - and have iTunes library pointing to the share.

Has anybody else done this or forsee issue with this kind of set up??

Thanks in advance!
Keith.

If you're on windows, just map the network drive, and it shouldn't be a problem. Windows will see it like any other drive.

Now, I'm not a big iTunes user, so I don't know what kind of fit iTunes will through if the PH if off some time when it tries to reach it. That would be one concern.

danyal711, all SMP8634/5 based players are equally bad....unstable i meant....

Are there any other options though?

Since the istar and PH use the same firmware, is there any reason to buy one over the other?

Isn't the sagetv stable as it seems to have been out for longer?

Are there any other options though?

Since the istar and PH use the same firmware, is there any reason to buy one over the other?

Isn't the sagetv stable as it seems to have been out for longer?

The iStar folks say they;re going to send me one soon, and I'm going to try to convince the popcorn hour folks to let me keep the A100 until then so I can do a side by side.

On paper, the iStar advantages:
-Use SATA drives (external) instead of PATA (SATA easier to come by for a good price)
-Smaller formfactor
-On/off button on the front (don't know if it's "hard" or "soft")
-HDMI 1.3 (no advantage now, but in the future, could support DD+ and the like)
-VGA vid, optical audio

PH advantages:
-Clean look with drive installed in the case
-Less expensive, should be the same firmware and functionality for the time being
-2 usb, component vid

PH advantages:
-Clean look with drive installed in the case
-Less expensive, should be the same firmware and functionality for the time being
-2 usb, component vid

And Composite Video. I have read some people still use it with older sets. :eek:

And Composite Video. I have read some people still use it with older sets. :eek:

iStar has composite too: http://www.istarhd.com/productpage/gallery.html

Are there any other options though?

Since the istar and PH use the same firmware, is there any reason to buy one over the other?

Isn't the sagetv stable as it seems to have been out for longer?

get a 4100/5100 from Tvix, i dun see much improvement from popcorn/istar over the Korean toy, in fact, you may need to spend more time just to handle the instability....

iStar has composite too: http://www.istarhd.com/productpage/gallery.html

Sorry, you are right, i was thinking of something else.

And Composite Video. I have read some people still use it with older sets. :eek:
I'm using composite out from the Popcorn Hour because I get crackling audio when connected via HDMI.

get a 4100/5100 from Tvix, i dun see much improvement from popcorn/istar over the Korean toy, in fact, you may need to spend more time just to handle the instability....

I was reading through the Tvix website and it seems that the machine only lets you play back media stored on its drive and won't stream from a server. Is this incorrect?

I need: FLAC playback, wired connected to network, remote that I can program into a URC remote, component video output, easy to use video interface for the wife, ability to play DVDs stored on the HD and d/l TV programs in varying formats. I have a server with about 6 harddrives with music, movies, and videos. Would also put pictures on there too.

It seems:

1) Popcorn Hour - new, reliability questions, not readily available, not well tested as of yet.

2) TVIX - no streaming capability

3) Dlink - no FLAC

4) Media Gate - no FLAC

5) MVix - no FLAC

6) Sage TV - no ability to play DVDs on the harddrive according to the FAQ - or am I missing something obvious?

What else is there? Is the solution to just go with an HTPC and try and find some software that is easy to work? I see XLobby is no longer free and you have to buy hardware with it.

Brian

Do those above besides Popcorn Hour support h/x264? I don't see it listed in their specs on the websites.

I'm using composite out from the Popcorn Hour because I get crackling audio when connected via HDMI.

I am having some audio issues too using HDMI but don't have them using analog audio out. But there aren't bad enough that i don't use it. It could also be the media i'm playing. I get a little clicking sound whenever i start to play a file but i also get the same using the Mvix. So it just might be something with HDMI. (or my tv) oh no!

I was reading through the Tvix website and it seems that the machine only lets you play back media stored on its drive and won't stream from a server. Is this incorrect?

I need: FLAC playback, wired connected to network, remote that I can program into a URC remote, component video output, easy to use video interface for the wife, ability to play DVDs stored on the HD and d/l TV programs in varying formats. I have a server with about 6 harddrives with music, movies, and videos. Would also put pictures on there too.

It seems:

1) Popcorn Hour - new, reliability questions, not readily available, not well tested as of yet.

2) TVIX - no streaming capability

3) Dlink - no FLAC

4) Media Gate - no FLAC

5) MVix - no FLAC

6) Sage TV - no ability to play DVDs on the harddrive according to the FAQ - or am I missing something obvious?

What else is there? Is the solution to just go with an HTPC and try and find some software that is easy to work? I see XLobby is no longer free and you have to buy hardware with it.

Brian

Sage STX-HD100 can play DVD's stored on a hard drive http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?p=251179#post251179

The Tvix streams using SMB or NFS from a NAS or PC.

And from the 4100 onwards it has supported x264. Newest model is the 6500.

Tolax

I am having some audio issues too using HDMI but don't have them using analog audio out.
I read something on the PH community site where it was suggested to turn down the volume of the PH A-100 when using the HDMI connection. Problem is if you turn down the A-100 output volume... you have to crank the TV volume to like 75 or so. The analog audio out is perfect, so I'll use component video and analog audio out till the HDMI issue is fixed.

The PopcornHour A-100 is not without issues, like most of the other media streamers available at this time...

so far color me impressed....plays everything...1080p using the myihome server on my main pc...(via ethernet).....ya the ff x8 is not much but the way time seek works using the main dial on the remote is slick as heck....

im keeping mine, ordering one for the bedroom, so if anyone wants to sell let me know....

The PopcornHour A-100 is not without issues, like most of the other media streamers available at this time...

That is so true, they all have their share of problems. Even on HDMI i have to turn my audio up to 90 to watch certain dvds. Popcorn Tech support contacted me and had me send info on what was going on. On one dvd the audio on the menus is loud and the movie is hard to hear. So i turn up the volume and when i go back to the menu i get blasted. The audio is not cosistent at all. One of the beta testers said he wasn't having these issues with the latest fw he was testing. I heard it should be coming out soon. I thought this week but hopefully next week. Hopefully this will be fixed.

PH seems to be one of the few companies that actually listens to owners and resloves the problems. They costantly monitor the forum.

Sage STX-HD100 can play DVD's stored on a hard drive http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?p=251179#post251179

Jim,

At the bottom of that post it says:

"Encrypted files, including commercial DVDs, and/or those using DRM cannot be played on an extender."

All the DVDs stored would be commercial DVDs, no?

B.

The Tvix streams using SMB or NFS from a NAS or PC.

And from the 4100 onwards it has supported x264. Newest model is the 6500.

Tolax

Excuse my ignorance. Don't know what SMB or NFS is....Can I simply connect a CAT5 wire from the Tvix to my router and have it stream from the computers connected to the network?

Thanks,
B.

Excuse my ignorance. Don't know what SMB or NFS is....Can I simply connect a CAT5 wire from the Tvix to my router and have it stream from the computers connected to the network?

Thanks,
B.

Yes, :)

In simple terms (and assuming you are running windows)
SMB/SAMBA is a Windows Share
NFS requires that you run an application such as Netshare (free from Divco)

Popcorn can do other tricks and options for streaming but I'll let someone else chime in on that.

Tolax

Jim,

At the bottom of that post it says:

"Encrypted files, including commercial DVDs, and/or those using DRM cannot be played on an extender."

All the DVDs stored would be commercial DVDs, no?Once you rip them to your computer, they are no longer encrypted and hence playable with the SageTV extender.

So then...how does the SageTV extender fit into this equation? It seems to have a nice interface, cost is $200, and it will play DVD, FLAC, etc.--all the stuff I listed above, no? Is it better or worse for some reason than these other two? (I don't need a harddrive inside the unit like the Tvix).

Or am I still better just building an HTPC? Easy interface with cover art for DVD and music is important and DVD playback picture quality is very important too.

Brian

So then...how does the SageTV extender fit into this equation? It seems to have a nice interface, cost is $200, and it will play DVD, FLAC, etc.--all the stuff I listed above, no? Is it better or worse for some reason than these other two? (I don't need a harddrive inside the unit like the Tvix).The 'issue' with the SageTV extender is that it requires the ~$75 SageTV server software to be installed on a computer in your home. Other solutions have no such requirement.

Aside from the cost, is there some reason you wouldn't want it on your server? And, how does the media extender compare with the other boxes?

B.

Aside from the cost, is there some reason you wouldn't want it on your server? And, how does the media extender compare with the other boxes?

B.
I am not certain about this but I believe your server would have to be windows based in order for the SageTV software to work. My server is linux based and therefore SageTV will not run on it.

I am and have been considering the SageTV and media player solution for one major reason and that is that it will provide the capability to be able to view the TV guide, schedule shows and delete shows just like you can with an HTPC but with the ease and convenience of a network media player without getting up from your couch.

I currently use Beyond TV (very similar to SageTV) to schedule recordings on my PC and then I use WIZD server software installed on my linux based server to stream video files to my two Linkplayer2 media players. I can delete shows from the couch but I can not schedule recordings from the couch. I personally would not have a problem with converting my server to XP Pro and installing SageTV. BTV does not work with any media servers BTW.

My 2cents......

I currently have the PH and the Mvix. But after reading your posts on sage tv and media player it caught my attention. The ability to record is what i'm looking for. Does this record in HD? Also, what typed of media server would i need. I'm trying to avoid having a pc running all the time.

This is something new to me so bare with me if i have some elementary questions.
Thanks.

I currently have the PH and the Mvix. But after reading your posts on sage tv and media player it caught my attention. The ability to record is what i'm looking for. Does this record in HD? Also, what typed of media server would i need. I'm trying to avoid having a pc running all the time.

This is something new to me so bare with me if i have some elementary questions.
Thanks.
As I said above I am considering SageTV, which means that I have no direct experience with it. The SageTV website seems to imply that you can stream and play HD but HD comes in a variety of flavors...there is real HD (mpeg2 ts at bitrates between 12 and 19Mb/sec) and then there is DivX HD, WMV HD and so on.. My point is that I am not sure of the HD details but it does say that it can play HD and I am certain it can schedule HD recordings provided your HD capture card works with Sage!

SageTV software works with your capture cards (the ones that it says it can) to setup the recordings...so if you are recording shows at all hours of the day and night then yes whatever PC/Server you are using with your current capture card will need to be on. If you only record daytime shows and do not do a lot of video format conversion then I see no reason why you would have to keep your PC/Server running at night.

I am currently looking for ways to power my PC and my server off more frequently. I do record at all hours of the day using my main PC. After each recording automatic commercial detection starts which also requires my PC to be on....so my PC is on 24/7 and has been for about 2 years now. I added an old P4 2.0Ghz as a linux based server (actually it is just a PC with linux as the OS) and it also runs 24/7 only because I have not found a way to do wake on LAN and because I am too lazy to shut it down at night....I think I am going to start powering it down at night until I find a better solution. I added this linux based server/PC because I needed more HDD space and the current server software I use with my Linkplayer2s (WIZD) will run on linux and thus eliminates one thing that my main PC does not have to support....WIZD+mpeg2 streaming uses very little resource but....there are times that little bit is a good thing.

BTW how do you like your PH? I am also considering that unit as well...I am waiting to see what the SageTV media extender reviews are...

I am not certain about this but I believe your server would have to be windows based in order for the SageTV software to work. My server is linux based and therefore SageTV will not run on it.

I am and have been considering the SageTV and media player solution for one major reason and that is that it will provide the capability to be able to view the TV guide, schedule shows and delete shows just like you can with an HTPC but with the ease and convenience of a network media player without getting up from your couch.

I currently use Beyond TV (very similar to SageTV) to schedule recordings on my PC and then I use WIZD server software installed on my linux based server to stream video files to my two Linkplayer2 media players. I can delete shows from the couch but I can not schedule recordings from the couch. I personally would not have a problem with converting my server to XP Pro and installing SageTV. BTV does not work with any media servers BTW.

My 2cents......

My server has XP Pro on it, so that is definitely not a problem. I first purchased Sage TV in 2004 and used it after trying a bunch of other PVR programs on my HTPC at the time. It worked great for over a year (when I stopped using this feature).

I tried Beyond TV and I can tell you it was never as reliable as Sage even though the interface and commercial skip feature (at the time) was cooler.

However, I currently have no need to do TV/HD recording at all as I use a HD Sat DVR for this and will continue to do so. My main interests are playing back DVDs and d/l video/TV from the harddrive, accessing music (in FLAC format) from the harddrive, and remote controlling it with an easy interface on the TV that will show music/movie cover art, etc.

Brian

PS Will installing the Sage TV server software somehow interfere with accessing the files through a regular computer--one that sits in my office that I normally just play music via foobar, watch video with Zoom Player, or DVD with PowerDVD?

My server has XP Pro on it, so that is definitely not a problem. I first purchased Sage TV in 2004 and used it after trying a bunch of other PVR programs on my HTPC at the time. It worked great for over a year (when I stopped using this feature).

I tried Beyond TV and I can tell you it was never as reliable as Sage even though the interface and commercial skip feature (at the time) was cooler.

However, I currently have no need to do TV/HD recording at all as I use a HD Sat DVR for this and will continue to do so. My main interests are playing back DVDs and d/l video/TV from the harddrive, accessing music (in FLAC format) from the harddrive, and remote controlling it with an easy interface on the TV that will show music/movie cover art, etc.

Brian

PS Will installing the Sage TV server software somehow interfere with accessing the files through a regular computer--one that sits in my office that I normally just play music via foobar, watch video with Zoom Player, or DVD with PowerDVD?
If I understand your needs then Sage IMO is a waste of money for you. SageTV is PVR software and if you are not using it for that then it is not what you are looking for.

It's the media extender that is of interest because of the price and capabilities (and supposed reliability). Which other device do you think makes more sense and why? The popcorn doesn't have the cover art (from what I can tell), the Tvix is more $$$ and people complain about constant firmware updates, etc. Perhaps I should just go back and look at a HTPC solution with a pretty front end that can play software that I already have.

B.

You guys may want to check out GBPVR the free Open Community PVR....they are currently working on adding in support for the PH.

GBPVR Site (http://www.gbpvr.com/)

Complete thread on PH integration work (http://forums.gbpvr.com/showthread.php?t=30857).

You guys may want to check out GBPVR the free Open Community PVR....they are currently working on adding in support for the PH.

GBPVR Site (http://www.gbpvr.com/)

Complete thread on PH integration work (http://forums.gbpvr.com/showthread.php?t=30857).
Thanks that is good to know! I have used GBPVR + Plugin with my old MediaMVP.
The question is whether the PH is a good device....I have read that it has boot up and lockup issues which at the moment is a show stopper for me.

It's the media extender that is of interest because of the price and capabilities (and supposed reliability). Which other device do you think makes more sense and why? The popcorn doesn't have the cover art (from what I can tell), the Tvix is more $$$ and people complain about constant firmware updates, etc. Perhaps I should just go back and look at a HTPC solution with a pretty front end that can play software that I already have.

B.
This is where we differ....pretty frontends IMHO are a waste of time. I want functional rock solid reliability with a simple bullet proof UI, good customer support, easy setup, no maintenance and the ability to play media located anywhere on my network. So at this point in time I am unwilling to spend more money or deal with the complication of HTPC in order to get cover art or whatever...If you really want that and want flexibility in terms video file types then maybe your best bet is HTPC.

So what box currently does what you are describing? Isn't the Sage Extender capable in that sense with the added bonus of cover art, or no?

Those things are important to me too as the wife has to be able to use the thing...

B.

So what box currently does what you are describing? Isn't the Sage Extender capable in that sense with the added bonus of cover art, or no?

Those things are important to me too as the wife has to be able to use the thing...

B.
I understand what you are asking but I do not have any direct experience with the SageTV media extender. If it does have cover art, is reliable and stable and does what it says it can...then it would be a winner amongst so many disappointing media players.

The wife factor is important....my wife is electronic gadget challenged with no desire to be any other way! Fortunately our current setup is something she handles quite nicely.....she hates watching commercials and fastforwarding through them even more than I do....so she uses the system daily

At the moment the SageTV extender looks promising, as does the PH!

Isn't the SageTV based on the older Sigma chipset - as is also used in the older Tvix 4100/5100 series - not the new chipset used in the PCH and the new Tvix 6500 series? This is an issue with MKV file replay and some other stuff.

On the other hand the SageTV is probably better integrated as a Live TV streamer than the others - getting it much closer to the Windows Media Center Extender experience?

BTW how do you like your PH? I am also considering that unit as well...I am waiting to see what the SageTV media extender reviews are...

I have only had it a couple of weeks but so far i like it. There are a few issues that are being addressed, like the power off options that i'm looking forward too.

As far as startup and lockups, i haven't been having any problems. It plays dvd iso files great, i've had audio problems on a couple files but i think it might be the way they were mastered. (still working on that) Other dvd files play fine. The hd files i have downloaded play great. Even over the wired network storage. I had been watching the PH forum since it came out and the support is the best i've seen on any player out there. They are constantly issuing fw updates, this is not to imply there are tons of bugs, they are always adding new features. So far i really like it. I just wish it had at least 1 usb in the back for attaching the external hard drive. but that's only for looks so no cables would be showing. I keep all my videos on the network and usb drives so they can be shared with my other player.

Good place to start is reading the info and forums if you haven't. but remember, as with any product, people only post when there are problems, you don't hear much from people that are happy.

http://www.networkedmediatank.com/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
http://www.networkedmediatank.com/index.php

I have only had it a couple of weeks but so far i like it. There are a few issues that are being addressed, like the power off options that i'm looking forward too.

As far as startup and lockups, i haven't been having any problems. It plays dvd iso files great, i've had audio problems on a couple files but i think it might be the way they were mastered. (still working on that) Other dvd files play fine. The hd files i have downloaded play great. Even over the wired network storage. I had been watching the PH forum since it came out and the support is the best i've seen on any player out there. They are constantly issuing fw updates, this is not to imply there are tons of bugs, they are always adding new features. So far i really like it. I just wish it had at least 1 usb in the back for attaching the external hard drive. but that's only for looks so no cables would be showing. I keep all my videos on the network and usb drives so they can be shared with my other player.

Good place to start is reading the info and forums if you haven't. but remember, as with any product, people only post when there are problems, you don't hear much from people that are happy.

http://www.networkedmediatank.com/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
http://www.networkedmediatank.com/index.php

Thank you for sharing your experience with the PH and for the links. I have been browsing the media tank forum and my basic impression is that the PH is well supported but a number of posters seem to be frustrated with the system locking up during times of non-use and that they have to unplug the unit to get it going again. Firmware will not fix the lack of a power off button but might fix the lock-up issue. The lock-up/unplugging issue is a major problem for me because of WAF and because even for me this would be very annoying.

I have registered for the PH and should receive my invite to purchase in the next few weeks. I am really hoping that I read something over at the media tank forum regarding the lock-up issue being fixed before my invite.....if not then I will probably pass because there is the chance that this issue is hardware related and can not be addressed with firmware.

I agree that these forums are biased and the information obtained has to be weighed and filtered. How ever when more than 1 or 2 posters have the same problem and that problem does not seem to be addressed over a period time then a red flag goes up. The PH is still at the top of my list with just that one red flag...

BTW according to the posters over at media tank your system may start locking up soon. A number of them report no lockups for the first month or so and then it starts. They also report that once it starts they have to unplug/plug/unplug numerous times. PH seems to be ignoring this issue for now....and that is what really worries me.

Thanks again!

I have been browsing the media tank forum and my basic impression is that the PH is well supported but a number of posters seem to be frustrated with the system locking up during times of non-use and that they have to unplug the unit to get it going again.

I haven't had this problem. I even read that when it was unplugged for a while and then started up someone was having problems and said it needed to warm up. I unplugged mine yesterday afternoon and then plugged it in this morning and it booted right up. I think, IMHO, that a lot of problems are with the HDMI handshake, if someone doesn't see a picture immediately they blame in on the player, PH, Mvix etc. when it's just a communication problem with the tv using HDMI. And turning it off and back on usually corrects the problem.

As far as a power button. Most media players don't have a button that completely turns the power off unless it's an internal power supply. (There is no way to turn a power pack off with a button on any of them, well there is but that uses a specialized power supply) They go into a standby mode but the popcorn power off with the remote only turns off the video, not the usb, network or chip. So they are working on a fw that will shut these things down so the only power that will be active will be the power pack itself. And from what i've heard they are going to put user options in the setup so you can select why type of shutdown you want. (Full, partial, etc.) Even my Mvix power button on the unit puts it in standby and this can be done with the remote too which turns off usb, network and chip funtions. So it can be done with the remote on the PH with fw. Who wants to get up and push a button everytime they want to turn the unit on/off. Not me.

I haven't had this problem. I even read that when it was unplugged for a while and then started up someone was having problems and said it needed to warm up. I unplugged mine yesterday afternoon and then plugged it in this morning and it booted right up. I think, IMHO, that a lot of problems are with the HDMI handshake, if someone doesn't see a picture immediately they blame in on the player, PH, Mvix etc. when it's just a communication problem with the tv using HDMI. And turning it off and back on usually corrects the problem.

As far as a power button. Most media players don't have a button that completely turns the power off unless it's an internal power supply. (There is no way to turn a power pack off with a button on any of them, well there is but that uses a specialized power supply) They go into a standby mode but the popcorn power off with the remote only turns off the video, not the usb, network or chip. So they are working on a fw that will shut these things down so the only power that will be active will be the power pack itself. And from what i've heard they are going to put user options in the setup so you can select why type of shutdown you want. (Full, partial, etc.) Even my Mvix power button on the unit puts it in standby and this can be done with the remote too which turns off usb, network and chip funtions. So it can be done with the remote on the PH with fw. Who wants to get up and push a button everytime they want to turn the unit on/off. Not me.
I agree that the HDMI handshake can be an issue but a number of the PH posters with the lockup issue report that they are using component....

I am somewhat confused in regards to the PH power off issue....my linkplayer2 can be put into standby using the remote but to turn the unit off I have to press the power button on the front of the unit and to insure ALL power is off I would need to unplug it. In the nearly 3 years that I have been using my Linkplayer2s I have never had to reset/reboot either of them regardless of whether they are in standby or it has been powered down with the power button on the unit or whether the unit is unplugged. If my network is up and running then the linkplayer2 will find and play my media no matter where it is located. My experience with a MediaMVP is what sensitized me to lockups and powering off to get everything working again....I purchased the unit new for $60 and although it played a very limited variety of video/audio formats it did play them fairly well....but even though this unit was so inexpensive it quickly lost favor because it frequently required rebooting by unplugging the unit...and I am not about to go there again!

I am somewhat confused in regards to the PH power off issue....


Right now as it stands with the PH. When you press the power button on the remote to turn it off it only shuts down the screen and the (hard drive?). ? is explained below.....

The USB is still active (which in turn won't shut down my usb storage that has auto on/off) this would be corrected with shutting the usb off when pressing the off buttion on the remote.

It doesn't shut down the network either. And this causes the problem, with the network attached, the hard drive in the PH automatically turns on when there is network ativity, even when turned off with the remote. I haven't figured out exactly what is accessing it to turn it on but many people report that their hard drives turn on for no reason and doesn't turn off until you do so with the remote (not good). This would be resolved but turning the network off when powering down with the remote.

And the last would be to turn the chip off when powering down. Now as it stands, even when the unit is turned off with the remote the chip is always warm meaning it is active. Not real warm like when you playing a movie but still warm. When the Mvix is off the chip is cool so there isn't any power going to it.

There is a way to completely shut the PH down with the remote, that is to press the power button and then delete. The problem is to start it back up you have to physically disconnect the power supply and plug it back in. This is unacceptable. Who wants to have to do that.

I do a comparison to the Mvix since i have one, i can't speak for other units on the market.

I hope i explained this clearly. If not I'll be glad to try and answer any questions you have.

Actually, i like the Mvix for some things and the PH for others, so having both makes me happy. Technology is my downfall, especially with something new coming out all the time. I'd rather have a new TV and Media player vs a new car. That's REALLY bad since i retired from the Auto Industry. But i do my part and get a new car every year.

It is not clear to me if people are getting machines from the latest batch to be released, or whether the comments about the power issues are from older machines. Can somebody shed some light on this?

I got mine 2 weeks ago, used component and had shutdowns and boot up problems from the get go. I sent mine back and awaiting a replacement. These machines are very buggy which suprised me because it is a rather simple piece of equipment. I understand software issues, but not hardware. I am not sure if firmware updates will correct these issues.

i have one of the units shipped out late Feb, so i think its one of the newer ones, i have not had issues other than a mkv file or two that would not play....

Im going to my AVR via HDMI, and sometimes it seems a tad slow in booting up....but other than that....its been a champ...

i have one of the units shipped out late Feb, so i think its one of the newer ones, i have not had issues other than a mkv file or two that would not play....

Im going to my AVR via HDMI, and sometimes it seems a tad slow in booting up....but other than that....its been a champ...

I've had one since december and no problems booting up or power issues. Biggest problem i've had is that every once in awhile I have to reboot the player to get a file to play.

I've had one since december and no problems booting up or power issues. Biggest problem i've had is that every once in awhile I have to reboot the player to get a file to play.
What do you have to do to reboot? How often do you have to reboot? Once a week, once a month..? Is PH working on your problem?

IMHO rebooting for almost any reason is reason to be concerned! Over the years I have tried to play many files with file types that my NMPs did not support and they have never required a reboot. Another way of saying the same thing is that I have never had a playable or non-playable file cause either of my NMPs to lockup to the point of rebooting (having to press the power button on the unit or unplug the unit)...the worst that has happened, and this is once or twice over a period of nearly 3 years, is to put the NMP into standby with the remote controllers power button...and I am not really sure I even needed to do that...I was in a hurry and that seemed like the quickest thing to do.

I got my unit last week and I have have zero major issues with it so far. The only issue I had was that the unit doesn't decode some audio formats (DTS and a few others I think). I resolved this issue by running the audio to my AVR and let the AVR do the decoding.

No lock ups, no reboots yet. I also see a bunch of complaints about the unit running hot. I have a 160gb HD installed in the unit it barely feels warm to the touch.

The lack of a complete power off is more of an annoyance right now. I haven't had any issues with it. And as was already mentioned, a future firmware version will shut down alot more services on the machine.

A number of people have complained about issues so I have a feeling that there might be some bad units out there b/c of poor QA. But the one thing I have noticed is that Popcorn Hour has been active on their forums getting RMAs done for people have issues. Their activity on the forums has been pretty impressive.

PH forum has a poll going on new features and one feature that seems to be getting most votes right now is a on/off switch on it. The following was my reply and i thought i would post it here just for info only.

I really don't see why an on/off switch is so important. With the fw upgrade that they are working on with new power off options, i think this should be sufficient. Getting the usb, hard drive and network to turn off on power off with the remote should do it.

I did some testing, i attached my Killawatts to measure the power consumption of the PH

When unit is on, playing a movie on the internal or external hdd, 14 watts.
When powered off with the remote and the hard drive is off, 6 watts.
When power off + delete, 6 watts so it still draws power for something.
When the power supply is plugged in but not connected to the PH, 0 watts.

6 watts is less than what a night light uses.

If you want to kill the total power i would suggest a Surge/Power Strip. If i'm going to be away from home for more than a couple days i turn everything off with a power strip. This protects against surges if there are storms and you aren't home to disconnect them, or just want to save power and/or protect you equipment.

Maybe i'm missing something here but what else would a on/off switch accomplish. I really don't want to have to get up and manually turn it on each time i use it.

I really don't see why an on/off switch is so important. With the fw upgrade that they are working on with new power off options, i think this should be sufficient. Getting the usb, hard drive and network to turn off on power off with the remote should do it.

I did some testing, i attached my Killawatts to measure the power consumption of the PH

When unit is on, playing a movie on the internal or external hdd, 14 watts.
When powered off with the remote and the hard drive is off, 6 watts.
When power off + delete, 6 watts so it still draws power for something.
When the power supply is plugged in but not connected to the PH, 0 watts.

6 watts is less than what a night light uses.

When a night light burns 6 watts- it's producing light to keep an area safe, for an item to burn 6 watts while "off" (performing no useful purpose) is wasteful. If PCH engineers can get the PCH A-100 down to 1 watt draw in "off" mode via software... that would work for me.
Add up a a few appliances that burn 6 watts while "off" and you're wasting lots of precious electricity.
My two 42" TV's both burn only 1 watt while "off", that's acceptable at this time. Maybe in the not so distant future- even that 1 watt figure may seem high. When you add up your typical HT equipment that runs 24/7/365- Satellite STB=35-40watts, Cable box/DVR=35-45watts, Tivo=35-48watts, ReplayTV=40watts, Slingbox, external hard drives, etc... you really see how this stuff eats up energy without regard to savings at all.

so every 7 days while turned off this will burn up one kilowatt/hour. hmmm, in my area we pay 12 cents/kilowatt hour. that means if I had it plugged in all year and never used it, it would cost me $4.50 in electricity charges, but if I keep it fully running all year, it's going to cost a whopping $10 or so. Using this for my torrent dl's instead of my pc will save a ton of money.

I think the number one request should be that they ramp up production. From what I've seen of the innards of this thing, it shouldn't take much to build these.

When you add up your typical HT equipment that runs 24/7/365- Satellite STB=35-40watts, Cable box/DVR=35-45watts, Tivo=35-48watts, ReplayTV=40watts, Slingbox, external hard drives, etc... you really see how this stuff eats up energy without regard to savings at all.

Cable box/DVR=35-45watts, I totally agree with you on this. Even when you turn it off with the power button at the box it's still pulling 40 watts. (Motorola DCT3416) The power button only shuts off the picture and stops the video caching. The electronics and hard drive are still working. Pulling the plug is the only way to shut these down, but then you have to wait a couple hours for it to boot up and download the tv quide again. This is really designed poor. If i'm gone a day or more, all my a/v is on a power strip that gets turned off. Computers get turned off with a power strip daily.

My point of the PH is, that when they add the power off features to the fw everything will get turned off and a power button won't be required. When i turn my Mvix off with the remote it draws 0-1 watt. It bounces back and forth between the two. So it must be actually drawing about 1/2 watt. It has to keep the ir alive to be able to turn it on again with the remote.

New firmware available for PH
http://www.popcornhour.com/download/firmware_update.html

New firmware available for PH
http://www.popcornhour.com/download/firmware_update.html
Hey! .... my request from the wishlist made it to the new update :D:

9. Brightness/contrast/saturation/hue adjustment during playback
- press SETUP key during playback
- press Up/Down/Setup to select available settings
- press Left or Right to make adjustments


Wow, they've really been busy- here's the changelog:

Release Date : 14 March 2008
Firmware Version : 01-15-080223-14-POP-402
Release Note :
1. Requires NMT apps 00-15-080221-14-POP-402
2. MKV aspect ratio fix
3. TS with multiple PMT support, PMT switching with ANGLE key
4. playlist starts playing from current selected item
5. EVO software demux suppport (only support for default EAC3 audio track)
- known performance issue with software demux
6. added audio codec info when switching audio tracks in TS, MKV and AVI
7. added key Up/Down as Prev/Next while in playlist playback.
8. added Big5 subtitle file handling
9. Brightness/contrast/saturation/hue adjustment during playback
- press SETUP key during playback
- press Up/Down/Setup to select available settings
- press Left or Right to make adjustments
10. fixes for PAL TV (50Hz) problems
11. Enabled BT Start/Stop function
12. fixed BT pages using SD background when in HD
13. fixed Picasa black screen issue
14. fixed video unable to playback after audio with slideshow, from myiHome/myiHomeLite
15. fixed IR no response after key held down too long during playback
16. fixed www.mls.ca site crashing browser
17. EXT2 Harddisk format option
18. MKV time seek, fixed audio and subtitle track not persistent after seek
19. SMB client username/password saving in Network Share page
20. additional fix for photo playback stability issue
21. fixed bogus subtitle response from WMP11
22. added Setup page keylock On/Off (for child-proofing)
- press Setup then Play to unlock
23. added IR Repeat On/Off option
24. TS aspect ratio fix.
25. minor text changes in Setup page
26. VDR playback support, first release
- Note that only 001...00n.vdr is valid video file, attempts to play other *.vdr files may fail.
27. Persistent run-time settings
- to improve playback experience for multiple *.TS (or other container) of the same movie
- settings are persistent per session. Not stored in non-volatile memory.
- Known issue: PMT switching on TS not consistent. Fix in progress.
28. Added SCART support (for A-100e)
29. Color key mapped to filter Video/Music/Photo/Other files
- Red for Video, Green for Music, Yellow for Photo, Blue for other supported files
- local file and network shares will immediately filter files in the same folder
- UPnP servers will redirect to respective TOP Video/Music/Photo folders
- not applicable to current myiHome, future myiHome will direct to TOP Video/Music/Photo folders
30. Network Shares
- backward compatibility handling added, fixes messed up settings when upgrading from older firmware that have not support username:password saving
- Note: due to format change, NFS/SMB shares added since 080201 may not be accessible. Please remove and add again.
- fixed NFS client not working with some Linux and Hanewin NFS server, this is due to server not supporting TCP. Revert to UDP.
- Known issue: SMB client, unable to access next page during "SMB browsing" if URL contains single quote.
31. Setup pages
- fixed some Chinese translation
- fixed Setup page lock, certain RC having PLAY_PAUSE key instead of PLAY key.
32. Photo slideshow plays from current focused item
- not applicable for current myiHome
33. Double-byte font fixes
- improved font loading time
- Fixed incorrect width calculation for UTF-8 characters
34. Fixed some YouTube / GoogleVideo broken.
35. UPnP AV
- DMR (Digital Media Renderer) enabled, first release
- more reliable UPnP server detection
36. modified HTML marquee behaviour, now will start scrolling only after 1 second delay.
37. fixed Video_TS can't play when URL contains Escape character
38. Enabled color key to change between Video, Music, Photo root folders for UPnP AV servers
39. fixed DVD autoplay broken (from USB DVD-ROM)
40. Consistency fix for PMT track change
41. fixed: play may start from incorrect item if folder contain mix of subfolders and photos

these popcorn/Istar things look like they could fit the bill perfectly from a hardware point of view... the only real issue is does the firmware/software support any of my needs?
A) 100% reliable (once properly setup/etc)
B) has no on screen menus (or they can be disabled/avoided/ignored)
C) complete TCP (or other?) control so as to integrate seamlessly with CQC (http://www.charmedquark.com/)...
D) can play DVD/HD DVD (HD DVD in this case = any high def format really) that CQC selects and sends a path/cookie/whatever for the box to play
E) NO GUI's... CQC can handle all needed control...
F) maybe act as a BTV link type of thing... stream live TV (with pause/skip/etc)/play back recorded TV
G) low standby current draw (the whole eco friendly/green/scary electric bill thing)
H) cheap (<$200)

Hey! .... my request from the wishlist made it to the new update :D:

9. Brightness/contrast/saturation/hue adjustment during playback
- press SETUP key during playback
- press Up/Down/Setup to select available settings
- press Left or Right to make adjustments


3. TS with multiple PMT support, PMT switching with ANGLE key
27. Persistent run-time settings
- to improve playback experience for multiple *.TS (or other container) of the same movie
- settings are persistent per session. Not stored in non-volatile memory.
- Known issue: PMT switching on TS not consistent. Fix in progress.
40. Consistency fix for PMT track change


I thought all these picture adjustment shall be done at the TV but not at the player?

Anyway, may I know what is PMT? Can't really find it from google....thanks!

Anyway, may I know what is PMT? Can't really find it from google....thanks!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MPEG_transport_stream#PMT

Programme Management Table

Effectively each "program" (which effectively means channel - or service - in MPEG speak) in a transport stream has a PID containing a PMT detailing which audio, video, data, subtitle etc. PID streams in the transport stream are part of that program.

If you have a transport stream with 6 video streams (i.e. 6 channels), 6 subtitle streams (one for each channel), 16 audio streams (two streams per channel plus an additional 4 audio-only radio services) then you will have 28 PIDs for the audio, video and subtitle streams, plus 10 PMTs (6 TV stations and 4 radio stations) with their own PMT. Each separate channel, or program, will have its own PMT. Historically the PCH has just played the first video PID it has found in a stream ISTR and has ignored the PMT meaning you haven't been able to switch between multiple channels in a transport stream that contains them?

(The AUDIO button then cycled through the various audio PIDs present - allowing you to switch between AC3 programme and MPEG2 audio description audio in the case of BBC HD recordings for example)

For MPEG2 transport streams with multiple video and audio streams, correctly parsing the PMT should let you select between multiple services in the stream.

Don't know if the PCH will correctly allow replay of an entire DVB mux/transponder recording (which could have 6 or more SD video streams, and even more audio streams) with the ANGLE button effectively "changing the channel" - hopefully it will.

Is it possible to use a Tivo brand USB wireless adapter to give PH wireless functionality?

Is it possible to use a Tivo brand USB wireless adapter to give PH wireless functionality?

USB wireless is not supported yet. They are supposedly going to include it in a future firmware release. Which adaptors will be supported has not be stated.

Thanks Scyber =)

I received my invitation to purchase the A-100 but the question is whether I should given the reported chronic long standing power up/lockup/rebooting issue as reported in this thread and over at the PH forum?

I am leaning towards not purchasing because;

a. Little to no progress has been made since reported. Not much involvement so far from PH either which is not a good sign.
b. It may or may not be firmware related....meaning if it is hardware then you are screwed.
c. This is one annoyance I am NOT willing to live with.

I only have a few days left to decide and this issue is the only thing stopping me from purchasing it. Thoughts....

Today I received my invitation to pre-order Popcorn hour.

I placed my order within an hour of receiving the email.

How long generally until you guys received the unit from placing your order?

Today I received my invitation to pre-order Popcorn hour.

I placed my order within an hour of receiving the email.

How long generally until you guys received the unit from placing your order?
Out of curiosity, why doesn't the power up/lockup/reboot issue concern you?

I received my invitation to purchase the A-100 but the question is whether I should given the reported chronic long standing power up/lockup/rebooting issue as reported in this thread and over at the PH forum?


I have a PH and don't know what you mean about power up/lockup/rebooting issue your talking about. Mine sure doesn't have that problem.

I have a PH and don't know what you mean about power up/lockup/rebooting issue your talking about. Mine sure doesn't have that problem.
This is the thread from the PH forum that you were kind enough to direct me to. We discussed this issue earlier in this thread and I assumed that you had gone to the PH forum to confirm. Your system may not be doing it yet and hopefully it never will BUT a significant number of people have posted over there that the lockups and rebooting started sometime after they started using their units. And no it is not isolated to HDMI connections! This really IS a BIG issue and from what I have seen over there it is not really being addressed; popcornhour created an official bug report 11 days ago but nothing has been posted back.

http://www.networkedmediatank.com/viewtopic.php?t=1526