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Pivos AIOS HD Media Center: The *Semiofficial* Thread - Page 24

post #691 of 1006
9/20/12 at 5:18pm
Hi all

This device looks like just what I need. Could someone please just confirm that this is probably the best device for me in this scenario:
- Panasonic ST50A screen
- No receiver yet but planning to get one and wall mount the speakers
- HP Microserver running Win7 sharing media via CIFS, running subsonic for music, Sickbeard/SabNZB/CouchPotato, AirVideo
- Movies and TV episodes are mostly good quality 720p and 1080p re-encodes in MKV with either DTS or DD5.1.. some might have DTS-HD, not sure
- Want a way to play all my media on the TV including those with subtitles without any glitches
- Might want to get some MT2S files and play those, even if they're VC-1. Probably not interested in menus
- Silent, low power
- Don't care about remote (can always use a universal one)

I'm looking at the WDTV with custom XL firmware, or the Raspberry Pi running raspberrymc... or just a laptop (but yuck)

Thoughts? smile.gif This certainly seems the best Android XBMC hardware around
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post #692 of 1006
9/20/12 at 5:46pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by yanman View Post

I'm looking at the WDTV with custom XL firmware, or the Raspberry Pi running raspberrymc... or just a laptop (but yuck)
Thoughts? smile.gif This certainly seems the best Android XBMC hardware around

If you are looking for the Android XBMC box then this is not the thread for you .. http://www.avsforum.com/t/1414297/pivos-xios-ds-media-play-the-semiofficial-thread

That said, your requirements will fit the AIOS (Realtek box) just fine, with the bonus of HD-Audio bitstreaming (not yet supported by the XIOS).
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post #693 of 1006
9/20/12 at 5:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by aasoror View Post

If you are looking for the Android XBMC box then this is not the thread for you .. http://www.avsforum.com/t/1414297/pivos-xios-ds-media-play-the-semiofficial-thread
That said, your requirements will fit the AIOS (Realtek box) just fine, with the bonus of HD-Audio bitstreaming (not yet supported by the XIOS).

Aaah I see my confusion now smile.gif The XIOS doesn't look a good option vs the Raspberry Pi at the moment - 15Mbps bitrate ceiling seems quite low! :/

I was keen on having some sort of XBMC streamer but now I'm thinking it's not necessary - I don't use the extra features of XBMC, just want it to play TV shows and movies.. although I do like the way it organises them nicely and integrates with Sickbeard.
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post #694 of 1006
9/20/12 at 10:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by yanman View Post

Hi all
This device looks like just what I need. Could someone please just confirm that this is probably the best device for me in this scenario:
- Panasonic ST50A screen
- No receiver yet but planning to get one and wall mount the speakers
- HP Microserver running Win7 sharing media via CIFS, running subsonic for music, Sickbeard/SabNZB/CouchPotato, AirVideo
- Movies and TV episodes are mostly good quality 720p and 1080p re-encodes in MKV with either DTS or DD5.1.. some might have DTS-HD, not sure
- Want a way to play all my media on the TV including those with subtitles without any glitches
- Might want to get some MT2S files and play those, even if they're VC-1. Probably not interested in menus
- Silent, low power
- Don't care about remote (can always use a universal one)
I'm looking at the WDTV with custom XL firmware, or the Raspberry Pi running raspberrymc... or just a laptop (but yuck)
Thoughts? smile.gif This certainly seems the best Android XBMC hardware around

I used to own a Pivos media player. For the money, it is an excellent player. The bad things about it, no real jukebox per say. You can build one, but it requires some work. Remote control isn't responsive at all. You will need a universal remote such as Logitech Harmony remotes to get better response. It doesn't recognize force subs. You will have to turn them on.

Other than that, it played all my m2ts, mkv and DVD ISO files without any issues. Picture quality was as good as any other media player out there. I believe this player is on sale for $50.00 dollar on www.newegg.com.

The best part is that aasoror will help you out if you have any issues, questions or suggestions.
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post #695 of 1006
9/20/12 at 11:44pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by yanman View Post

Aaah I see my confusion now smile.gif The XIOS doesn't look a good option vs the Raspberry Pi at the moment - 15Mbps bitrate ceiling seems quite low! :/
I think I should have updated my review .. (it was prior to the XBMC release)
With XBMC Linux its 50/40/30 for USB/Ethernet/Wifi
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post #696 of 1006
9/23/12 at 7:07am
will this output all audio outputs at the same time? just looking to replace my appletv with xbmc, i don't do anything but stream local media
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post #697 of 1006
9/24/12 at 5:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by aasoror View Post

The AIOS supports networked media access in three different ways:

- SMB (aka SAMBA) shares.

- NFS shares.

- UPnP.

So yes Drobo should work.


i have a computer with windows 7 connected to my 4 port giga-switch, connected to my internal router (which is conected to me braodband modem.. but that's not my point)

i just want to create a shared folder called forpivos on my D:\forpivos drive of my windows 7 machine...

then from watching my pivos using my TV and the pivos remote, navigate into d:\forpivos.... and click avi, mkv files from there to play....


can this be done, i guess not via SMB shares, that would ? refer to like a NAS that has drives formatted w/ a unix / linux file system?

couldnt be NFS shares? windows 7 - NTFS

UPnP ?
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post #698 of 1006
10/2/12 at 11:44am
@aasoror,

I just purchased an AIOS and I am learning my way around it. So far, it is working just great and has played all the different types of media I have thrown at it on my local network. It came with firmware v2.8.3.2, and I have not yet tried doing a firmware update. Can you point me to a page that explains the major differences between the AIOS stock firmware and yours?

Also, are there MLB.tv or Netflix apps available for the AIOS? If not, is there any chance we will get them some day?
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post #699 of 1006
10/2/12 at 1:06pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by hoggy View Post

will this output all audio outputs at the same time? just looking to replace my appletv with xbmc, i don't do anything but stream local media
Yup it will.
But thats not the XBMC unit (the XIOS is the unit you want).
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post #700 of 1006
10/2/12 at 1:14pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by JRLuciano View Post

@aasoror,
I just purchased an AIOS and I am learning my way around it. So far, it is working just great and has played all the different types of media I have thrown at it on my local network. It came with firmware v2.8.3.2, and I have not yet tried doing a firmware update. Can you point me to a page that explains the major differences between the AIOS stock firmware and yours?
Also, are there MLB.tv or Netflix apps available for the AIOS? If not, is there any chance we will get them some day?

Check the links in the OP for source of semiofficial downloads.

The major difference is that semiofficial has all the tweaks and mods (its too many to list, check the release notes on the download pages).

The only way to get MLB.tv and NF is via playon.tv UPnP server running on a PC on your network.
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post #701 of 1006
10/2/12 at 1:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by aasoror View Post

Check the links in the OP for source of semiofficial downloads.
The major difference is that semiofficial has all the tweaks and mods (its too many to list, check the release notes on the download pages).
The only way to get MLB.tv and NF is via playon.tv UPnP server running on a PC on your network.

Thanks for the info, aasoror. I will check out those references. I have your semi-official R21_3.0.1.7 already downloaded, I just wanted to make sure the box worked ok as is and check out the stock FW before I fiddled.

My LG BD570 Blu-ray player, which I have wired into my LAN, has both an MLB.tv and Netflix app (in addition to YouTube, Pandora, etc.). So, I suspect it is POSSIBLE for the AIOS to have those apps as well. It just takes someone with the know how to program them in. Maybe Pivos could be encouraged to do so?
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post #702 of 1006
10/2/12 at 1:43pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by JRLuciano View Post

So, I suspect it is POSSIBLE for the AIOS to have those apps as well. It just takes someone with the know how to program them in. Maybe Pivos could be encouraged to do so?
Its possible indeed, its not the implementation involved, but rather the licensing and qualification required. AIOS is supposedly somewhere in NF's qualification queue (but I wouldn't hold my breath).
Box is selling (almost) below cost after the MIR, so I don't see Pivos putting more money towards premium access.
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post #703 of 1006
10/2/12 at 2:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by aasoror View Post

Its possible indeed, its not the implementation involved, but rather the licensing and qualification required. AIOS is supposedly somewhere in NF's qualification queue (but I wouldn't hold my breath).
Box is selling (almost) below cost after the MIR, so I don't see Pivos putting more money towards premium access.

Thanks for the insights, aasoror.
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post #704 of 1006
10/2/12 at 6:28pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by JRLuciano View Post

Thanks for the insights, aasoror.
np, JRLuciano.
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post #705 of 1006
10/4/12 at 1:19am
Another quick question: If I update the firmware of the AIOS, either with the official or semi-official version, will I lose all my custom settings that I put in already?
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post #706 of 1006
10/4/12 at 11:28am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by JRLuciano View Post

Another quick question: If I update the firmware of the AIOS, either with the official or semi-official version, will I lose all my custom settings that I put in already?
Yup you will lose them. And its actually recommended to always use Panic recovery to do the update and don't update from the setup menus.
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post #707 of 1006
10/12/12 at 7:48am
OK, so I've read pretty much this entire thread and am seriously considering getting the AIOS. I want a media box of some sort that is cheap, can take an internal hdd, and can do DD TrueHD/DTS HD MA with no problem. Does not need to be connected to the internet at all, wired or wireless. Just want to rip MKVs with MakeMKV and transfer them to internal HDD/external USB drive. I have an Onkyo receiver that can handle the lossless codecs bitstream or lpcm. I see that the AIOS is only $70 after rebate at newegg. I understand that the interface isnt as polished as a Dune but that's understandable at this pricepoint. So my question is, is this the box for me?
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post #708 of 1006
10/12/12 at 7:58am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Kocis View Post

OK, so I've read pretty much this entire thread and am seriously considering getting the AIOS. I want a media box of some sort that is cheap, can take an internal hdd, and can do DD TrueHD/DTS HD MA with no problem. Does not need to be connected to the internet at all, wired or wireless. Just want to rip MKVs with MakeMKV and transfer them to internal HDD/external USB drive. I have an Onkyo receiver that can handle the lossless codecs bitstream or lpcm. I see that the AIOS is only $70 after rebate at newegg. I understand that the interface isnt as polished as a Dune but that's understandable at this pricepoint. So my question is, is this the box for me?

This is indeed the perfect setup for the AIOS.

And its $65 shipped from NCIX-US
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=64162&vpn=PTGMCART35-US&manufacture=Pivos%20Technology%20Group%20Inc%2E
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post #709 of 1006
10/12/12 at 8:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Kocis View Post

OK, so I've read pretty much this entire thread and am seriously considering getting the AIOS. I want a media box of some sort that is cheap, can take an internal hdd, and can do DD TrueHD/DTS HD MA with no problem. Does not need to be connected to the internet at all, wired or wireless. Just want to rip MKVs with MakeMKV and transfer them to internal HDD/external USB drive. I have an Onkyo receiver that can handle the lossless codecs bitstream or lpcm. I see that the AIOS is only $70 after rebate at newegg. I understand that the interface isnt as polished as a Dune but that's understandable at this pricepoint. So my question is, is this the box for me?

If you decide to go this route, I have one that i purchased a couple of months ago but am not using. I decided to stay with SageTV instead. I can give you a good deal on it.

George

EDIT: Unit is sold
Edited by GeorgeM - 10/23/12 at 6:27am
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post #710 of 1006
10/13/12 at 7:02pm
can this device see videos on a linux machine with say samba? or what should i use to watch my videos on my linux box with this? thanks
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post #711 of 1006
10/13/12 at 7:13pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by leo5111 View Post

can this device see videos on a linux machine with say samba? or what should i use to watch my videos on my linux box with this? thanks
Both SAMBA and NFS are supported.
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post #712 of 1006
10/13/12 at 7:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by aasoror View Post

Both SAMBA and NFS are supported.
which is easier to setup? im a linux noob. just gettin my feet wet with linux, linux mint specificly
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post #713 of 1006
10/13/12 at 8:33pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by leo5111 View Post

which is easier to setup? im a linux noob. just gettin my feet wet with linux, linux mint specificly
On the AIOS ? they are "almost" the same, its just that the AIOS GUI allows you to scan and bookmark SMB machines but only scan NFS machines.
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post #714 of 1006
10/19/12 at 8:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Kocis View Post

OK, so I've read pretty much this entire thread and am seriously considering getting the AIOS. I want a media box of some sort that is cheap, can take an internal hdd, and can do DD TrueHD/DTS HD MA with no problem. Does not need to be connected to the internet at all, wired or wireless. Just want to rip MKVs with MakeMKV and transfer them to internal HDD/external USB drive. I have an Onkyo receiver that can handle the lossless codecs bitstream or lpcm. I see that the AIOS is only $70 after rebate at newegg. I understand that the interface isnt as polished as a Dune but that's understandable at this pricepoint. So my question is, is this the box for me?

So I ended up getting the AIOS from newegg for $90 with free shipping (and the $30 rebate). I knew the interface/gui wasnt't gonna be Dune/PS3 level but man is it bad. I did download the R21 SO firmware and that did make things a little better. I guess I'm spoiled coming from a PS3 for the last 4 years. So I ripped a few Blus and put them on some external HDDs (2.5 and 3.5). Big complaint is the occasional stuttering. His was with Episode IV and Disney movie Hocus Pocus ripped with MakeMKV. Would using an internal HDD be a faster connection to the unit and in turn get rid of the stuttering. I really don't have another ~$100 to put into an HDD at the moment. I've read about just taking the 3.5 drive out of the enclosure but dont want to damage anything in the process. Also I've yet to do A/B comparisons on the video played back on AIOS vs the actual disc on PS3.
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post #715 of 1006
10/19/12 at 8:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Kocis View Post

So I ended up getting the AIOS from newegg for $90 with free shipping (and the $30 rebate). I knew the interface/gui wasnt't gonna be Dune/PS3 level but man is it bad. I did download the R21 SO firmware and that did make things a little better. I guess I'm spoiled coming from a PS3 for the last 4 years. So I ripped a few Blus and put them on some external HDDs (2.5 and 3.5). Big complaint is the occasional stuttering. His was with Episode IV and Disney movie Hocus Pocus ripped with MakeMKV. Would using an internal HDD be a faster connection to the unit and in turn get rid of the stuttering. I really don't have another ~$100 to put into an HDD at the moment. I've read about just taking the 3.5 drive out of the enclosure but dont want to damage anything in the process. Also I've yet to do A/B comparisons on the video played back on AIOS vs the actual disc on PS3.

Try ripping the movie to m2ts format instead. I've had issues with mkv before.
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post #716 of 1006
10/20/12 at 12:07am
I bought my Aios a few months back and just getting around to setting it up. Read through this who thread to glean as much as I could. I have a 2TB HD installed in it, so I plan to have all my media files stored locally on the AIOS. I'm flashed it with the latest SemiOfficial FW. However, I am having problems playing my home movies in AVI format. They play fine on my Win7 computer with Media Player, DivX player, and VLC Player. But when I try to play the files on the Aios, it says something like "Unsupported video", and tries to move on to the next file.

These home movies were the main reason I bought the Aios, so I'm a little bit concerned about not being able to play them on the Aios. They were copied from Digital Hi8 tapes to AVI files using Pinnacle Studio. Any insight as to why I am having this issue?

Thanks.
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post #717 of 1006
10/20/12 at 12:35am
Sounds like you picked a format or type of encoding the Aios doesn't like. Maybe the bitrate is too high or something is going on with the settings in your program that makes it not work.
I'd say 90 percent of about any file format I try works with mine. I've mainly been converting the WMC files to MKV lately as the results are slightly smaller and seem to play fine for me, and work with most of my other goodies like my Tablet too.
I'd try doing some test runs with different formats and bitrates till you find one that works for you and I'm sure other users and Aasoror can jump in with better suggestions.
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post #718 of 1006
10/20/12 at 6:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by GusGus748s View Post

Try ripping the movie to m2ts format instead. I've had issues with mkv before.

Yeah but then i would lose multiple audio tracks and subtitles, right? Could the SO firmware be causing the unstability with high bitrates? I guess I could go back if I had to.
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post #719 of 1006
10/20/12 at 6:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Kocis View Post

Yeah but then i would lose multiple audio tracks and subtitles, right? Could the SO firmware be causing the unstability with high bitrates? I guess I could go back if I had to.

You can keep the audio and subs.
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post #720 of 1006
10/20/12 at 10:48am
Fifty Bucks from NewEgg today: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815645001&nm_mc=EMC-EXPRESS102012C&cm_mmc=EMC-EXPRESS102012C-_-EMC-102012-Index-_-VideoDevicesTVTuners-_-15645001-L07A eek.gif
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