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POPCORN HOUR A-400 is coming soon - Page 8

post #211 of 1522
11/6/12 at 9:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by dbone1026 View Post

Correct. And to add pain to it, BD Lite is buggy with seamless branch movies as it makes the transition from 1 m2ts to the next. You don't have to deal with this if you make a main movie mkv or CLown_BD created movie

Or, we just stay stocked with older more capable players! That can only last so long of course. Then there is the issue of paying attention to firmware that may take features away. I guess the bottom line is we can't have our cake and eat it too. There are tradeoffs with every player and every format just as there has always been.
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post #212 of 1522
11/6/12 at 10:06am
Does the A300 still support full BD menus? I'm thinking about picking one up if they do to replace my C200. I don't think I'll be using any discs with my C200 any more so the A300 would be able to replace it as long as it does full BD menus. Although I would miss the RF remote. And I will miss having an RF remote when I get my A400.

I only rip full BD ISOs. All I want to do is stick the disc in and rip. If I ever want to create an MKV of the movie later, I'll have the full BD ISO available to do it.
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post #213 of 1522
11/6/12 at 10:09am
Quote:
Originally Posted by robneal81 View Post

I rip 99% of my movies in .mkv. There are a few scenarios where I need .iso support:
- 3D blu ray's (although if the A-400 will play 3D MKV, I'd immediately switch to MKV!!)
- Concert discs: It's nice to be able to choose a song.
- TV shows: Most of the time I rip each individual episode to .mkv, but sometime's that's just way too much work.
- Special features: Some discs have really cool special features, like the re-release of jaws.
- Multi-version movies: Best example: Apocalypse Now. You have the choice of playing the original or Redux. The whole .iso is about 50GB and if I wanted to use mkv, I'd have to rip it twice: Once for the original (35GB) and once for the redux (45GB). The .iso just uses a "playlist" to select scenes for each.
- Audio track incompatibilities: I've found some MKV's won't play at all in my current player (Oppo BDP-93), but if I make them basic movie-only .iso's they play fine. Certain types of audio tracks seem to be the cause. I'm not sure if the A-400 will have this issue.
- I've also found that some subtitles won't work in .mkv files on some players.
All that being said, basic iso playback with lite menu support should cover all of that, right?

While not covering all your needs:
For TV shows it's easy to rip all of the episodes to .ts.
Same thing w/extras. If you want them just rip them from the STREAM folder off of the BD itself and name is "Jaws Extra".
Space is so inexpensive these days: I rip both versions to .ts formats if I want the extended/directors cut and theatrical etc.
If I want multiple audio streams I simply choose them in ToNMT and use the 'audio' button to select between the tracks.
I've used subtitles on japanese movies w/out english audio without issue.
I have an popcorn A110 and use all the above.
The ONLY things I'm missing and thus why I preordered the A400 is:
some BD rips 'strobe' in certain scenes of the video (this is THE main reason)
I have a large 3D BD collection and it continues to grow

that's it!
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post #214 of 1522
11/6/12 at 10:41am
Quote:
Does the A300 still support full BD menus?
Yes.
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post #215 of 1522
11/7/12 at 7:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dropzone7 View Post

I belive that player has always done full BD menus with certain BD profiles supported.

Indeed the 550 supports full ISO and menu pops up whenever the button is pressed, no difference from a BD player.
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post #216 of 1522
11/8/12 at 5:07am
Ok, looking for a little advise?


Right now I rip my movies in full .iso only...

1. Place disk in BD reader on PC
2. Rip via AnyDVD HD
3. DONE

(I use the Netgear NTV550)


Lets say I want to do ISO's with only the movie no menus...

What's the best way and easiest way to do it?


Lets say I want to make an MKV with only the main movie...

What's the best way and easiest way to do it?
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post #217 of 1522
11/8/12 at 5:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by SOWK View Post

Ok, looking for a little advise?
Right now I rip my movies in full .iso only...
1. Place disk in BD reader on PC
2. Rip via AnyDVD HD
3. DONE
(I use the Netgear NTV550)
Lets say I want to do ISO's with only the movie no menus...
What's the best way and easiest way to do it?
Lets say I want to make an MKV with only the main movie...
What's the best way and easiest way to do it?

In my opinion, if you aren't ripping the whole disc then there is no need to go with ISO. I just started doing some movie only rips using MakeMKV and it couldn't be easier. You just insert the disc and then deselect the portions you don't want. The tricky part is with newer movies that have more than one version like a maximum movie mode, directors commentary or something like that. Knowing which video file to select can be difficult as it's not necessarily the longest running time track.

Another thing to consider if going with .MKV is forced subtitles. I'm not sure if your NTV550 adheres to forced subs in that format so you might want to read up on it first. Damian would probably know.
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post #218 of 1522
11/8/12 at 6:10am
i think that I read somewhere that ripping movie only as bdvm structure (with dvdfab for example) will remove any problem you could have with mkv and forced subs. Someone to confirm ?
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post #219 of 1522
11/8/12 at 6:26am
Quote:
Originally Posted by dropzone7 View Post

In my opinion, if you aren't ripping the whole disc then there is no need to go with ISO. I just started doing some movie only rips using MakeMKV and it couldn't be easier. You just insert the disc and then deselect the portions you don't want. The tricky part is with newer movies that have more than one version like a maximum movie mode, directors commentary or something like that. Knowing which video file to select can be difficult as it's not necessarily the longest running time track.
Another thing to consider if going with .MKV is forced subtitles. I'm not sure if your NTV550 adheres to forced subs in that format so you might want to read up on it first. Damian would probably know.

Is MakeMKV a program that by passes copy protection as well? Or do I need something in the background first to remove the protection?

Also I plan to gt the popcorn hour a400.

What are forced subtitles?

The subtitles in a movie when they speak a different language? Or just sub titles in general.
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post #220 of 1522
11/8/12 at 6:33am
MakeMKV strips copy protection on its own. But, they're usually a week or so behind DVDFab and AnyDVD in cracking new copy protections implemented by studios.

Forced subs are English subs for foreign spoken parts, or in case of something like 'District 9', made-up alien language. MakeMKV does an okay job identifying forced subs, but it definitely isn't 100%.
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post #221 of 1522
11/8/12 at 7:30am
But for those of us, waiting on the side line, about how DVDFab now makes 3D Main movie ISO's, will they play back correctly in the upcoming A-400?
So, on that note, I keep my Bluray 3D ISO's untouched. I still think the whole BD-lite situation on all the Disney multi-branching m2ts files stinks. Werner stated he's going to try to get this issue resolved for the A-400. I don't see how it can be fixed. Someone skimped out on the BD-Lite specification and Disney took advantage of it.
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post #222 of 1522
11/8/12 at 8:18am
Quote:
DVDFab now makes 3D Main movie ISO's, will they play back correctly in the upcoming A-400?
I'm fully expecting they will. They do in my Mede8er 1000X3D, and they're compliant 3D ISO's with the necessary SSIF folder/structure.
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post #223 of 1522
11/8/12 at 10:29am
any idea or confirmation as when will it be officially for sale and when will there be any reviews?

cheers
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post #224 of 1522
11/8/12 at 10:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by snowdevlin View Post

any idea or confirmation as when will it be officially for sale and when will there be any reviews?
cheers

You can pre order.

You will probably start seeing reviews by the end of November
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post #225 of 1522
11/9/12 at 8:18am
The last I heard the expected shipping date from the distributor is around November 16th. But that could easily change since the delay now is for the firmware. They don't want the distributors to ship the boxes until they work out a few issues that are in the firmware.

I'm hoping that my A-400 arrives before Thanksgiving since I'll have some time to mess around with it since I'm off that Thursday and Friday.
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post #226 of 1522
11/9/12 at 9:31am
too much information.
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post #227 of 1522
11/9/12 at 1:09pm
You know, I REALLY REALLY want the a400 to be so great at launch, but I just can't get past their track record. I have a feeling it is going to be a train wreck!
Maybe this will be "the one"..I sure hope so for all that ordered!
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post #228 of 1522
11/9/12 at 1:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by comicguy View Post

You know, I REALLY REALLY want the a400 to be so great at launch, but I just can't get past their track record. I have a feeling it is going to be a train wreck!
Maybe this will be "the one"..I sure hope so for all that ordered!

I would say now more then ever Syabas really needs to get things right.. We all know the 200 series launch (in particular the C200) was a disaster. The 300 series appeared to be more stable at first, but some nasty major bugs still have not been fixed (and tbh there are some questions about whether resources are being pulled away from the 300 series for the 400 series)
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post #229 of 1522
11/9/12 at 1:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dbone1026 View Post

I would say now more then ever Syabas really needs to get things right.. We all know the 200 series launch (in particular the C200) was a disaster. The 300 series appeared to be more stable at first, but some nasty major bugs still have not been fixed (and tbh there are some questions about whether resources are being pulled away from the 300 series for the 400 series)
Yeah, but now the C200 is pretty darn solid, but holy crap...FIX THE AUDIO IN THE 300 series!! What good is it to have 32TB's of iso files (and no, I am not reripping them) when the audio constantly has drop outs! I mean, it's been what...8 MONTHS since it was reported?
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post #230 of 1522
11/9/12 at 1:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by comicguy View Post

Yeah, but now the C200 is pretty darn solid, but holy crap...FIX THE AUDIO IN THE 300 series!! What good is it to have 32TB's of iso files (and no, I am not reripping them) when the audio constantly has drop outs! I mean, it's been what...8 MONTHS since it was reported?

Yeah, solid now, but how long did that take (quite possibly one of the worse product releases I have ever seen).

Yup, you nailed the issue on the 300 series as well, it is a doorstop for me b/c of the audio drop out issues. Aside from not being fixed since reported, there have been no fw updates for the A300 since July, and this has to make you wonder whether or not Syabas have pulled resources and moved towards the A400 development
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post #231 of 1522
11/9/12 at 2:42pm
As far as I know they are still way behind on the C-200 firmware. This what I see on their site -

"Because we currently need to get out a C-300 and A-300 build
which delays the public Release for C-200 Bugfix Firmware, we decided to release this build as Public RC first,
take note that this is a Public RC, it is not available as Online Update just as Offline Package."

I will never buy a just released PCH again until there are plenty of reports out because you can not count on firmware to ever be released in a state that does what you may personally need or want depending on how you use the device.
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post #232 of 1522
11/9/12 at 3:22pm
That is the current hold up with the A400 werner deemed current firmware not ready for shipment to consumers, They are trying to get it right, All resellers were told if you ship a box before production firmware is ready it will be the last shipment you get from syabas, So they are trying more to get the A400 right, And we have been having back and fourth conversations with actual Devs on things we think need to change as well as getting some of the annoying show stopper bugs fixed faster. A couple of nice things is with the A400 firmware you should be able to launch things like eversion on boot, no more needing to go through the app market, as well as being able to add apps to the home screen. I really think they are trying to push in the right direction we have had more feedback in private conversations in the past month then we have had in a year.

And then hopefully they can streamline the firmware across the 300 series, v8 and A400, I dont really seem them tying in the 200 series but maybe they might.
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post #233 of 1522
11/9/12 at 5:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dbone1026 View Post

Yeah, solid now, but how long did that take (quite possibly one of the worse product releases I have ever seen).
Yup, you nailed the issue on the 300 series as well, it is a doorstop for me b/c of the audio drop out issues. Aside from not being fixed since reported, there have been no fw updates for the A300 since July, and this has to make you wonder whether or not Syabas have pulled resources and moved towards the A400 development

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gary J View Post

As far as I know they are still way behind on the C-200 firmware. This what I see on their site -
"Because we currently need to get out a C-300 and A-300 build
which delays the public Release for C-200 Bugfix Firmware, we decided to release this build as Public RC first,
take note that this is a Public RC, it is not available as Online Update just as Offline Package."
I will never buy a just released PCH again until there are plenty of reports out because you can not count on firmware to ever be released in a state that does what you may personally need or want depending on how you use the device.

Interesting, and amen! I was a dyed-in-the-wool PCH guy; talked the A-110 up a blue streak, and turned a LOT of people on to it as their first streamer (well, not like Damian or anything). Then came the C-200. Obviously, it was a mess; I jumped out early and couldn't have been happier with my decision, when I saw 10 months, a year later...users still waiting for features that were rock-solid on my venerable, 'ole A-110.

I chalked it up as a bit of a mis-step, and was again excited when the small, cheap Pop-Box came around for release. Ha...the infamous Pop-Flop/Flop-Box, take your pick; all I can do with it to this day, is stream from the network folder. I switched to Dune players, and never looked back; but the A-400 has been catching my eye. Sounds like PCH is up to their same, 'ole tricks...and I'd be wise to wait the firmware out? Man, what a shame.
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post #234 of 1522
11/9/12 at 7:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by CDLehner View Post

Interesting, and amen! I was a dyed-in-the-wool PCH guy; talked the A-110 up a blue streak, and turned a LOT of people on to it as their first streamer (well, not like Damian or anything). Then came the C-200. Obviously, it was a mess; I jumped out early and couldn't have been happier with my decision, when I saw 10 months, a year later...users still waiting for features that were rock-solid on my venerable, 'ole A-110.
I chalked it up as a bit of a mis-step, and was again excited when the small, cheap Pop-Box came around for release. Ha...the infamous Pop-Flop/Flop-Box, take your pick; all I can do with it to this day, is stream from the network folder. I switched to Dune players, and never looked back; but the A-400 has been catching my eye. Sounds like PCH is up to their same, 'ole tricks...and I'd be wise to wait the firmware out? Man, what a shame.

The A100 had its fair share of bugs also but most people took notice in PCH after most were fixed, The problem with PCH is they like to jump to the newest SDK from sigma and usually end up breaking more things then fixing, Were dune stuck with the old SDK and built around it, Although we saw with the Dune tv 103 that the new sdk also bit them with bugs now that they have moved to the more streamlined sdk from sigma,

And popbox was a flop the second it did not got netflix approval, They had a full netflix app built for it and something happened and it never came to be and without the sales from it the popbox team was disbanded pretty much 6 months after product launch, But not many people new that part of it, The V8 which is built by same team that does the PCH models is a lot better then the popbox was. From my point of View as of right now PCH is making a strive to make this box right and also right the wrongs that they have done to consumers lets hope it works out and we got an awesome product in the end.
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post #235 of 1522
11/14/12 at 6:47am
What's the metadata format and structure for this box? Anyone have a guide? Thanks!
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post #236 of 1522
11/14/12 at 8:52am
^^ all the metadata information can be found on the nmt forums networkmediatank.com look under the NMJ section should be a sticky.
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post #237 of 1522
11/14/12 at 9:17am
So, it appears the A-400 may finally be in our (pre-ordered) hands next week. Excited, but cautiously so as the past tells us these things always have bugs upon release.
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post #238 of 1522
11/14/12 at 10:06am
I love my A110 except that on certain BDs w/lots o data the pic stutters at times and no 3D support: that's the only reason I'm getting my A400 next week from diamond design!
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post #239 of 1522
11/14/12 at 10:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wryker View Post

I love my A110 except that on certain BDs w/lots o data the pic stutters at times and no 3D support: that's the only reason I'm getting my A400 next week from diamond design!

Playback should be much improved and better supported on the 400, but more likely then not you will have to deal with bugs that you don't have to deal with using the A110 given it is a mature platform.

I remember when I got my first A110 and was like wtf is this lol
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post #240 of 1522
11/14/12 at 10:22am
Quote:
Originally Posted by dbone1026 View Post

Playback should be much improved and better supported on the 400, but more likely then not you will have to deal with bugs that you don't have to deal with using the A110 given it is a mature platform.
I remember when I got my first A110 and was like wtf is this lol
I still use my A110 and I did have an A300 for a few days and played some of the BD rips that stuttered and noticed they were fine so I have no doubt they will be fine w/the A400.
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