Need suggestion for my needs

1140 Views 3 Replies 3 Participants Last post by mlknez, Jan 20, 2008

ckl_88

Discussion Starter · Jan 16, 2008

Okay, I've been reading up on some of the networked media player/streamers and decided that I want one. Here are my main requirements:

1. A DVD drive that can play existing commercial DVD's and also my home videos on DVD. Would be nice to have them upconverted via HDMI...

2. Able to play HD formats (ie. WMV9 HD, divx HD, etc).

3. Network capable. That is, able to connect to a NAS (Synology DS106e) and browse and play music/videos. All the shares are password protected.

4. Inexpensive - Not really wanting to spend $500+ dollars.

That's basically it for needs. Here is my setup:

1. Sony 52xbr4

2. Pioneer Elite VSX-80

3. Synology DS106e with shares that require username/password.

4. Linksys wrt54g router

There are a couple of other devices hooked up but aren't relevant.

I've read up on the Ziova Z500, Snazio SZ-1350, TVIX and some other manufacturers but it seems like each manufacturer has something missing (ie. the DVD drive) or has some software issues/bugs (ie. HDMI problems, video skipping, etc).

So can anyone suggest a player that would fit my needs?

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sheldonison

· #2 · Jan 18, 2008

you know much much more than I do, put I'm looking for links to learn ... looking for links to information!!!!

I want to hook a PC to my HDTV, in 1920x1080 mode. I already have TWC for HD cable and on-demand movies, plus we have a cheap DVD player with component outputs (upscaled from 720x480p to 1920x1080 in the HDTV). I'm not sure it has to be a full blown media server. I don't have a blu-ray player yet, and have considered a PS3, but a PS3 isn't really a useful PC/web browser.

At Fry's I saw an "HP's Pavilion Slimline s3330f PC", which theoretically does Blu-ray and HD DVD, for $950, very compact, 500Gig, 2Gig RAM. How do I find out if it would actually work as a Blu-Ray player?

Not too many of Fry's computers have DVI outputs .... Presumably, if the PC has DVI and I buy a DVI->HDMI cable, than it would work in 1920x1080 right?

Quote:
Originally Posted by ckl_88 /forum/post/12838208

Okay, I've been reading up on some of the networked media player/streamers and decided that I want one. Here are my main requirements:

1. A DVD drive that can play existing commercial DVD's and also my home videos on DVD. Would be nice to have them upconverted via HDMI...

2. Able to play HD formats (ie. WMV9 HD, divx HD, etc).

3. Network capable. That is, able to connect to a NAS (Synology DS106e) and browse and play music/videos. All the shares are password protected.

4. Inexpensive - Not really wanting to spend $500+ dollars.

That's basically it for needs. Here is my setup:

1. Sony 52xbr4

2. Pioneer Elite VSX-80

3. Synology DS106e with shares that require username/password.

4. Linksys wrt54g router

There are a couple of other devices hooked up but aren't relevant.

I've read up on the Ziova Z500, Snazio SZ-1350, TVIX and some other manufacturers but it seems like each manufacturer has something missing (ie. the DVD drive) or has some software issues/bugs (ie. HDMI problems, video skipping, etc).

So can anyone suggest a player that would fit my needs?

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ckl_88

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 18, 2008

I've done a lot of research since I posted this message. I've basically decided to get Popcorn Hour NMT media player. It's really inexpensive and it does what other $500+ dollar players do.

The only thing is that I have to wait to get an invitation to buy because they can't keep up with demand

Instead of spending $950, check out the capabilities of this unit. Although, it can't do bluray or hd-dvd (even though the chipset can) and it doesn't have a built-in drive, I can always stream content from my NAS.

Useful links:

1. http://www.popcornhour.com/onlinestore/

2. http://www.mpcclub.com/modules.php?n...ums&file=index

Link 2 will give you an idea of what kinds of other media players are out there.

The reason I'm staying away from using a computer is because you need to wait for it to boot up before you can use it. It's not instant on unless you like leaving it on 24/7. The upside is that it is far more versatile.

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mlknez

· #4 · Jan 20, 2008

No matter what you do at this point, there is no media streamer or HTPC that can play the HD Audio content of Blue Ray or HD DVD movies. Popcorn hour only has HDMI 1.1 and HD Audio bitstreaming requires HDMI 1.3. None of the PC Video cards currently has HDMI 1.3 either.

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