No Wi-fi either so it will only work in networked setups. But after struggling with streaming video over Wi-Fi for the last 6 months I can understand why they left that off.
As far as Gigabit LAN, not sure why that wasn't included. Maybe it was a Linux support issue - the thing uses an embedded kernel, not sure what version. As I said I've run 720p AVI files from it (42 minutes, 1.2 GB file size) and it worked flawlessly. My TV is a native 720p box so I'm happy. If and when we upgrade to a 1080p set then I will have to probably reconsider, but supposedly the box will do 1080p. It can connect to any sort of external NAS and also has 2 USB 2.0 ports to connect devices. The box will operate as a NAS itself for any drives attached to those ports and even has a built-in BitTorrent server which is like an added bonus. Also looks like it supports DVD playback from an external drive attached to the USB ports, haven't tried that yet. More than exceeds my expectations for $250. ----- Brian On Tue, Apr 8, 2008 at 3:04 PM, Greg Sevart <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Started looking at it (not to replace my HTPC, it does more than simple > playback), but saw it only has a 10/100 NIC. That basically means no > playback of non-recompressed HD content over the network interface, which > would be a deal breaker for me. > > Looks pretty solid otherwise, though. > > Greg > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:hardware- > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Brian Weeden > > Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2008 1:24 PM > > To: hwg > > Subject: [H] HTPC Replacement - Popcorn Hour > > > > This little wonder just arrived at my place: > > > > http://www.popcornhour.com/onlinestore/ > > > > I am replacing my existing HTPC with the Popcorn Hour + a NAS. The > > main > > reason is that the HTPC was not fast enough to do HD decoding and it > > was > > much simpler to use this box to replace it. And since I was running > > Windows, no more weird config changes or bugs. > > > > Tried it out last night for the first time and it was great. Watched > > the > > 720p version of the BSG season opener and the Dr. Who premier. On top > > for > > tonight is the first episode of John Adams in 720p as well. Setup was > > a > > breeze, and the picture looks great. > > > > ----- > > Brian > > >
