Re: [H] HTPC Replacement - Popcorn Hour

[Chris Reeves]

:).  Just what I was trying to get at.  The xbox360 doesn't have a seper high 
end cpu, but it has a native video transcoder. Enough where the usb hd-dvd 
drive worked.  So I don't see why this wouldn't work.  I was trying to point 
out cpu horsepower isn't only variable.  
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

-Original Message-
From: James Boswell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

Date: Wed, 9 Apr 2008 17:13:37 
To:hardware@hardwaregroup.com
Subject: Re: [H] HTPC Replacement - Popcorn Hour


Or just maybe the 780G is doing the decode :P

On 9 Apr 2008, at 16:50, Chris Reeves wrote:
> Haven't checked  Really on a core2. :). Hmm.  Using a 780g I can
> watch real blueray fullscreen at 1080p on a samsung 56" without a
> single stutter.  Of course, I'm using the all powerful le-1640 $42
> cpu.  So might make a difference.  :)
>
>
> Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
>
> -Original Message-
> From: Tharin Olsen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>
> Date: Wed, 9 Apr 2008 08:51:03
> To:hardware@hardwaregroup.com
> Subject: Re: [H] HTPC Replacement - Popcorn Hour
>
>
> I didn't think the Xbox had the horsepower to handle
> high bitrate H.264 very well if it all. I've got
> hi-def rips from BluRay/HDDVD and what not that made a
> Core2Duo 2180 stutter, display artifacts, etc. because
> one of the cores was hitting 100% utilization. It
> wasn't until I installed the CoreAVC codecs that
> supported SMP that I could achieve flawless playback
> on such files. Xbox's also require hard drives and
> aftermarket mods don't they?
>
> -Tharin O.
>
> --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
>> Then one htpc and xbox's everywhere else.  Hell,
>> with plugins they relay divx/xvid, interface and
>> stored dvd, plus mcl applications.
>> Sent via BlackBerry
>>
>> -Original Message-
>> From: Tharin Olsen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>>
>> Date: Wed, 9 Apr 2008 08:14:38
>> To:hardware@hardwaregroup.com
>> Subject: Re: [H] HTPC Replacement - Popcorn Hour
>>
>>
>> No doubt a real HTPC built by anyone here would be
>> much better but there are some definite Pros when
>> using a STB (turnkey, compact, low power, quiet, no
>> movable parts, etc). At the moment I wouldn't dream
>> of
>> replacing my HTPC with something like this, but I
>> don't want 3-4 HTPCs in my home. Something like this
>> will be fine for the kitchen, guest bedroom, outdoor
>> stereo, etc.
>>
>> -Tharin O.
>>
>> --- j maccraw <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>>
>>> I'm not impressed.
>>>
>>> Starting with the case that I would not even cram
>> my
>>> hdd into (had one, returned as
>>> junk), the spartan product web site, lastly the
>>> current bug list tells me this is
>>> slightly above homebrew. Whatever hardware goes
>> into
>>> this, I'll bet any of us could
>>> build better.
>>>
>>
>> 
>>

Re: [H] HTPC Replacement - Popcorn Hour

[James Boswell]

Or just maybe the 780G is doing the decode :P

On 9 Apr 2008, at 16:50, Chris Reeves wrote:
Haven't checked  Really on a core2. :). Hmm.  Using a 780g I can  
watch real blueray fullscreen at 1080p on a samsung 56" without a  
single stutter.  Of course, I'm using the all powerful le-1640 $42  
cpu.  So might make a difference.  :)



Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

-Original Message-
From: Tharin Olsen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

Date: Wed, 9 Apr 2008 08:51:03
To:hardware@hardwaregroup.com
Subject: Re: [H] HTPC Replacement - Popcorn Hour


I didn't think the Xbox had the horsepower to handle
high bitrate H.264 very well if it all. I've got
hi-def rips from BluRay/HDDVD and what not that made a
Core2Duo 2180 stutter, display artifacts, etc. because
one of the cores was hitting 100% utilization. It
wasn't until I installed the CoreAVC codecs that
supported SMP that I could achieve flawless playback
on such files. Xbox's also require hard drives and
aftermarket mods don't they?

-Tharin O.

--- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:


Then one htpc and xbox's everywhere else.  Hell,
with plugins they relay divx/xvid, interface and
stored dvd, plus mcl applications.
Sent via BlackBerry

-Original Message-
From: Tharin Olsen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

Date: Wed, 9 Apr 2008 08:14:38
To:hardware@hardwaregroup.com
Subject: Re: [H] HTPC Replacement - Popcorn Hour


No doubt a real HTPC built by anyone here would be
much better but there are some definite Pros when
using a STB (turnkey, compact, low power, quiet, no
movable parts, etc). At the moment I wouldn't dream
of
replacing my HTPC with something like this, but I
don't want 3-4 HTPCs in my home. Something like this
will be fine for the kitchen, guest bedroom, outdoor
stereo, etc.

-Tharin O.

--- j maccraw <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:


I'm not impressed.

Starting with the case that I would not even cram

my

hdd into (had one, returned as
junk), the spartan product web site, lastly the
current bug list tells me this is
slightly above homebrew. Whatever hardware goes

into

this, I'll bet any of us could
build better.

Re: [H] HTPC Replacement - Popcorn Hour

[Chris Reeves]

Haven't checked  Really on a core2. :). Hmm.  Using a 780g I can watch real 
blueray fullscreen at 1080p on a samsung 56" without a single stutter.  Of 
course, I'm using the all powerful le-1640 $42 cpu.  So might make a 
difference.  :)


Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

-Original Message-
From: Tharin Olsen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

Date: Wed, 9 Apr 2008 08:51:03 
To:hardware@hardwaregroup.com
Subject: Re: [H] HTPC Replacement - Popcorn Hour


I didn't think the Xbox had the horsepower to handle
high bitrate H.264 very well if it all. I've got
hi-def rips from BluRay/HDDVD and what not that made a
Core2Duo 2180 stutter, display artifacts, etc. because
one of the cores was hitting 100% utilization. It
wasn't until I installed the CoreAVC codecs that
supported SMP that I could achieve flawless playback
on such files. Xbox's also require hard drives and
aftermarket mods don't they?

-Tharin O.

--- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

> Then one htpc and xbox's everywhere else.  Hell,
> with plugins they relay divx/xvid, interface and
> stored dvd, plus mcl applications.
> Sent via BlackBerry
>
> -Original Message-
> From: Tharin Olsen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>
> Date: Wed, 9 Apr 2008 08:14:38
> To:hardware@hardwaregroup.com
> Subject: Re: [H] HTPC Replacement - Popcorn Hour
>
>
> No doubt a real HTPC built by anyone here would be
> much better but there are some definite Pros when
> using a STB (turnkey, compact, low power, quiet, no
> movable parts, etc). At the moment I wouldn't dream
> of
> replacing my HTPC with something like this, but I
> don't want 3-4 HTPCs in my home. Something like this
> will be fine for the kitchen, guest bedroom, outdoor
> stereo, etc.
>
> -Tharin O.
>
> --- j maccraw <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> > I'm not impressed.
> >
> > Starting with the case that I would not even cram
> my
> > hdd into (had one, returned as
> > junk), the spartan product web site, lastly the
> > current bug list tells me this is
> > slightly above homebrew. Whatever hardware goes
> into
> > this, I'll bet any of us could
> > build better.
> >
>
> 
>

Re: [H] HTPC Replacement - Popcorn Hour

[Tharin Olsen]

I didn't think the Xbox had the horsepower to handle
high bitrate H.264 very well if it all. I've got
hi-def rips from BluRay/HDDVD and what not that made a
Core2Duo 2180 stutter, display artifacts, etc. because
one of the cores was hitting 100% utilization. It
wasn't until I installed the CoreAVC codecs that
supported SMP that I could achieve flawless playback
on such files. Xbox's also require hard drives and
aftermarket mods don't they?

-Tharin O.

--- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

> Then one htpc and xbox's everywhere else.  Hell,
> with plugins they relay divx/xvid, interface and
> stored dvd, plus mcl applications. 
> Sent via BlackBerry 
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: Tharin Olsen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> 
> Date: Wed, 9 Apr 2008 08:14:38 
> To:hardware@hardwaregroup.com
> Subject: Re: [H] HTPC Replacement - Popcorn Hour
> 
> 
> No doubt a real HTPC built by anyone here would be
> much better but there are some definite Pros when
> using a STB (turnkey, compact, low power, quiet, no
> movable parts, etc). At the moment I wouldn't dream
> of
> replacing my HTPC with something like this, but I
> don't want 3-4 HTPCs in my home. Something like this
> will be fine for the kitchen, guest bedroom, outdoor
> stereo, etc.
> 
> -Tharin O.
> 
> --- j maccraw <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> 
> > I'm not impressed.
> > 
> > Starting with the case that I would not even cram
> my
> > hdd into (had one, returned as 
> > junk), the spartan product web site, lastly the
> > current bug list tells me this is 
> > slightly above homebrew. Whatever hardware goes
> into
> > this, I'll bet any of us could 
> > build better.
> > 
> 
> 
> 

Re: [H] HTPC Replacement - Popcorn Hour

[tmservo]

Then one htpc and xbox's everywhere else.  Hell, with plugins they relay 
divx/xvid, interface and stored dvd, plus mcl applications. 
Sent via BlackBerry 

-Original Message-
From: Tharin Olsen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

Date: Wed, 9 Apr 2008 08:14:38 
To:hardware@hardwaregroup.com
Subject: Re: [H] HTPC Replacement - Popcorn Hour


No doubt a real HTPC built by anyone here would be
much better but there are some definite Pros when
using a STB (turnkey, compact, low power, quiet, no
movable parts, etc). At the moment I wouldn't dream of
replacing my HTPC with something like this, but I
don't want 3-4 HTPCs in my home. Something like this
will be fine for the kitchen, guest bedroom, outdoor
stereo, etc.

-Tharin O.

--- j maccraw <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> I'm not impressed.
> 
> Starting with the case that I would not even cram my
> hdd into (had one, returned as 
> junk), the spartan product web site, lastly the
> current bug list tells me this is 
> slightly above homebrew. Whatever hardware goes into
> this, I'll bet any of us could 
> build better.
> 

Re: [H] HTPC Replacement - Popcorn Hour

[Tharin Olsen]

No doubt a real HTPC built by anyone here would be
much better but there are some definite Pros when
using a STB (turnkey, compact, low power, quiet, no
movable parts, etc). At the moment I wouldn't dream of
replacing my HTPC with something like this, but I
don't want 3-4 HTPCs in my home. Something like this
will be fine for the kitchen, guest bedroom, outdoor
stereo, etc.

-Tharin O.

--- j maccraw <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> I'm not impressed.
> 
> Starting with the case that I would not even cram my
> hdd into (had one, returned as 
> junk), the spartan product web site, lastly the
> current bug list tells me this is 
> slightly above homebrew. Whatever hardware goes into
> this, I'll bet any of us could 
> build better.
> 

Re: [H] HTPC Replacement - Popcorn Hour

[Tharin Olsen]

Wow this sounds really awesome. When I first setup an
AppleTV for a client, it made me reconsider how I
might approach an HTPC in the future. Unfortunately
the processing capabilities weren't very good with
some of the various STB's at that time and the
firmware and GUI interfaces seemed kind of poor. If
this can support 720P and 1080i then it would be a
great way to add the HD media stored on my NAS to the
rest of the home. I'd still keep my htpc on my main
display though because I use it for gaming (MAME, NES,
SNES, Sega Genesis emulators w/ wireless Xbox360
controllers) as well as PVR/DVR and DVD upscaling.

Re: [H] HTPC Replacement - Popcorn Hour

[Naushad, Zulfiqar]

I'm still waiting for LED backlight screens to come down in price before I make 
the plunge.




-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Bryan Seitz
Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2008 3:22 PM
To: hardware@hardwaregroup.com
Subject: Re: [H] HTPC Replacement - Popcorn Hour


Ya I loved it before I went hi-def.

On Wed, Apr 09, 2008 at 10:53:48AM +0300, Naushad, Zulfiqar wrote:
> I don't have a HDTV yet, I still use a CRT TV.
> 
> I use a XBOX1 (with XBMC) as my HTPC.  It works flawlessly.  But I've seen 
> this one and have been thinking of getting it.  But to be honest, the XBOX is 
> wonderful.
> 
> 
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Brian Weeden
> Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2008 9:24 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

-- 
 
Bryan G. Seitz

Re: [H] HTPC Replacement - Popcorn Hour

[Bryan Seitz]

Ya I loved it before I went hi-def.

On Wed, Apr 09, 2008 at 10:53:48AM +0300, Naushad, Zulfiqar wrote:
> I don't have a HDTV yet, I still use a CRT TV.
> 
> I use a XBOX1 (with XBMC) as my HTPC.  It works flawlessly.  But I've seen 
> this one and have been thinking of getting it.  But to be honest, the XBOX is 
> wonderful.
> 
> 
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Brian Weeden
> Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2008 9:24 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

-- 
 
Bryan G. Seitz

Re: [H] HTPC Replacement - Popcorn Hour

[j maccraw]

I'm not impressed.

Starting with the case that I would not even cram my
hdd into (had one, returned as 
junk), the spartan product web site, lastly the
current bug list tells me this is 
slightly above homebrew. Whatever hardware goes into
this, I'll bet any of us could 
build better.


1) YouTube and Google Video don't work [most likely
fixed by next fw update]
2) HDD spins when unit is in standby/idle mode [a
solution is being determined, maybe 
fixed by next fw]
3) Unit sends an audio signal via coax even when it's
in standby [a solution is being 
determined]
4) Aspect ratio on some MKV's gets messed up when zoom
feature is used [is fixed in 
the beta fw, so it'll be fixed in the next official
release most likely]
5) Playing raw DVD's (IFO+BUP+VOB) stutters over SMB
network [maybe fixed by next fw?]
6) Rewinding with .TS/MKV files doesn't work at all [a
solution is being determined]
7) JPG pictures that have been rotated vertically
aren't shown [a solution is being 
determined]
8 ) Playing DTS audio CD's are problematic [a solution
is being determined, check 
this:
http://www.networkedmediatank.com/viewtopic.php?t=562]
11) Subtitles can't process tags properly (eg hello is
displayed as hello) 
[fixed in latest alpha, expect it in the April fw]
12) When you watch a movie and the sub has two lines
to display, there is a one 
second delay between the two lines [a solutions is
being determined]
13) Since March fw, HDMI 720P/50Hz and HDMI 1080i/50Hz
video modes have aspect ratio 
problems with many files, they appear compressed
vertically [fixed for April fw]
14) Unit still uses old DST(daylight saving time)
setting, as opposed to newer 
standard [a solution is being determined]

http://www.networkedmediatank.com/viewtopic.php?t=2158


Brian Weeden wrote:
> 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
> 
> 

__
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around 
http://mail.yahoo.com 

Re: [H] DTV-boxes-not

[Bryan Seitz]

Agreed Brian.  Back to video school for you, Wayne!

On Wed, Apr 09, 2008 at 06:06:37AM -0400, Brian Weeden wrote:
>  I would completely disagree with you.  While 1080i seems to have more
> pixels and is "brighter", I much prefer 720p for sports and anything
> involving lots of motion.  I'm pretty sensitive to motion blur and I can
> certainly tell the difference.  Always remember that one channels 720p (or
> 1080i) is not always the same as another channel's.  A 1080i stream at twice
> the bitrate of a 720p stream will of course look much better.
> 
> Now of course 1080p is a whole different story - them's the shiznit :)
> 
> ---
> Brian
> 
> On Wed, Apr 9, 2008 at 1:31 AM, Wayne Johnson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> wrote:
> 
> > At 06:39 PM 4/7/2008, James Maki typed:
> >
> > > Higher is better, progressive (p) is better than interlaced
> > > (i). I don't know which is better, 720p or 1080i.
> > >
> >
> >  IMNSHO 1080i is much better than 720p. I'm bummed when I have to watch
> > 720p on my Samsung 1080i boob tube. It drives me nuts when they call 720p
> > HDTV but many broadcast networks call it as such. You can get most if not
> > all your video questions about the video or hardware answered at
> > http://www.videohelp.com/  .  I wouldn't buy a set that does less than
> > 1080i. What makes me laugh is that Walmart says they're the HDTV leader &
> > sell the same brand as other places but you'll be hard pressed to find many
> > sets at 1080i or 1080p sets. Gee, I think the model of the set makes a
> > slight difference but you can't tell some people anything. My brother bought
> > a Sony camcorder thinking it would be as good as mine because I have one yet
> > when he found out that his would only do mono audio he was bummed because
> > mine does stereo.
> >
> >
> >  --+--
> >   Wayne D. Johnson
> >   Ashland, OH, USA 44805
> > >
> >
> >

-- 
 
Bryan G. Seitz

Re: [H] DTV-boxes-not

[Brian Weeden]

 I would completely disagree with you.  While 1080i seems to have more
pixels and is "brighter", I much prefer 720p for sports and anything
involving lots of motion.  I'm pretty sensitive to motion blur and I can
certainly tell the difference.  Always remember that one channels 720p (or
1080i) is not always the same as another channel's.  A 1080i stream at twice
the bitrate of a 720p stream will of course look much better.

Now of course 1080p is a whole different story - them's the shiznit :)

---
Brian

On Wed, Apr 9, 2008 at 1:31 AM, Wayne Johnson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
wrote:

> At 06:39 PM 4/7/2008, James Maki typed:
>
> > Higher is better, progressive (p) is better than interlaced
> > (i). I don't know which is better, 720p or 1080i.
> >
>
>  IMNSHO 1080i is much better than 720p. I'm bummed when I have to watch
> 720p on my Samsung 1080i boob tube. It drives me nuts when they call 720p
> HDTV but many broadcast networks call it as such. You can get most if not
> all your video questions about the video or hardware answered at
> http://www.videohelp.com/  .  I wouldn't buy a set that does less than
> 1080i. What makes me laugh is that Walmart says they're the HDTV leader &
> sell the same brand as other places but you'll be hard pressed to find many
> sets at 1080i or 1080p sets. Gee, I think the model of the set makes a
> slight difference but you can't tell some people anything. My brother bought
> a Sony camcorder thinking it would be as good as mine because I have one yet
> when he found out that his would only do mono audio he was bummed because
> mine does stereo.
>
>
>  --+--
>   Wayne D. Johnson
>   Ashland, OH, USA 44805
> >
>
>

Re: [H] HTPC Replacement - Popcorn Hour

[Naushad, Zulfiqar]

I don't have a HDTV yet, I still use a CRT TV.

I use a XBOX1 (with XBMC) as my HTPC.  It works flawlessly.  But I've seen this 
one and have been thinking of getting it.  But to be honest, the XBOX is 
wonderful.



-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Brian Weeden
Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2008 9:24 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