Re: [H] HTPC Replacement - Popcorn Hour
Granted, I just meant to say is for $179 they could have built the unit too look/be more like a legit consumer product rather than a homebrew prototype. That is worst made/looking external 3.5" enclosure money can buy & they're all over ebay like a plague, Red China plague to be exact! Could have been built in a plastic RS project box and looked more legit, LOL. Sadly we'd have choices besides ammature homebrew and no-name ROC sweatshops if the content cops would stop fighting imaginary battles & let the evolution happen. =( Tharin Olsen wrote: > 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. >> > > > > __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
Re: [H] HTPC Replacement - Popcorn Hour
:). 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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] HTPC Replacement - Popcorn Hour
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
Re: [H] HTPC Replacement - Popcorn Hour
$179 in the US but when you add in $25 for international shipping (Canada) and $40 duty from customs it turns into $250 for me :) Still worth it. Don't have any BluRay / HD-DVD movies as I don't own a player and until now didn't have any way of playing them back. As soon as I get my hands on a movie I will let you know. Haven't tried the BT client yet. Installing it now. I've been spoiled by uTorrent with the RSS downloader plug-in so I imagine that I will be disappointed. But it is totally software dependant so there is hope for improvement. - Brian On Tue, Apr 8, 2008 at 3:33 PM, Bryan Seitz <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > On Tue, Apr 08, 2008 at 03:13:11PM -0400, Brian Weeden wrote: > > 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. > > Duh :) > > > 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. > > Cause it is likely that you don't have any hi def videos @ > 25Mbit. > > > 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. > > I wonder what the max bitrate h.264 it will play, I know the appletv plays > '720p' > as well, but @ <= 4Mbit which kinda sucks. Any details? Test any good 8G > blu ray rips? > > > 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. > > Hmmm interesting. Does bit torrent bog it down? > > > More than exceeds my expectations for $250. > > $179 in the US :) > > -- > > Bryan G. Seitz >
Re: [H] HTPC Replacement - Popcorn Hour
Actually, I take that back. Even BRD's maximum is less than 50mbit, wasn't thinking right. :) Greg > -Original Message- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:hardware- > [EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Brian Weeden > Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2008 2:13 PM > To: hardware@hardwaregroup.com > Subject: Re: [H] HTPC Replacement - Popcorn Hour > > 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
Re: [H] HTPC Replacement - Popcorn Hour
On Tue, Apr 08, 2008 at 03:13:11PM -0400, Brian Weeden wrote: > 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. Duh :) > 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. Cause it is likely that you don't have any hi def videos @ > 25Mbit. > 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. I wonder what the max bitrate h.264 it will play, I know the appletv plays '720p' as well, but @ <= 4Mbit which kinda sucks. Any details? Test any good 8G blu ray rips? > 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. Hmmm interesting. Does bit torrent bog it down? > More than exceeds my expectations for $250. $179 in the US :) -- Bryan G. Seitz
Re: [H] HTPC Replacement - Popcorn Hour
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 > > >
Re: [H] HTPC Replacement - Popcorn Hour
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
[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
