Looking for a streamer

Mayfair

Mayfair

Mayfair

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Joined
17 Aug 2010
Posts
654
Location
Essex
Hello all,

I've recently bought a new TV and I'm looking at getting a media streamer to stream all my movies to the new TV, But I'm not sure what media streamer will be best for my needs.

I have a little Linux server box that holds all my movies/videos connected to my network (gigabit lan) so I would need a media player that will connect to my network wired and be able to stream from the Linux box.

Also most of my content is .MKV's so it would need to support almost all MKV files but also support mostly any other common format, and also be able to play-back the HD content without any stutter(lag?)

It would also need to support 3D content (Mostly side-by-side MKV) since it will be connected to a 3D TV I would like it to play 3D Content.

It doesn't need to include any HDD's etc since as I've said, It will be solely used streaming from the server box.

I've been looking at the WD TV Live / Popcorn Hour A-300 / Popbox V8 and the HiMedia 900A but not sure what would be best for my needs, There maybe another media streamer that would better suit my needs that I've missed also.

I didn't want to spend over £100 really but If it's needed I can stretch (£150 max). Although cheaper the better.. But my motto is buy cheap, buy twice..

I also want to get my mother a media streamer for her front-room, It would need to do the same as I've stated above apart from the 3D content, As she doesn't have a 3D TV. Although I've got a strict budget of £80-100 for one for my mother.

Many thanks!
 
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Boxee box does 3d and is 158 on the rainforest, for your mums budget try the WD live, but it's no where near as user friendly as the boxee box
 
sHo0sH said:
Boxee box does 3d and is 158 on the rainforest, for your mums budget try the WD live, but it's no where near as user friendly as the boxee box
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After reading and watching a lot of videos on the Boxee box it seems perfect for what I need it to do!

So I've took the plunge and went for it after much thinking regarding the others I've looked into.

Will let you know how i get on with it and what my thoughts are on it, Going by everything I've read and watched about it, It looks to be perfect for what I need it to do.

Should be here tomorrow, Got it for £158.99 with next-day delivery.

Still debating one for my mother, Although if she likes the Boxee Box once it arrives we maybe able to up her budget and get it for her also.

Many thanks for your reply and suggestion sHo0sH!
 
Hi Mayfair, I read your post and it is exactly what I am also looking at I was looking at the newer version of the WDTV live but am keen to see your views on the Boxee box and how user friendly it is as I will have to try and get the wife to use it!>

looking forward to see how you get on with it and your views on it.
 
I've had one since launch and love it, have had a few teething probs along the way but it's been solid for a while now. Make sure you add the extra repositories, navi-x is awesome!
 
Hello all,

Sorry for the delay in posting been pretty busy.

It arrived Tuesday not even 15minutes(5 minutes of which I was setting up a boxee account) after getting it, I had it setup with all my movies/tv show content from my Linux server using SMB.

It is so easy and user friendly! The UI is very nice and sleek, It automatically identified my content and grabbed the cover / art work and details of the content, From around 100++ files I had to manually identify around 4 which is quite good IMO.

It has played back everything I have so far played, MKV's , AVI's etc it even lists .ISO's so I guess it will play these also! I am impressed in the amount of file types it plays!

All streaming from my Linux box using gigabit network, I have had not one bit of stutter / lag / buffering including playing 15GB MKV's, Even when you fast forward of these large files its instant as soon as you press play after forwarding there is no waiting for it to buffer and play which is very good!

I tried some 3D (SBS) content and it plays perfectly! Although I did have one slight issue with it ghosting / crosstalk? on 3D content. But after reading online I found the cause, When you first setup the box for the first time it asks you to move these 2 images in the corner of the screen and it does over-scan to get the best picture. Well with 3D content the over-scan needs to be at 0% or you will get ghosting/crosstalk after setting it to 0% it was perfectly fine!

I am that impressed with the box, I went ahead and ordered another for my mother since it is very user friendly and easy to use and it plays everything I have thrown at it so far. So that should be here in the next hour for me to go and setup for her :)

I would like to thank you sHo0sH for recommending it too me, Its just what I needed!

Slade2 said:
Hi Mayfair, I read your post and it is exactly what I am also looking at I was looking at the newer version of the WDTV live but am keen to see your views on the Boxee box and how user friendly it is as I will have to try and get the wife to use it!>

looking forward to see how you get on with it and your views on it.
Click to expand...

If your needs are the same as mine as you say, You cannot go wrong with the Boxee Box! It is very nice indeed.
 
Glad to know its hit the spot. Such a simple solution IMO.

Now make sure you get Navi-X on there and you will be laughing!
 
sHo0sH said:
Glad to know its hit the spot. Such a simple solution IMO.

Now make sure you get Navi-X on there and you will be laughing!
Click to expand...

Yeh I took your advise and installed Navi-X and wow so much free content!

No idea how they get away with it, But it is very nice indeed! Will come in handy I'm sure :p
 
Would you mind sending me a direct link to my trust mate ? You guys keep talking about this rainforest site but everytime I seem to search for it I get some different site selling something or another.
 
Does the Boxee box support refresh rate changing and automatically apply it...? For example if you played a film and it was made in 23.976fps and required 24hz refresh rate would the box detect that and switch the TV...?
 
Purgatory said:
Would you mind sending me a direct link to my trust mate ? You guys keep talking about this rainforest site but everytime I seem to search for it I get some different site selling something or another.
Click to expand...

Sure no problem mate, Will send direct link now.

Vimes said:
Does the Boxee box support refresh rate changing and automatically apply it...? For example if you played a film and it was made in 23.976fps and required 24hz refresh rate would the box detect that and switch the TV...?
Click to expand...

Yes there is an option in the settings to automatically set the refresh rate according to the video content being played.

Settings > General > Display

"Match screen refresh rate to video"

Hope this helps.
 
Vimes said:
Excellent and thanks for letting me know about the refresh rate changing :)
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Purgatory said:
Mayfair thanks mate. :)
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No problem :)

I'm sure if you do indeed get a boxee box, You won't be disappointed ;)

My mother's one just turned up..(20:00) by DPD, Although the hour window slot was 14:30 - 15:30 god knows why it was so late, but at least it's here now. Now time to go set it up for her :D
 
Has anyone tried .m2ts files on a boxee?

Edit: I see the official specs say it should play it.
 
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