HTPC for movies only please

Gregster

Gregster

Gregster

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Essex innit!
Hi guys,

Forgive my ignorance but I am clueless when it comes to a small build and what I need. Basically I am after a small case that is very quiet and will be remote operated and used purely for watching my DVDs that I have converted to AVI files. I can build anything big specced but just don't have a clue on what I need for a media PC.

Thanks in advance :)
 
get a popcorn hour, less hassle, great picture, will do 3D and play nearly every format under the sun, i have the a210 with built in 2TB hdd, its connected to my network so i can just transfer files from my pc to it. Fantastic bit of kit

the new a400 is due very soon and is meant to be an improvement on a already great product

some vids here, tempted myself now for the new one http://www.avforums.com/forums/streamers-network-media-players/1675094-popcornhour-a400.html
 
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a400 yep all of them including 3D bluray iso's, all other models will play every other format.
i have some 3D sbs files and it plays flawlessly.

models a300 and above have the faster processors, so there the ones to have or wait few more weeks for the a400.

They all take standard 3.5" HDD's and are easy to install.
the picture quality is great and my pc cannot compete in that area against a tiny little box!!


think i can post this as there not a competitor http://www.popcornhour.com/onlinestore/index.php?pluginoption=catalog&mainItemId=55
bought mine from the long river in south america
 
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Nickolp1974 said:
a400 yep all of them including 3D bluray iso's, all other models will play every other format.
i have some 3D sbs files and it plays flawlessly.

models a300 and above have the faster processors, so there the ones to have or wait few more weeks for the a400.

They all take standard 3.5" HDD's and are easy to install.
the picture quality is great and my pc cannot compete in that area against a tiny little box!!
Click to expand...

I am sold and reading through, it doesn't have Cinavia which is what was worrying me ;)

On the Chrimbo list you go and it will be the A-400 :)

Cheers again bro :)
 
oh and one handy thing i didn't tell you.

when the kids ask can i watch a film on there lappy/pc just tap in the password and they can stream it direct from the PCH over wifi, upto 720p is fine unless they have wireless N which is good for 1080p ;)
 
That A400 looks promising. Ive been using a boxee box since launch and its served me well but development has stopped and the menu is a bit sluggish.

Will be waiting till early next year before I purchase, was hoping Oyna was going to be out by then but its all still very hazy.
 
Nickolp1974 said:
oh and one handy thing i didn't tell you.

when the kids ask can i watch a film on there lappy/pc just tap in the password and they can stream it direct from the PCH over wifi, upto 720p is fine unless they have wireless N which is good for 1080p ;)
Click to expand...

Handy to know cheers :)
 
Yeah I saw that also. Been reading all I can on the A-400 as a replacement to my Boxee box and im still not sold to be honest. The NMJ interface looks OK but I wouldnt say it was a big improvement over Boxee's movie layout. Plus it seems to be missing the likes of Netflix and lovefilm of which I both have.

I guess the wait goes on, I cant believe in this day and age there isnt a little box with a bit of grunt to run 1080p through plex or xbmc, and has access to Netflix, love film and some of the apps I like to watch like revision3.
 
kidloco said:
Yeah I saw that also. Been reading all I can on the A-400 as a replacement to my Boxee box and im still not sold to be honest. The NMJ interface looks OK but I wouldnt say it was a big improvement over Boxee's movie layout. Plus it seems to be missing the likes of Netflix and lovefilm of which I both have.

I guess the wait goes on, I cant believe in this day and age there isnt a little box with a bit of grunt to run 1080p through plex or xbmc, and has access to Netflix, love film and some of the apps I like to watch like revision3.
Click to expand...

Surely a m-itx pc system in a small case would be ideal?
 
saitrix said:
Surely a m-itx pc system in a small case would be ideal?
Click to expand...

Tried that route a few years ago mate. Sometimes it worked OK, others it didnt, also had the issues with maintaining any proper PC. And it wasnt to missus friendly either.

Would prefer a simple 1 box solution but if nothing comes out in the next 3-6 months then building another htpc seems like my only option.
 
kidloco said:
Tried that route a few years ago mate. Sometimes it worked OK, others it didnt, also had the issues with maintaining any proper PC. And it wasnt to missus friendly either.

Would prefer a simple 1 box solution but if nothing comes out in the next 3-6 months then building another htpc seems like my only option.
Click to expand...

+1 too this

1 box solutions are so much easier and mrs friendly! And with my popcorn i find the picture quality better than my 2k pc, for me what lets them down a bit are the clunky interface for things like you tube etc, but as a media player for me theres no contest and i love my pc's
 
Well after doing a fair bit of reading, and watching a few vids I've decided to give the a400 a miss for now. Just don't like the os, and it still looks a bit choppy. Sure it will mature.

I stuck xbmc on my laptop for another play and I think it's the way I want to go. There are so many USB mini pcs bursting on the scenes right now, Pivos xios and the android g box looked very promising. The one issue being I need optical out as I don't fancy replacing my AV just now.

Whilst reading on avforums I came across the pulse-eight pre built systems. They are doing a 50% discount on their barebones system right now. I have some memory lying around and a decent sized USB stick to use as the drive. Feedback on the unit seems pretty good, going to stick openelec running xbmc on it. I'm still not 100% sure if its going to replace my boxee box, but for price I thought it was worth a punt. Plus I have 7 days to play with it and return it for a full refund if I'm not happy.
 
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kidloco said:
Yeah I saw that also. Been reading all I can on the A-400 as a replacement to my Boxee box and im still not sold to be honest. The NMJ interface looks OK but I wouldnt say it was a big improvement over Boxee's movie layout. Plus it seems to be missing the likes of Netflix and lovefilm of which I both have.

I guess the wait goes on, I cant believe in this day and age there isnt a little box with a bit of grunt to run 1080p through plex or xbmc, and has access to Netflix, love film and some of the apps I like to watch like revision3.
Click to expand...

PS3? (+PS3 Media Server)

Dont use mine for gaming anymore but still use it all the time for watching movies/tv shows from PC.
Plays every format, 1080p etc
Only problem is cinavia. But not run into any cinavia titles for a while.
No need for external HDD or mem sticks just watch it direct from PC via PS3 media server.
Also, has lovefilm, iplayer etc
 
Matd80 said:
PS3? (+PS3 Media Server)

Dont use mine for gaming anymore but still use it all the time for watching movies/tv shows from PC.
Plays every format, 1080p etc
Only problem is cinavia. But not run into any cinavia titles for a while.
No need for external HDD or mem sticks just watch it direct from PC via PS3 media server.
Also, has lovefilm, iplayer etc
Click to expand...

Tried that and it does work, its just the interface is horrible. Browsing through folders is not for me. Shame theres no PS3 plex or xbmc app, that would be quite something.

Ive gone and bought a replacement to the boxee box now anyway. Another stop gap until the perfect device comes out. oh and another toy to play with:D

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18465037
 
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