My new media player just arrived

One More Solo said:
Aside from optical, what else does the Premium offer? One thing I want is to use my Logitech 600 to control my media player, is the PulseBox easy to setup with IR or bluetooth (I have an IR2BT converter)?
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The only differences are the premium has optical and takes sodim memory instead of full size.


Here are the boards they use

basic board they use: http://www.sapphiretech.com/presentation/product/?cid=2&gid=1047&sgid=1045&pid=1143&psn=&lid=1&leg=0

premium board they use: http://www.sapphiretech.com/presentation/product/?cid=2&gid=1047&sgid=1045&pid=1034&psn=&lid=1&leg=0
 
One More Solo said:
Thanks for that, really helpful.

Can you remotely switch these things on via IR/bluetooth? Not a massive issue but I like having everything working remotely. :D
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I havent worked out how to do it yet if you can. But then this is my first play with a linux platform, or even a xbmc system. I saw a few plugins that sound like they do that kind of thing but I havent tried to play with them. I have to get up to switch on my hard drive caddy so its no bother for me to power on manually at the same time.
 
EvilFranky said:
I'm liking the look of this unit.

What's the power usage like? I looked on their site but couldn't see anything??

It's not 'cheap' so to speak and would appear that you need to buy the controller separately?
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Not to sure to be honest mate. It uses a tiny external power brick, so I cant see it being that much.

And yes you will need a way to control it. You could just a standard usb keyboard to get everything running then use the phone app to control it. There is ios and Android and it works a treat. Or buy yourself the motoroll, Rii keyboard or that HDMI-CEC adapter thing. Ive just ordered one.
 
Well my HDMI-CEC adaptor just arrived. Plugged it in and gave it a whirl. It picked it up straight away. Works with the Panasonic TV remote just fine, the only button I cant seem to find is the 'i' on the keyboard, which when viewing movie art brings up the info on the film, play trailer etc. Shame as thats quite a useful function.

It doesnt work when I use the SKY remote in TV mode at all, which is how I control my TV 99.9% of the time. Going to email support and see if they can advise on the info button, If not I will prob return it as I have a rii mini keyboard that does everything
 
Ringiho said:
I am seriously tempted by one of these after a partially failed project with a RPi.

Have you had any issues with it? Show stoppers mainly :)
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Been using quite a bit and so far im really liking it. The only issues I have with it are;

1: I have the unit in a hi-fi cabinet, with a glass door. The case is solid aluminum and is deigned to act as a heatsink but with the door closed it does get warm to the touch. I was worried about the temps as XBMC was reporting around 80deg. I emailed Pulse Eight this is there response

While users do tend to state that they are concerned by the CPU temperatures, we do not, the CPU has a peak operating temperature of 110degrees, and the case is used as an additional heat sink.​

Not sure on what there saying, I would never let a CPU of mine run that hot. Its defo a case issue as when I remove the lid of the case the thing will sit at 60deg all day long. Im looking at adding a slightly larger silent fan just to put my mind at ease.

2: When some movies start playing I get a click of static through the speakers. Im sure it wont damage the speakers but I turn it down for a second anyway. The next version of XBMC has a totally rebuilt audio engine so hoping that this will go with the next update.


Other then those 2 little issues I dont have anything other then praise for it. For the cash it really is a steal.
 
Just put Openelec 3.0 beta 5 on it, which is xbmc 12 (frodo) rc1. Installed without a hitch and everything works a treat. No more sound spike when I start a film either.
 
oxygene said:
So just to sum up, am I right in thinking:
You can install any OS on this like any normal pc? (Ie Win 7)
It streams or locally plays full 1080p HD without issue?
It comes with the psu?
All I need to provide is ram and a hd?
If you lick it, it tastes of strawberries?


The main reason I ask about Win7 is my current bulky htpc I'm used to using media browser with a remote control phone app...
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You can install any OS on this like any normal pc? (Ie Win 7)
Correct, cant vouch for how great it is running win7, I use Openelec and it boots in 10 secs off a USB thumb drive.

It streams or locally plays full 1080p HD without issue?
Yes, I have all my films stored on a 4x2tb external drive caddy, connected by USB. I have tested plugging it in to my router and streaming the same content and it worked great like that also. Some of my files are 40gb+ blu ray ISOs as well as the standard 1080p 8gb mkv rips

It comes with the psu?
Yes

All I need to provide is ram and a hd?
Yes, I just stuck a single stick of 4gb in mine, and im using a 32gb Sandisk cruz usb stick for the hard drive.

If you lick it, it tastes of strawberries?
Havent tried so cant comment on this one :p
 
People are far from happy with the new popcorn hour a400. Check out the thread on avforums. I nearly bought one, glad I didn't.

Mede8tor 600 is getting rave reviews. Plays anything, the UI is ok but still not as nice as xbmc. If I were you I would get this as the pulse box doesn't pass through dts-hd. Not a problem for me as my amp doesn't.
 
I was told by some bloke on another forum that it is hardware. No way I can test though as my amp doesn't support them.

Edit. Though some people are saying its just not possible on the Linux build of xbmc which is what I use. If you stuck windows on it then it has the drivers.
 
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If I get really bored this weekend I might stick a spare SSD I have in it and see if it is any better but like snow patrol, even with around 1,000 films it nice and smooth.

Snow patrol, how are your temps? I know the case is supposed to act as a giant heat sink but it still bugs me how hot it gets. Never crashes though even when left on playing films all day.
 
That seems to be about the norm for these mate. Which I like you think is rather to toasty. I emailed Pulse support and asked them about this and they said

While users do tend to state that they are concerned by the CPU temperatures, we do not, the CPU has a peak operating temperature of 110degrees, and the case is used as an additional heat sink.

If you wish to improve the ventilation without drilling holes, orientate the case 90 degrees so the heat rises out of the side vents.
​


Dont really want to start modding the case but I did swap the fan to a Moiseblocker from OCUK and also added a second fan internally to help get rid of the air quicker. The noiseblocker fans are very nice and quiet. My temps tend to stay around 65-70 now unless the hi fi cabinet door is closed then it will go up to 80. I do have rather allot of warm gear in there though.

Not sure as to why it could have been unresponsive. The thing boots so quick I never leave it on when not in use. Also, what version of OpenElec are you running? The latest Frodo release is nice and stable on mine.
 
relocating the front USB should be easy. Pop the lid and its a little board mounted to the front panel.

You cant update to frodo from the version you have I dont think. There isnt a Pulse version out yet as technically the latest version of openelec is the RC not the final final release. I just downloaded the Fusion version off the openelec website and started from scratch. Installation only takes 5 mins but as you say, setting up sources is a pain.

If you have everything working nicely mate then leave it on the version you have.
 
Yep, that does look nice but 2 problems

1: as you say it's still not released. Maybe signs they are having issues with it in such a dinky fanless case.

2: it doesn't have optical out for sound. This is a must for me.
 
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