[Elect] AIOS HD Media Player Owners N Deals Thread: $75 (after $20 MIR)

[aasoror]

Updated 5/16

$20 MIR (VISA virtual ecard) for purchases till May 31.
Register here; http://pivos.myonlinerebate.com/

AIOS can be bought for:
NCIX: for $95.
Computers-Canada: $86
BestDirect: $95 SHIPPED
TigerDirect: $114
Mike's Computer shop: $80
Compu2000: $100

If people feel happy paying $80 for WDTV Live+, just check what you are missing here: BR ISO support with MENUs (non Java menus only), web browser support HTML5, HD-Audio downmix and pass-through, internal 3.5" HDD support, Gigabit, LCD screen, USB 3.0





Product Features
The AIOS HD Media Center is a robust networked media center supports Full-1080p HD media playback featuring a superior multi-format video and audio codec including AVI, MKV, TS, TP, MOV, AVI, MPEG, WMV, RMVB, FLV, XVID, DIVX, and most popular formats.
With a full range of video & audio outputs, the AIOS HD Media Center can connect to your TV or your receivers to enjoy crisp 1080p videos and surreal surround sound supporting DTS Digital Surround 5.1, Dolby?Digital AC3 5.1, Dolby?Digital plus 7.1, Dolby? TrueHD 7.1, AAC 7.1.
Support upto 4TB internal HDD with hot-plug drive system, built in SDHC/ MMC/MS Pro flash card reader and the latest USB 3.0 controller, the AIOS HD Media Center supports content playback from network storage, attached USB storage, flash storage, digital cameras, digital camcorder and etc.
Intuitive user interface allows user check hardware status such as network connectivity, wifi signal, hard drive capacity and other functions. Newly introduced file browser supports functions such as movie wall, video thumbnails, photo slides, music players, and various customized playlist and photo album functions.
Based on latest Gigabit network technology and optional 802.11n, AIOS HD Media Center can let you easily access the premium functions such as PC-Less BitTorrent download, your favorite apps such as Google Talk messenger, Youtube, Picasa, Flickr, Shoutcast, Video Pod Cast, and hundreds of internet video & audio contents. The best yet, we¡¯ve throw in the latest HTML5 web browser into the mix which can allow you surf the web at your heart¡¯s content.

Technical Details
Gigabit Network Ready
DTS, Dolby True HD, 5.1/ 7.1 surround
SATA HDD ready, Optional 802.11n wifi
Built in HTML 5 Web Broswer






The following N-adapters are compatible with the AIOS:
- PTGNANUSB Pivos
- AWLL6075 Airlink101
- AWLL5077 Airlink101
- Patriot PCBOWAU2-N
- DLINK DWA-130 HW version E1
- DLINK DWA-131
- Rokland's
- Zonet ZEW2546
- dealextreme branded (2R1T)
- dealextreme branded (1R1T)
- monoprice branded
- meritline branded
- TEW-648UB (Rev 1.0)
- TEW-649UB (Rev 1.0)
- Asus USB-N10
- Belkin F5D8053 (v. 5000/6000)

The following wireless Realtek chipsets are compatible with the AIOS (11N8709, RTL8187 and RTL8191SU)

PANIC RECOVERY:
1) Download the latest firmware file
2) Unzip and copy “INSTALL.IMG” file to the ROOT directory of a USB pen drive e.g. P:\install.img (assuming P is the drive letter for pen drive).
3) Do not turn on the Media Center
4) Connect the pen drive to the AIOS HD Media Center.
5) Set the REAR power switch to the OFF position and then Press the front Power Button for 5 seconds.
6) Turn ON the rear power switch while continue holding down the front Power Button for 5 more seconds.
7) Release the front power button.
8) Your TV MAY immediately turn black during the process. Please make sure DO NOT power off the AIOS HD Media Center and DO NOT REMOVE the pen drive.
*Note: to view the update process if your TV turns black, connect the composite cable should display the process.
9) Firmware update should take about 2-3 minutes and the Media Center should reboot after the process is finished.

- Official AIOS support forums
- Official AIOS product page
- AIOS wiki
- Semiofficial firmwares
- How to: Bookmark Network Folder
- Movie Jukebox for the AIOS
- Simple Movie wall and Share Bookmarks
- How to create a custom AIOS skin
- How to: Installing Midnight Commander (mc) on AIOS

[aasoror]

My amazon review (please take the time to rate/comment)

Packaging:
Nicely double backed, high end looking design with flashing logos thrown on every side of the box.



Unboxing:
How much would a 3' HDMI cable add to the cost of this box ? around the same price of any of the included cables
Manual is exceptionally well written for this class of devices.
There is a quick installation guide too, which *interestingly* claims a USB webcam support !!



The device:
Nice metal casing, not flashy and would easily fit within a typical home theater setup.
LCD screen ? such a disappointingly tiny display especially with such an empty front (which contains nothing beside the power button). You could easily fit a 2/3 lines display on the front of this player.
The box is considerably big (due to the supported 3.5" HDD), see below how it compares to a PBO and a standard slime external drive.



Remote control:
This is most thing I hate about this box. Not only isn't unjustifiably big, but also the button placement makes absolutely no sense, compare with the PBO to envy the PBO owners
And whats with the unused buttons ?! the manual said the 4 buttons are for the DTV model. Why they heck should a remote for a device has buttons for some yet to be release device, especially that the remote is not a universal one.



Firmware:
I wont elaborate that much into this, there has already been one firmware released beside the one that is shipped with the box. There is also a new firmware that is promised tomorrow. So I will just highlight two main points and keep the full review for the new firmware.
1. BR-ISO (50GB) works beautifully over GB network (resides on a modest DNS-321), no stutter, pauses, smooth as silk and full menu support too.
2. (Didn't test bitstreaming) But DTS-MA does work from the ISO, but doesn't work on MKV (though the display button shows DTS-5.1 for both files). This must be a bug, as the firmware setting menu has an option for DTS-HD (7.1/5.1 core).
3. Logitech wifi mouse worked without a problem.

To put it in a nutshell (IMHO) for those who already own a PBO, here is where the AIOS shines:
- If you have many ripped BRs (direct copy), the PBO will only play the longest track unless you go and individually select the streams. This is a worthy upgrade.
- If you have an HDD that you want to load, you can now load "over the network" in reasonable rates. This is a worthy upgrade.
- If you think the GUI 2.0 on the ACRBO is cool but too laggy for your taste, GUI 2.0 is very smooth on the AIOS. This is a worthy upgrade.
- If you are stuck with SD (composite) on your EDTV with the PBO, the AIOS has component port for your EDTV (480p). This is a worthy upgrade.
- If you want to watch YT-XL or have interest in logging to facebook from your big screen TV.
- If you are like me an early PBO adopter and hate your inability to bitstream HD-Audio, AIOS can bitstream HD-Audio without a problem. This is a worthy upgrade.
- If you are sick of PM support (or lack of) for the PBO, pivos is a new player with a single product to sell, so currently that's their bread and butter, so its not unreasonable to expect some serious development (on the firmware side).


To sum up, the AIOS is one step up the PBO in every single direction, but whether it would make a difference for you depends on your current usage.

For those who don't own a PBO and are willing to pay $89.99 for WDTV Live+, better think twice

p.s. I hate the remote, they must have paid someone to purposely mess it up, there is no way you can do so many placement mistakes in any single remote control (beside tossing a coin for button functionality assignment).

Thats all for now, more to come after the update.





Custom firmwares anyone ?



Semiofficial firmware ?



















Check the AIOS wiki linked in my signature below.
Enjoy,

[nicknam4e]

I own 2 PBO Patriot, and I'm looking for a Dune Player but for the price I think I'll try this unit

[mapleleafs89]

Price seems great for what you get hardware wise.

Ill be curious to see the software end of it.

[aasoror]

Price seems great for what you get hardware wise.

Ill be curious to see the software end of it.

Its based on the RT GUI 2.0 interface, so for anyone familiar with the PBO ACRBO firmware its comparable.

[arm2000]

Wow, impressive specs and price, a Boxee on steroids at half price although lack of netflix support maye be a deal killer for many.

[audiodrive]

customer review...

http://www.amazon.com/Media-Center-G...DateDescending

i'm in a market for my first media box and this looks like a nice price. anyone with experience with this player? Thanks

[Loomy]

Is this currently the best RT1073 media player for sub $100?

I see a small fan hole in a chinese box and get worried. I hear the noise already.

[ASharp]

Is this currently the best RT1073 media player for sub $100?

No, it is not because it uses the Realtek 1185 chipset.

[reggielist]

If people feel happy paying $80 for WDTV Live+, just check what you are missing here:

man, this thing looks amazingggggggggggggggggggggg

3.5 hard drive slot... usb 3.0

wowwwwww

[Binary Pants]

I might have been all over this if it supported 3D.

[aasoror]

Wow, impressive specs and price, a Boxee on steroids at half price although lack of netflix support maye be a deal killer for many.

Its not quite comparable to boxee, main thing is there is no real time data scrapping, you just use Thumbgen to create the sheets (typical drill for the PBO owners).

i'm in a market for my first media box and this looks like a nice price. anyone with experience with this player? Thanks

me me me ..

I see a small fan hole in a chinese box and get worried. I hear the noise already.

Nope not noisy at all.

[aasoror]

I might have been all over this if it supported 3D.

If you have a compatible TV, it does support SBS and TnB 3D, as long as the resolution of both frames are less than 1080p

[Cisco KId]

I might have been all over this if it supported 3D.

3d fail

[rui]

If you already have a media player(1074),don't waste your money,1186 is coming,a little bit pricy,but will be fall early next year,I thought this one might using 1185,a little bit better than 1073.
Firmware is king for those media players on the market.