Patriot Box Office vs Asus O!Play vs WDTV Live

[Jon Lai]

How's the interface on this Popbox?

I'm looking for "client" units that can stream from a server I have set up, playing mainly MKV and RMVB files up to 1080p, with at least 5.1 DTS output. A year ago I gave the WDTV Live a try but I found it extremely difficult to navigate to network shares, and there were also minor problems getting Chinese Unicode to show up in titles. I'm personally used to HTPC software interfaces, such as XBMC, GBPVR, etc.

What's the best solution? Is the Apple TV a good alternative? I don't mind paying $200 if it means it gets the job done, as it's still cheaper than buying a computer for the purpose. Should I wait for the Dlink Boxee?

[edgarb]

Another possible media player could be a compact desktop running xbmc for windows, it seems to have a good amount of options

http://xbmc.org/

[Jon Lai]

Popbox has been updated: http://www.popbox.com/

Amazon.com (available only in the US for now, but you can obviously ship it to a holding station at the border too):

$149 Wireless: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003BYRQO0
$129 Wired: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003BYRQNQ

I saw older pictures on Afterdawn and it had a Coax output instead of Optical - did they change that, or are there two different versions? I much prefer Coax over optical.

[newt_101]

Popbox just announced that the upcoming Popbox WILL have a YouTube app!

[lead]

How's the interface on this Popbox?

I'm looking for "client" units that can stream from a server I have set up, playing mainly MKV and RMVB files up to 1080p, with at least 5.1 DTS output. A year ago I gave the WDTV Live a try but I found it extremely difficult to navigate to network shares, and there were also minor problems getting Chinese Unicode to show up in titles. I'm personally used to HTPC software interfaces, such as XBMC, GBPVR, etc.

What's the best solution? Is the Apple TV a good alternative? I don't mind paying $200 if it means it gets the job done, as it's still cheaper than buying a computer for the purpose. Should I wait for the Dlink Boxee?

on the realtek based models you'll have to telenet in to an exact folder to begin its browsing shortcut. otherwise it'll begin at the server volumes. otherwise i can't say for the pbo but the oplay got a firware upgrade for 1080p rvmb, the wdtv no support.

[Sgt_Strider]

Does anyone here know if the PBO supports M2TS files with chapters?

[Sgt_Strider]

How's the interface on this Popbox?

I'm looking for "client" units that can stream from a server I have set up, playing mainly MKV and RMVB files up to 1080p, with at least 5.1 DTS output. A year ago I gave the WDTV Live a try but I found it extremely difficult to navigate to network shares, and there were also minor problems getting Chinese Unicode to show up in titles. I'm personally used to HTPC software interfaces, such as XBMC, GBPVR, etc.

What's the best solution? Is the Apple TV a good alternative? I don't mind paying $200 if it means it gets the job done, as it's still cheaper than buying a computer for the purpose. Should I wait for the Dlink Boxee?

I heard XBMC is a good to use for an HTPC. Any reason why you gave up on that route and want to go with a different hardware solution?

[googoo]

OK guys silly question, I was looking at one of these and with the lack out high def audio what does it offer over my BD-390 blu-ray player?? I can already stream Utube, I can use the USB for a external drive, and can stream from my computer??

I'd like to get one, but is it work the money??

Thanks
Brent

[ppl4golf]

OK guys silly question, I was looking at one of these and with the lack out high def audio what does it offer over my BD-390 blu-ray player?? I can already stream Utube, I can use the USB for a external drive, and can stream from my computer??

I'd like to get one, but is it work the money??

Thanks
Brent

If your LG can reliably stream HD stuff, I'd rather use it instead as I do like to stream my ripped HD discs with the best possible quality for both audio and video.

These gadgets are a lot cheaper, probably plays more formats than your BD player.

[ClubberLang]

I am returning an Asus Oplay! for a wdtv live. I loved the Oplay, but ran into two problems.

1-couldn't find a way to disable subtitles by default. I had to disable them each time I played a file. It was annoying

2-When switching from playing 5.1 mkv videos, to 2 channel stereo MP3's my receiver would not get the signal. I had to change from SPDIF RAW to SPDIF LPCM each time. Also annoying.

[googoo]

These gadgets are a lot cheaper, probably plays more formats than your BD player.

Yeah, hadn't thought about about the huge amount of formats these boxes play, I'll have to look into that, though I don't tend to download much other than the RARE .mkv file.

Thanks
Brent

[sunjwd]

Well I got the repeater and tried it. Same problem: PBO logo screen then link lost. Didn't work so too bad.

I updated my Box Office firmware from P02 to the P05 that came out this month after reports about fixed HDMI issues on the Patriot forums.

Lo and behold my Toshiba 37RV52RZ can now work with my Box Office
over HDMI, even up to 1080p. I was ok with using composite, butnow
very happy with the Box Office.

[dasurge]

If I have the following criteria (most important to least), what would be the best player for me, if any one fits them all?

Criteria:

• Has both HDMI and composite output
• Can stream video/audio from a NAS
• Has both wireless and wired connections (preferably without add ons)
• Can play content from an SD card
• Nice UI
• Quiet

What would you suggest given that list? (This is for the bedroom so a full htpc wouldn't work in that environment for me).

Thanks!

[torseller07]

@dasurge.

I say WDTV Live. It doesn't have wireless connection nor SD card reader, but you can add one. It fulfills all your requirements except the two I mentioned.

[sleepyguy]

I've been using the Asus R1 now for about 3 months. FANTASIC little unit. I'm gonna pick up another one for the bedroom and just retire my HTPC (I game so little on it anyway).

Anyone use the 27 firmware for the R1 yet? I'm still on the previous and haven't had any issues. Picture looks spot-on from what I can see. 50inch 1080p plasma via HDMI. -sg