Media Player Questions
 

Those of you that are using a media player (hardware) which model are you using?

I'm thinking of the Patriot Box. Any comments or complaints about it? Or is there another one out there that better or plays more formats?

Kind of confusing because sometimes media players are <$99, and then some are like $200+

Thanks

Got an ASus oplay 2 years ago love that thing flashed it and bought a cheap USB n card, plays everything I throw at it
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i have the popcorn hour a-200 and i'm not too pleased with it

originally i had wanted to set the device up to access my media server to stream files but it was such a hassle to setup. even transferring files between devices is such a bothersome with it. i would not recommend anyone to buy it. i wish i could return it

on the plus side.. it's played almost every file format i've thrown at it except one

We got the patriot box from NCIX when it was on sale last month. It's been working great :)

My wd tv plays everything I throw at it. It's around 100 bucks. For me the most important feature of a media player is file-type compatibility.

patriot box office is a great bang for the buck...got it on sale for ~$40 after MIR

I have 2 apple tv's and other then the limited formats that it plays they work really well.

You just have to convert most of the movies you DL

I use a Boxee Box by Dlink. $200. Go to this page, and click "Compare Boxee" to compare with other players: BOXEE BOX By D-Link
That alone would dissuade me from buying Apple TV. Not to mention Apple TV is only capable of 720p output.

WDTV Live. Also on sale at Costco for $89.

Patriot the default interface is kinda bleh but it's a good deal for the hardware.

WDTV Live Plus here. I probably could have saved a few bucks if I went with just the Live as I do not use Netflix.
PBO and the Pivos plays RMVB files if that matters.

If you are a huge anime fan, I don't think any media player supports styled subs, just the plain white bold subtitles.

I have some china branded box and it is actually kinda awesome. Plays EVERYTHING you can imagine, and the inputs are crazy - internal HDD, external SATA (supporting HDD or any optical drive you want) USB 3.0 (you can also plug a wifi adapter into it), ethernet, SD reader, etc. I got one with a built in tuner. I think it cost about $150. It uses a Realtek chip like most of them, not the latest one though.

It also has a Youtube browser (and various china video services I don't use) and a bittorrent downloader, but I never use that. I got the one with a terrestrial HD tuner, so I use it as a PVR (my wife likes to watch all those stupid TVB shows)

The non tuner one would be about $100, so if you know anyone over here it might be worth considering. No Netflix though. I'm pretty happy with it, even if the interface kinda sucks.

No need to import. A similar one is now available at NCIX without the tuner:

http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=64162

More details from RFD: http://forums.redflagdeals.com/ncix-...otion-1087164/

Yup that's the one! lol

I got the WDTV Live.... Was $67

Seems to work fine and the interface isn't as ugly as the PBO.

Quite a few people complained about the remote on the PBO which kind of steered me away from it.

Thanks for everyones feedback

i'd figure someone like you would probably own a harmony remote :)

Don't temp me haha.

I had the 1000, but didn't use it much and it was so expensive so just sold it to a friend for cost. I found it quicker to just turn whatever on, rather than scroll thru the screens, then sometimes things get outta sync or lag or you scrolled too fast, etc etc. Oh and didn't support PS3, have to spend MORE money to make it work.

I'm used to having so many remotes now. Just seems quicker for me to turn on tv, reciever and whatever source.

I find Harmonys are more for the technology challenge. Or people that want the cool factor.

So if my computer is the one running everything, and it is what hosts all me media on it. Why would I want this?

Am I assuming that this is if I want my computer in 1 room, then have my TV all the way across the house?

i have a boxee box and used to have a wdtv (original) that is now being used only for long trips (in the van)...

Never looked back since...its being used everyday and the best thing about is airplay with ios device...

Quick question is there a difference in quality between playing a file on an external harddrive vs on a harddrive that is directly connected to the media player? (ie lag?)

if you meant through usb or esata then no the difference should be negligible.

my parents bought the WD few years ago.. it was great.. it wasnt the live version... it didnt play rmvb files...

then i told them to change it to the Asus Oplay... that was a bit better as it played rmvb files..

i got my asus oplay onsale for 49.99 does everything i need it to do.. only issue with all these media player.. the remote seems to be on the same frequency code as the shaw cable box -.- so everytime i turn on my cable box i turn the media player on too :(

anyone try one of this?
Warpia StreamHD 1080p Wireless PC to TV Display Adapter 5.1 Channel Audio for Windows XP/VISTA/WIN7 - Warpia - SWP120A

i am thinking just wireless my laptop over?

got the Patriot box. Parents are pretty happy with it. Interfence seems a bit slow though but is pretty cheap.

so what determines what format these things play?

is it the computer they are running off, if that computer has the Codecs or is it determined by the box?

also is there any decent one that has a web browser?