[Cman333]

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

[beatdownvictim]

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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[MikeyStyle]

i have the popcorn hour a-200 (http://www.popcornhour.com/onlinestore/index.php?pluginoption=catalog&mainItemId=24) 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

[NimbeeTT]

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

[mos_skeeto]

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.

[twitchyzero]

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

[Narayan]

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

[nns]

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 (http://www.dlink.ca/boxee/)
You just have to convert most of the movies you DL
That alone would dissuade me from buying Apple TV. Not to mention Apple TV is only capable of 720p output.

[!MiKrofT]

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.

[way2quik]

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.

[SkinnyPupp]

I have some china branded box (http://www.himedia-tech.cn/en/product_show.php?id=23) 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.

[!MiKrofT]

I have some china branded box (http://www.himedia-tech.cn/en/product_show.php?id=23) 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-pivos-aios-hd-media-player-90-launch-promotion-1087164/

[SkinnyPupp]

Yup that's the one! lol

[Cman333]

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

[twitchyzero]

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

[Cman333]

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.

[Culverin]

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?

[JesseBlue]

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...

[trd2343]

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?)

[twitchyzero]

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

[FerrariEnzo]

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..

[terkan]

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 :(

[dinfung]

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 (http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=58244&vpn=SWP120A&manufacture=Warpia)

i am thinking just wireless my laptop over?

[Mr.HappySilp]

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

[Hondaracer]

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?

[trd2343]

PBO is discontinued. NCIX and MemoryExpress doesn't carry them anymore. I picked up the Pivos Aios, and so far, it's been great.

[terkan]

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?

the only media player that i can think of off the top of my head that have a web browser is the ps3 =\ it's actually not bad i run tversity on my computer to stream media to my ps3 to watch on tv.

as for what formats the media box plays i think is determined by what format ths firmware of the box supports.

[Hakkaboy]

+1 on the Pivos Aios, plays virtually everything including .flv, rmvb, etc

the only thing i don't like is it isn't very easy to setup shortcuts to your shares, etc, from using the remote alone

you need a pc + telnet :rukidding:

[FerrariEnzo]

+1 on the Pivos Aios, plays virtually everything including .flv, rmvb, etc

the only thing i don't like is it isn't very easy to setup shortcuts to your shares, etc, from using the remote alone

you need a pc + telnet :rukidding:

telnet... i dont think ive used anything that uses telnet... gotta read up on that

[JesseBlue]

the only media player that i can think of off the top of my head that have a web browser is the ps3 =\ it's actually not bad i run tversity on my computer to stream media to my ps3 to watch on tv.

as for what formats the media box plays i think is determined by what format ths firmware of the box supports.
the boxee box has it too...

[Gh0stRider]

thinking of picking up the Pivos Aios Network Media Player

$75 after MIR

not bad. specs look really good.

[twitchyzero]

kind of out of the loop since apple 2 came out
my parents want to buy and set up a slingbox in taiwan and get a boxee box here to stream the content over....that seems kind of overkill having 2 systems...is there a more cost effective way of doing this?

btw how's the pivos compared to roku/boxee/logitech revue?

[wasabisashimi]

What about the Roku 3? It looks like remote doubles as a Wii style controller.

[JesseBlue]

have a look at ouya, jynx box, the little black box, boxee box (for cheap)...

[nns]

Boxee Box is discontinued.

[JesseBlue]

buy it second hand..mine is still a gem...

[.Renn.Sport]

Apple TV and airplay everything thru Plex or other video streaming apps like PPS

[dink]

Do not get the Patriot Box Office alpine. This android based media player is crap

I have the original patriot Box Office Core which plays anything I throw at it. Besides the crappy interface it does the job. I also have a MK802 stick coming in the mail soon.

[!MiKrofT]

I'd probably look for something like a used Mac Mini then toss on XBMC

[GLOW]

anyone know if google chromecast will work in canada? would be using it soley for netflix

[JesseBlue]

Do not get the Patriot Box Office alpine. This android based media player is crap

I have the original patriot Box Office Core which plays anything I throw at it. Besides the crappy interface it does the job. I also have a MK802 stick coming in the mail soon.
part of the appeal for a media player IS the interface...openelec, xbmc, plex, boxee, etc...

hard to gauge on what is the best really...you have to decide on what appeals to you...currently for me, its the boxee box...have had it for 3 years... usb tv tuner, browser, auto scraper, apps...when one is close to it, then i will grab another one just in case boxee does something stupid with their servers

[JesseBlue]

anyone know if google chromecast will work in canada? would be using it soley for netflix
if you already have a laptop and just want the "easeness" of navigating, may i suggest a mele f10 remote...keyboard and air mouse in a remote package...you can even install xbmc/plex to get that sexy interface...

[GLOW]

no laptop unfortunately. just wanted a nice alternative than to having to boot up a ps3 each time and the chromecast at $35 looked like it would fill that need.

[JesseBlue]

It might not... How about a raspberry pi? That's if your willing to put a little but of an effort. Some are selling a complete set for about a hundred or so bux
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[fsy82]

Im getting the Popcorn Media Server C300 and the company gave me a list of compatible HDD. Im no computer tech so I was wondering from the list where could I get the best 3.5inch HDD.

C-300 Compatibility Lists - NMTWiki (http://www.networkedmediatank.com/wiki/index.php/C-300_Compatibility_Lists)

[Soundy]

I have a Pivos XIOS and I find it's a little odd to use, since being Android-based, the interface is oriented toward touchscreen inputs (flick, scroll, etc.), although it does work with a wireless mouse alright, and I found a couple other launchers that are better suited to mouse/remote control. XBMC for Android development is also done primarily on XIOS, so that's an option.

And then I have two Blu-Ray players with WiFi, a Sony and an LG, and both will play most of the stuff from my Synology DLNA server and its built-in Plex server, and both have apps like YouTube, Netflix, and a variety of others built-in. And since those are designed more around IR remote operation, they tend to be easier to use in a standard "TV watching" fashion. Both were fairly cheap (actually got each for about $100 worth of AirMiles), and both have 3D support (just need a 3DTV now). I've played movies off a flash drive plugged into the Sony, and I believe it will worth with a USB HDD too. Not sure about the LG... but with WiFi streaming, who cares?

[JesseBlue]

Look at the mele f10!
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[JunFan]

anyone have the roku 3? what do you think of it?

[shenmecar]

anyone know if google chromecast will work in canada? would be using it soley for netflix

I got a Chromecast from Best Buy in the states. I use it for Netflix too. Not a lot of apps supports Chromecast yet. Kinda sucks cuz its been months since it came out.

[grupyville]

Anyone try a Raspberry Pi or Cubieboard??

[bcrdukes]

Thread bump

Looking to see if anybody has any new suggestions and/or experiences.

I'm wanting to play mainly audio files (MP3/FLAC) on my stereo setup. I have an iPod connection directly into my amp but FLAC isn't supported on the iPod.