http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/ Engadget HD Comments for Ask Engadget HD: What's the best HD media streamer? http://hd.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://hd.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/Jun 11th 2008 12:10PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/Jun 11th 2008 1:53PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/Jun 11th 2008 12:17PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/Jun 11th 2008 12:18PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/Jun 11th 2008 1:28PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/That's why I have a PS3 & a Denon AVR-4308CI. The Denon can do all the home automation and even includes a DLNA server.

My PS3 can pause, FF and RW video (no skip that I know of, but I only use commercial free content). My HD cable box has skip (After hacking it).

Once think where the PS3 beats the XBox 360 - no RRoD. :-D Oh, and the PS3 is on average 10293828438289329129x quieter.

I used to have an XBox 360. Actually I had 3, all RRoD'd. So I bought a PS3 and haven't had a problem since.

]]>Jun 11th 2008 5:07PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/
What are you talking about? Do you actually own a 360 or are you just spotting whatever comes to mind?

The Xbox 360, unequivocally, does NOT play mpeg 2 or h.264. And the offical XBox web site even says that. I have one and I tried anyway. It sure don't! Have any VOBs or DVD ISOs (all native mpeg 2)? Those don't work either.

I'm not impressed with the PS3 support for mpeg 2 either.

Sheesh, I'm so tired of people spotting "what something has" when it clearly doesn't. Every article, blog post, webcast is full of this crap. "XBox does all this great, magical stuff". Um, no... it's doesn't]]>Jun 25th 2008 2:46PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/Jun 11th 2008 12:18PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/
God awful interface, though.]]>Jun 11th 2008 12:19PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/
Place a pre-order at:
http://www.popcornhour.com/onlinestore/]]>Jun 11th 2008 12:20PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/
Other problems were inability to run Yougle with YouTube, and the inability to output audio and video to multiple simultaneous sources (I have a coax system right now that modulates a composite video source throughout the house on channel 66 - with the xbox I couldn't go out to HDMI AND composite video.)

Enter the new DLink 750. After playing with it for one hour, I have to say I'm impressed. I'm using a wired network and HDMI connection to my TV. So far it's handling multiple outputs fine. It looks like it wants to run YouTube videos, though I'm still doubtful (given that the Yougle author said that extenders can't run flash). The stock remote control is comfortable and responsive, though I'm getting ready to set up a Harmony 880 ($100 at TigerDirect thru today).

Like I said, my experience is minimal but the only trouble I've had is getting the Sony HDTV and the box to wake up via HDMI with corresponding resolutions. Also I unplugged the DLink box when rearranging thing and plugged it back in. I had to re-setup the link to Windows Media Center. Is this going to happen every time the power goes off? That's a pain.

Finally, though the unit has a large footprint, it is very thin and silent. Menus are not rendered to quite the resolution the XB360 did, but they are very good. Animation through menu items is not as good, but it certainly doesn't feel like there is any lag.]]>Jun 11th 2008 12:49PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/Jun 11th 2008 12:28PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/Jun 11th 2008 3:30PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/
But....
Playstation 3 + small PC w/ Win XP Pro, TVersity & Miro. All in all, it could be had for under $700 total investment.]]>Jun 11th 2008 12:54PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/Jun 11th 2008 1:32PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/Jun 11th 2008 3:58PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/Jun 11th 2008 4:04PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/Jun 11th 2008 7:17PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/Jun 11th 2008 1:36PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/Reasons:
Handles any content you throw at it with ease and great PQ
Silent - no fan
Easy Setup
Upgradable since its functionality is software based (SageTV)

Drawbacks:
Requires SageTV so yeah you have to learn HTPC's
Doesn't have a DVD Drive on it, but neither does most other media streamers
No active USB port...

Still, if you're willing to learn how to set up SageTV, the SageTV HD100 is the best in my book....]]>Jun 11th 2008 1:37PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/
Other than that, the PS3 is an excellent choice.]]>Jun 11th 2008 1:48PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/
So the Mac mini to the TV is currently the only way to stream/playback these files, and the c2d 1.83Ghz and GMA950 won't do anything above 720p. AppleTV is too limited, and the Popcorn Hour A-100 lacks optical output, so I'm very interested in seeing what others are doing :) ]]>Jun 11th 2008 1:56PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/
It works like a charm! Handles single and every file that I try to play on it.

It also handles ISO Images and files that are on my computer via Network.

See the Specs

http://www.tvix.co.kr/Eng/products/5100sh.aspx]]>Jun 11th 2008 2:04PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/Jun 11th 2008 2:24PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/Jun 11th 2008 2:31PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/
I have both that and the PS3 and prefer the 360 due to the fact that i like the Media Center interface and ease of use for my wife to use.

Plus, its been flawless since launch day running on either my XP Media center machine or my Custom built Vista box!

]]>Jun 11th 2008 2:48PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/Jun 11th 2008 3:10PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/"The maximum length of a standard USB cable is 5.0 meters (16.4 ft). The primary reason for this limit is the maximum allowed round-trip delay of about 1500 ns. If a USB device does not answer to host commands within the allowed time, the host considers the command to be lost. When USB device response time, delays from using the maximum number of hubs and delays from cables connecting the hubs, host and device are summed, the maximum delay caused by a single cable turns out to be 26 ns."

"The maximum length of DVI cables is not included in the specification since it is dependent on bandwidth requirements (the resolution of the image being transmitted). In general, cable lengths from 1-15 feet (4.5m) will work for displays at resolutions of 1920x1200. Cable lengths up to 50 feet (15m) can be used with displays at resolutions up to 1280x1024. For longer distances, to eliminate the video degradation, the use of a DVI booster is recommended. DVI boosters may or may not use an external power supply."

I would say it's not discussed due to the cable distance limitations. 16ft wouldn't reach from one machine to any other machine in my network.]]>Jun 11th 2008 3:48PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/Jun 11th 2008 4:38PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/Jun 11th 2008 5:40PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/Jun 11th 2008 5:45PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/Jun 11th 2008 5:57PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/
I also second that it is fucking LOUD. Crazy loud. Bugs the hell out of me.

Never mind the fact mine's in the shop for RRoD for the 2ND time!



I still swear by my original xbox with xbmc.. Although I'm thinking about building a cheap little 1080P linux box and using xbmc linux.]]>Jun 11th 2008 6:06PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/Jun 11th 2008 9:21PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/Jun 12th 2008 1:13AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/Jun 12th 2008 1:17AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/Jun 12th 2008 4:33AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/
The highest models run at $350-400, but you do get what you pay for. At the $200 price point, probably the Popcorn Hour, but its pretty much a no frills "it just works" type of machines with basic features.

However, my preference is to have a good HTPC connected straight to my hometheater. Cut out the middleman streamer altogether. I would suggest the MediaPortal software, a great alternative to Media Center with triple the features.]]>Jun 12th 2008 10:27PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/
Either way the ability to stream NetFlix, live TV, music, tons of oinline content, etc makes this an awesome media extender.

Is it difficult to setup? nope. I am sorry if the wizards Vista Media center presents you with are too difficult to figure out. ]]>Jun 12th 2008 10:23AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/
Netflix and Live TV don't exist on the xbox360 yet. Those features are rumoured/unconfirmed or unannounced. For MOST people, the reason to get a media extender is to play videos and music that they have stored in their network. The 360 is very limited in this respect when compared to dedicated streamers like Popcorn and Tvix. I have a lot of HD movies and the xbox will only play about 5 percent of them (all of which are wmv-hd files).

However, It's fine if you mostly watch divx/xvid divx (which there are plenty of material for), but if you're going the HD route, the xbox360 is not an attractive option. The same can also be said about the PS3, which is a good bluray player, but limited like the xbox360 as a media streamer.

Also, TVersity will help you play more types of files, but at the cost of CPU usage on your computer and results in a lower quality picture due to that fact that is being re-encoded. It is an ugly compromise in my opinion and not acceptable for someone that cares about quality or speed.

]]>Jun 12th 2008 11:50AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/
You could put a piece of pizza on top of your PC and the PCH would play back a Little Caesers commercial on your TV. Seriously, the formats it plays back are amazing...including HD (unlike XBMC). Sure, the UI isn't fully skinable like XBMC, but I bought it for function...and in that respect, it works awesome. I primarily use it to play back my Tivo content transferred to my PC and ripped DVDs in VOB format...over NFS...and it works great...WIRELESSLY!

How do I use it wirelessly? An Ethernet bridge. Or, more specifically, a Linksys WRT-54GL flashed with the Tomato firmware and configured as a bridge. Yeah, you could just buy a bridge, but this is cheaper...and better.

It streams those files over a G wireless network configured with WPA/TKIP and there is nary a blip. I can even fast forward and rewind.

That said, the remote is fairly bad. Not bad enough so far for me to replace it, but it is a weak point.

Other strong points for the PCH:

- inexpensive (~$180)
- 100% silent in the standard (no HD) config (great for the bedroom)
- Can accept an HD
- Standard wireless adapter coming soon from PCH
- Just plain works


Perhaps the strongest point for me that my non-techie wife loves it also. She thinks of it the same way she thinks of our Tivo...and often asks, "what's on Popcorn?"

Scuba]]>Jun 12th 2008 10:49AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/
Unfortunately, the DSM-510 was based on the Sigma Designs EM8620L, which lacks support for VC-1 and H.264. Just last October, however, DigiOn reported that their new DiXiM DMA-2200 hardware reference kit had been certified by the DLNA. According to their online specs for OEMs, this hardware is running version 3.6 of the DMA firmware and sports the Sigma Designs EM8622L, which does include support for VC-1 and H.264. I just haven't heard that D-Link or any other US manufacture has released (or has plans to release) new retail hardware based on this next generation reference design.]]>Jun 12th 2008 12:55PMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/
I have tried many encodes, and i hated it, such a waste of time. I use to remux to vob and stream to ps3 also... much faster, only 6 minutes to process. then i had tversity and twonky stream to ps3. but no longer.

i pop in my dvd now and save image to .iso with imageburn ...3 to 5 minutes. and popcorn hour plays it flawlessly menus and all "that's ISO!!!". great for episodes. pch also has hdmi 1080p out and plays all my high def. .mkv's perfectly! esata, usb and has room to put in a hard drive. it comes with sageTV and torrent, youtube and more. Silently all while under $200 bucks.

note: you can customize a interface for it look on youtube for instructions.
i think PCH is the best.]]>Jun 27th 2008 2:41AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/
Providing you have all the codec you need on the PC, it converts media on the fly with no problems for normal viewing.

The only issue is if you want to fast-forward video that requires conversion more than x15 speed. Sometimes it can't convert quick enough. This isn't an issue for video already in the a supported format.

But for general photos, video and audio streaming, TVersity is great. And it is free.

Having the PS3 remote control is a must if you are to use it as a streamer often.

Overall, I absolutely recommend this setup]]>Jun 27th 2008 4:49AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/
I have a PCH A-100 and love it, but lose the plot when people start enthusing about the many formats it can play. I mainly use mine to play back ripped ISOs of my son's extensive collection of Pixar/Disney movies and it works beautifully for that. What, if anything, am I missing by not transcoding my ISOs to some other codec/container?

I know I'm forgoing the following...
-- My files would be smaller, but disk space is not an issue for me
-- I could play back the files through SwissCenter or another streamer, but the standard UI is adequate for browsing a list of ISOs

I've experimented with Handbrake but the results have invariably been disappointing (lost audio, visibly poorer video, mangled aspect ratio...). I'm sure that's down to me choosing the wrong settings, but is it worth the effort to figure it out?

Or are those other codec/container combos mainly inteneded for downloaded/online content where compression matters a great deal more?]]>Jun 27th 2008 10:12AMhttp://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/http://hd.engadget.com/2008/06/11/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-hd-media-streamer/
for example: I have the insert name of tv show season 6 on DVD.

1. i have to rip each episode off the disc. can be tricky especially when studios use a funky .ifo

2. then i have to remux each episode to one solid .vob

maybe i am doin this wrong but here are my step that i found to be the easiest and or simplest.

1. insert dvd, load dvdshrink.
2. extract each episode as a different .iso usually 4 episodes per disc. so you end up with s1d1e1.iso through s1d1e4.iso. easier to keep track of if i take a break.
3. load s1d1e1.iso into daemon tools. load up dvddecypter.
4. dvddecyrpter remux the video_ts folder in the .iso to one big .vob which i just rename to .mpg

as you can see that is alot of work. maybe for others its no chore, but my time is more valuable.

enter popcorn hour into my life.
1. insert my dvd.
2. create img file from disc using imgburn.
3. done.

i just saved me 3 hours of work.

now Carl you sound lucky finding the pch early on but had you tried other solutions prior to the pch you might be enthused too. for finding something the save time, effort, programming, troubleshooting, and headaches.

also, the PS3 is a great solution but it only plays a few codecs. Thats why people transcode with tversity. But you lose quality. it can stutter you have to make sure you have all the codecs installed.

if you wanted to play a movie flawlessly on the ps3 you would want to convert it to .mp4 avc, nero can do it but it takes about 1 to 2 hours minus the time you need to research the proper bit rates and other info. most .mp4 converters are setup for psp's so some fiddling is always required. so you try 1 to 3 times testing your encode settings at 1 to 2 hours per try.

you mentioned the codecs for online downloads and content. most always they are resized and compressed. for home theater purposes its garbage.

anyone can copy a video and watch it on their computer. but having a home theater setup where there are no hitches or glitches that even a kid can use with 100% uptime?

i dunno i guess i am turning into a pch fanboy but i couldn't have asked for a better piece of equipment doing exactly what i wanted it to do. simply play every file i throw at it flawlessly.

]]>Jul 21st 2008 3:44AM