Popbox updates: July 4th launch window, final word on content partners (Netflix) promised soon

The Popbox isn't the only media streamer to have suffered delays since its CES 2010 debut (Boxee Box) but it is nearing availability, and the official blog has been busy reassuring potential buyers it will be everything it can be. As of the most recent update, we should expect hardware to roll out July 4, but there's no word yet whether Netflix will actually be present among the content partners when it ships. ZatzNotFunny noticed weeks ago the movie rental shop's logos had disappeared from Popbox materials and the manufacturer has so far offered no specific reaction, only that it can't discuss the details of its interaction with "top video partners." A complete list of content providers is promised prior to any Amazon preorders shipping, but your guess is as good as ours as to when that will happen, so Watch Instantly fans should definitely continue to keep an eye out.

[RealHTInfo Posted Jun 22nd 2010 5:17PM]

I'm thrilled at the ide of a $129 Popcorn Hour, but with WDTV Live Plus coming to market for less and Netflix Support, the popbox really needs Netflix yesterday to stay competitive. Now, if they came out of the gate with Hulu as well...game over.

I really can't wait to see what the next few years brings in this space. I really believe that ignorance and live sports are the only thing keeping people subscribed to cable at $100/month.

[nipponese Posted Jun 22nd 2010 7:33PM]

You know... the Roku XR has a USB port on it...

[Yakuza Fighter Posted Jun 23rd 2010 3:10AM]

I remember reading in Businessweek or somewhere where the Netflix CEO said he wanted Netflix streaming to be in every device possible. Since Netflix doesn't charge hardware manufacturers for the functionality [I believe], I can't imagine why it wouldn't be in the PopBox.

[Yakuza Fighter Posted Jun 23rd 2010 3:42AM]

@RealHTInfo

Since you are the Popcorn Hour guru here, I wondered if you could help me out since the PCH and AVS boards are waaaayyy above my head and really whiny.

I have owned and used a A-100 for a couple of years. I'm thinking about getting a C-200 mainly because I hate having to turn on the TV just to play MP3s on my stereo. I want the LCD screen on the front of it. I also would like the faster processor, more RAM, SATA support, hot swap-ability, possible Gigabit Ethernet functionality [if it ever comes], wireless connectivity, RF remote, Power Switch, etc.

With that in mind there are some annoyances on the A-100 that I was wondering if they are "fixed" on the C-200. I was hoping you could clue me in on this.

1. I find myself needing to skip back a lot and the 30-second skip back is killing me. Most DVRs have a 15-second skip back. The rewind function over the network never really works well so having to go back 30 seconds plus another 5 to reset the network connection is a buzzkill. I would love to have the ability to set the number of seconds the skip back takes in the Settings Menu. I think 11 seconds would be perfect for me. I can't see why this can't be done.

2. No ability to ignore the "Resume Play Back" function. Most DVRs have the ability to "Play Back" or "Play Back from the Beginning". The A-100 only has the ability to "Play Back". This is annoying when I have to rewind a file all the way back to the beginning. I don't see why this can't be done.

3. Does the C-200 have the ability to Rewind/FF MKV files?

4. Not being able to know how long a VBR MP3 file is [in time length] is annoying. I think this is fixed in the C-200 but I am not sure.

5. Not being able to have Shuffle Play for songs in a folder is shockingly absent. I don't see why this can't be fixed.

Thanks to all who can help me. The PCH is a revolutionary device which has changed the way I think about consuming media forever.