mede8er or ac ryan playon?

So... any 'new' feedback? I'm also pondering getting a Playon (but the DVR one). Anyone used the DVR functionality of it? i.e. recorded something off Dstv and watched it later (and no, I don't want a Dstv PVR). It seems (from what I've been reading so far) that the mede8er is a better option between the two but I'd only go for the Playon if the DVR was 'useful'.
I've also read that it would make more sense to set up a HTPC but I'm not keen on starting up windows and then 3rd party apps etc. to watch a movie or series and then having to stream media all over the house etc.
 
@martymarts.I was about to order the mede8ter when you posted this. An AC Ryan with PVR functionality.hmmm.That it could prove to be very usefull.My DVR is on its last legs and a MP/PVR might be the way to go.
 
BOYAH said:
@martymarts.I was about to order the mede8ter when you posted this. An AC Ryan with PVR functionality.hmmm.That it could prove to be very usefull.My DVR is on its last legs and a MP/PVR might be the way to go.
Click to expand...

Have you read the whole thread?
Just a heads up, I am not sure if the AC Ryan can record from a satellite decoder due to Macrovision encryption.
 
BOYAH said:
@martymarts.I was about to order the mede8ter when you posted this. An AC Ryan with PVR functionality.hmmm.That it could prove to be very usefull.My DVR is on its last legs and a MP/PVR might be the way to go.
Click to expand...

Besides the obvious price difference between the standard AC Ryan and the AC Ryan DVR, the DVR functionality is the only reason I'm holding back on getting the supposedly 'better' mede8er. But I'd like some feedback if the DVR functionality works with Dstv...
 
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McGuywer said:
Have you read the whole thread?
Just a heads up, I am not sure if the AC Ryan can record from a satellite decoder due to Macrovision encryption.
Click to expand...

Yip, I read the whole thread but there didn't seem to be any real conclusion on whether the AC Ryan can record from Dstv or not. So are you saying that you're positive it can not do it? I'm just asking... If it can't then the DVR functionality would be useless for me and I'd go for the mede8er.
 
mercurial said:
I'm gonna get this one - http://www.mede8ershop.co.za/p1845/Mede8er_MED200X_Multimedia_Player_-_(Pre-Order)/product_info.html

R998.
Click to expand...

Good price but I'd prefer the Mede8er MED500X but the R2388.88 price tag is a little :erm:
I've got a 1.5TB HDD (and growing) full of movies & series that I'd prefer to just slot into the mede8er and watch. The idea of having the mede8er and then an ext HDD plugged in with additional cables, plugs etc. doesn't work for me ;)

Oh and another factor in my decision is my 'future' 40" LCD investment as from what I've read, some of the newer models of the 'better' brands can play movies directly off an ext. HDD. My collection consists mainly of .m2ts and .mp4 files (and tons of .avi files as well) so if I get a TV that can play these directly, my need for a mede8er/AC Ryan becomes obsolete.
 
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MartyMarts said:
Good price but I'd prefer the Mede8er MED500X but the R2388.88 price tag is a little :erm:
I've got a 1.5TB HDD (and growing) full of movies & series that I'd prefer to just slot into the mede8er and watch. The idea of having the mede8er and then an ext HDD plugged in with additional cables, plugs etc. doesn't work for me ;)
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure the DVR needs HDCP to complete the "HDCP handshake" with the HD DSTV decoder? Maybe you can record SD DSTV.

If you don't plan on running an internal drive, go for the smaller Mede8er. If you want to have a drive inside, go for the MED500X. Can be had for a lot less than R2100 if you get an account at Esquire (R1550ish ex VAT).
 
McGuywer said:
Have you read the whole thread?
Just a heads up, I am not sure if the AC Ryan can record from a satellite decoder due to Macrovision encryption.
Click to expand...

For macrovision to affect your recording it needs to be on the device as well as the decoder. As far as I know they don't have Macrovision on the AC Ryan.

Can some one confirm ?
 
MartyMarts said:
Good price but I'd prefer the Mede8er MED500X but the R2388.88 price tag is a little :erm:
I've got a 1.5TB HDD (and growing) full of movies & series that I'd prefer to just slot into the mede8er and watch. The idea of having the mede8er and then an ext HDD plugged in with additional cables, plugs etc. doesn't work for me ;)

Oh and another factor in my decision is my 'future' 40" LCD investment as from what I've read, some of the newer models of the 'better' brands can play movies directly off an ext. HDD. My collection consists mainly of .m2ts and .mp4 files (and tons of .avi files as well) so if I get a TV that can play these directly, my need for a mede8er/AC Ryan becomes obsolete.
Click to expand...

I run all my stuff off a portable drive, so I've no need for the big Mede8er :)
 
PostmanPot said:
I'm pretty sure the DVR needs HDCP to complete the "HDCP handshake" with the HD DSTV decoder? Maybe you can record SD DSTV.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what you mean wrt the 'HDCP' stuff :o but I've only Dstv SD.

PostmanPot said:
If you don't plan on running an internal drive, go for the smaller Mede8er. If you want to have a drive inside, go for the MED500X. Can be had for a lot less than R2100 if you get an account at Esquire (R1550ish ex VAT).
Click to expand...

I'd prefer to get the MED500X and slot my own HDD in. I can plug an ext. HDD into it if necessary anyway so that's sorted. Yeah, I've got an Esquire account (via myBB) so that's an option - thanks.
 
mercurial said:
Nope, mostly just DivX but I will get MKV as well. About to get a 42" Full HD plasma.
Click to expand...

Ok. avi/divx seems to work pretty much everywhere these days. It's the blu-ray rips that I'm into - now that uncapped interwebs make it possible.
 
tRoN said:
If money is no object, which is a better unit to buy.
What is the advantages of one over the other.
I want something that will play all formats and be relatively future proof.
Also is the dvr version in the playon worth the extra buck
Click to expand...

Over the last few weeks Realtek has started shipping an updated version of the RTD1073 (the processor used in the Mede8er and ACRyan Play!On media players), the RTD1085. This processor together with the RTD1055 and RTD1185 should start appearing in media players after Christmas. The ACRyan Play!On Essential which should be available in Europe quite soon is apparently using the new RTD1055. The RTD1085 includes a flash enabled web browser, gigabit networking and is 20% faster than the RTD1073. The prices on the old processors should start to drop quite soon as the new processors go on sale. You can already purchase a Chinese RTD1073 based player such as the Kaiboer M1073 or the Diyomate S7T for around 80USD (which includes free shipping to SA from DealExtreme).
http://www.iboum.com/artkill/chipsets.php
http://www.iboum.com/pr/acplayes.php

Kaiboer M1073
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.44525
http://www.hdvietnam.com/diendan/showthread.php?t=69995
http://www.aliexpress.com/product-f...-disk-player-HD-Player-M1073-wholesalers.html

Diyomate S7T
http://www.lelong.com.my/yangxi-yan...player-xunlei-vod-57145734-2011-03-Sale-P.htm
http://macammacamada.com/?p=790
 
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