New Popcorn Hour A-400

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Yotch

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The imminent launch of the new Popcorn Hour A-400 seems to be generating a lot of interest internationally. It uses the latest 800MHz dual core Sigma Designs SMP8911 processor which includes VXP video processing technology and should produce a better picture quality than most HTPCs. It also promises greatly improved ethernet copying speeds of around 30MBytes/s and should be available locally in December for R2999.

Screenshots and videos of the UI
http://www.networkedmediatank.com/showthread.php?tid=62790
VXP technology overview (zoom in on pictures to see the improvement)
http://www.sigmadesigns.com/uploads/documents/vxp_overview_br.pdf
Early review in French
http://www.popcorn-hour-fr.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=5546&pid=38724#pid38724
Discussion thread
http://www.networkedmediatank.com/showthread.php?tid=62791
Local supplier
http://www.popcornhour.co.za/products/networked-media-jukebox/popcorn-hour-a-400
 
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So would this be better than a HP Proliant Microserver with XBMC/Plex(only considering the media management and viewing aspects)?
 
The PCH A-400 appears to be the most sophisticated standalone media player currently on the market. The first reviews should start to appear in the next week or two which should give you a good idea about the VXP picture quality technology. In terms of media management an HTPC setup should be superior though. I would also keep an eye out for the Intel NUC which is going on sale in December for ~$300 and AMD's Livebox which should presumably appear quite soon at a lower price. I’m sure that this new Sigma processor should also start to appear in cheaper Western Digital media players quite soon which will presumably sell very well.

Intel NUC
http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/482608-Update-on-Intel-s-Next-Unit-of-Computing
Cheap HTPC AMD mini ITX Hudson motherboard/CPU combination
http://www.pricecheck.co.za/offers/31026128/MSI+AMD+Hudson+M1+Socket+FT1+Mini-ITX+Motherboard/
mini ITX case
http://www.pricecheck.co.za/search/?search=mini+ITX+case
 
Mys said:
So would this be better than a HP Proliant Microserver with XBMC/Plex(only considering the media management and viewing aspects)?
Click to expand...

Well if it does everything that XBMC does it's still roughly double the price of a HP MS setup.
 
Just be aware that Syabas (the guys responsible for the firmware) are notorious in not delivering all the features in the box as promised from marketing - rather read through the threads - i.e. this one: http://www.networkedmediatank.com/showthread.php?tid=62790

I was one of the early adopters of the C-300 (awesome device) but was really frustrated for more than 6 months flashing firmwares every few weeks to get the device to function. The lack of a RF remote on the A400 is a step down though....
 
MagicDude4Eva said:
Just be aware that Syabas (the guys responsible for the firmware) are notorious in not delivering all the features in the box as promised from marketing - rather read through the threads - i.e. this one: http://www.networkedmediatank.com/showthread.php?tid=62790

I was one of the early adopters of the C-300 (awesome device) but was really frustrated for more than 6 months flashing firmwares every few weeks to get the device to function. The lack of a RF remote on the A400 is a step down though....
Click to expand...

Exactly why I won't be getting another Syabas based system.
 
I don't see the point to be honest. I have an asus o play hd2 and it doesn't blink an eye for even the heaviest full hd content. So why would I want to buy a player that costs more than double the amount to do the same thing ?
 
Rocket-Boy said:
I don't see the point to be honest. I have an asus o play hd2 and it doesn't blink an eye for even the heaviest full hd content. So why would I want to buy a player that costs more than double the amount to do the same thing ?
Click to expand...

Can it also play bluray 3D content?
 
What sets the Popcornhour apart is the Sigma instead of Realtek chips used. Dune is the only other mnfr. using Sigma chips which are superior in terms of picture and sound quality. I ran the PCH and Mede8er next to each other, and the PCH blew the Mede8er out the water with picture quality.
 
Ares said:
What sets the Popcornhour apart is the Sigma instead of Realtek chips used. Dune is the only other mnfr. using Sigma chips which are superior in terms of picture and sound quality. I ran the PCH and Mede8er next to each other, and the PCH blew the Mede8er out the water with picture quality.
Click to expand...

True, you can throw any content against the Popcorn and it will eat it - doesn't matter if it is huge MKVs, 3D or any other HD content - never an issue and the quality is fantastic.
 
So had anyone decided to grab one of these units? I'm very keen but it seems like it has had some teething issues.....
 
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