popcorn hour

If you don't have much luck with owners of them here there's been 9 month's of gabble on them over on this forum below.
Some of the earlier posts are no longer valid as there's been features added since the posts.
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=847291

Also a good review/look at them here(Nov07).....also outdated cos of upgrades but a good site for checking out what these media players can or can't do.
http://www.mpcclub.com/modules.php?name=Reviews

I've decided to wait for a while before going into a mediaplayer purchase as they seem to be still playing catchup with some supported audio formats....some have no audio via HDMI,only video....i want ntfs hdd supported format....things like that some still lack when i was looking at them a few months back.

Popcorn seems to have some good support behind it with upgrades etc happening.Least thats a good sign.
 
How these things are sold legally amazes me....loi..

Looks good.

(Me on the other hand already has a better one than these...it's called a PC, and sits next to my HDTV)
 
Keeper said:
(Me on the other hand already has a better one than these...it's called a PC, and sits next to my HDTV)
Click to expand...

Does your PC have a remote control and a cool, simple to use GUI? ;)
 
Dolby said:
Does your PC have a remote control and a cool, simple to use GUI? ;)
Click to expand...

Im busy writing a GUI that uses your finger, that you wave in the air (kinda like an eyetoy)...i'm kinda inspired by the Apple iPhone's GUI....

does that answer your question?
 
Ok. But the majority of people won't have magic finger waving technology and will be stuck with a Windows display.

I know for me, the lack of anything computer orinetated is a plus for me : no Windows Explorer and no mouse. My grandmother can use it and click 'Listen to music'.
 
i guess it's good for noobs, but how do you download torrents from it? does it include a mouse and keyboard? because that is essentially still a PC then....
 
Keeper said:
i guess it's good for noobs, but how do you download torrents from it? does it include a mouse and keyboard? because that is essentially still a PC then....
Click to expand...

I'm a noob ;)

I have this setup http://mybroadband.co.za/photos/showphoto.php/photo/3195/ppuser/7981 and http://mybroadband.co.za/photos/showphoto.php/photo/3194/size/big/cat//ppuser/7981

I download to the upstairs PC and send across to my downstairs PC. Themedia streamer (not a Popcorn, but they work the same ...) loads it as a video or MP3 etc.
 
That setup doesn't qualify you as a noob. nice setup!
 
OK I have one. Here's my findings:

- Overall, this is an AMAZING little device. I don't have a HD in it though. I do carry it around to take to friends and generally put stuff on my 32 GB flash key. The 12 GB Bluray rips you get on Usenet play back without a problem in full 1080p glory.

- At home, I stream from my own computer. It works very well.

- It plays ISO files!

There's not much to add. You want to play a DVD? No problem, just attach a USB DVD drive (or Bluray). It plays every format known to mankind, not just the ones blessed by Lords Steve Jobs and Billyboy Gates.

What don't I like?

- It boots a bit slow.

- Its auto decision on output mode is a bit fuzzy; easily fixed by pressing TV Output + #, where # indicates the resolution and the output connector (HDMI, component, etc.)

- You can't copy things from the USB key to the internal HD.

- Internal HD P-ATA only.

- It does NOT do DTS; if your movie has a DTS soundtrack you either need an external receiver and decoder or you need to demux/mux an AC3 stream in. It will not decode DTS, just pass it through.

I have not tested the internet features.

Do I recommend it for $180? Dear god yes. I don't buy DVDs. I don't buy any media. I just download Bluray rips from Usenet (and sometimes DVD rips) and it works GREAT.
 
ok well where can one buy one at the moment???

Jerrek said:
OK I have one. Here's my findings:

- Overall, this is an AMAZING little device. I don't have a HD in it though. I do carry it around to take to friends and generally put stuff on my 32 GB flash key. The 12 GB Bluray rips you get on Usenet play back without a problem in full 1080p glory.

- At home, I stream from my own computer. It works very well.

- It plays ISO files!

There's not much to add. You want to play a DVD? No problem, just attach a USB DVD drive (or Bluray). It plays every format known to mankind, not just the ones blessed by Lords Steve Jobs and Billyboy Gates.

What don't I like?

- It boots a bit slow.

- Its auto decision on output mode is a bit fuzzy; easily fixed by pressing TV Output + #, where # indicates the resolution and the output connector (HDMI, component, etc.)

- You can't copy things from the USB key to the internal HD.

- Internal HD P-ATA only.

- It does NOT do DTS; if your movie has a DTS soundtrack you either need an external receiver and decoder or you need to demux/mux an AC3 stream in. It will not decode DTS, just pass it through.

I have not tested the internet features.

Do I recommend it for $180? Dear god yes. I don't buy DVDs. I don't buy any media. I just download Bluray rips from Usenet (and sometimes DVD rips) and it works GREAT.
Click to expand...
 
tjandies said:
Check out the following site for a review on the older model (A-100)
http://www.kolbu.com/popcorn-hour-nmt-networked-media-tank-a-100/
Local supplier is www.compafrica.co.za
They say that they will get stock in August.
I have an MVIX760HD but I am thinking of getting the Popcorn Hour A-110 (new model) for full HD support
Compafrica said they would be having specials at Rage on the Popcorn Hour
Click to expand...

question is how well does the popcorn decode compared to the mvix 760, i have a mvix 760 and my pc does a much better job at decoding and upscalling to my 720p lcd, pc great mvix ok, im talking about non hd content ie dvd iso's vob avi's
 
Also, what's the largest P-ATA hard drive available for the unit? Does it support up to 1TB drives like Mvix? Not talking about external USB drives, but an internal drive. thanks.

P-ATA drives are very hard to find, and expensive.

I think the Mvix 760/780HD is a better choice - as long as it plays MPEG2-HD 720p, and supports seagate Sata2 1TB drives
 
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