mede8er or ac ryan playon?

tRoN

tRoN

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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
 
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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...

If money is no issue, then the Mede8er. It has better firmware and comes with nicer goodies. Other than that they are the same.
As for the PVR functions... I'm not sure they're worth the extra money. Someone will have to test and see if it can bypass macrovision so that you can record off satellite STB's and I am almost 100% sure you will not be able to record HD with it, so its kinds meh.
 
Although you have said money is not an issue, both units are very similar so at the end of the day it usually boils down to which is cheaper.

ACRyan seems to have the Mede8er beat on cost.
Mede8er seems to have the ACRyan beat on having buttons on the front of the unit (some seem to see this as a necessity).
 
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...

I would say neither. I had the PlayonHD, too many issues. Also just go check their forums, there are so many people complaining about stuff and the developers just don't care and rarely give feedback about anything. Maybe check the Mede8er forums before you buy.

I would suggest rather buy a Media Centre pc and use something like MediaPortal or XBMC. It actually works out cheaper than the Mede8er. It's obviously a little bit more work cause you'll have to build the pc, install Windows, install the software etc., but the benefits are huge compared to a standalone media player.
 
i agree. I have the playon! And although it does the job, one has to wait for firmware updates to fix bugs and add more functionality, unless you're a linux guru. And then there's the hardware limitations as well. Build an htpc and these things are not an issue.
 
LancelotSA said:
Care pointing these out for the benefit of those asking? And also the definition of nicer firmware?
Click to expand...

tRoN said:
+1 please elaborate
Click to expand...

Ok..

Firmware:

The Mede8er has a few functions that the playon does not have, such as being able to skip to a specific point in the video by typing in the time, it also has a HD front end and is easier to navigate. I have also had the Playon freeze up on me twice in the month I have had it and I have never had the Mede8er freeze up on me in about a year. It also displays the cover art and the movie info in a much nicer way.

I have also not found a way to set the resolution of the interface so I end up having massive letters on the screen and it not displaying all the options (I have to scroll down to see them) instead of just setting the res a little higher and being able to see everything like I do with the Mede8er.

Overall the differences there are cosmetic (except for the freezing, but that's not so bad) but it was enough to make me switch them around again and make the Mede8er my primary device. I have never used the buttons on the front of the Mede8er tbh so that makes no difference to me.

The goodies:

The Mede8er comes with a Bag, and the usb extension cable is much nicer than the dinky little thing you get with the Playon.

If I where to liken them to cars, the Mede8er would be the top of the range model, that comes with all the bells, and the Playon as.. maybe not bottom for the range, but mid range.

I couldn't say that one is better than the other, because both do exactly what they're supposed to. The experience to me is just nicer with the Mede8er.
 
Thank you Madman88, and coming from someone who actually has both devices.
Does the Playon have a HD interface yet?
 
Spark said:
Thank you Madman88, and coming from someone who actually has both devices.
Does the Playon have a HD interface yet?
Click to expand...

No. Maybe in the next f/w update. Apparently there are going to be a whole lot of new features.
 
Mede8er!!! Shop around though, as u can pick up some nice bargains!
 
Thanks for the all the advice ......so its the mede8ter then!
I hope there is no new model around the corner?

Also where do I find the best price?
 
try Ikonicit. might get it cheaper elsewhere but that is where I bought mine.
 
For the purposes of balance :

Madman88 said:
The Mede8er has a few functions that the playon does not have, such as being able to skip to a specific point in the video by typing in the time, it also has a HD front end and is easier to navigate. I have also had the Playon freeze up on me twice in the month I have had it and I have never had the Mede8er freeze up on me in about a year.
Click to expand...

I have not had this happen once.

It also displays the cover art and the movie info in a much nicer way.
Click to expand...

I assume you may be referring to out of the box (although I was under the impression that the Mede8er does not do this out the box either) but if not, I am using Thumbgen and am perfectly satisfied with the presentation of my movies. This is the one format:

tgsheetcopy1.jpg


I then also have the wall view :

sampletgwall.jpg


There is of course also the movie wall view which shows covers of all the movies with 10 per page.

I have also not found a way to set the resolution of the interface so I end up having massive letters on the screen and it not displaying all the options (I have to scroll down to see them) instead of just setting the res a little higher and being able to see everything like I do with the Mede8er.
Click to expand...

Not sure what you are referring to here so can't comment.


Overall the differences there are cosmetic (except for the freezing, but that's not so bad) but it was enough to make me switch them around again and make the Mede8er my primary device. I have never used the buttons on the front of the Mede8er tbh so that makes no difference to me.
Click to expand...

Cosmetic differences are changing on an ongoing basis. I have had my AC Ryan for a little while now and have upgraded the firmware three times already. Yes, it is not perfect but improvements happen all the time. I really still feel that if the differences are purely cosmetic (which is something one only sees for a short while when choosing which movie to watch) then the difference in cost should be the deciding criteria.

The Mede8er comes with a Bag, and the usb extension cable is much nicer than the dinky little thing you get with the Playon.
Click to expand...

Well you win on the bag front but my unit was never purchased to be a portable unit. I'd be petrified of dropping it anyway and losing all 2Gbs of data on the drive inside. So if you want to carry your device around with you wherever you go then I suppose the higher cost of the Mede8er is justified.

If I where to liken them to cars, the Mede8er would be the top of the range model, that comes with all the bells, and the Playon as.. maybe not bottom for the range, but mid range.
Click to expand...

Huh? You have just given us two rather feeble reasons that you feel the Mede8er is better yet you make this huge differential in comparing them?

I couldn't say that one is better than the other, because both do exactly what they're supposed to. The experience to me is just nicer with the Mede8er.
Click to expand...

...and then as if to support what I said above you go and add this :confused:
 
ok I know lance is gone, but I never saw this before so I'll reply anyway.


LancelotSA said:
Huh? You have just given us two rather feeble reasons that you feel the Mede8er is better yet you make this huge differential in comparing them?
Click to expand...
This is why: A car needs to get you from point A to point B. A top of the range model will do this as well as a mid range. I would not be able to say that the top of the range model would do a better job of getting me to point B than the other. BUT the top of the range would make me more comfortable then the mid range. When it comes to playing content the Playon does an acceptable job. The video plays at the required res with the required audio output. However, navigating the system menu is nicer and easier on the Mede8er. The response is snappier, and the Playon is prone to freezing for a few seconds every few seconds.
Madman88 said:
I couldn't say that one is better than the other, because both do exactly what they're supposed to. The experience to me is just nicer with the Mede8er.
Click to expand...

LancelotSA said:
...and then as if to support what I said above you go and add this :confused:
Click to expand...
No, I'm making a point. This is the point. If you have the money, get the Mede8er, the extra money for a kickass f/w is worth it.
However, the Playon is an acceptable mid range player for the money.
 
So playon = toyota and mede8er = lexus? (talking about passenger cars not 4x4 or anything)
 
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