I've always used some kind of media player hooked up to my network to play my movies/media. The media player was trouble free, doesn't need special hardware, doesn't need updates or any kind of time spent operating it. I'm curious to know why people still use a computer for an HTPC? This means you need to have a computer running an OS that you need to update and take care of. Not to mention the computer needs to be close to your TV so you can output to your TV. What is an advantage or disadvantage of using an HTPC ? I have a Dune media player and a Popcorn 200, which play every kind of media file I've used with them. I'm asking this because they are making more and more small form factor computers. Ya know, those tiny little boxes. Just curious, that's all.

 

 

Some people like the more powerful widgets that HTPCs can offer (with Intel/AMD chips). They can customize the HTPC to do whatever they want on their TVs. I haven't looked much into this area yet, as I still have my PCH A-110, but I may consider it if/when I need to upgrade. But I do like the simplicity of the Popcorn Hours, and would check out the Dunes, also.  My friend has a HTPC he built, and it runs much more smoothly than my Popcorn Hour. He can browse whatever sites he wants to, play any Flash media (which I can't--the A-110 is very sluggish in loading YouTube through the application). Also, XBMC is very nice and responsive through the HTPC. It really depends on what you need. A small simple machine to play all of your media, or some more bells and whistles.

Since I'm just looking to play media files (video / music) I didn't need the hassle of another computer I guess. Web browsing using an HTPC or a media player doesn't make sense to me anyway. The last thing I want to do with my Popcorn or Dune is browse web pages. I do think those small PC's are pretty cool and I guess it would just be another toy to play around with. Not really a good choice just to sit there and do nothing.

 

 

I'm using an netgear ntv550 it uses the same chipset as the dunes and popcorn.

pro's are that its completely silent (a must for me)

 

pros of an htpc would be being able to run a smoother interface and probably better codec suport

and more options to make it do what you want.

 

xmbc is apparently suported by the next gen sigma chips but it will take some time before it will be implemented and hasslefree

 

if ever going down the road of building a htpc look at these cases they look realy nice

http://www.hd-plex.com/chassis/

I'm experimenting with a Zacate HTPC build running XBMC on Windows.  The limitations of the dedicated players (I own 2 Dunes) to do anything beyond playing movies and tv shows is what is getting to me right now, such as no WOL for waking up my unRAID server, no automated support for sickbeard, etc.  So, for basically the cost of buying another Dune, I am putting together a nice little HTPC to see how I like it.  Yes, for now it has to run Windows if I want my bitstreamed audio (I don't bother with FLAC), but with XBMC Eden (v11) that might change with the introduction of Linux bitstreaming support with the new Audio Engine.  I'm using this case.

Let us know what you think of the DUNE vs. Zacate.

 

I would run the Zacate with Linux I believe--Windows takes up too many resources. But I understand wanting more functionality.

 

I do have a few MKVs with 5.1 FLAC, which won't play on my PCH A-110.  So I either gotta convert them to DTS or AC3, or wait and pick up something that can support that combination.

 

I like the Plex case, but what do you need for a rack? Says it's meant for audio racks?

 

The Habey case is also nice.  Reminds me of Time Machine capsules, and these: http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/ministack/

 

the plex cases are different in size the H3 series is pretty small not rack size like theh H10

Let us know what you think of the DUNE vs. Zacate.

 

I think it's going to be an apples to oranges kind of comparison, since the Zacate will be a full on computer.  But I'll post my results once I have everything stabilized.

 

I would run the Zacate with Linux I believe--Windows takes up too many resources. But I understand wanting more functionality.

 

In my mind I'll only be temporarily be running windows until Eden comes out.  Hopefully it will bring that elusive bitstreaming feature to Linux after all these years.  At least that's my hope. 

I'm curious to know why people still use a computer for an HTPC? This means you need to have a computer running an OS that you need to update and take care of. Not to mention the computer needs to be close to your TV so you can output to your TV. What is an advantage or disadvantage of using an HTPC ?

 

I used to have a separate media player.

Constantly required firmware updates to play new codecs, if it could even play them at all!

Was Slow and sometimes quirky.

 

Currently run 2 HTPCs (each into their 2nd/3rd generation of hardware. Purely for upgrading )

 

They can play any video file if you can find the correct codec for it.

They can do anything a normal computer can do (when i had my ankle op, i gamed on my HTPC connected to my 42" LCD)

If you decide you want it to do more, its normally quite easy (ie, you want to watch BluRay on it, you get a BluRay drive)

I also use it to watch/Record TV. W7 can support 4 tuners, so record 3 channels while you watch a 4th.

 

The optical drive is the loudest part of my HTPCs, so its certainly not intrusive to the rooms.

 

Thats just me. I understand standalone media players have come a long way (my last one was ~3 years ago) but i much prefer the flexability and 'fun' of having a HTPC.

 

Though, you do need to be careful not to install anything you don't need on it. I've seen people treat them as desktop pcs and install buckloads of $h!t on them and that obviously causes issues!

Mine just run Windows 7, MS Security Essentials, PowerDVD For BluRay playback and Haali Splitter for MKVs.

I tried a few different media players and ran into many of the problems people here experienced.  I love playing around with computers, but certain things I just want to work.  I had resigned myself to the fact that I would need to build myself a separate HTPC, when I stumbled across the newly released Boxee Box.  Figured I'd give it a try, and if it didn't work out, I'd return it.  Well I've been using it ~6 months now and I couldn't be happier.  I've yet to run across a file it doesn't play, it's responsive and it just works.

 

Now this of course is for my needs, and they may not be the same as yours... take it how you will

I use a MacMini for the most part but I've build and used Giada and Zotac boxes. All have MakeMKV and XBMC. I also use Netflix, uTube, and other Internet video sources. Its nice to be able to watch anything available on the Internet. I also keep my primary iTunes audio library on the Mini which is backed-up to unRAID, but I'm considering moving the audio storage to the server. All the boxes have optical audio out for connection to an Onkyo for Dolby surround. I let guests use it to check e-mail and web browse and occasionally show somebody something on the web. I have a small form wireless keyboard and wireless mouse as well a an IR remote.

I've had my Dune Prime 3.0 and Popcorn Hour for over a year now and have been very lucky with them. The only thing that needs to get done on them is flash the firmware. If I did have an HTPC in their places I would imagine by now I would be looking to upgrade the HTPC, add more memory, upgrade/update the OS. Just not in favor of doing all that to watch movies. I'm also one that doesn't need a slick interface. Give me a plain file listing and I'm happy. I see most people like those snazzy interfaces, which is great for an HTPC but not for media players. I do like having these type conversations since it does bring out different ideas/styles and good opinions.

 

Thanks!

 

opentoe: What Popcorn Hour do you have? And do you prefer one over the other--between the PCH and Dune?

opentoe: What Popcorn Hour do you have? And do you prefer one over the other--between the PCH and Dune?

 

I have the Popcorn Hour A-200 model. I did not like it at first but found out later on it operates a little better than my Dune Prime. The Dune is awesome player and has great features but it disconnects via HDMI all the time for a few seconds which gives me a blank screen. Having see that everytime I stop a file starts to bother me a little bit. Also, going through the same switch the Popcorn Hour can play that high bitrate bird scene with no problems. The Dune has issues at the end and can't keep up. Yea, both have the same chipsets, but I do think the Popcorm Hour processing and programming may be a little bit better than the Dune. I do love both still.

 

 

OK, cool. Thanks.  I really like the appearance of the Dunes, but I have a PCH A-110 currently.  It has worked pretty well, and I like the community.Not looking for an upgrade, but was just curious in case I want/need to upgrade to a new NMT.

there would be little point to buy a new media player if you own a dune or popcorn untill new chipsets are released

there would be little point to buy a new media player if you own a dune or popcorn untill new chipsets are released

+1

 

The new Sigma chips are supposed to handle 3D as well as utilizing gigabit speeds (instead of falsely advertising it as with the current gen).

there would be little point to buy a new media player if you own a dune or popcorn untill new chipsets are released

+1

 

The new Sigma chips are supposed to handle 3D as well as utilizing gigabit speeds (instead of falsely advertising it as with the current gen).

 

No, I agree. As I said, wasn't looking to upgrade. Not overly impressed by the 200 series, so I'd rather way to see what's next. But I think I read recently that the Sigma chips would be dropping the gigabit connections? Let me see if I can find that over there...

It doesn't look like there is any new players on the horizon with the new Sigma chipsets in them.

blurays max bandwith is 50 Mbit for now Gigabit is merely a marketing gimmick, or for those that want to copy files to their media player. That what we got unraid for, right!

Initiailly, even with unRAID, I was going to keep my jukebox llibrary on the popcorn hour. Now when YAMJ copies the files over, it does it one at a time, and it's extremely sllloooowwwww.  So I decided to a) run YAMJ on my server and b) keep the Jukebox files on the server.