High Def media players - The options

[dodgyd]

Hi all,

I'll admit it, I'm pretty confused about the options for displaying HD content that is located on my PC for viewing on my HD ready TV. It's not necessarily the technology I'm confused about, it's the choice of hardware.

The way I see it, these are the options:

• Snazio SZ1350 - http://www.snazzishop.co.uk/cartuk_netdvd.asp . Though it's out of stock
• Pinnacle Showcentre 200 - Nice review http://graphics.tomshardware.com/video/20050715/
• Roku Photobridge HD1500 - http://www.dabs.com/uk/productview.h...1&refererid=WQ
• HTPC
• Any more?

I suppose I could amend this post with the latest details and prices as they become available. Has anyone used the Roku one above? I can't find any details on it. Also, I have a chipped XBOX, is that capable of displaying HD movies via (for example) XBMC?

Thanks,
Dave.

[bbdivo]

I was just about to post this to see if anyone had any expeiences with it:

http://www.dlink.co.uk/?go=jN7uAYLx/...f32KfhJ0gRsug=

Does look quite interesting, was actually thinking about getting the non-DVD version until I saw that.

[dodgyd]

Interesting, this could be its killer feature:

Online radio support from Live365 and now, with support for Windows® Media Connect3, files protected by Windows® Media Digital Rights Management (WMDRM) can be streamed from your PC to your living room.

Dave.

[dodgyd]

On second thoughts, it doesn't say if it supports .ts files or not.

Dave.

[Sparky101]

Originally Posted by dodgyd

Interesting, this could be its killer feature:


Dave.

Not really a killer feature, I know the ShowCenter 200 can do that too (as I have one), maybe some of the others can too as a lot of them use the same decoding chip.

[dodgyd]

Originally Posted by Sparky101

Not really a killer feature, I know the ShowCenter 200 can do that too (as I have one), maybe some of the others can too as a lot of them use the same decoding chip.

So I'm glad I started this thread So if I was an iMP triallist (for the BBC trial), I could watch the downloaded shows via the ShowCenter?

Dave.

[zag2me]

I use an HTPC with a passive Nvidia 6600gt card in it and a celeron 2.4 processor.

Plays all hdtv great, and is virtually silent. Frontend is meedio which can play .ts files with its internal player.

http://www.gaz1.com/htpc

[jriihi]

I was thinking about this and between snazio 1350 and roku hd1500 i choose roku (mostly due to 3rd party software). Should get it tomorrow so dont know how good it is yet

[dodgyd]

Originally Posted by jriihi

I was thinking about this and between snazio 1350 and roku hd1500 i choose roku (mostly due to 3rd party software). Should get it tomorrow so dont know how good it is yet

Will be good to hear your opinions when you get it. I'm interesting in buying partly because it's available to buy straight away! Can you expand on the 3rd party software bit of your post?

Dave.

[Tarbat]

Originally Posted by dodgyd

So I'm glad I started this thread So if I was an iMP triallist (for the BBC trial), I could watch the downloaded shows via the ShowCenter?

Maybe. See this thread for discussions and replies from Pinnacle support on the BBC iMP - http://webboard.pinnaclesys.com/read...hreadID=243834

Quote from Pinnacle support - "well, if they use Microsoft DRM, chances are that it just works (with ShowCenter 200)."

[dodgyd]

Originally Posted by jriihi

i choose roku (mostly due to 3rd party software).

Can anyone else expand on this statement?
Thanks,
Dave.

[Tarbat]

Originally Posted by dodgyd

Can anyone else expand on this statement?
Thanks,
Dave.

3rd party software that works with the ShowCenter 200 includes SwissCenter

[dodgyd]

Originally Posted by cjgpers

3rd party software that works with the ShowCenter 200 includes SwissCenter

So you mean the roku doesn't need this software?

Dave.

[jriihi]

I did not yet get my roku so cant comment on how good it works yet. Should get tomorrow hopefully or thursday atleast.

Yeah it doesnt. It can be setup with compact flash card in roku that contains all software needed. Then you just use standard nfs or smb mounts over network.

Here is some native software for roku (runs on roku from flashcard or nfs/smb mounted network drive):

Mplay:
http://permanence.com/mplay/#screenshots

Sonica:
http://www.bobsplace.com/sonica/screen_shots.html

Slimroku (this one requires free server side software slimserver from (http://www.slimdevices.com/su_downloads.html)
http://www.permanence.com/SlimRoku/i...ml#screenshots so it might not be usefull for some ppl.

Viper (can be setup to launch Mplay for playback):
http://sourceforge.net/project/scree...roup_id=143876

Some software list (not complete):
http://frequal.com/roku/AllPhotoBridgeApps.html

roku 3rd party software discussion forum:
http://rokulabs.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=11

[Tarbat]

Can the Roku paly WMV-HD and MPEG4 media? Their spec sheet's a bit vague, but only seems to mention MPEG1 and MPEG2. And what about PAL support?

Originally Posted by roku spec sheet

Video Format Support
Full hardware MPEG2 MP@ML and MP@HL decode and MPEG1 decode; Currently, the PhotoBridge software decodes and displays all 18 DTV ATSC MPEG2 formats only.
Supports NTSC format (PAL support coming soon)