[a5ian300zx]

Hi,

I came across this a thought i share with you guys and your thoughts, sound very good to me.

Xtreamer Home

new player cheap and with the latest realtek 128x chipset.

Specifications:

Connectivity

* WIFI
* UPnP SSDP
* UPnP AV
* NTFS
*

Web services

o Video : YouTube, Picasa, Yahoo Video, CNN, NBC Today, CBS Face the Nation and more
o Audio : Live365 Radio, iPodcast, Radiobox, ABC News, BBC Podcast, CNN News , Indiefeed, Jamendo
o Photo : Picasaweb
o RSS feed : Yahoo! Weather, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Xchange, MSNBC News and more
o
+

Media files supported

* Video containers:
o MPEG1/2/4 Elementary (M1V, M2V, M4V)
o MPEG1/2 PS (M2P, MPG)
o MPEG2 Transport Stream (TS, TP, TRP, M2T, M2TS, MTS)
o VOB
o AVI, ASF, WMV
o Matroska (MKV)
o AVC HD
o MOV (H.264), MP4, RMP4
o FLV - Flash Video
* Video codecs:
o XVID SD/HD
o MPEG-1
o MPEG-2
+ MP@HL
o MPEG-4.2
+ ASP@L5, 720p, 1-point GMC
o WMV9
+ MP@HL
o H.264
+ BP@L3
+ MP@L4.0
+ HP@L4.0
+ HP@L4.1
o VC-1
+ MP@HL
+ AP@L3
* Audio containers:
o AAC, M4A
o MPEG audio (MP1, MP2, MP3, MPA)
o WAV
o WMA
o FLAC
o OGG
o
* Audio codecs:
o Dolby Digital
o DTS
o WMA, WMA Pro
o AAC
o MP1, MP2, MP3
o LPCM
o FLAC
o Vorbis
* Audio pass through : DTS, Dolby Digital, DTS-HD MA, DTS-HD HR, Dolby True HD, Dolby Digital Plus
* Photo formats : JPEG, BMP, PNG, GIF, HD JPEG
* Other formats: ISO, IFO, FLV, RM, RA, RAM
* Subtitle formats : SRT, SMI, SUB, SSA, IDX
* Streaming formats : RTSP, FLV

Chipset

* Realtek 128X (Special Edition)

Memory

* 256MB DDR SDRAM, 32MB Flash

Audio/Video outputs

* HDMI v1.3a (up to 1080p)
* Composite Video
* Stereo Analog Audio
* S/PDIF Optical Digital Audio

Interface

* 1x USB 2.0 slave
* 2x USB 2.0 host
* Internal SATA

Network

* Ethernet 10/100
* WIFI USB Antenna 802.11n (optional)

Power

* 12V DC, 3A

Dimension

* Width 10.5"(180mm) x Depth 1.25" (32mm) x Height 2.25" (82mm)
* Weight
* 2.2 lbs (1Kg)

Package Content

* Xtreamer (HDD not included)
* 100~240V Power Adapter
* 1.5M length HDMI cable (optional)
* WiFi 802.11n USB Antenna (optional)
* Audio & Video Cables
* Remote Control with 2 "AAA" batteries
* USB Slave cable
* Quick start guide

Price: €99

[ganon]

ahh come on just when I spent £165 on a HDX this looks to do the same thing and much cheaper

[NeilF]

Now, if this handles photos (jpgs) nice and quickly I'll be all over it most likely.

It mentions HD Jpeg support to if that means jpeg decompression is nice and fast, unlike sigma units, I'll be VERY happy!

[Evil Engineer]

Still no Blu-ray style SUP subtitles.

What's so difficult about this feature?

[TheBlueRaja]

This looks to be very good, but its obviously just went up on the site as most of the documentation is missing, the forums are empty and apart from the product shots and a place to buy it all other information is non existent.

Even the install guide is missing.

There is also a 20 euro delivery charge which is steep, however buying in USD should see this on your doorstep for under a £100 (could there also be customer charges???)

I think this one should be given a wait and see until more info comes out.

[DavidT]

The specs look very good, the UI looks very good and the design of the box looks very good but that is not enough for me to buy just yet. I need to see some reviews as there have been so many media players that ticked all the boxes on paper but failed to deliver. Also interesting is why there is no mention of the manufacturer.

David

[NeilF]

Originally Posted by DavidT

The specs look very good, the UI looks very good and the design of the box looks very good but that is not enough for me to buy just yet. I need to see some reviews as there have been so many media players that ticked all the boxes on paper but failed to deliver. Also interesting is why there is no mention of the manufacturer.

David

It's a group of manufacturers I believe, including Realtek... Someone will need to verify this...

Asus have their version of the unit (O!Play) which is also worth a look and due out in 5-6 weeks...

[ghislain]

It sure looks very promising however I too will wait until the reviews start appearing.
I am convinced about functionality, now I need to know about PQ and responsiveness of the interface.

[NeilF]

Originally Posted by ghislain

It sure looks very promising however I too will wait until the reviews start appearing.
I am convinced about functionality, now I need to know about PQ and responsiveness of the interface.

As long as it's generally as good with video media as the sigmas, and FASTER with photos/navigation I'll buy it. Not too interesting in the GUI, as long as it's OK...

[a5ian300zx]

Hi,

good news is that the will make the code - open source so more possibilities.

also anyone that pre orders a unit will et free wireless dongle draftN

regards

[TimmyP23]

Product to ship from 1st July 2009 with free wifi antenna for anyone pre-ordering.

Just confirmed this with Michael Rousine through the online customer service portal.

[NeilF]

Originally Posted by TimmyP23

Product to ship from 1st July 2009 with free wifi antenna for anyone pre-ordering.

Just confirmed this with Michael Rousine through the online customer service portal.

Jesus, that's tempting!! But I'm not brave enough to buy blind! I'd need some sort of review first!

[Smurfin]

Originally Posted by Evil Engineer

Still no Blu-ray style SUP subtitles.

What's so difficult about this feature?

If the new Popcorn Hour (A1000 anyone ) comes with BD ISO support, will that eliminate the subtitles problem? This is one of my big bugbears with the PCH, especially on those movies where the subtitles might be just a few lines (I've ended up demuxing several subtitle streams before just to find the right one, takes ages).

[daniel_owen_uk]

Yes it would, ISO support would replicate the exact function of BR, and would require the licencing of BR.

[NeilF]

I found this comment interesting "if a user dont have a 802.11n router as yet - he can use 2 of our antennas and create himself a "dedicated wireless network" for streaming his media in the premises. one in his PC and one in his Xtreamer." Xtreamer Official Forum • View topic - what Xtreamer is all about ???

So does that mean as my network 802.11g, I could get an extra one of these antennas and plug it into my PC, and the Xtreamer could connect directly to my PC over the (faster) 802.11n network instead of the 802.11g netowrk?

I assume if I didn't get the extra antenna then the XTreamer would connect just over 802.11g speeds...

[daniel_owen_uk]

Sounds about right.

[NeilF]

Originally Posted by daniel_owen_uk

Sounds about right.

Epic!

Just sounds too good to be true! PLEASE PLEASE let the photos be quicker than the Sigma players!!!!

[a5ian300zx]

Originally Posted by NeilF

Epic!

Just sounds too good to be true! PLEASE PLEASE let the photos be quicker than the Sigma players!!!!

NeilF - what Sigma player do you have, because i got the tvix 6500a and the photo's load quite fast with slideshow depending on the firmware you are using, the NMT players are very slow, I also have a egreat NMT player.

[daniel_owen_uk]

Suppose the only bit then would be net connection, obviously if you are using an adhoc wireless connection you wouldn't be able to speak to your router as well, meaning you would need to bridge the connection to the net and your adhoc connection.

(basically pc would need to be on to get on net)

[NeilF]

Originally Posted by a5ian300zx

NeilF - what Sigma player do you have, because i got the tvix 6500a and the photo's load quite fast with slideshow depending on the firmware you are using, the NMT players are very slow, I also have a egreat NMT player.

I've looked into the WDTV, PCH and EVA9150 so far. (By this I mean talk to owners)

The fastest one I've found so far seems to be the EVA9150 - Look at this clip here from about 25secs onwards
YouTube - PhotoViewer

This is an EVA9150 viewing 100-200K images from a NAS. So when manually moving as quickly as possible it seems to take about 1.5->2 seconds (from a NAS).


In my case I'd be happy to resize all photos to the perfect size (in my case 720p) and put them on a local USB harddrive.

If the XTreamer can match that, or even better beat it, I'll get one!

[NeilF]

Originally Posted by daniel_owen_uk

Suppose the only bit then would be net connection, obviously if you are using an adhoc wireless connection you wouldn't be able to speak to your router as well, meaning you would need to bridge the connection to the net and your adhoc connection.

(basically pc would need to be on to get on net)

Oh I see, so rather than the XTreamer going via the router to get to the internet, it would go to the PC with the 802.11n dongle, and from there to the internet (via a wire to the router)? There's no reason it wouldn't just work? But does mean your PC would have to be on?!

There's no way it could connect to both wireless networks so I guess the best option is to just use the 802.11g (router)...

[DavidT]

Originally Posted by NeilF

Oh I see, so rather than the XTreamer going via the router to get to the internet, it would go to the PC with the 802.11n dongle, and from there to the internet (via a wire to the router)? There's no reason it wouldn't just work? But does mean your PC would have to be on?!

There's no way it could connect to both wireless networks so I guess the best option is to just use the 802.11g (router)...

You will have issues viewing HD video's over the 802.11g connection. But for photos it should be fine.

David

[NeilF]

Originally Posted by DavidT

You will have issues viewing HD video's over the 802.11g connection. But for photos it should be fine.

David

I'd not stream any media over a network. All media would be on local USB drive.

The only issue - as with all these devices - is the speed of copying large amounts of data to them. Over a wireless (g) network it would be slow...

Hence I'd just use the WDTV (perfect) method of a passport drive, and just move it quickly and easily between the PC and player...

Again, I'd want the photos on a local drive (not over a network) to make them as quick as possible to navigate/view.

[daniel_owen_uk]

Best option is to wire it to the router :P

But I suppose it depends what's most important speed to your media server, or internet access when your PC isn't on.

Adhoc networks work from one point to another, simplez.

If you want internet access you would need to bridge the LAN connection going to your PC and the WLAN connection from PC to Xtreamer. But that bridge would only work when the PC was on.

On the xtreamer you could create a new connection to router when PC is off but that would be a pain (unless it allows you to have multiple profiles).

[NeilF]

Originally Posted by daniel_owen_uk

Best option is to wire it to the router :P

But I suppose it depends what's most important speed to your media server, or internet access when your PC isn't on.

Adhoc networks work from one point to another, simplez.

If you want internet access you would need to bridge the LAN connection going to your PC and the WLAN connection from PC to Xtreamer. But that bridge would only work when the PC was on.

On the xtreamer you could create a new connection to router when PC is off but that would be a pain (unless it allows you to have multiple profiles).

Well, in my case the network would hardly ever be used...

These units can contact the internet when browsing your media for information/images can't they? That's about the only use of the network I'd use I guess... Just video media and photos on a local drive for me I suspect

[DavidT]

Originally Posted by TimmyP23

Product to ship from 1st July 2009 with free wifi antenna for anyone pre-ordering.

Just confirmed this with Michael Rousine through the online customer service portal.

That is very tempting, I might have to eat my own words (or just delete my previous post and hope no one remembers it!).

For about £100 delivered with wifi support it might be worth putting in a preorder and hope that a favourable review is published before the order ships, that way I could cancel the order if the reviews are bad.

David

[a5ian300zx]

Originally Posted by NeilF

I've looked into the WDTV, PCH and EVA9150 so far. (By this I mean talk to owners)

This is an EVA9150 viewing 100-200K images from a NAS. So when manually moving as quickly as possible it seems to take about 1.5->2 seconds (from a NAS).


In my case I'd be happy to resize all photos to the perfect size (in my case 720p) and put them on a local USB harddrive.

If the XTreamer can match that, or even better beat it, I'll get one!

I have the photos on internal HDD so i guess it will load quick anyway not sure on how it would perform on the NAS.

[NeilF]

Originally Posted by DavidT

That is very tempting, I might have to eat my own words (or just delete my previous post and hope no one remembers it!).

For about £100 delivered with wifi support it might be worth putting in a preorder and hope that a favourable review is published before the order ships, that way I could cancel the order if the reviews are bad.

David

Or just wait three weeks... And hope a review comes out in that time...

[DavidT]

Originally Posted by NeilF

Or just wait three weeks... And hope a review comes out in that time...

But if I wait will I end up being in line for the next batch and miss the first? Who knows, maybe there are several hundred already built waiting to be delivered but I doubt it. From another post I think there are over 150 preorders already.

David

[daniel_owen_uk]

Pretty picture, dunno if it's artist rendition or finished item.

Interestingly no fan shown on front or back of box