[whiterabbit]

Hi All,

Seeing as there were no posts on the device i thought id start one.

(apology's but i cant seem to work out why pics wont display so iv left them as links to flikr )

I bought the original popcorn hour many years ago but didnt like it so sold it immediately. and since then i have been out of the game as i went the itunes/apple tv route.

Now though I felt it was time to try again.

Originally I ordered the popbox 3d, but cancelled and order the a300 as i wanted the extra features.

It arrived a few days ago which was earlier that I expected.

Below is the official on boxing...

They have come long way since the first PCH.

Generally the box is delivered in good condition, but as its only posted out in a DHL bag there are a few scuffs on the box.

2 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Inside you get a couple of sheets of paper with very basic information

With all the kit out you get the main uint, HDMI lead, usb/pc lead which im not sure what to do with yet, usb extension lead, power supply, remote and screws to mount a 2.5/2.5 drive - very thoughtful.

Here is the unit next to a sky remote for scale of its size

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connection on the back are pretty self explanatory however as i mention earlier iv not yet foudn out what to do with the usb/pc connection

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The power supply uses standard kettle lead

I thought i read they supplied a eruo connector, but i got the std us 2 pin lead.

The remote is quite and back lit

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So first thing is first install the Hard drive. Very easy to do, i was expecting to a fair bit of work here but i like what they have done with design.

Take 4 screws off the back then slide the plastic unit to the left to remove it from the device. You then unscrew the middle 5th screw slide the top to the right

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So that the tabs unhook themselves and you can now take the caddy apart to install the drive.

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Slide the drive into the caddy and using the 4 screw supplied affix the drive.

Then its the reverse process of installing it. first put the top cover on and slide it to the left, put the middle screw back and then slot it back into the PCH.

You then slide the unit to the right to engage the sata connctors and replace the 4 screws back in.


Now time to get it connected.....out with the apple tv - it has served me well enough....

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Soon as I power it all on it detected that a firmware was available

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So here we go...

download...Verifying...crc....Installing firmware....

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After 2 different loading screens.......


Iv been busy most of the week so have had very little time to play. but as it didn't come with many instructions I had to Google some and came across a c-200 crib sheet for install the nmt software etc.

Currently im in the process of organising my media so wil get that imported onto the hdd in pch over the weekend.

I have tested a a couple of mkvs and bd iso and flac files all play well. 3d mkvs look good too.

The built in jukebox is ok. ill get more of a taste once i get my library sorted, but next on the agenda is to investigate alternative jukeboxes and applications that can be installed as so far iv just installed the basic YouTube, iplayer etc..

first impressions is not bad at all. its small its got a decent remote and fairly responsive and has potential. Downsides for me are my hdd is a bit noisy , which i assume is due to there being no dampening or sound proofing. You can hear every movement, from my drive anyway which is a samsung green drive.

Depending how this goes I will consider moving this into the office to replace the 2nd apple tv in there and use a popbox / v8 for pure streaming abilities in the lounge.

[KevG123]

Thanks for this

I've just ordered one of these, should be shipped on 18 Nov

All my movies at the moment are on an external Seagate 3tb so hoping that connecting that via the rear usb will be fine - the Wiki page seems to support that hope !

[paulmcp2403]

will this play 3d blu ray isos ?

[KevG123]

Originally Posted by paulmcp2403

will this play 3d blu ray isos ?

According to the A300 forums, only 3d SBS mkv as there is no current Sigma chip that supports full resolution 3D

[next010]

Keep in mind the Popbox V8 has the same GUI but no NMJ jukebox, no BD menus (no idea how long that lasts on the A300) and no photo thumbnails so it doesn't have feature parity with the A300. You can use third party jukeboxes but as always they require a lot of setup work.

Does the A300 actually display photo thumbnails when browsing by files mode, I know it does in the NMJ but I'm wondering if it's the same as the Popbox v8

[KevG123]

Pretty good review here

Popcorn Hour A-300

[blind guardian]

Hi there can we have some photos as you scroll on the movies to see the menu?
Thanks

[Kevo]

Will it play normal BD ISOs (menus, popups and all)?
What is the still image playback like? i.e. are there any nasty jaggedy diagonals (no anti-aliasing) like with my PCH- AC110.
Can it bitsrteam DTSHD-MA?
Will it playback 1080 50p?

Sorry for all the Qs!

[nige106]

I'm soooo close to buying one. Would you be so kind as to post some UI shots. Your previous pics have almost made up my mind.

[lunch_box]

Same here, I would love to see some pics of nmj running before making a purchase

[KevG123]

Originally Posted by KevG123

Thanks for this

I've just ordered one of these, should be shipped on 18 Nov

All my movies at the moment are on an external Seagate 3tb so hoping that connecting that via the rear usb will be fine - the Wiki page seems to support that hope !

Looks like high demand means I will end up in the batch due to be shipped 2nd Dec

At least should get it before xmas

[Kevo]

How does this compare to say the latest WD HD TV media centre?

I'm thinking of upgrading my ageing PCH-AC110 but not sure I want another PCH as i'm concerned some of the 'issues' I listed above (and more) still persist.

[KevG123]

Originally Posted by Kevo

How does this compare to say the latest WD HD media centre?

I'm thinking of upgrading my ageing PCH-AC110 but not sure I want another PCH as i'm concerned some of the 'issues' I listed above (and more) still persist.

I currently have a WDTVLiveHub and the new WD Live Streamer.

When I eventually get the A-300 I don't mind writing up a comparison/first impressions if anyone is interested.

[Rom]

Originally Posted by Kevo

Will it play normal BD ISOs (menus, popups and all)?

Should play most menus like the A2XX series though not guaranteed to play all as it does not have a BD licence. My A210 plays the Alien quadrilogy menus without problem (to allow you to choose between Dir Cut & Theatrical).

What is the still image playback like? i.e. are there any nasty jaggedy diagonals (no anti-aliasing) like with my PCH- AC110.

Can't comment on this as I don't use my PCH's for still images.

Can it bitsrteam DTSHD-MA?

yes

Will it playback 1080 50p?

yes

[MarkE19]

Originally Posted by Kevo

Will it play normal BD ISOs (menus, popups and all)?

Originally Posted by Rom

Should play most menus like the A2XX series though not guaranteed to play all as it does not have a BD licence. My A210 plays the Alien quadrilogy menus without problem (to allow you to choose between Dir Cut & Theatrical).

I believe the A-300 is only BD-Lite, so no access to the actual menu on a BluRay disc.
I know the A-210 also only had BD-Lite at release, but this was upgraded to a full BD license soon after in a firmware update - so there is a good chance this will also be the case for the new A-300

Mark.

[Rom]

Originally Posted by MarkE19

I believe the A-300 is only BD-Lite, so no access to the actual menu on a BluRay disc.
I know the A-210 also only had BD-Lite at release, but this was upgraded to a full BD license soon after in a firmware update - so there is a good chance this will also be the case for the new A-300

Mark.

The A200/210 does not have a full BD license but they enabled menus with a firmware update (it still does not mean it has a full BD license). The A300 is the same, most menus already work but not guaranteed on new BD java/protections.

[Kevo]

Another few Qs (sorry)...

Again comparing it to my PCH A110 (I need to justify the upgrade!)..

How long does it to take to boot up? The A110 takes forever.
Does it still have that annoying 'Don't forget to backup your data' message?

[saguk1234]

Does anyone have one yet?

[KevG123]

Originally Posted by saguk1234

Does anyone have one yet?

Mine *should* be shipped today/tomorrow and be with me early next week

[A2a]

Originally Posted by KevG123

Looks like high demand means I will end up in the batch due to be shipped 2nd Dec

At least should get it before xmas

Originally Posted by KevG123

I currently have a WDTVLiveHub and the new WD Live Streamer.

When I eventually get the A-300 I don't mind writing up a comparison/first impressions if anyone is interested.

Was it direct from Popcorn you bought one, KevG123?

Would like to hear your review and opinion when it does arrive

[KevG123]

Yep, straight from Popcorn

If I had missed this weeks batch I think I would have cancelled and tried a Euro reseller and paid a bit more

Will post up my initial impressions next week hopefully

I will be going the whole hog and fitting an internal 3tb hdd too, so set up will be interesting

[A2a]

Cool, I've seen over at their forums there's a few bugs around at the moment so hopefully these will be on the verge of being addressed...

[KevG123]

Originally Posted by A2a

Cool, I've seen over at their forums there's a few bugs around at the moment so hopefully these will be on the verge of being addressed...

They have let NMT forum members get the latest Beta which looking at the feedback looks like they've fixed many initial bugs

But hey, its a media player

[THE BOARS]

I also have the new wd live and would love a comparision to this
i still think the popcorn pq was better [or could be in my head]

[KevG123]

Despatched from China last Thurs/Fri

Unfortunately, the tracking number is not showing up on the DHL site

[A2a]

Here's hoping that appears and it's transit goes well!

[KevG123]

I'm sure its on its way

Would just be nice to have some idea of where it is...

[KevG123]

Actually, it wasn't on its way

Hopefully, it is now...

[lampard1983]

Kev was you chatting it about it at NMT in the shout box today?? I'm sure it's you lol

[whiterabbit]

Sorry guys - been really busy since i posted this thread and have had chance to come back to it to check the responses.

Ill get some photos up tonight of the menu. I have had bit more time with it and i do like it the built in NMJ is nice and it plays pretty much everything.

I have had a few issues with tv shows where it will find all the relevant info but it seems that the link between the NMJ and files are not corret so wheni ask the NMJ to pay episode 3 for example its actually mapped to a different file on the HDD.

Iv tried making sure the names of the files are 100% in line with what the popcorn wants but its still the same.

I believe on the other pch devices you can download a NMJ editor to fix these issues but my quick searching for how to do this on the a300 has been fruitless. ( funniliy enough i have the same tv show bought from itunes on an apple tv that does a similar thing of screwing up the ep order when i try and play them on the ipad!! )

So far iv tried Flac files, divx, mkv and bluray rips. all play fine. Iv had a couple of glitches. Once had to reboot the device at the end of playing a movie as it wouldnt respond. another time while navigating the menu it froze on me.

Other glitches iv had when playing flac files. I select a file. it starts playing at desired volume. I then sleect next track and notice it doesnt sound as loud. Then if i press mute and and then unmute the volume restores to the louder settings.

Im not overly concerned with those glitches but it would nice not to have them. i thnk a certain level of bugs is almost a given these days with products like this.

I am now however moving on to an Oppo-93 player so the a300 is going to be sold. Reason being iv managed to get it realitive cheapily and iv figured selling my two apple tvs with xmbc and the popcorn hour should help pay towards it.

Also i really want the ability to play 3d bluray isos which the nmt doesnt do.

if any one wants me to try anything before it goes drop me a PM or reply here and ill try and keep an eye on the thread over the next week or so.