xeddog
Novice Member
I am in the market for another media player to replace my Popcorn Hour A410U. I have been a Popcorn Hour user since the A110 (my fav was the A210), but this A410U has really been a disappointment. This box has a problem that Cloud Media says they cannot fix, and that is where the video will occasionally hang for a second, and when it starts again there is some annoying deblocking for a few seconds. I understand the A500 fixes it, but being in the U.S. I would be stuck with the A500U which does not provide Dolby down-mixing, and there are times when I need that.
My needs for the time being are simple. A box to store my videos and play them. I have no need for anything like Plex, Kodi, or any other "jukebox" app. Nor do I need any music or photo apps either.
For at least the near future, 4K and/or streaming are not in the picture yet, but these are good for future-proofing so I would like to have them. So here are three groups of things I would like. Group 1 is mandatory, group 2 is highly desirable, and group 3 is future-proofing.
Group 1 - mandatory
1. Excellent audio and video (720p and 1080p) output
2. audio down-mixing including Dolby
3. Internal 3.5" HDD
4. Play any file format I can throw at it.
5. Good product support.
6. Good networking including nfs, smb, and ftp(optional)
Group 2 - desirable
1. Two internal 3.5" HDD would be very nice
2. QUIET, and this probably means fanless
3. 3D capability since I do have a few 3D releases.
Group 3 - future
1. 4K video with HDR support (HDMI 2.x?)
2. Streaming capabilities
3. Other features that will help futureize me.
So far I have looked into the HiMedia Q10 Pro, the Dune HD Solo 4K, the PCH A500, and the possibility of building a pillbox pc like the NUC. The Dune doesn't have a 3.5" HDD capability so that one is out. The A500U doesn't have Dolby down-mixing. The HiMedia Q10 Pro looks good, but gives me the willies ordering direct from China. The pillbox pc is $$$, the ones that have 3.5" HDD capability are few, and energy usage will be quite a bit higher.
So after all of this, I am open to suggestions.
Thanks,
Wayne
My needs for the time being are simple. A box to store my videos and play them. I have no need for anything like Plex, Kodi, or any other "jukebox" app. Nor do I need any music or photo apps either.
For at least the near future, 4K and/or streaming are not in the picture yet, but these are good for future-proofing so I would like to have them. So here are three groups of things I would like. Group 1 is mandatory, group 2 is highly desirable, and group 3 is future-proofing.
Group 1 - mandatory
1. Excellent audio and video (720p and 1080p) output
2. audio down-mixing including Dolby
3. Internal 3.5" HDD
4. Play any file format I can throw at it.
5. Good product support.
6. Good networking including nfs, smb, and ftp(optional)
Group 2 - desirable
1. Two internal 3.5" HDD would be very nice
2. QUIET, and this probably means fanless
3. 3D capability since I do have a few 3D releases.
Group 3 - future
1. 4K video with HDR support (HDMI 2.x?)
2. Streaming capabilities
3. Other features that will help futureize me.
So far I have looked into the HiMedia Q10 Pro, the Dune HD Solo 4K, the PCH A500, and the possibility of building a pillbox pc like the NUC. The Dune doesn't have a 3.5" HDD capability so that one is out. The A500U doesn't have Dolby down-mixing. The HiMedia Q10 Pro looks good, but gives me the willies ordering direct from China. The pillbox pc is $$$, the ones that have 3.5" HDD capability are few, and energy usage will be quite a bit higher.
So after all of this, I am open to suggestions.
Thanks,
Wayne