Popcorn Hour - Good idea?

[stiscooby]

I have recently been planning on getting a WDTV Live hub but am now thinking if it is the right way to go.

After actually looking at my TV unit I realised I am a little stuck for space. So, I have now come up with the idea of getting rid of my DVD player (DVD only, I don't have a BluRay player as yet) and possibly replace it with a Popcorn Hour C-200.

From looking at these devices this will then give a the option of installing a BluRay/DVD player at a later date if need be. This can then go in the space of my old DVD Player.

Good idea or not?

I just thought by the time I have got the WDTV Live hub (about £150 ish) then purchased a new BluRay player sometime soon it will probably end up costing nearly the same, plus this way I would have one unit, the PCH, taking the space of two machines???

 

[graham.myers]

sounds like a plan. Its not going to be a lot of money to fit a DVD drive to it, say around £20 and only £50 or less to fit a BD drive. I fitted a few and they're straight forward enough to do. If you're not comfortable lifting the lid and replacing the drive bay and fitting the drive then there are companies (including us) that sell them pre-fitted

 

[stiscooby]

Thanks....... re fitting - I am an IT man as a day job, for my sins, so am use to pulling PC's/Servers about so fitting the drive shouldn't be a problem

Am i right in thinking these can also be fitted with a Hard Drive too? (not sure if this is the C-200 model only?). This is the only model you can install a DVD/BluRay drive to isn't it?

Thanks

 

[MarkE19]

The C-200 can also house a HDD along with a BD drive.
There are other media players that come with a preinstalled optical drive such as the HDI Dune Max, Smart B1 or Prime - Full HD Players » HDI Dune
The Max can have a HDD swapped out easily as it is in a caddy, but the Prime needs the lid removed which will void your warrenty if you do it yourself. The Smart B1 needs an extra extension module to house the HDD as there is no room in it's case.

Mark.

 

[stiscooby]

How do the Dune's compare to the PCH? Much the same, as they seem similar in price?

 

[MarkE19]

They are basically the same hardware in a different box. Obviously the firmware for the 2 varies, but offers much the same features - the PCH has YouTube and IIRC BBC iPlayer that the Dune players don't, but the Dune's do HD audio decoding with some models also offering 7.1 analogue audio outputs.

Mark.

 

[graham.myers]

the HDI Dune Prime - Full HD Players » HDI Dune
Mark.

The Prime has now been End-of-lifed

 

[MarkE19]

So grab one at a good price before they all dissapear

Strange as HDI Dune did say that they would not discontinue the Prime or Base when they released the Smart & Max, well not until the new chipsets were released and that still looks to be some time away.

Mark.

 

[graham.myers]

well thats what one of two UK distributors told me last week when I tried to order some. The other distie ignores my emails even though I have an account with them (starting with K and ending in obal )