Suggestions for a good set-top HD media player?

[rohan]

I'm looking for a set-top media player that will play video content from my network on my TV. It needs to support HD, in addition to the standard Divx/Xvid, etc. Wired (ethernet) is fine, wireless would be a bonus, but not neccesary.

Formats I want supported (the minimum):
Xvid / Divx / MPEG 4 - including HD
WMV 9 - including HD

Formats that would be a major bonus:
H.264
Matroska


I need to balance affordability and quality :)

[Awatef]

Well, I would suggest you build your own HTPC.
The following components should be fine:
- CPU: AMD Athlon64 3800+ LV (LV means the power consumption is 45W max, which is ideal for silent HTPCs)
- Mainboard: MSI K9AGM2 (It is a µATX board with built-in HDMI output as well as ATi graphics, 7.1 sound, Firewire input, Gigabit LAN)
- At least 1GB of DDR2 RAM

The rest is up to you. Many design cases are available out there, for prices as low as 70 US$.
The whole system shouldn't cost more than 450 US$, wireless keyboard and mouse included.

[rohan]

I've already done that - that's actually what I'm trying to move away from. It's too big, and more difficult for the girlfriend to use.

[foxyshadis]

You won't get MKV without a PC, unless you go with XBMC, which isn't a half-bad solution. Xbox may be HUEG, and not powerful enough for high-bitrate HD, but they're cheap.

I think this would get better replies in the dedicated hardware player forum.

[Awatef]

You saying "too big" means you're not using an HTPC case.
HTPC cases look like normal receivers, so they won't stand out (see picture below).
And I don't think it would be complicated for your friend to play a video file.
You just make sure, you configure the PC right, so that she won't have to do more than a double-click to watch.

[halcy]

D-Link DSM-750 might do it, but it's not shipping yet

http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=547

We won't sure until it ships and people have thoroughly tested it and found its limits (bitrates, containers, formats, etc).

[rohan]

I was using an HTPC case from Silverstone. A good one too, and it is much bigger than these set-top units. Not to mention the hassle of it being a PC... frankly doesn't bother me, but there really is a user-experience gap between using a PC, and something like set-top player with idiot-proofed menus, etc.

The DSM750 looks perfect (it does 264)

Any idea of when it might ship?

[Awatef]

Well, there are HTPC cases that are as slim as the DLink box.
Talking about SilverStone, the LC19 is such a case.

As for the "idiot-proof" part... I don't know, I really don't see what is so difficult about double-clicking on a file :confused:
You can configure Windows so that whenever you insert a DVD, all files are shown automatically.
As far as network is concerned, you can put a shortcut on the desktop to show the network files.
A mouse with trackball can be used so that you can use it even on your leg.

Well, you decide, I would never buy a set-top box with all the limitations that it has.

[ilovejedd]

Isn't it possible to install HTPC software (such as MediaPortal (http://www.team-mediaportal.com/screenshots/) and GB-PVR (http://www.gbpvr.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16&Itemid=37)) and a USB remote for the PC? As for networked files, if the HTPC software cannot directly add networked files to the library, then why not map the network folder to a drive letter and then add it to the library?

So far I've just been playing around a bit with GB-PVR on a regular, slow Win XP Home desktop. I have an ATI HDTV Wonder installed on it which came with a remote. Ease of navigation using the GB-PVR software + ATI Remote was comparable to the Philips DVP5960 + Philips Remote. Actually, I found the interface of GB-PVR to be more intuitive than the Philips one. I haven't yet tried playing a DVD using GB-PVR as most of my DVDs have been converted to AVI (XviD) stored on a local hard drive. The only reason I bought the DVP5960 is because I couldn't afford the cost of an HTPC yet.

[SeeMoreDigital]

I'm looking for a set-top media player that will play video content from my network on my TV. It needs to support HD, in addition to the standard Divx/Xvid, etc. Wired (ethernet) is fine, wireless would be a bonus, but not neccesary.

Formats I want supported (the minimum):
Xvid / Divx / MPEG 4 - including HD
WMV 9 - including HDMy Zensonic Z500 can play all your "minimum" requirements.

Two new devices are about to be released in Europe later this month, the Ziova CS505 (c/w DVD drive) and the Ziova CS510 (without DVD drive).


Cheers

[rohan]

It won't play 1080i or 1080p WMV though, will it?

[SeeMoreDigital]

It won't play 1080i or 1080p WMV though, will it?It is capable of playing all the (DRM free) trailers available here: -

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/musicandvideo/hdvideo/contentshowcase.aspx


Cheers

[Sharro]

My Zensonic Z500 can play all your "minimum" requirements.

Two new devices are about to be released in Europe later this month, the Ziova CS505 (c/w DVD drive) and the Ziova CS510 (without DVD drive).


Cheers

I guess SeeMoreDigital didn't got my PM....


From: Planet-Shop Sales [mailto:sales@planet-shop.nl]
Sent: terça-feira, 17 de Abril de 2007 11:48
To: '*******'
Subject: RE: Ziova CS-505


Dear Mr. ****,

You can order on our website, www.planet-shop.eu? Is this possible for you?

Met vriendelijke groet / With best regards,

Sophie van Dijck
Planet-Shop Sales

Planet-Shop B.V.; Duurstedeweg 16; 7418 CK Deventer; The Netherlands

Tel. +31-570-609374; Fax +31-570-620689; www.planet-shop.nl


All the best,

Sharro

[SonofPhatty2x4]

Rohan,

Have you looked at anything from sarotech?

http://www.sarotech.com/english/cgi/pd.cgi?cmd=view&rno=19

I have this and a couple other products by them and they have always worked well for me.

[rohan]

looks great, but where do i buy it?

[ronnylov]

I have a DVICO TViX 4000P that meets your requirements. The upcoming models 4100 and 5100 can also play h.264 content but it can not play mkv files (it should work if you remux them to mp4 or ts container). The new models that supports h.264 are going to be released next week according to the rumours.

My TViX 4000P does have a network connection but it can also use internal hard drive or USB hard drive.

http://www.tvix.co.kr/eng/

And this is my player: http://www.tvix.co.kr/Eng/products/HDM4000P.aspx

There is a newer version of my player that can have an optional HD tuner:http://www.tvix.co.kr/Eng/products/HDM4000.aspx