x264 HD player?

[oddball]

So when do you think we will see one of these players appear and at what price/features from Asia? :)

[DewAsmara]

So when do you think we will see one of these players appear and at what price/features from Asia? :)

At least in Thailand they sold Snazio 1350 arround 16000 Baht (400 USD up). Its already have VC1 capabilities (WMVHD), DivXHD, MPEG4, H263, H264, X264 (not sure the salesman honest or not with H264 & X264 statement). But quite confusing as the chipset it self actually not support H264 and X264 code.

[Ninjabrownie]

Check out this link: H.264 Player (http://www.gowellent.net/ProductsWeb/H.264.htm)
I'm looking for the same thing, so I actually sent GOWELL ent. a mail inquiring if they sell single units. Didn't get a response though...

[SeeMoreDigital]

There has been a link to those Gowell AVC players for around a year now..... I don't know of anybody who's actually seen a real one!


Cheers

[Sagittaire]

HDDVD and BD player support H264

[Ninjabrownie]

We've been Bamboozled...

Next to the Xbox360 and PS3 (presumably) also the Wii will come out with a new and improved version (http://www.sonic.com/about/press/news/2006/11/nintendo.aspx) that should playback H.264.

Still not clear on what new DVD players can do, I've been told that the newest models can decode eg x264.

[SeeMoreDigital]

..... I've been told that the newest models can decode eg x264.Really... by whom?

[dukey]

i want a player that can handle
vcd/svcd/dvd
xvid and divx up to divx HD profile and x264 up to 1080p
support for both avi and matroska containers
support for mp2/mp3/ac3/ogg audio/flac

[SeeMoreDigital]

i want a player that can handle
vcd/svcd/dvd
xvid and divx up to divx HD profile and x264 up to 1080p
support for both avi and matroska containers
support for mp2/mp3/ac3/ogg audio/flacYou'll be waiting a long time to get a "stand-alone" player that offers all that spec!

[dukey]

the divx hd players pretty much offer all that
bar mkv and h264 support

[SeeMoreDigital]

the divx hd players pretty much offer all thatPlease be more accurate.... Such players are not "DivX HD" players. They are MPEG-4 players capable of supporting high-def MPEG-4 encoded sources, which includes DivX and Xvid!

....bar mkv and h264 supportThat's every player currently available then!

[Ninjabrownie]

By Whom?
By shop assistants at Media Markt's DVD and HD TV section. You'de expect them to be able to give good advice, but then I do live in Holland...

dukey, could you give an example?

[SeeMoreDigital]

By Whom?
By shop assistants at Media Markt's DVD and HD TV section. You'de expect them to be able to give good advice, but then I do live in Holland... Well that explains it....

They are probably confusing players that can "up-scale" std-def images to high-def..... Only players based around Sigma's EM8620L chip-set can play MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 Part-2 sources encoded at 1280x720 or 1920x1080 pixels.

There are encouraging rumours that Sony's PS3 might be able to support high-def MPEG-4 Part-10 (aka: MPEG-4 AVC) streams placed within the .AVI and/or.MP4 containers... but I can't confirm!

As for the current crop of HD-DVD and Blu-ray players.... None support either the .AVI and/or.MP4 containers!

[Ninjabrownie]

No really, sales personnel here is confused (as was I). Media Markt's personnel specifically said that all new DVD player models support H264. In contrast the good people at the Correct Store claimed no players at the moment even support mpeg 4 (then blushed and simply walked away after I pointed my finger at the tag "MPEG 4").

So hooray for the internet. Thanks, I'll check out players using the Sigma EM8620L and probably return the Xoro 8410.

[dukey]

the new kiss player supports

Video Playback Formats DVD, Windows Media 9, Windows Media 9 HD, MPEG, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, DivX 3.11, DivX 4, DivX 5, DivX HD, Nero Digital, XviD

Audio Playback Formats Audio CD, WMA, WMA Pro, MP3, MPEG, MPEG-2, Ogg Vorbis

[SeeMoreDigital]

the new kiss player supports

Video Playback Formats DVD, Windows Media 9, Windows Media 9 HD, MPEG, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, DivX 3.11, DivX 4, DivX 5, DivX HD, Nero Digital, XviD

Audio Playback Formats Audio CD, WMA, WMA Pro, MP3, MPEG, MPEG-2, Ogg VorbisYes... because it fitted with Sigma's EM8620L chip-set :search:

[Ninjabrownie]

Sigma's (http://www.sigmadesigns.com/public/Products/EM8620L/EM8620L_series.html) EM8620L Series
Digital Media Processors with MPEG-4.10 (H.264) and SMPTE 421M (VC-1)

Still, I have not found one single standalone player that is able to playback eg x264 in popular containers. Are manufacturers not harnessing the full potential of the chip? Or am I discarding players that do by refusing to look at devices priced at 1000 ++ euros?

[SeeMoreDigital]

Sigma's (http://www.sigmadesigns.com/public/Products/EM8620L/EM8620L_series.html) EM8620L Series
Digital Media Processors with MPEG-4.10 (H.264) and SMPTE 421M (VC-1) Note the word series!!!!!

There are several Sigma chip-sets in the "series" (or "family" as Sigma sometimes like to call it). See if you can spot the chip-set versions that do not support VC-1 and MPEG-4 Part-10?

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/2329/sigmaem862xseries4gr.png


Cheers

[DewAsmara]

There are several Sigma chip-sets in the "series" (or "family" as Sigma sometimes like to call it). See if you can spot the chip-set versions that do not support VC-1 and MPEG-4 Part-10?

Hi SMD,
Are they any plan that Pioneer will use Sigma HD chipset series? I wonder if it is. But right now just stick with my old player. This war format really boring me as customer, maybe stick temporary with Zensonic or Snazzio is a better way.

[kurkosdr]

Xvid and x264 are just software tools to create Mpeg-4 ASP and Mpeg-4 AVC videos accordingly. Xvid and x264 are not video formats.

Let me clarify that Mpeg-4 ASP (DivX) and Mpeg-4 AVC (DivXHD/MKV H.264) are two different things. They can both handle HD video, but Mpeg-4 AVC provides much better compression, and so it's better. So, make sure you get an HD player that supports Mpeg-4 AVC files (DivxHD/MKV H.264), and not just Mpeg-4 ASP files in high definition (Divx).
Here are the logos you have to look for:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2470/4074585699_c27aacfe51_o.png http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2516/4075499898_c1dc56e099_o.png

Be careful though with the "MKV" logo. This is because some sneaky players implement the MKV container, but only for when it contains Mpeg 4 asp video (mkv's can contain both asp and avc, that's why the latter is always called "MKV H.264" and not just "MKV") so you might end up with an MPEG 4 ASP player, instead of a Mpeg 4 AVC. Again, the DivXHD option clearly specifies MKV H.264, so it will solve this issue (if the logo is there, you have Mpeg 4 AVC video).

Any properly made video, made with Xvid or X264, will play fine on any Dvix or DvixHD/MKV H.264 devices accordingly. The reason some people think xvid and x264 are seperate video formats (they are not) is because some pirate groups prefer to name the tool they 've used (eg xvid) instead the name of the format itself (eg divx).

Final conclusion: If you want a player that will support videos made with the x264 software tool (the "x264 HD player" you mention) buy a player that supports MPEG 4 AVC

PS: Yes I know that Xvid contains some weird extensions that deviate from the mpeg 4 asp standard, but any smart user will disable them, and thus the ending video will still be a mpeg 4 asp video, and most videos on the net do not have these extensions. x264 produces fully Mpeg 4 AVC compatible vids in all cases, so there is no such issue. Videos make with x264 = videos in Mpeg 4 AVC format

[kurkosdr]

i want a player that can handle
vcd/svcd/dvd
Most modern players do that. Just look at the description of the product (or manufacturer's page)

xvid and divx up to divx HD profile and x264 up to 1080p
For the 2nd time, xvid and x264 are not video formats. They are plain software tools for PCs, just like Ulead Video Studio, PowerDirector and DVD shrink are, so you can't get any support for those. The xvid software creates Mpeg 4 asp files (Divx). The x264 software creates Mpeg 4 avc files (DivxHD, MKV H.264)

-For Divx support, look for the Dvix logo (http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/resources/2007/11/divx10_logo.jpg)
-For DivxHD support, look for the DvixHD logo (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2470/4074585699_c27aacfe51_o.png)

support for both avi and matroska containers
A Mpeg 4 asp video stored inside an avi container is called a Dvix
A Mpeg 4 avc video stored inside an mkv container with high quality sound is called a DivxHD (or MKV H.264)
So, if you have these logos, you have support for avi and/or mkv containers accordingly.

However, if the mkv or avi file contains video in some other weird format other that Mpeg 4 asp or Mpeg 4 avc accordingly, your player may not be able to play it. Fortunately, most avi or mkv files out there conform to the Dvix or DvixHD standard, so they are mpeg 4 asp's or mpeg 4 avc's.

support for mp2/mp3/ac3/ogg audio/flac
mp3 is pretty much taken for granted. Support for the other ones varies greatly from the device to device.

[Blue_MiSfit]

The reason some people think xvid and x264 are seperate video formats (they are not) is because some pirate groups prefer to name the tool they 've used (eg xvid) instead the name of the format itself (eg divx).


ROFL!!!

No.

Xvid is an MPEG-4 ASP encoder. x264 is an MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) encoder. They are completely different formats.

The "format itself" you refer to is in fact MPEG-4 ASP, and Divx and Xvid are both implementations of this format.

~MiSfit

[kurkosdr]

The xvid software creates Mpeg 4 asp files (Divx). The x264 software creates Mpeg 4 avc files (DivxHD, MKV H.264) Let me clarify that Mpeg-4 ASP (DivX) and Mpeg-4 AVC (DivXHD/MKV H.264) are two different things.
Xvid is an MPEG-4 ASP encoder. x264 is an MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) encoder. They are completely different formats.
I have already said what you just said 2 times already. Duh! Repetition is boring.

Also, as you say

Mpeg 4 ASP is the format, and Dvix is the implementation

Mpeg 4 AVC is the format, and DvixHD/MKV H.264 is the implementation.

That's why you must look for the "Divx" logo if you want Mpeg 4 ASP (xvid creates such videos), and for the "DivxHD" logo ("MKV H.264" logo) if you want Mpeg 4 AVC (x264 creates such videos).

Yes, there are other implementations of these formats, but you wont encounter them often.

So, here it goes again: x264 is a tool for creating Mpeg4 AVC videos. The most common implementation of Mpeg 4 AVC (besides bluray) is Dvix HD or MKV H.264.
So, if you want a player that will play videos made with the x264 tool, buy a player that will support the Mpeg 4 AVC format, and since the most common implementation of this format is the DivX HD and MKV H.264, look for a player with these badges.

Is this Ok now?

[pandy]

I have already said what you just said 2 times already. Duh! Repetition is boring.


Yep but for us...


Also, as you say

Mpeg 4 ASP is the format, and Dvix is the implementation


Dvix is one of implementations - also is a trademark


Mpeg 4 AVC is the format, and DvixHD/MKV H.264 is the implementation.


Generally Dvix is a trademark, MKV is a container, H.264 is a name for standard, DvixHD is a trademark and one of implementations for H.264


That's why you must look for the "Divx" logo if you want Mpeg 4 ASP (xvid creates such videos), and for the "DivxHD" logo ("MKV H.264" logo) if you want Mpeg 4 AVC (x264 creates such videos).


Wrong - to be honest, seems that less confusing is using proper names for standards:

ISO/IEC 14496-10 for H.264
ISO/IEC 14496-2 for XVid, Dvix etc
read those standards, there is nothing about logos like Dvix...(registered trademark for Dvix Inc.)


Yes, there are other implementations of these formats, but you wont encounter them often.


any statistics?



So, here it goes again: x264 is a tool for creating Mpeg4 AVC videos. The most common implementation of Mpeg 4 AVC (besides bluray) is Dvix HD or MKV H.264.


No, MKV is a name (extension) for Matroska container


So, if you want a player that will play videos made with the x264 tool, buy a player that will support the Mpeg 4 AVC format, and since the most common implementation of this format is the DivX HD and MKV H.264, look for a player with these badges.


Wrong, do not mix containers with video compression - many containers can transport various video (and audio) compression schemes


Is this Ok now?

We trying but...

remember - Dvix is limited implementation for ISO/IEC 14496-2, streams encoded with Xvid can use unsupported by Dvix certified devices features.

[osgZach]

I recently purchased a Wester Digital WD TV HD Live

It's really a fine piece of hardware for the price. My first standalone "media player" and I am very happy with it.

It's played pretty much anything I've thrown at it, except for one particular set of files, which I suspect are using a setting not supported (I haven't updated the firmware since I got it, only got my Cat6 cable run to it two days ago).

All that aside, and whatever limitations it may have I'm very pleased for the $128 I spent on it, buying online. It is a VAST improvement over the first model which I severely loathed for being so tempting yet lacking.

This version is much better for sure, especialy with the connections. It has HDMI out, Component Out, Composite out, Optical TOSLink out, an Ethernet jack and 2 USB2.0 ports.

I was a little skeptical of the Component cable at first, because the plug on the unit is a standard 3.5mm jack, which I'd never seen used this way before, but the quality is excellent. 1080i Anime looks absolutely stunning, and hoping to test it with some live action flicks soon. I only wish it had an S/PDIF port in addition to, or instead of the TOSLink.

But you can hook it up to practically anything. It upscales very decently too, and when you get a good resolution clip on Youtube it looks great on the TV too. Not quite happy with the UI implimentation of Youtube but overall it looks great, although can be a bit slow just navigating between videos / ratings, etc sometimes.

Tweaktown has a great Video Review for it (dunno if we're allowed to link, so I won't) and it was what cemented my decision to buy the unit.

Surely a step up from my Philips DiVX Ultra player. Looking forward to streaming lots of stuff from my PC without lugging a slow USB2.0 HDD up and down the stairs too.

[pandy]

I own WD TV HD media player almost year ago - generally it is a nice device but at this moment i thinking on this http://www.xtreamer.net/ - seems to be better alternative to WD TV HD Live...

[osgZach]

I suppose it depends on what you want out of your player. They look basically the same except for the Internet Channels support and a few other features. But I get youtube so its not all that bad.

Seems kind of weird they support an internal HDD but limit it to 500GB also.

And then there was this at the bottom of their model page (at least the $139/
€99.00 one)

* Streaming video over WiFi under best condition only able to achieve up to 10Mbps.


Kind makes you wonder what else they have a clause about