Search for the PERFECT media player under $200

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Search for the PERFECT media player under $200

JayTaicho

294 posts

Ultimate Geek

#102731 21-May-2012 15:01

Hi all. My WDTV Live died last week and am now in need of a new media player.

I've been checking out specs and details of other popular streamers online (roku, apple tv, revue, etc), but none that I've seen have ALL the features I would like in the 'perferct' box (for me).

So these are the following features I'm after:

- Full HD playback
- Great codec/container support (but MKV 1080p is really all I care about)
- DTS Audio output
- USB inputs with HFS+ support (mac formatted)
- Built-in wi-fi N
- Plex client/app (or something similar)

The Logitech Revue came close, but doesn't support DTS unfortunately (and the same with the Roku 2 I believe).

I think the closest I'm gonna get is this: http://www.bondandbond.co.nz/shop/computers/accessories/western-digital-wdbgxt0000nbk-aesn-wd-tv-live-1080p-wireless-streaming-media-player/prod113634.html
Plex isn't supported, but I hear it's on it's way.

Any other suggestions?

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5802 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#628392 21-May-2012 15:06

I'm with you.
I have a WDTV live, which goes fine, but I would love some sort of built in scraper to create moviesheets (doing it on WDTV Live using custom firmware is cumbersome as you have to vreate the moviesheets seperately).
XBMC looks perfect for me, but is there a device with it?
Raspberry Pi looks like it eventually will.
AppleTV Jailbroken does, but they haven't Jailbroken the new Apple TV yet and it isn't looking good...

I will watch this thread in hope.

JayTaicho

294 posts

Ultimate Geek

#628399 21-May-2012 15:19

I too dabbled in WDlxTV for a while, but messed things up in the end. Thought I had bricked the box, but luckily restored to official firmware!

Recently sold my ATV2. Wish I hadn't now, as I don't have anything to tie me over! Was jailbroken with Plex and worked great. But when it came to 1080p stuff, I needed a box I could directly plug my drive into. Which is why I just ended up solely using the WDTV, and just copying files to an external drive.

For the time being, I've resorted to the USB input on the side of my LG Plasma. Which only supports avi/mpeg4 divx up to 720x404. Very sad.

garvani

1873 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#628431 21-May-2012 16:04

Checkout the Xtreamer Sidewinder 3, it does almost everything you want except for the plex client. It is slightly more expensive than your $200 budget. But features: USB3, 3d BluRay ISO media playback, and supports DTS HD, TrueHD with 7.1 CH audio. Also dual boots into Android if that floats your boat.

Ive owned the sidewinder 2 and it was a good device, i ordered it through that official shop and it arrived from Hong kong in less than a week.

Xtreamer Sidewinder 3

trig42

5802 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#628436 21-May-2012 16:08

Does the Sidewinder scrape IMDb and Cover Art?

JayTaicho

294 posts

Ultimate Geek

#628437 21-May-2012 16:09

Sounds good. If youre able to boot android, wouldnt the plex app work from the store?

garvani

1873 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#628438 21-May-2012 16:10

trig42: Does the Sidewinder scrape IMDb and Cover Art?

Yes it has a movie jukebox function. I had passed on my sidewinder2 before this was implemented so have a read on there forums about its functionality.

garvani

1873 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#628440 21-May-2012 16:13

Youtube

This shows you the menu and some video browsing with plot etc from IMDB.

Tradepub

Free professional, reference and technical white papers (affiliate link).

Kiwipixter

246 posts

Master Geek

#628443 21-May-2012 16:16

i have the WD Live Tv (wireless) as well as an HTPC, i find the WD much better HD player. It even support Bluray ISO file streaming. Before i bought the WD i couldn't find anything better for the price.

trig42

5802 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#628448 21-May-2012 16:32

garvani: Youtube

This shows you the menu and some video browsing with plot etc from IMDB.

Looks good.

Do you know if the backgroung of the GUI can be changed? No biggie, because that scraper along witht he web interface for Jukebox looks the business.

Pity they want 35 Euros to send the thing...

garvani

1873 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#628449 21-May-2012 16:34

I imagine you can change the default background, that was doable on my version of the firmware so i doubt they would take it back.
The good thing about xtreamer is that they update the firmware constantly. I owned a 2nd Gen WDTV, which was basically abandoned on release by Western Digital.

It is a shame the shipping is so expensive. It is fast shipping however

Kickass

292 posts

Ultimate Geek

#628558 21-May-2012 20:35

First Gen WDTV only $99 at Bond and Bond - not a bad deal.

http://www.bondandbond.co.nz/shop/computers/accessories/western-digital-wdbaan0000nbk-wd-tv-live-hd-media-player/prod102222.html

Seems to play everything from MKV to Xvid.

Network ready as well

JimmyH

2886 posts

Uber Geek

#628601 21-May-2012 21:44

It's a fantastic deal. I have one, as well as the newer Live Hub, and they are both great.

However, the OP wants WiFi, which adds about $70-80 to the price for an OK dongle (this is what I have) and takes up one of the two USB ports. Or, he could just get the new model from Bond & Bond for $179, with built in WiFi leaving both USB ports free for essentially the same price as the cheaper model + a dongle. As a bonus, the newer model has a better remote.

chevrolux

4962 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#628619 21-May-2012 22:05

Apple TV2 jail broken with XBMC.

I myself have a purpose built HTPC running XBMC but in hindsight it was an expensive way of doing things lol. XBMC is awesome. Does everything you want, and if the core install doesn't do what you want there will be an add-on that does.

michaelmurfy

meow
13218 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator

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Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#628636 21-May-2012 22:41

The Sidewinder 3 seems to be Linux Based, and it seems like there is quite a few mods for it too (http://forum.xtreamer.net/forum/252-xtreamer-products-modding/) - Looks like this is the perfect box for me to grab.

Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz
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numfarr

329 posts

Ultimate Geek

#628648 21-May-2012 23:03

chevrolux: Apple TV2 jail broken with XBMC.

No 1080p output with the ATV2 though, and no sign of a jailbreak for the ATV3.

Personally I have had it with media players and their PITA closed firmware that never quite does what you want. I would (and indeed just did) stretch the budget and get an HTPC: you can get a case, i3, motherboard and RAM for about $375 now that will play anything with no firmware and codec worries and a wide choice of user interfaces, operating systems, and accessories. Add an 802.11n USB for $25. OK, it won't be as compact, but does it really matter?

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