Media Player Buying advice

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Smutson

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

Topic # 53864 14-Dec-2009 22:07

Hi,

Have been looking for a while now at buying a Media player for my home theatre set up. Really dont know what to buy or where to start though.

We have a 50 inch Full HD Samsung so obviously something with Full HD capabilities is a must. We will be watching movies, mp3's and photos on it also and wireless is a preferred option.

I have come across a player being advertised called the PlayOn HD made by a company called AC Ryan.

Nothing has come up in my geekzone searches (that i can find) about the PLayOn HD or many other dedicated media players as far as i can see. Could someone please point me in the right direction or at least tell me what they think of the PlayOn HD.

Western Digital also do a reasonably attractive Media pLayer option as far as i can tell.

Ive attached a link to a basic marketing pdf of the PlayOn HD

http://www.cdlnz.com/productimages/pdfs/acryanplayon.pdf

Thanks in advance

Oblivian

2630 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 271

Reply # 282492 14-Dec-2009 23:00

Ironically I have been eyeing up this years self-christmas present (noone else can afford the toys I like..) and one of these was on my list.

I've done a bit of digging about both, theres some ups and downsides to each.

Of course both do streaming which was my basis.

AC Ryan:
Realtek chipset (doesn't quite match the kickass Sigma 8655 in the WD)
Does couple more formats (linux based) than the WD
Doesn't do more than 5.1 passthrough on DTS-HD streams etc (downmixes only)
Slower menu system
Room for an internal hard drive
Memory card slots
Fan that can be heard up to 10-15ft in quite space

WD Live TV
DOES do DTS-HD and Dolby7.1 passthru via HDMI (I think.. downmix to stereo for no receiver)
No hard drive, USB attachment only
No DVD menu support
Less fomats than AC Ryan
No SPDIF out for pass-thru (that I could see but does have 3.5mm-component cables)
Better upscaling.

Both are more or less on par with each other it seems. The WD winning overall for build and stability/speed.

However, my dream one. Would be one of these babies *droul*
http://dune-hd.com/hd_players/110-dune-hd-base-3.0.html

The prime has a BR player build in :)

billgates

3829 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 233

Trusted

Reply # 282494 14-Dec-2009 23:02

My 2 choices are WDTV Live or Xtreamer.

Do whatever you want to do man.

Smutson

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 282572 15-Dec-2009 10:23

Thanks Guys,

Have heard a bit about the Popcorn Hour C-200 as well, any thoughts?

Oblivian

2630 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 271

Reply # 282585 15-Dec-2009 10:49

Yep, the popcorn range aren't too bad at all if you can afford the cost + import prices.

http://www.iboum.com/net-media-players.php

Has a good side by side and links to info about the chipsets etc

rossmnz

507 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 31

Reply # 282589 15-Dec-2009 10:53

PS3?

It does all i want in a media player!

The force is strong with this one!

CYaBro

2917 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 276

Reply # 282590 15-Dec-2009 10:54

There is also the Egreat EG-M34A.
Haven't found a file format it won't play yet!

Computer Repairs Whangarei
Apple Authorised Reseller
Apple Authorised Service Provider

Smutson

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 283467 17-Dec-2009 15:40

THanks Guys,

I think Oblivion is right though the Dune players with BR and 500gb built in look awesome. Cant find anywhere in NZ that sells them though. In fact no one in the southern hemisphere!

Citrixguy

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 283937 19-Dec-2009 05:33

Oblivian: Ironically I have been eyeing up this years self-christmas present (noone else can afford the toys I like..) and one of these was on my list.

I've done a bit of digging about both, theres some ups and downsides to each.

Of course both do streaming which was my basis.

AC Ryan:
Realtek chipset (doesn't quite match the kickass Sigma 8655 in the WD)
Does couple more formats (linux based) than the WD
Doesn't do more than 5.1 passthrough on DTS-HD streams etc (downmixes only)
Slower menu system
Room for an internal hard drive
Memory card slots
Fan that can be heard up to 10-15ft in quite space

WD Live TV
DOES do DTS-HD and Dolby7.1 passthru via HDMI (I think.. downmix to stereo for no receiver)
No hard drive, USB attachment only
No DVD menu support
Less fomats than AC Ryan
No SPDIF out for pass-thru (that I could see but does have 3.5mm-component cables)
Better upscaling.

Both are more or less on par with each other it seems. The WD winning overall for build and stability/speed.

However, my dream one. Would be one of these babies *droul*
http://dune-hd.com/hd_players/110-dune-hd-base-3.0.html

The prime has a BR player build in :)

I have trwo of the POHD's at home and I can tell you them are great. I don't know if you have kids, but my two love to stratch, break, and lost dvd's. I the boys room I have a POHD with a 1 TB drive and I've loaded up about 250 movies. No more it doesn't play any more or where is ...

Chris

www.mediastreamingstore.com