Media Player - What to buy. ARGH too many options

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Media Player - What to buy. ARGH too many options

Kopkiwi

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#87304 25-Jul-2011 12:28

I know what I want, but I don't know what to look at. Hope that makes sense.

Want something with a nice GUI. Smooth/fast performance. Only need it for FLAC music playback.

Any suggestions? Have looked at AC Ryan Playon and Roku XDS. Anything else I should consider?

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#497566 25-Jul-2011 12:36

Take a look at this from Apacer:

http://pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=DVAAPA0460&name=Apacer-AL460-Full-HD-Media-Player-1080P-and-Netw...

Bought one last week, works really well.

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geekiegeek

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#497574 25-Jul-2011 12:52

If its just audio (flac) try a logitech squeezebox touch. I just got one and its fantastic.

Kopkiwi

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#497588 25-Jul-2011 13:23

Thanks guys. Will have a look at both options. Much appreciated.

Kopkiwi

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#497604 25-Jul-2011 13:55

heavenlywild: Take a look at this from Apacer:

http://pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=DVAAPA0460&name=Apacer-AL460-Full-HD-Media-Player-1080P-and-Netw...

Bought one last week, works really well.

This doesn't support FLAC?

robjg63

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#497608 25-Jul-2011 13:57

I have an AC Ryan Playon HD mini. I have it hooked up over WiFi and stream from my PC.
It works really well - though I am using older software. The interface is soso on the old software but its pretty solid and plays everything I have thrown at it.
There is newer software but it seems to have some bugs - though to give them credit they do seem to be working on it - just a bit slow to release. I think that the issue with software updates on nearly all of these devices is that basically they are a media player on a chip boxes (all the codecs are built into the chip) and the companies have to create their own interfaces using SDK kits from the chip makers (Realtek for example). Seems to cause some development issues sometimes.

I also have an Apple TV box (they retail for about $169) and have WiFi N built in. I Jailbroke it (lets you access the command line guts of the box) and have installed xbmc on it.

Jailbreak info here: http://support.firecore.com/entries/387605-jailbreaking-101-seas0npass
Install XBMC on apple TV 2 :http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=Install_XBMC_on_ATV2

Not hard to do if you are prepared to give it a go.

I am having a couple of issues with video playback stuttering a little - though the dev team are constantly working on XBMC for IOS devices.

If you havent looked into the appletv box you probably should give it some thought - its pretty good value. Of course you retain the itunes guff etc even if you install XBMC - but XBMC plays all the non apple proprietary media types (as well as the proprietary stuff for that matter).

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

Kopkiwi

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#497612 25-Jul-2011 14:01

robjg63: I have an AC Ryan Playon HD mini. I have it hooked up over WiFi and stream from my PC.
It works really well - though I am using older software. The interface is soso on the old software but its pretty solid and plays everything I have thrown at it.
There is newer software but it seems to have some bugs - though to give them credit they do seem to be working on it - just a bit slow to release. I think that the issue with software updates on nearly all of these devices is that basically they are a media player on a chip boxes (all the codecs are built into the chip) and the companies have to create their own interfaces using SDK kits from the chip makers (Realtek for example). Seems to cause some development issues sometimes.

I also have an Apple TV box (they retail for about $169) and have WiFi N built in. I Jailbroke it (lets you access the command line guts of the box) and have installed xbmc on it.

Jailbreak info here: http://support.firecore.com/entries/387605-jailbreaking-101-seas0npass
Install XBMC on apple TV 2 :http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=Install_XBMC_on_ATV2

Not hard to do if you are prepared to give it a go.

I am having a couple of issues with video playback stuttering a little - though the dev team are constantly working on XBMC for IOS devices.

If you havent looked into the appletv box you probably should give it some thought - its pretty good value. Of course you retain the itunes guff etc even if you install XBMC - but XBMC plays all the non apple proprietary media types (as well as the proprietary stuff for that matter).

Hmmm. I had seen the AppleTV with XBMC. Had XBMC loaded onto an old Acer Revo. Loved it.

So FLAC isn't an issue on AppleTV? Can you jail break the old model with the 160GB HDD?

robjg63

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#497654 25-Jul-2011 15:24

Looks you you can JB the original Apple TV :http://appletvblogr.com/2010/12/how-to-jailbreak-apple-tv-original-1g-using-atvusb-creator/
Have a look around and double check that this is ok of course.

From the wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_TV#Apple_TV_First_Generation
Also - the wikipedia link above links to the http://code.google.com/p/atvusb-creator/ page and it describes in great detail about the jailbreak process and how to install XBMC for that version of the appletv.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

Kopkiwi

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#497655 25-Jul-2011 15:28

Awesome mate. Think I will go with the Apple TV and XBMC route. Can buy it on the way home and looks pretty easy to Jailbreak and load up XBMC

robjg63

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#497661 25-Jul-2011 15:44

Kopkiwi: Awesome mate. Think I will go with the Apple TV and XBMC route. Can buy it on the way home and looks pretty easy to Jailbreak and load up XBMC

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

robjg63

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#497666 25-Jul-2011 15:50

Dont know why my post just keeps posting without my comments.....

Anyway - Sorry - thought you said you had an original Apple TV?
Are you buying an Apple TV 2?

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

Kopkiwi

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#497693 25-Jul-2011 17:13

Yeah just bought an Apple TV 2 from JB.

About to JB and XBMC it up.

Kopkiwi

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#497781 25-Jul-2011 22:07

Jailbroken no problem.

Trying to install XBMC through WIN SP, no bloody idea how to, or where to enter the command prompts....um, little help?

Dunnersfella

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#497786 25-Jul-2011 22:21

What type of computer do you have?
Basically, when you go into XBMC, use the remote to go to 'Music'.
Then, click "the enter button (it's the middle of the circle on the remote).

Then select 'Add source'.
On the next page, use the remote to move across to 'Browse', then once you've highlighted it, press the enter button.
Now... The next page allows you to browse for the music source.
I personally use the 'Zeroconf Browser'. Once you click 'enter' it should come up with your options... I'm hoping you've enabled the sharing of your folder / workgroup on your computer first???? If not - see my 1st question and we may all be able to help you.

If you do see your music directory, SWEET! Just select it, and away you go.

Choosing a directory for .flac music playback is sweet, as much of the metadata has already been entered by you, including album artwork, so it should be almost foolproof. Just follow your nose...

Kopkiwi

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#497790 25-Jul-2011 22:34

Sorry, am lost. I can't even install XBMC through WINSCP

ARGH. I just can't get this to work, or I am missing something.

I can log in using WINSCP

Host: 19.168.x.xxx
Username: root
pword: alpine

I can get in, but where do I type what I need to in order to install XBMC? So I thought I wasn't installing it correctly. So I tried everything that was typed on the first page but that just wont let me log in at all.

What am I doing wrong? :-(

Dunnersfella

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#497791 25-Jul-2011 22:39

Ooops - completely mis-read your post... thought you had it installed but were having issues getting it to see your music files.
Sorry.

I've only installed it on a Mac via terminal, and yeah, if you haven't done it before the instructions aren't always the most straight forward. I spent A LOT of time Googling and searching XBMC.org for the info I needed. It's there - you just need to hunt it down.

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