Popcorn Hour A-110/B-110 Review Part 2/2 - The Real HT Info

[sebiF002]

Does the B-110 have Slave-USB like the A-110? I think it wasn't mentioned in the Video and i couldn't find anything with Google.

The rest of the video was greath. Thx :)

[realhtinfo]

I don't believe that it does as there is no rear-panel connector for it, and no motherboard header designated. As it stands, it appears the B-100 is no longer being offered on the popcorn hour website.

Thanks for watching.

[realhtinfo]

I'm actually in the middle of moving from New York to Oregon, so everything will be boxed up for a month or so, but if you email me a small file, I might be able to get setup to test out a file.

Though, if you want an answer sooner, I'd post over in the Popcorn Hour forums. My guess is that it will work, and you won't have been the first one to try it.

[broadwayblue604]

Awesome review. I have a Flip Mino HD video camera. Will this unit play the output files without issue?

[TheYurry]

does it support all external optical drives???

[realhtinfo]

The USB drives I've tried out, yes, but keep in mind, what's on the disc also needs to be supported. Simply hooking up a Blu-ray drive won't net you a BR Player because, while the files are supported, the protected discs are not. You'll need the new Popcorn Hour C-200 for that.

[ERISBEAUTY]

It doesn't have to be wi-fi. I am thinking Power over ethernet kit but I do not have any knowledge over it so any link showing me how it works with the popcorn hour woud be good.

Thanks again

[realhtinfo]

Well, popcorn hour sells a wireless-N adapter that I haven't personally used, but other folks have with good results.

Powerline networking has a reputation for being a little hit and miss, though word has it that the latest tech has come a long way.

In the end, if you already have a wireless N router, the WN-100 is an inexpensive solution and should come with all the tech support from Popcorn hour you need.

If you have other networking needs, than powerline may be the winner.

[ERISBEAUTY]

I checked the adapter but the main reason is my HD movies. Data like mkv, H.264 and such full hd codecs won't be able to go with a wireless N, will it?

P.S THANKS for the quick reply

[realhtinfo]

Wireless N has an average throughput (according to Wikiipedia) of 130mb/s, whilre the popcorn hour itself only handles about 40 mb/s, so the dongle shouldn't be your bottleneck.

[ERISBEAUTY]

I am going to give that a try and Homeplugs too to get the best of the too and after awhile I will settle for one of them I suppose.

Also I have plans not to leave you in peace today but is my last question as for the past 12 hours I have been trying to find what is the Protocol that these devices use to get the data from the PC?

[ERISBEAUTY]

I found that web services sush as ORB and myihome can easily do this but isn't there such an option where you could just pull up your files from wireless or ethernet lead and just play the media ?

Once more thanks a million

[realhtinfo]

Not sure what you're asking here. If you mean can you access files stored on the local harddrive installed in the Popcorn Hour from other PCs on your network, the answer is yes. Other PCs on the internet, the answer is no.

[ERISBEAUTY]

Accessing the data within network from Popcorn Hour but thanks to you everything I have been searching for a while has been answered and I have found many other answers and issues solved through forums and people like you keeping these sites noob friendly!

I appriciate your help and look forward till your next review. Keep it up

[realhtinfo]

It uses NFS, SMB, HT*P, whatever protocol you use to share your files and folders over your network. The popcorn hour website has much more information on this.

[ERISBEAUTY]

Hi there

I would like to compliment you on this great review.

personally I have made up my mind and I am currently saving for the A110 but I have a problem.

My main server hold all my media and is located upstairs on the first floor while my home theatre system and display are on the groundfloor.

My question was how do I stream media from my server to the display without having to run a 20 meter cable running through halls?

[pepumarius2006]

Great review.

I think i will buy one for myself. I was still being undecided between this model and the WD HDTv from WesternDigital. But now that you explained so nicely all the details, the PopcornHour sounds more like a better choice. Thanks a lot and keep up the good work!

[realhtinfo]

The WD is a great option if you don't need networking support, but if you do want to stream video content, I prefer the popcorn hour over Xbox360/PS3 w/ tversity, and the apple tv.

Thanks for watching.

[pepumarius2006]

Well, what i also like about this product is the ability to change the internal HDD. And yeah, the networking is cool also!

[ojnik]

does it play MKV files, the new HD video files

how about ISO dvd files?

[realhtinfo]

All of the above. However, a ripped blu-ray will not have the menu system in the same way a ripped DVD will. You'll have to select the actual movie file that you want to play.

[billyandlucy1980]

Hi, thanks for the nice review. Is it possible for this to play a dvd or blue ray which is in my main computers dvd/bd drive over the network?

[realhtinfo]

As long as the content is unencrypted and the drive is shared, I suppose it's possible, though I've never tried it. One things for sure, if it works, you'll get a menu with DVD, but not with Blu-ray. on BR, you'll have a basic file structure, and just have to know which file to select that contains the main movie.

Hope that makes sense.

[robodeath]

You said that you could keep this unit in a rack. How then would you use the remote? Are you talking about keeping it in a rack in the same room? Is there anyway to extend the IR receiver to another location?

[realhtinfo]

Yes, the remote is IR, so you could use the wired receiver on the B-110 extended through a wall, or you'd need an IR repeater. Parts Express has many.

[dervish762]

hey i just ordered my a-110 with 500 gig hinternal hdd

but had 2 questions:

1. why would i need to connect a keyboard to the pch?

2. what kind of keyboards can i use( bluetooth with adapter, wireless with adapter or normal usb wired)?

thanks

[realhtinfo]

1. A keyboard can make it easier to enter setup options like the names of mapped drives, ip addresses, and weblinks. in reality, you can just use the remote control, and it's not something that you'll use every day.

2. I only know wired USB for sure, but you may be able to use wireless as well.

[dervish762]

ok thanks for the answers

[realhtinfo]

You're welcome.

[bluesoprano977]

It' possible to plug an external BlueRay drive like the LG BE06LU10 on the 110?

Good review by the way

[realhtinfo]

Thank you.

While it should be possible to plug a blu-ray drive in to read a blu-ray disc with data, the PH will not break encryption.

In other words, it won't play commercial Blu-rays or DVD. I know, I'm bummed too.

[Kletshead]

This was a very informative review, im getting the A-110 soon. Thumbs up!

[realhtinfo]

Thanks for watching.

[CanOfSpam]

I wish you showed us the products in use, the menus etc...ah well.

[realhtinfo]

I have all that in my first review of the popcorn hour A-100. Just search "popcorn hour" on Metacafe (it was too long for youtube).

[microchrome]

excellent review....  Very informative.

[realhtinfo]

Thank you.

[JayDeeEff]

If the B-110 can't play Blu-ray iso's or Blu-rays directly from the disc, what's its point over a regular HTPC? A-110 I can see as its a standalone unit. But the B-110 seems like a waste of space.

[realhtinfo]

I mostly agree. I guess the B-110 allows you to use multiple hard drives for much more storage...in case you wanted to use this as a NAS (though, without RAID or another backup solution, that's a risky proposition).

[JayDeeEff]

Yeah, that would be risky....maybe as solid state drives becomes cheaper though....?

[realhtinfo]

Even then, I don't trust any drive technology not to fail. Write twice is the only tech I trust with my most important info. My movies don't fall into that category, but my music does (and pictures, tax returns, bank info, etc.)

[alvoryx]

nice review, they are the best's :-)

[realhtinfo]

Thank you.

[lleon596]

thanks , did you try wireless streaming?

[realhtinfo]

I have not had a demo of the wireless adapter, but word on the forums is the wn-100 works fine in most cases as long as you understand that there is a limit of 1.7MB/s (as opposed to 3.3MB/s for Samba), and that you actual throughput may be less. What this means is that you'll be able to stream standard def or transfer files to the local drive just fine, but lightly compressed High-def may be a problem. Some have reported better luck with using a generic wireless bridge instead.

[lleon596]

very usefull review, how do you cool the internal HDD?

[realhtinfo]

The case is made out of aluminum with vents on the right and left, but no fans or other active cooling. Other than the sound of the hard drive, the unit will be dead silent.

The obvious question is, "doesn't the Hard Drive get hot?". Well, it gets warm for sure, but I haven't had one fail as a result yet, so I'll trade potential reliability for silence. Just don't put irreplaceable info on it, and you'll be find.

[durasf]

Great review!!!

Clear and understandable for most users.

Keep up the good work!

[realhtinfo]

Thank you, and thanks for watching.

[Quadc0re]

Great review, I just ordered mine, can't wait to receive it.

[realhtinfo]

Thank You. I think you'll like the popcorn hour.

[mishalorenzo]

Can it play ripped DVD Videos and ripped Blu-ray Videos? Good review by the way.

[realhtinfo]

Yes and yes (including bitstream output of DOlby TrueHD to a compatible AVR). Thanks for watching.

[ajprause]

Excellent review, very helpful in my search for the perfect HDPlayer. Thanks!!

[realhtinfo]

You're welcome.

[STELIOSKAZANTZIDHS]

Very nice video and helpful ,you help me a lot,from GREECE Mary Christmas

[realhtinfo]

Merry Christmas to you too. Be well and have a great year.

[gezerbey]

Are these similar to the WD HD Mediaplayer?

[realhtinfo]

From what I know of the WD player (I haven't had my hands on one), yes, but with much more functionality related to networking (streaming from local sources and the internet, net apps like Bitorrent, and the ability to act as a networked media server when an internal drive is added). So, if you'll be using those features, the Popcorn Hour or other NMT is probably worth the extra $100.

[nthan15]

NICE REVIEW.. THANK YOU!!!!

[realhtinfo]

You're welcome.

[hermesmata]

By the way...greating from Costa Rica, Great Review!

[realhtinfo]

Back atcha' from Iowa via New York.

[hermesmata]

Hi, I received my A-110 and my PS3 this couple of weeks (HD Files for the first one, and HD media i can actually purchase for PS3). I've uploaded all my HD videos to the A-110 via external harddrive (copy paste) but I cannot make my laptop to recognize the A-110. It really would be greatly appreciated if you can do a small video on how to set the device up for lan conections (tried to blogs on the popcorn hour page but I ended up more confused than ever....NAS?? Streaming?) Thank you 4 your help

[realhtinfo]

I'll see what I can do. Might be a few weeks though. Feel free to email me if you're having problems, or try the popcorn hour forums...lot's of knowledgeable folks there.

[NOVOIVITTUX]

The 1000$ question is :

Can you hack PC blueRay drive to the popcorn to watch BlueRay movies directly from the Blueray disk ?

[realhtinfo]

A similar comment from above:

Unfortunately no, thanks to DRM. You can't just connect a USB blu-ray drive and start playing blu-ray discs. But, you can playback Blu-ray files that you've managed to strip the DRM from somehow :)

[NOVOIVITTUX]

Another great example how movie industry is hurting themselves. I _WAS_ planning of buying original and legal BD movies, but thanks to DRM I CAN'T. So I'll just DL pirated copies instead. Here in Finland pirating movies is much less illegal than ripping your OWN DB disk, which you legally bought and own. If I get caught dl:n pirated copy I might get sued by MIAA, but if I rip DRM protected DB/DVD/CD that I legally bough even for my own personal use, I might go

to prison for 2 years !

[realhtinfo]

Well, that law certainly does make it difficult, but if you consider the likelyhood of getting caght ripping a disc in your own home to be small, than it would seem more "moral" (for lack of a better word), to buy or rent your BD movies, and then use a program like AnyDVD HD to play them over a Popcorn Hour.

But yes, DRM sucks big time, especially when your TV stops making the HDCP handshake suddenly (happened to me, and now my upscaling DVD player, AVR, and more won't produce a picture).

[DonChunky]

Excellent review. I'm looking to get the A-110 mainly for music mp3s (putting in an internal drive), but heard that you can't play MP3s from the middle of the folder; you are only able to play from the top. Is this true? Would you recommend this product for MP3s (need to search vast library) or would you recommend something else like the Logitech Squeezebox Duet?

[realhtinfo]

I would not recommend the popcorn hour for use primarily with mp3s. The navigation of large music collections would be very sluggish, and there are problems with the ease of playback, playlist support, and others.

If your primary use will be music playback, I recommend an apple TV for the most functionality, but you'll want to look at something like the squeezebox with a built in display if you won't have it hooked up to a TV to browse your collection.

[DonChunky]

I'm not a "mac guy" so maybe I'll look into something similar to the apple TV. Thanks for the reply.

[SteevBoulanger]

Great review. People here in Holland are getting crazy on this device. Too bad it's hard to get one. Think I'll have to resort to import. Thank you dollar crisis ;)

[realhtinfo]

Unfortunately, I can't take all the credit for the dollar crisis, but you're welcome.

[muslimspam]

Good review, will you add reviews showing the functionality, too? How about competing it to the Tvix 6500?

[realhtinfo]

I have a full review of the A100 over at metacafe (it was too long for youtube, and I didn't break it into two pieces). Just search "real ht info".

I haven't had a chance to play with a TVIX unit, but will certainly post a comparison if I can get my hands on one.

[muslimspam]

Thanks man, will sure do search for the vid. Well to be honest, I'm going to do it right now! :o) Keep up the good work, hope you'll get your hands on the Tvix device... thinking of getting either this one, or the Tvix, need to see the diffs, pros and cons ;o)

[nicolehiltone]

good review, am looking to get one, but how reliable are these, do these run really hot?

[realhtinfo]

Mine works better with every firmware release. When I first got it, it would freeze once in a while and I would have to restart it (unplug the power, than re-plug, takes about 3 minutes). I haven't had to do that in months.

As for heat, that's the beauty of the Popcorn Hour. Huge functionality, very little power usage and it barely gets warm (even with a hard drive installed, I never had to resort to adding a fan like some users have claimed is necessary).

I think you'll enjoy it.

[toxicoo]

so sata HD wont work on these?

[realhtinfo]

No, SATA will work on the A/B-110, but you need IDE/PATA on the A-100.

Thanks for watching.

[LxDj]

good review! greetings from austria =)

[realhtinfo]

I feel more worldly already!  Thank you for watching.

[delasantos]

Good review - much more better than reading it, you're a good presenter

[realhtinfo]

Thank you for watching, I'm glad you liked it.

[realhtinfo]

Unfortunately no, thanks to DRM. You can't just connect a USB blu-ray drive and start playing blu-ray discs. But, you can playback Blu-ray files that you've managed to strip the DRM from somehow :)

[rvenes]

Thanks!

I'm goging for the A-110!

[realhtinfo]

You're welcome, I think you'll like it.

[danismallman]

Very cool review, now it's much more clear the differences,thanks!

[realhtinfo]

Thank You.