Which network Streamer?

[camgear]

Recently posted in Hifi forum about my setup, been doing a bit of research and I think it'd be best for me to get a network streamer rather than me relying on the Xbox 360 and TVersity.

It would be a wired network (Wireless internet -> Router -> PC/Network Streamer).

I think the Popcorn hour looks the best, but what else is there?

I want to stream HD stuff (MKV, etc) from my PC, but also want to be able to add an amp/speakers to my setup so something that can output in 5.1 would be nice

Suggestions?

Thanks

[Digger]

I have a QNAP 219, a squeezebox duet, a couple of squeezebox booms and am considering a diskless popcorn hour for video streaming. Not cheap but I'm happy with them all so far.

EDIT as per Bogie iPod Touch/iPeng a very useful addition.

Edited by Digger on Wednesday 15th July 16:19

[bogie]

I use an old (now) Netgear EVA8000, a ReadyNAS Pro and a couple of Squeezebox booms in my house and im really happy, does everything I need ...and I can walk about controlling the squeezeboxes via an iPhone and iPeng on the readyNAS

[camgear]

It's just music that squeezebox though isn't it? I'm mainly interested in Video.

[Plotloss]

camgear said:

It's just music that squeezebox though isn't it? I'm mainly interested in Video.

The Popcorn Hour and the HDX1000 are the same innards in different cases.

Its one of these that you'll be best off going for all things considered.

They've still got some way to go with some of the interface/control but thats being very picky.

[camgear]

Nice, I'll go for one of them, beats using TVersity/PS3 Media Server.

It's a pain in the arse though, my KDL40D3000 feels outdated already

[DavidY]

I have an HDX 1000 (as well as several Squeezeboxes). It works very well, the HDX has two advantages over the Popcorn hour

1) Its in a much nicer case
2) It has a Digital (SP/DIF) out for feeding to a surround sound processor/amp

Both it and the Popcorn Hour run the same software, though the Popcorn Hour is usually on a slightly later version, but all the essential features are on the HDX-1000

davidy

[camgear]

Scrap that, I'm getting a C-200 when it comes out

[Digger]

camgear said:

Scrap that, I'm getting a C-200 when it comes out

Why not get an A-110? ;-)

[ceebmoj]

or an xtreamer?

[camgear]

Digger said:

camgear said:

Scrap that, I'm getting a C-200 when it comes out

Why not get an A-110? ;-)

The C-200's supposed to be better isn't it? Can add a Blu Ray drive, faster processor, etc?

Ideally I'd like to stream Blu Ray iso that I've backed up from my collection...

[DavidY]

You can play 'ripped' BluRay files as .mkv on the Popcorn Hour/HDX-1000

davidy

[Plotloss]

DavidY said:

2) It has a Digital (SP/DIF) out for feeding to a surround sound processor/amp

PH has an optical output as well as throwing surround up the HDMI.

[DavidY]

Sorry meant to say HDX has SP/DIF co-ax rather than optical output (important for me as I'd run out of optical inputs on my processor!)

davidy

[camgear]

Well I'm tempted to wait for the C-200 with the slot for a Blue Ray player.

But I don't think I can be arsed, for the price I can buy a seperate Blu Ray player and an A-110.

A-110 is £170 on Scan.

[camgear]

Bought the A-110

[Digger]

camgear said:

Bought the A-110

Ditto. Wish I hadnt seen this thread now lol.

Incidentally you get free Scan delivery if you are an AV Forums member!

[camgear]

I'm a Hexus member, so same thing

[camgear]

Did yours get delivered today?

[Digger]

camgear said:

Did yours get delivered today?

aye . . .just stuck a spare 300GB hdd inside and reboxed it as i need to buy a component and network cable. . .hadnt planned ahead DOH! Does yours have some light horizontal scratch marks on the front facia? Not too bad but annoying. Will live with it.