Which TVix Box is right for me?

[JoshFink]

I'm hoping I can get some help here. I just found out about the TVix box and I'm very intrigued. If I can get some direction then I will probably buy 3 or 4.

I was thinking the 4100 or 6500.

Here is what I'm looking for:

1. The ability to play back ripped DVD's in VIDEO_TS format
2. The ability to play back mkv files smoothly - 720p , 1080i, 1080p
3. The playback of all these files from a network share as ALL of my media is on a Media Server
4. The ability to just drop jpg files into a directory for viewing (again from a network share)
5. Connect via Component or HDMI. I don't have a problem using Component as all of my TV's have component in but I've had much more success and getting the screen with little over/underscan with HDMI

6. Ok this question might be vague as I've just started researching these (very excited). Can I set up all my moves, artwork, etc on my media server and then have all the TVix boxes pick up the same structure? Does that make sense? Basically I don't want to have to set up each one and maintain each box.

Question, can I output from analog and digital inputs at the same time. i.e sometimes I like to watch shows through the TV speakers and sometimes through my stereo receiver.

Also, from the brief demo I saw that I download it looks like when you select a DVD you have to select the IFO file? is this true?

Thanks so much for the help, I know some of this might be "no duh" answers and I apologize if this has been posted before, just trying to get some concise answers.

Josh

[JoshFink]

Anyone? I'd appreciate any help that people can provide..

Thanks

Josh

[JER1956]

No sigma based device can be guarenteed to play "every" MKV yet. Your post seems to require that. The problems is that Blu-ray isn't as rigid as DVD-video. As hardware improves Blu-ray films are being rendered to higher quality profiles which older devices don't support. People who download rips have no idea of what generation of disk player chip is required. Those making the rips can't be bothered to say what generation of player was used, or even transcode them down for older kit. Hopefully the next generation of sigma chip will catch up. I certainly wouldn't get a current sigma based device if playing the latest Blu-ray rips was a top priority.

[Advocate86]

JoshFlink,

Hi and welcome,

You would have got a quicker reply if you had posed the questions in the TVIX threads.

In answer to your questions:

was thinking the 4100 or 6500.

Here is what I'm looking for:

1. The ability to play back ripped DVD's in VIDEO_TS format
Both devices are capable of playing dvd's from the Video_TS directory. They also can play any dvd rips stored in .ISO format.

2. The ability to play back mkv files smoothly - 720p , 1080i, 1080p

Both players are capable of playing the mentioned resolutions smoothly, but with 1080p it really depends on the bit rate of the movie. The 6500a should be able to play 1080p higher bit rate smoother than the 4100 as it has a faster processor on board.

3. The playback of all these files from a network share as ALL of my media is on a Media Server

Both players can stream from network shares.

4. The ability to just drop jpg files into a directory for viewing (again from a network share)

Both players can play .jpg files from netwrok shares.

6. Ok this question might be vague as I've just started researching these (very excited). Can I set up all my moves, artwork, etc on my media server and then have all the TVix boxes pick up the same structure? Does that make sense? Basically I don't want to have to set up each one and maintain each box.

Yep this is possible by using one of the third party applications to download and store the info.
http://www.mpcclub.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewforum&f=192

Question, can I output from analog and digital inputs at the same time. i.e sometimes I like to watch shows through the TV speakers and sometimes through my stereo receiver.

Couple of ways that this can be achieved: 1. using the HDMI audio feature, you could have optical out from your tvix box to an amp for digital output and switch of the HDMI audio in the setup screen, or leave it on and have the amp switched off so only sound is heard through the TV speakers. 2. In setup there is a feature for analogue audio or digital, by switching this off or on you can determine the output.

Also, from the brief demo I saw that I download it looks like when you select a DVD you have to select the IFO file? is this true?

Well this was answered in the first question, when you run a dvd from the Video_TS directory it uses the .IFO file to run.

Joshflink, all these question are answered on our Knowledge base forum, take a look at it and search you will find most things.

http://www.mpcclub.com/faq/

All the best.

[JoshFink]

Thanks for the help. I certainly appreciate it.

[iMbEst]

so seems like there is no much incentive to go for 6500A....