ehampshire
28-01-10, 00:18
I was all set to go buy a PCH C-200 until I stumbled across this forum. I understand many users like the HDI Dune (both for it's ease of use and built in BD). Having read extensively on both I still prefer the PCH because I already have a very good standalone blueray player (that takes care of streaming Netflix for me too) and like the more advanced options available for the PCH, not to mention the price difference.
I must say I'm really confused as to which player is going to serve my best interests for the longest. Reading the review on the SageTV it seems like that's a very good choice but is not based on the Sigma chip so I have concerns over it's performance. Looking at which player has had the most updates (and most often) I see the TVIX has been very active in that space. So, I was ok with spending $300 for the PCH C-200 because I thought it would play everything that's out today hoping firmware updates and the like would take care of any new codecs that might pop up for the foreseeable future. However, after seeing all these others maybe I should look at buying a cheaper media player like the SageTV knowing I'm going to be replacing it soon anyways.
I've had a media player for over 3 years now and as time goes on it plays less and less things natively that I download (VirtualDub conversions ftw). It's fine when all I have to do is audio conversion but converting the video takes the instant gratification aspect out of it. This media player was $80, requires me to run WizdXP as a server on my PC and doesn't do anything special, but it works (and was cheap). I'm mostly fine with watching things in 1080i and 2 channel audio. Do I want 1080p and 5.1? Sure, my system is certainly capable but the source sometimes isn't (also, given the choice of downloading a full Blueray rip and something compressed I usually will take the compression). Speaking of 1080p, I haven't seen where any of these devices will upconvert any source to be 1080p (besides a mention of it on the YuiXX site)... is that true?
Looking at the NMT scene as it stands today I'm worried whatever player I choose will quickly become outdated with things like the YuiXX coming out and everyone continually finding a new format to play with. I'd be ok if I knew my NMT would last for 3 or 4 years but where's my guarantee? Should I wait 6 months to see what else comes out and if PCH fixes some of their issues with firmware? I do realize that playing the waiting game is sort of a losing battle with technology because it will always get better, but I do like to research and find just the right time to bite. I'm ready to bite, I think, but is it the right time?
Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!
I must say I'm really confused as to which player is going to serve my best interests for the longest. Reading the review on the SageTV it seems like that's a very good choice but is not based on the Sigma chip so I have concerns over it's performance. Looking at which player has had the most updates (and most often) I see the TVIX has been very active in that space. So, I was ok with spending $300 for the PCH C-200 because I thought it would play everything that's out today hoping firmware updates and the like would take care of any new codecs that might pop up for the foreseeable future. However, after seeing all these others maybe I should look at buying a cheaper media player like the SageTV knowing I'm going to be replacing it soon anyways.
I've had a media player for over 3 years now and as time goes on it plays less and less things natively that I download (VirtualDub conversions ftw). It's fine when all I have to do is audio conversion but converting the video takes the instant gratification aspect out of it. This media player was $80, requires me to run WizdXP as a server on my PC and doesn't do anything special, but it works (and was cheap). I'm mostly fine with watching things in 1080i and 2 channel audio. Do I want 1080p and 5.1? Sure, my system is certainly capable but the source sometimes isn't (also, given the choice of downloading a full Blueray rip and something compressed I usually will take the compression). Speaking of 1080p, I haven't seen where any of these devices will upconvert any source to be 1080p (besides a mention of it on the YuiXX site)... is that true?
Looking at the NMT scene as it stands today I'm worried whatever player I choose will quickly become outdated with things like the YuiXX coming out and everyone continually finding a new format to play with. I'd be ok if I knew my NMT would last for 3 or 4 years but where's my guarantee? Should I wait 6 months to see what else comes out and if PCH fixes some of their issues with firmware? I do realize that playing the waiting game is sort of a losing battle with technology because it will always get better, but I do like to research and find just the right time to bite. I'm ready to bite, I think, but is it the right time?
Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!