What media centre to get?

[dannoble82]

I currently have a cyclone media centre...which is ok but i have read different things on here like Popcorn hour etc.

Im looking for something that plays as many media formats as possible and i have also heard you can stream films etc from the internet via some media centres is this the case and is it easy to set up / find these films / programs.

I would ideally like one that is HD as that is what is lacking from my current one.

and finally is there any other features i should be looking out for or are there any models & makes i should seriously look out for or avoid.

Cheers..

[Nibb]

Get an Acer Revo and be done with it!

[crashtestmac]

Do you have a PS3 or xbox to front end it...?

If so get a QNAP and be done with it..!

[tronads]

Well I have a PopcornHour on the main TV alongside a PS3 and 360....an XBMC Aspire Revo in the backroom (networked up to the popcorn), and a Western Digital HDTV in the bedroom.

I have to say the Popcorn, as excellent as it is, if it were to die, it would be another Revo replacing it.

[liveseytowers]

I've got a Revo as well and love it. As its a full PC it can play anything you throw at it. Just wish I had the dual core one with optical out.

[{{909}}]

for the cash i think the revo offers so much more, its a dual core 1.6ghz pc afterall. it can take more setting up and can be tweaked forever with the skins which puts some people off.

[chesser]

if you have a PS3 or XBox get a Windows Home Server and have done with it

[liveseytowers]

if you have a PS3 or XBox get a Windows Home Server and have done with it

So how does that work then as the PS3 won't stream MKV's and so you'd have to convert them and also you'd need to be hard wired to the router as well. Is there an easier way to play 1080p on the PS3?

[evilsatan]

So how does that work then as the PS3 won't stream MKV's and so you'd have to convert them and also you'd need to be hard wired to the router as well. Is there an easier way to play 1080p on the PS3?

It will probably transcode. The Revo is by far the most superior option and it doesn't break the bank either. I have had experience with a few different setups including transcoding, ACRyan PlayOn etc. and the Revo blows them all out of the water!

[tronads]

Agreed....any kind of transcoding or converting is a definite no-no for me. It needs to be something that offers immediate or very quick switch on, can be used by all the family, and doesnt rely on something else being on (other than a nas drive).

[dannoble82]

So its the revo, what model would you recomend? so i can go search for some links as it must have 1080p output i have looked at this... is this a big no no?

Basically i would like something not too dificult to set up one that u can download torrents onto it (if i was ever to download them that is ) directly to the machine, also i want good amounts of memory and you can update the firmware/ codeks etc ... is there any thing else im missing?

oh and here is that one i have been looking at...


Sumvision Cyclone MKV FULL 1080p HD Player with 1.5TB HDD
Supports All Popular HD Video:
The Cyclone MKV supports all popular 1080p HD video formats
currently on the market. Formats supported include H.264, MKV,
DivX HD, MPEG 2-TS, RMVB (up to 720p) and WMV9.
Supports SATA HDD, USB Host and LAN Samba Client:

Built-in 1.5TB Hard Disk Drive allows you to storage a huge collection of your media files in one place.
Built-in storage unit allows you to add your own SATA HDD to
store all your media files.
With USB 2.0 support you can plug storage devices such as HDD,
flash drives or mp3 and play them directly through the Cyclone.
The Cyclone MKV Enclosure can act as a SAMBA client, you can
stream media from your PC directly to your player. Play standard
and HD media fast and efficiently with no slow down.
Internet Media Servics:
Preset internet services are available to access straight from the
player.
Services such as BBC, YouTube and many more internet
services are available for you to access.
HDMI Digital Output:
With the HDMI interface you can enjoy superb digital video and
audio quality playback on your TV.

Specifications:
Hard Drive Support: SATA HDD (Upto 2TB)
USB Input: USB 2.0 Hi-Speed USB host x 2
Firmware: Upgradeable
OS Language: English, German, Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese and Dutch
Audio: MP3, WMA, WAV, OGG, AAC, LPCM, FLAC, AC3 and DTS
Video Codec: H.264, MKV, WMV9, MPEG 1/2/4, HD DivX, Xvid, FLV and RM/RMVB
Video File: MKV, TS, M2TS, TP, TRP, WMV, IFO, ISO, VOB, DAT, AVI, MPG, MP4, MOV, RM, RMVB, DivX, Xvid
Video Resolution: H.264, MKV, WMV9, TS and HD DivX supports up to 1920 x 1080p 30fps RM/RMVB supports up to 720p
Subtitles: SUB, SMI, SSA, SRT, IDX + SUB
Photo File: JPG, JPEG, BMP, PNG, TIFF, GIF
Video Out: CVBS, HDMI 1.3 (max 1080p)
Audio Out: stereo R/L, optical, HDMI Digital
LAN: RJ45, supports Samba client, Wi-Fi 802.11g dongle (optional)
Remote Control: Yes
Panel Button: Yes
Power Supply: Universal AC 100 ~ 230V 50Hz
Power Rate: DC 12V 2A
Internet Services: YouTube, BBC, Picasa, flickr, RTL, BitTorrent*
Network Services: (Samba) NAS*

* BitTorrent and Samba application installation from CD required


Price: £139.75