A Networked Media Jukebox for Music and Movie Lovers. Built with best in class ESS SABRE 32 audio DAC ES9018K2M, the Popcorn Hour A-500 PRO complements two roles – Hi-Fi Stereo and Media Player into one device. With the employment of best in class SABRE 32 audio DAC ES9018K2M, the Popcorn Hour A-500 PRO is able to deliver warm and airy analog sound via three analog outputs –. Re: Popcorn Hour A500/A500 Pro « Reply #13 on: April 30, 2016, 16:15 » BD ISO full menu allows the movie to playback in the correct sequence especially for those disc that is authored using seamless branching method.
I have been using a Popcorn Hour A-110 for the past few years and I love it. However, recently it has started overheating if I keep it on for too long, so I think it's time to replace it.
I was just going to go and order the latest Popcorn Hour model which seems to be the A-410, but I can't even find it for sale on any well-known sites. Where do you buy this thing?I also looked at some others on Amazon and narrowed it down to the KDLinks HD720, and the WD TV. The differences are the VTEN supports 4k video where the 4XX does not.
The A4XX supports internal storage and has high end DACs, the VTEN does not.If I was to purchase one, personally I would go for the VTEN as it is the only one (apart from OpenHour) that is still getting support in terms of firmware updates. The 4XX series has not been updated since last August and no more firmwares are in sight even though there are some issues (I personally can put up with the small ones I have, other users have more frustration).As a long time popcorn user and having multiple PCH players (C200, A210, A300 & 2 A400's), I myself wouldn't buy another as the firmware support seems to be getting shorter & shorter (The A410 got less than 8 months of firmware updates). The NMT forum is pretty much devoid of any responses from Cloudmedia since Werner (the Cloud Media forum admin) left the company last year. I can't see things getting any better only worse than it is now.I still love my PCH's (even with it's niggles) which is why I still use the PCH's I have and I continue to update my NMJ jukebox editor for myself and other PCH users - but they (Cloudmedia) will not get any more new money from me unless they re-invest in their customer and hardware support. The differences are the VTEN supports 4k video where the 4XX does not. The A4XX supports internal storage and has high end DACs, the VTEN does not.If I was to purchase one, personally I would go for the VTEN as it is the only one (apart from OpenHour) that is still getting support in terms of firmware updates.
The 4XX series has not been updated since last August and no more firmwares are in sight even though there are some issues (I personally can put up with the small ones I have, other users have more frustration).As a long time popcorn user and having multiple PCH players (C200, A210, A300 & 2 A400's), I myself wouldn't buy another as the firmware support seems to be getting shorter & shorter (The A410 got less than 8 months of firmware updates). The NMT forum is pretty much devoid of any responses from Cloudmedia since Werner (the Cloud Media forum admin) left the company last year.
I can't see things getting any better only worse than it is now.I still love my PCH's (even with it's niggles) which is why I still use the PCH's I have and I continue to update my NMJ jukebox editor for myself and other PCH users - but they (Cloudmedia) will not get any more new money from me unless they re-invest in their customer and hardware support. Click to expand.I have to admit I don't really understand the technical side of DAC differences, but I would assume that I'd want the player with the better ones if I'm going to be connecting it to a high end sound system, right?If you wouldn't buy PCH anymore, do you mind me asking what you WOULD buy? Really I'm just looking for something simple that plays from USB and NAS, and has excellent audio/video quality. Low quality audio does get on my nerves which is why I've been hesitant about buying a cheaper box like a WD TV because I just assumed something with such mass market appeal would probably skimp out on stuff that most people won't notice (but please correct me if I'm wrong).
I assume as you are using mainly for video files that you would be wanting HD audio and using the HDMI connection for sound to an AVR? If so the DACs are irrelevant as they are for the analogue outputs. This is mainly for audiophiles using the stereo phono outs.If I.had. to buy a player today I would maybe consider the VTEN as it is still getting updates or one of the Mede8ter players as the reports are good on those and is still getting updated. However the picture quality is reported to be lower on the Realtek based players - whether you would notice it I can't say and I do not own one. No player is perfect and no company is. I think all I was really trying to say is that the A400 is good if you buy with a mind that any issues you find caused by firmware, don't expect them to get fixed.
Click to expand.I think the lower picture quality was true a while back for Realtek players. But from what I have read (I don't own one either) Mede8er have made big improvements getting true 24p & 23.975p playback working that previously was only available on the Sigma chipset players.
I think there was even a side by side comparison done by somebody on here of Sigma vs Realtek players and there has certainly been a lot of talk about their differences. But I think the consensus now is that they are so close that most people wouldn't see any real world quality differences even on a back to back comparison.I think that for firmware updates and general support the Mede8er's are going to be hard to beat. Dune as well as PCH have dropped their support to bare minimum and I can not longer see how they can justify their price premium.Mark.
At one point I owned the a410, Mede8er 1000x3d, hdi base 3d.The picture quality was best on the popcorn a410 from all three but the mede8er is the best supported and regular firmware and bug fixes and good developments.But I believe media players are taking different way forward now personally it's all about andriod players and kodi or htpc with kodi.I currently have my old dune prime 3.0 and Intel nuc htpc and have to say I'm impressed with picture quality of kodi on the nuc.I want to try the new amlogic based Android boxes with openelec kodi. @ TvBoyNot sure if your still looking or what options you went for, but thought I would add my voice to. I to have a NUC ( Intel NUC 2820) with kodi installed.I have a NAS connected and my NUC does everything! Great pictures and sound, even with the big 50GB files I throw at it.Currently I am thinking about the next step, I want to keep with NUCs but have started to look at the nvidea shield. This little box can run Kodi (xbmx) and even outputs to 4k @ 60fps.
Popcorn Hour A-500 Vs Vten 1
Popcorn Hour A-500 Vs Vten 2
See the dedicated thread on it on here.Might well be worth a look.Also can play games on it, if your up for that!