Netgear's EVA2000 Digital Entertainer Live came packin'
a lot of promise for just $150, but according to a critique over at
TrustedReviews, those into a thing dubbed "high-definition" may want to keep on saving and pass over this one. You see, the only 720p content it's capable of playing back is MPEG-2; other than that, you're stuck watching SD material or upscaled-to-720p SD material. To the box's credit, it did manage to play back content satisfactorily, and the built-in
PlayOn software was indeed a boon to the device's overall utility. In the world of media streamers, though, you've got oodles of options, and it seems as if one from WD or
ASUS just might be a better overall value. Tap the read link to decide for yourself.
posted Oct 22nd 2009 10:17AM
Only MPEG-2? Talk about FAIL-O-RAMA!!
So 8(?) years after the original xbox comes out, and for more money you can still only buy a worse product. I've got an original xbox, with xbmc installed, a remote and a HD cable which gives me 1080i out (pretty much any format), a DVD player, HD audio (AC3), a hard drive (OK so it's onjly 8GB but could be upgraded), BBC iplayer script, YouTube etc.
For me it's a no brainer...
The xbox/xbmc is a good setup, but the xbox really lacks in processing power. You won't be able to play much in the way of high resolution or high bitrate MPEG-4 movies.
WTF Netgear, are you even trying?
Rocking a similar setup - I leave the resolution set to 720p - doesn't stretch SD content as much from the DVD rips.
Also, you can get 720p mkv's to play on xbmc as well. It takes a little work, but considering the change in start up costs, and the flexibility of the xbox in formats and purpose (becuase who doesn't love having their favorite games from NES through N64 on their xbox), xbmc is just a win all around.
@Doug
"The xbox/xbmc is a good setup, but the xbox really lacks in processing power. You won't be able to play much in the way of high resolution or high bitrate MPEG-4 movies."
Yeah exactly. I've been waiting on something to replace my XBMC Xbox, but so far haven't seen anything that touches it yet. Popcorn Hour came pretty close though.
Mac Mini with Plex/Boxee/XBMC is very tempting.
I'm very pleased with my WD TV just the wifi N is missing on it !
Why do companies waste effort on clearly inferior products? I mean who do they think they are going to fool!
It's Netgear, if they took time to make better products, they'd have to change their name
That's all well and good, but how is the support for Real Media format? I have a lot of postage-stamp-sized movies that need to be played. I downloaded them circa 1997, and it seems like this device is perfectly geared towards playing media from that era.
I think I've been sarcastic enough for one post. Netgear FTL.
I don't think any 720p content comes in mpeg2 bar those weird early blu-rays. Who's going to transcode to such a surpassed format?
Would it have killed them to put in a pic or two of the UI.
Hey, I found one:
http://bit.ly/2AhqTn
I'm sold.
While certainly not perfect for the dedicated home theater geek, I have to repeat what I see others saying, WHAT IS?, I have the EVA2000 and love it. I have a second transformer and cable in the bedroom so I can unplug it and carry it upstairs and be operational in the bedroom in less then 60 seconds. The WiFi N is a major plus and does work great. Also with the addition of PlayOn software and the PlugIns available my subject matter is vast. (BTW, should you get the EVA2000 they do offer a 20% discount on PlayOn which is a nice perc.) Setup is also very easy for the average end user and that is important. My Mom can use mine and thats amazing to me in itself..
for on the cheap western digital tv live is tops, for on the expensive popcorn hour. sadly i bought the netgear live retuned it the next day. oh and if you have a WD Sharespace you need a wdtv live.
I just picked up a Asus O!Play for $99 yesterday.
It plays EVERTHING I've thrown at it - thru HDMI (video and sound). MKV, AVI, xVid etc.. 1080p no prob
All streaming from my Synology NAS with ease.
Epic Fail!
Having experienced Netgear's lacklustre support of the EVA8000 -- when's that going to work with Windows 7, kids? -- I'd have to tell y'all to blow your wad (of cash) somewhere else.? Actually I don't care anymore, I bought a Popcorn Hour already (which does 1080p).