Syabas Popbox hands-on

The Popcorn Hour lineup had (and still has) a huge following, but it remains one of the most under-appreciated media streamers on the market from a mainstream perspective. We get the feeling that all of that's gearing up to change, with Syabas demonstrating its highly marketable Popbox here at CES. We were able to swing by and take a look at the product tonight, and we've got to confess -- it'd be a pretty stellar add to any home entertainment setup. The box was small, light and stylish enough, and the actual user interface was drop-dead simple to navigate. It hooks up with any networked media (the demo was playing back content from a NAS drive), and it even pulls down metadata from IMDB for films. We briefly watched a couple of 720p clips, and playback started instantly and the video quality was nothing short of fantastic. We've got a video in the works, but for now, feel free to have a glance at the gallery below.

Update: Video is now live after the break!

Syabas Popbox hands-on

[reallynotnick Posted Jan 5th 2010 8:08PM]

I'm thinking of picking up one of these instead of the WD TV.
Though is that an ad I see for netflix on the right? If there are ads all over the interface I won't buy one.

[Bratan Posted Jan 12th 2010 2:58PM]

@reallynotnick
I almost got WD TV Live. Almost, glad I waited. I want this popbox, really really bad! :) Can't wait till march, this is exactly what I was looking for, and it's cheaper than WD TV! If only it had a usb keyboard compatibility (for Youtube search)... But even if it doesn't, I'd still be one of the earliest adapters :)

[bullshitexpresscom Posted Jan 5th 2010 8:09PM]

Very nice. I can't wait to get one for the bedroom TV.

[Charles Posted Jan 5th 2010 8:11PM]

I have been using an old Xbox modded with XBMC to stream media (such as pictures and music) from my computer. But it feels like it is on it's last legs and I'd like something with HDMI out. Both this and the new Boxee box seem like the future, although I know that there are many other streamers out there also. I wonder if the Boxee is worth the extra money with all the apps that seem to be available and the constant upgrades from its developer community (if it's anything like XBMC). Maybe those of you who are experts in such things could point out the pros and cons of the Boxee and PopBox (at least from the specs that are out there since none of us have even seen one or gone hands on).

[aubreyq Posted Jan 5th 2010 8:23PM]

@Charles: I'm on the exact same boat. Love the XBMC interface on my Xboxes, but want the HD horsepower. For this device to win me over, it must:

- Stream DVDs in ISO containers
- Support subtitle switching for the DVD ISOs
- Allow me to customize the video feeds I want to watch (e.g. video podcasts, for the most part)
- Have a solid interface, especially when navigating folders in my NAS
- Be a robust device that doesn't crap out in three months

Let's see what happens!

[jlarex Posted Jan 5th 2010 9:21PM]

@Charles
If you want to keep using XBMC you may want to take a look at the Acer Aspire Revo. You can easily install XBMC on it (there are guides available at the xbmc.org forum). It has HDMI and from what I've heard, the ION chipset handles 1080p video with no problems. It's also relatively cheap at $199.

[Nerdtalker Posted Jan 5th 2010 9:50PM]

@Charles Count me in as third. I can't play my HD content on my old Xbox, and it just feels like the latest builds are making the box slower instead of faster.

Considering how slick the new interface is and how little love the old Xbox is, I'm strongly considering either the Zotac MAG HD-ND01 or the Aspire Revo. Hard to find them in stock though.

That said, the Boxee Box and this have me almost ready to jump ship...

[aubreyq Posted Jan 5th 2010 10:53PM]

@Nerdtalker: I never heard of that Zotac before. Looks pretty nice, actually.
Good point on the latest XBMC builds. They seem to be less effective on Xbox and I find myself tweaking the settings more than before.

[member1 Posted Jan 6th 2010 7:48AM]

@Charles @aubreyq @Nerdtalker
You should check out the following two posts.
http://lifehacker.com/5391308/build-a-silent-standalone-xbmc-media-center-on-the-cheap and http://lifehacker.com/5393227/turbo-charge-your-new-xbmc-installation best of luck to you all in your future media center :)

[Chip Posted Jan 6th 2010 8:45AM]

@Charles

The XBMC team just released the OSX drivers for the Broadcom CrystalHD card. This means you can get a refurb Apple TV and a Broadcom card for well under $200 and get the full XBMC experience with HD video playback. Look into it. http://xbmc.org/davilla/2009/12/29/broadcom-crystal-hd-its-magic/

The PCH interface is better than most generic streamer boxes, but it isn't anywhere near as good as XBMC.

[Xen Posted Jan 6th 2010 2:02PM]

@aubreyq
The existing Popcorn Hour A-110 does exactly that.
A bit slow on the interface side but plays all of my files (avi, mp4, mkv, DVD isos and DVD file structure copies)

[savvyrb Posted Jan 10th 2010 6:09PM]

@aubreyq
I am currently learning about ripping my DVD collection so I can stream them on my network. Help me out, what makes DVDs in an ISO container better than a MKV container. Thanks.

[F22 Posted Jan 12th 2010 8:24PM]

@aubreyq
syabase says it will Stream DVDs in ISO containers, more importanly it will present dvd menues with chapters unlike devices int eh same price point like WD TV LIVE, it will support subtitle switching for the DVD ISOs.

I can't wait to dump my wd extenders for this. WD is brain dead.

[Shash450 Posted Jan 5th 2010 8:24PM]

I still prefer XBMC/Plex setups due to the HUGE customisability options that it offers to really allow you to tailor it to your needs. Coupled with a Mac Mini or any other small HTPC and its the perfect living room buddy...

Still, i've always appreciated Syabas' products, and I hope this is more successful than their Popcorn Hours, which I do agree deserve more recognition than they receive..

[StateGeek Posted Jan 5th 2010 8:29PM]

I just want a unit that connects directly to my HDTV and internet to stream content. I don't want another NAS or computer networking toy. I don't want to stream my own shit...I want to pull down other stuff from the web.

[gerrrg Posted Jan 5th 2010 8:37PM]

Just ONE USB, huh?

[nicmonson Posted Jan 5th 2010 9:07PM]

@gerrrg There are two, one on the front and one on the back. I am just said about the lack of wifi. :(

[scurr Posted Jan 5th 2010 8:39PM]

well .. not to hijack but

http://moxi.com/us/moxi_dvr.html

why not this instead? i hate having 100 boxes to do the same thing under my TV

[llbpll Posted Jan 5th 2010 9:51PM]

@scurr Nothing wrong with the moxi except the $500 price tag.

[sirthought Posted Jan 6th 2010 2:21AM]

@scurr

This looks nice, but it requires cable subscription. No over-the-air HD recording.

[Goona Posted Jan 5th 2010 8:58PM]

Nice

[loop7 Posted Jan 5th 2010 9:09PM]

I cannot wait. I assume it will support multiple USB drives via a hub?

[ljstevens Posted Jan 5th 2010 10:16PM]

OK, so I like everything but the ads on the right of the UI. Why should I have an ad that takes up 1/4 of my screen when I am using hardware and software that I have paid for?

[Donny Bahama Posted Jan 6th 2010 3:20PM]

@ljstevens Amen. I could //maybe// live with a small banner or something, but a quarter of my screen? That's a deal-breaker for sure.

[Twinnie Posted Jan 5th 2010 10:34PM]

I'm looking for a decent media centre to replace the the Xbox running XBMC in my living room when I upgrade to HD TV in the near future. They all seem to be made by router manufacturers though, an subsequently they all look like routers, and we all know how ugly 99% of routers are. Look at this crap Buffalo are still selling:
http://www.techfresh.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/airstation_and_buffalo_wifi_router_1.jpg

If I'm paying hundreds of local currency to watch videos in my living room I expect it to be decent looking, I can't even hide it away behind a bookshelf like I can the router because I need the IR. This Popbox would look great in the living room but I'd need one that was bigger with room for extra hard drives, as well as allowing me to change the OS should I decide I don't like the included one, to something like Boxee. Plus it would have to be low powered and I'd have 'Wake-on-LAN enabled so I can double it up as a NAS.

[raaaaaa Posted Jan 5th 2010 10:49PM]

pure add supported....and it will not allow blu-ray or DVD iso guaranteed...that is how they can get the bigboys to play

[aubreyq Posted Jan 5th 2010 10:58PM]

@raaaaaa: Whoa, you're sure about the no ISO support? That's a big DO NOT WANT for me, if that's the case.
Time and time again, it seems I'll eventually end up with XBMC on an HTPC.

[rchapoteau Posted Jan 5th 2010 11:02PM]

@raaaaaa The popcorn hour supports Iso's. Why wouldn't this?

[raaaaaa Posted Jan 5th 2010 11:17PM]

@rchapoteau because it is another ball game, now they want the content providers on board and they will not come to such an open platform....I could be wrong but why not mention there specs?

[rchapoteau Posted Jan 5th 2010 11:03PM]

I wanted to hear the continuing comments on the AD supported question. Will ads always be there????

Chances are I'm sticking with XBMC. That still has a nicer interface.

[blackacex22 Posted Jan 5th 2010 11:07PM]

If you have a PS3 and a blu-ray player that does DLNA (lg bd390) is there really a reason to get the popcorn hour?

WHY WON'T THEY RELEASE MORE STAND ALONE WINDOWS MEDIA EXTENDERS?? WINDOWS MEDIA CENTER > ANY OF THESE BOXES UI

I want a WMC extender and I don't want the huge xbox 360 in my media rack blowing its fan at warp speed.

[DieselGuy Posted Jan 5th 2010 11:18PM]

Former (xbox1) XBMC user here

Last month switched to WD TV Live(needed HDMI)

the ONLY negative on WV TV Live is NO WMAPro decoding(so if you have an amp that can decode WMAPro you're ok)

I purchase two(2) WD TV Live @ Best Buy' for 99 buck but returned one today cause I read about PopBox last night

NOW that I saw Ads on this I will NEVER buy one.

I'm a PopCorn Hour C-200 fan but I the Ads on this product kills it for me...you can clearly hear the guy say anyone can buy ads. Well they better GIVE away the PopBox hour or sell it for 99 CENTS if they will be selling ads space on it.

Xbox360/PS3 and WD TV Live are the perfect set up for me.

By the way WD TV Live is only 99 bucks at Best Buy and it CAN read DVD iso(No DVD menus)

WD TV Live will play those x264 Matroska 14gb + Dark Knight Blu-Ray Rips PERFECTLY with 5.1(AC3) and DTS Audio

[aubreyq Posted Jan 5th 2010 11:51PM]

@DieselGuy: Thanks for the WDTV Live info. It's good to know it plays DVD iso files and I believe that, via uPnP, I can probably watch Netflix and Hulu?

Still, but I need a little more. I like to stream video podcasts, which means running RSS feed scripts. I don't want to download the video podcasts individually. That's what keeps me from getting WDTV Live.

I agree 100% on the ads argument. I don't want that crap on my video streamer.

[Gorgula Posted Jan 6th 2010 12:35AM]

@DieselGuy

will WD TV play blu ray main movie iso's? that is all i want...

[DieselGuy Posted Jan 6th 2010 1:28AM]

@aubreyq & @unverified

I just got the WD TV Live last month and have not had a chance to check out every feature...BUT there is Custom Firmware available for it ...there's somewhat of big WD TV Live community out there..

I have not tested Blu-Ray "Raw ripped" files(like DVD .vob files)

WD may ad Netflick and other features in the future but right now there is no netflick/Hulu...

All I can say is that for 99 bucks its a great player...buy one and test it out..if it doesn't do what you need/want then return it.

One more thing I forgot to mention is I don't like the little remote that comes with the unit and the fact that there's no external buttons on the unit(Just like PopBox) so if you lose that remote you're F-ed...there might be a way to control it remotely(VNC etc I'm not sure) but I have not read the manual that came with the unit lol :)

I placed the remote away after programing my receiver's universal remote to copy the commands.

When I read about the PopBox hour last night I was REALLY looking forward to buying a few(two for my house and a few for my relatives cause for 129 bucks it would have been great IF it was like PopCorn Hour C-200)..so I returned one of my WD TV Live but when I got home and saw the video about the Ads I was extremely disappointed.

[blackmagic01 Posted Jan 6th 2010 5:07AM]

@DieselGuy ditto on the ads. i get it for like youtube but not in my music library.

[bullshitexpresscom Posted Jan 5th 2010 11:44PM]

WHEN is it being released?

Tough decision between Boxee and this, but I can't stand D-Link anymore, but not knowing when it will be released is a put off. They both do what I want, but I don't want to wait until summer to do it.

[LogMonkey Posted Jan 6th 2010 12:13AM]

Funny...the guy is using a PopcornHour remote.

[Gorgula Posted Jan 6th 2010 12:39AM]

Press release:

http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20100105005081&newsLang=en

March $129 playing .iso is not listed.

[sirthought Posted Jan 6th 2010 2:42AM]

Based on all the requests I'm hearing people having here, I don't understand why you don't build yourself a HTPC to the size of your choice... or buy the components and have a local tech guy put together for you. It's not really all that demanding and you can get all the NetFlicks, Hulu, etc you want along with cable content or OTA.

This guy lays out advice on multiple configurations you can try at different sizes and spells out all the prices. Many are under $400 and can handle HD content just fine. You can use Win 7 or Linux or whatever else.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=17591247#post17591247

[wossy Posted Jan 6th 2010 4:29AM]

", but it remains one of the most under-appreciated media streamers on the market from a mainstream perspective"
that is because they have frequent hardware issues over all product models and the release of the c200 was a joke hardware and software issues =)

[blackmagic01 Posted Jan 6th 2010 5:04AM]

So is that ad going to be there the whole time? It's wasting space. I can understand maybe for netflix, youtube, or something but not when i'm browsing my own library

[wossy Posted Jan 6th 2010 5:12AM]

youtube is probably still denying access to its services (shame as a lot of tv channels have youtube channels)

[One Love Posted Jan 6th 2010 10:27AM]

One thing i can say is netflix streaming quality on w7 media center is so awesome.

[craigtx Posted Jan 6th 2010 10:34AM]

ANybody else notice the Component output, the "Y" connection is Red and the "Pr" is Green? Just found that odd. but I'm sure this is more prototype than production.

[contempt Posted Jan 6th 2010 10:52AM]

Former XBMC on Xbox, current XBMC on AppleTV. I'm loving this product up until I saw that ad. The whole point of the interface should be to maximize the visibility into your library. That's what I love about the customization of the XBMC (currently using the Aeon Skin). I just want something with a bit more horsepower as ATV is definitely not that quick. Thanks for the heads up on the Broadcom card, that looks like a nice option. Unfortunately the cost of $69 gets pretty close to the Asus or this, so I'm debating how much money I actually want to sync into it. Has anyone tried the Broadcom/AppleTV solution yet? Nothing on the XBMC forums.

[riibu Posted Jan 6th 2010 6:59PM]

I have the Popcorn Hour A-110 and absolutely love it. It's basically replaced all of the other gadgetry that was connected to my TV. I brought it with me to my parents' house over Christmas and my dad, after watching a few things with it, got interested and started asking questions about it. I kinda hesitated on talking about it, because what you have to be able to do to really take advantage of the PH is not something I see either of my parents as being able to do. So while the PopBox doesn't really offer anything to me, I can see it being something that my parents could probably use to (mostly) full advantage.

For the average person, the PopBox will surely be great. For the budget conscious person, the PopBox will surely also be great. For the more savvy user who doesn't want limitations, the extra cost of either the Popcorn Hour A-110 or C-200 is very much worth it.

[Marko Posted Jan 12th 2010 1:23PM]

@riibu - you can get broadcom for 1/2 that price on ebay. Apparently it works, mine will arrive tomorrow - can't wait!
And xbmc really supports every possible format, and will continue to do so, because there is very large team of dedicated people constantly making sure it continues to do so!

[joblesspirate Posted Jan 7th 2010 2:56PM]

Going to try this out tonight to see if it's decent http://en.megalandia.com/ for my PS3. If it blows may have to invest in either this or a WD TV

[allablur Posted Jan 7th 2010 7:48PM]

There is a new online community for this device with specs, videos, and a forum. www.popboxforum.com The Popbox looks like a winner!