ASUS introduces O!Play HD2, first networked media player with USB 3.0

Chances are you're not a part of the SuperSpeed revolution yet, and that's okay. It's early days yet, but ASUS is doing its part to make that transition to USB 3.0 a little more appealing with its O!Play HD2. A follow-up to the earlier O!Play models, the HD2 offers what looks to be plenty of connectivity options (we're seeing USB, memory cards, and eSATA) and promises a "wealth of cloud infotainment." ASUS isn't sharing any more details than that right now, but we're going to try to track this guy down on the CeBIT show floor and, when we find, it you can be sure we won't spare the hard questions.

[gustav213 Posted Mar 3rd 2010 9:20AM]

First!, also this looks badass, been dying for a USB3.0 on a WD TV Live box but this will do too. Wanna know what else is new inside it though.

[jonyah Posted Mar 3rd 2010 9:22AM]

Not worth a thing unless this supports the mkv container. All we can do is hope. This is a nice looking box and could be a good replacement for my popcornhour if so. I'm getting tired of waiting for theh popbox.

[ScaryFast Posted Mar 3rd 2010 3:53PM]

@jonyah I own the first O!Play and it plays every video format I've thrown at it, including 1080p mkv's (though I only use 720p on my old sony rptv)

I did have issues with windows 7 shares, but a little telnet and vi and a usb stick permanently plugged into the side fixed it.

Sounds like this new one will do online video stuff, which is nice. wish they had other connectors on the back for component at least (parents have an old ass tv)

[gustav213 Posted Mar 3rd 2010 9:25AM]

Well the Oplay that is out already supports mkv so this should too, if it doesnt ti would probably be a huge failure since mkv is in my opinion one of the best container out there right now.

[earthling Posted Mar 3rd 2010 9:28AM]

The processors used in these boxes (typically sigma designs or realtek) are incapable of maxing out even USB 2. Typical media files (even direct bluray rips) top out at around 5MB/s. While its great to see USB 3 show up on different devices, don't expect that it will impact performance anytime soon on these media players.

[gustav213 Posted Mar 3rd 2010 9:29AM]

True, well I am hoping they will change some of the specs and not jsut add a usb to it, we can only hope.

[Prokanda Posted Mar 3rd 2010 10:00AM]

@gustav213: A USB port? I cringed. Like when people say "I need a new blootoof for mah cell fone" or "I have a GPS in my car".

[Psy Posted Mar 3rd 2010 9:29AM]

HTC should now pull an Apple and sue ASUS...

[Jack Bauer Posted Mar 3rd 2010 9:55AM]

@Psy

Haha, i clicked through to say just that.

[TxDot Posted Mar 3rd 2010 10:03AM]

I have an earlier version of the O!Play and IMHO they need to make the interface easier to use for non-techies. In fact, they should use XBMC instead of rolling their own. Just saying...

[Nicnac Posted Mar 3rd 2010 10:48AM]

USB 3.0 port enough to make this better than Popbox or Boxee Box?

[daskino Posted Mar 3rd 2010 11:24AM]

nice design

[craiggger Posted Mar 3rd 2010 11:41AM]

These Media players don't interest me too much. I prefer using my PC becasue if I'm gonna spend multi-hours burning DVD's, CD's,downloading MP3', transferring pics ect, I want RAID there to provide a backup solution. I need something with more kick, like say something with 4GB of RAM and a 4x Core. I can' sleep at night when I know hours of work can be lost due to no RAID. HERB!

[glennS Posted Mar 3rd 2010 12:08PM]

Looks nice. A dedicated HTPC is still better, IMO, but the media boxes are getting closer with every revision. Now throw a blu-ray player in one of these things are we're all set...wait, did I just describe the PS3?

[TIMMAH Posted Mar 3rd 2010 12:29PM]

What's the best media player box out there now? I'm still looking for a successor to my XBMC Xbox. I had considered a Popcorn Hour, but I saw a demo of their interface and I thought it was a bit clunky compared to my XBMC rig. Still waiting to see a good comparison review of all the new contenders out there.

[raaaaaa Posted Mar 3rd 2010 1:08PM]

unless you are going to network it via usb 3.0 whats the big deal?

[ipponrg Posted Mar 3rd 2010 1:38PM]

@glennS

Look at the Dune 3.0 Prime. It has a Blu Ray player

@Timmah

take a look at the AVS digital streamer forum (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=39). There's a wealth of comparisons of the media streamer contenders out there.

@craigger

Most of these streamers can stream from NAS as well. Could probably invest in a Synology 2 drive raid-1 setup.

[dan991199 Posted Mar 3rd 2010 1:54PM]

usb 3.0 is nothing more than a gimmick. as stated by others the processor can't touch those speeds, and no media it can play would require anything near that speed either.

[engage Posted Mar 3rd 2010 2:33PM]

I had the Asus O!Play for exactly one evening and promptly returned it because of terrible format playback, especially from MKV containers. It didn't matter if it was a 480p ISO or a 720p MKV, it was choppier than a lumberjack and absolutely choked on 1080p (streaming AND local).

Except for streaming 1080p, I've had no such problems with the WDTV Live (which seems to handle everything) or the Seagate Freeagent+ HD for that matter, which curiously has the same Realtek 1073 chip as the Asus. I hope that's all fixed with Asus' new model, because Popbox and Boxee are right around the corner.

[patches66 Posted Mar 3rd 2010 3:58PM]

is something wrong with the "reply" button today, or am i looking at a tragic multi-coincidence?

[ChillyCat Posted Mar 3rd 2010 4:08PM]

Would it have been too much to ask ??

Where's the display ?? Just a simple
name of file woulda done. For those
who's equip is outta sight of monitor / TV