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Popcorn Hour bulks up for the C-300, can juggle an extra hard-disk or Blu-ray drive (video)
Some people may not be willing just yet to leave the world of physical media. Those circumspect media consumers may be intrigued by the latest Popcorn Hour box. Looking more substantial than the recent A-300, the C-300 model includes a 2.5-inch color TFT display at the front and packs space for both a quick-removable 3.5-inch HDD and an internal 2.5-inch SATA drive. A Blu-ray drive can also be mounted to the removable HD rack and you can expect support for the same plethora of file types we've come to expect from the Popcorn Hour family. Network options have been expanded, with a new built-in aerial supporting an optional Mini MII PCI WiFi N card. Syabas is already offering up a full UI walkthrough at the source below and you can take a peak at the C-300's built-in app market in action right after the break.
Popcorn Hour A-300 ready to sit quietly and enjoy the movies, starting October 18th (video)
Syabas has released a torrent of details about its next media streamer. The forthcoming Popcorn Hour A-300 houses the latest Sigma 800MHz CPU and Real Media decoder support, plus USB 3.0 and Gigabit Ethernet connections to ensure dizzying transfer speeds. Like its predecessor, the aluminum-encased streamer is entirely fanless, broadcasting your favorite content in stoic silence. The A300 will be available starting October 18th, direct from Syabas. You can prepare yourself by checking out the source link below for a plethora of detailed videos and screengrabs of the A-300's interface in action.
Popcorn Hour C-200, A-200 updates add Networked Media Jukebox interface, apps store
Owners of the Popcorn Hour A-200 and C-200 media players can finally enjoy the long promised new Flash-based interface and app store now that updates are available for both. Check after the break for a trailer and introduction to the new interface, if you're already running them on your box pop in the comments and let us know how they're working. [Thanks, TJ & Jon]
Popcorn Hour casually announces the A-200 NMT for its most dedicated media streamer fans
Not satisfied by the new retail-friendly Popbox that just debuted at CES? Popcorn Hour has announced it is introducing the A-200 Networked Media tank, internally as powerful as the bigger C-200 but with the A-110's profile and lacking a Blu-ray drive port. Priced at $179, or with optional WiFi dongle for $20 more, preorders are to begin January 18 at 10 a.m. PST, it still has a slot for an internally mounted SATA HDD, and reported support for "simple" Blu-ray menu browsing. As far as other features, they've listened by including NTFS write support and also confirmed a new Flash Lite menu announced for the C-200 will arrive on this box, but unfortunately Netflix support on the Popbox doesn't appear to have worked its way into the A-200. Check for even more specs and pics after the break, for those PCH fans once again choosing between flexibility and all-in-one ease. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Popcorn Hour C-200 hands-on
Popcorn Hour's latest all-accessing all-playing media device has finally made its way into our hands, and while we haven't had nearly enough time to put the C-200 completely through its paces, we did spare a moment to take some pictures and play a movie or two. Other than using RF (no line of sight needed here) the remote is mostly unchanged from the earlier A-110, though we have had some issues with the box not responding to inputs, tightening the antenna seems to have made things better for now. Slipping a SATA hard drive in requires only the lightest tug on the drive bay door, it really couldn't be easier -- we'll have to see how a Blu-ray drive fits soon. With the exception of slight noise from the HDD we put in, the C-200 is nearly silent in operation, and home theater nuts will be glad to know that bright blue display up front can be dimmed all the way to off. An extra USB port front and back hasn't hurt usability either, though it would have been nice if it recognized a keyboard when we were setting up new RSS feeds. Thanks to DLNA support, Windows 7 Play To functionality worked sufficiently playing media, but we couldn't get the titles to display properly on the C-200 whether initiated from the PC or on the box itself. So far it's played everything we've thrown at it, from legitimately downloaded trailers to less MPAA-authorized material. Anything you want to see tested as part of our full review? Leave ideas in the comments while you check out the pictures. %Gallery-73937%
The Popcorn Hour C-200 media streamer makes its way into the wild
It looks like Popcorn Hour's C-200 media streamer is making its way into end-users' hands, so prepare yourself for a flurry of reviews. Our friend Brent over at GeekTonic should be jumping into the fray soon, and has kicked things off with a preview. Yeah, the C-200 is bigger than its sibling A-100, but it brings so much to the table that we'd say Popcorn Hour has packed in just as much -- if not more -- goodness per cubic inch. With space available for a hard and/or Blu-ray drive, wired and wireless networking, and USB ports to round out the input connectivity, the C-200 then adds a smorgasbord of codec support just to make sure your bits will survive the translation back into entertainment. With the "it plays anything" kind of capability the C-200 is promising, we've got a feeling that a positive review or two might be the only thing standing between us and a $300 dent in our credit cards. [Via ZatzNotFunny]
Popcorn Hour C-200 launch nearly upon us, preorders start tomorrow
As you may have noticed, the new Popcorn Hour C-200 media box didn't quite make its anticipated July launch, but the company now says that as of 12 a.m. PST August 27, pre-orders will open allowing the willing faithful to put in a request for the first batch, anticipated to ship September 3 or thereabouts. Don't remember the June announcement? The $299 Sigma powered box takes HDD, Blu-ray discs, USB or network inputs of nearly any video or audio codec available and brings them to your living room. Since then, pics and video of the units guts and interface have leaked out on the forums, check after the break or beyond the read link for a better look.[Via MediaSmartServer.net]
Escient rolls out Vision version 1.1 software
If you're lucky enough to own an Escient digital media system, then the company has a new version 1.1 of its Vision software ready for your hot hands. The update is free (you did shell out some long green for the Escient system, remember) for owners of Vision VS and VC gear, and promises a more responsive UI, stability and improved video quality -- always good things for your oh-so-connected casa. Also making the cut is 2-way control for Vision Movies, Music, Rhapsody, Photos and the front panel disc drive (CD or DVD only), so your high end Crestron, Marantz RC9001, Philips Pronto and UEI remote controls and multi-room distribution gadgets get along nice and friendly-like with the Escient hardware.
Popcorn Hour's A-110 HD media streamer / B-110 motherboard reviewed
If you've been putting off that purchase of Popcorn Hour's evolutionary A-110 HD media streamer or all new B-110 motherboard, here's a decent compilation of facts and opinions to help you make up your mind once and for all. The cats over at DigitalReviews took the time to not only detail, test out and report back on the newest duo from the company, but it also revisited the original (and heralded) A-100 in order to give a better comparison. Overall, critics did tend to prefer the A-110 over its predecessor, but the minor list of changes made it a hard sell for folks teetering on upgrading. The B-110 was seen as an even tougher sell, with only the hardcore DIY crowd likely to even find it worth investigating. Nevertheless, we won't spoil the rest for you -- head on down to have a look for yourself.[Thanks, Anton]
Popcorn Hour's A-110 HD media streamers gets hands-on treatment
While we can only imagine that the lead time for one of Popcorn Hour's A-110 HD media streamers is at least a week or so judging by the demand of the predecessor, at least one of these things has managed to make its way out. CNET's UK branch was able to wrap their paws around the latest Networked Media Tank, and while they did note that the design was essentially the same, the changes that were made (HDMI 1.3a in particular) were "seriously worthwhile." For a brief preview and a few more shots, check out the read link below.[Thanks, John]
How could Popcorn Hour's A-100 be improved upon?
Popcorn Hour's A-100 just can't seem to stay out of the spotlight, but even with a product that's universally loved, there's always a few things it could be better at. Now that you've had a few months to toy around with this thing, what aspects would you like to see improved? Head on over to Engadget Classic to chime in.
How would you change Popcorn Hour's A-100 HD media streamer?
When Popcorn Hour's Networked Media Tank / A-100 went on sale earlier this year, we didn't really foresee it gaining so much fanfare. Even months after launch the unit still had a waiting list, and just recently has the commotion died down enough so that supply and demand could meet in beautiful harmony. In all honesty, we haven't heard many negative feelings towards this potent little media server, but as these things go, there's always room -- if but a crack -- for improvement. So, what features would you like to see on the A-100 that aren't there currently? Who knows, Popcorn Hour may grant your wishes in one of its potentially forthcoming successors.
How-to video details HDD installation process in Popcorn Hour's A-100
As far as mods go, it just doesn't much easier than this. Popcorn Hour's heralded A-100 HD media streamer contains a gap just big enough for a PATA HDD, and if you've been too timid to flex your DIY muscle and throw one in there, we've got the video to guide you through. Anxious to store files locally and turn your unit into a mighty useful BitTorrent client? Check out a demonstration of the painless procedure just beyond the break -- and grab your screwdriver while you're at it.[Via eHomeUpgrade]
Popcorn Hour's A-100 HD media streamer publicly available for pre-order
What do you know? Yet another outlet for you to happily blow $179. As of today, Popcorn Hour's heralded A-100 HD media streamer is finally available for the public at large to pre-order. Previously, folks had to actually sign a list just to be blessed with the privilege of placing an order, but now it seems supply is at long last flowing in nicely. The company has even set up a forum to keep customers informed of order status, but we wouldn't dillydally around -- these are still being sold on a first come, first served basis.[Thanks, leland]
Popcorn Hour's Networked Media Tank gets reviewed
We'll be honest with you -- we haven't seen a dedicated media streamer get this much attention, well, ever. Nevertheless, Popcorn Hour's (apparently hard-to-get) Networked Media Tank / A-100 has been utilized for a month over at Networking Audio / Video's labs, and the take away is that it pretty much is just as impressive as expected. Aside from the lackluster interface and ho hum music playback, the unit appeared to perform admirably. BitTorrent integration was top shelf, video playback was impeccable and fetching content from nearly anywhere was a breeze. 'Course, we'd recommend poring over the review in its entirety before plunking down your $179, but things are certainly looking good from up top.
Popcorn Hour's A-100 media streamer gets official, has waiting list
For those that can bring back wish lists from last October, you'll undoubtedly remember the totally promising Popcorn Hour Networked Media Tank. Now, it seems the device has received somewhat of a facelift since our initial sneak peek and hasn't lost a bit of its popularity. The A-100 media streamer enables users to stuff an HDD within and transfer files via BitTorrent when not dishing out all sorts of media or acting as a NAS. Additionally, it supports 1080p output and plays nice with just about every format imaginable, including: MPEG1/2/4, MP3, AVI, ASF, WMV, MOV, H.264, XviD, AAC, WAV, JPEG and lots, lots more. Sadly, this $179 gem is currently backordered, and requires some sort of fancy sign-up process just to get in line. Still, with specs like these, the wait is probably worth it.[Via BoingBoing]
Popcorn Hour's Networked Media Tank seen early
If you're scouting a decent media server that just so happens to double as a NAS drive and BitTorrent server, we'd probably wait out this weekend. Apparently, the Popcorn Hour website is set to go live in T-minus two days, but an eagle-eyed individual manged to pull down what appears to be a screenshot of the firm's forthcoming Networked Media Tank. The NMT reportedly enables users to "watch, store and share digital content on your home network," and it also allows for "seamless integration between your digital media and your entertainment system." Best of all, buyers can toss in a hard drive of their choosing, and the 1080p output is sure to please the HD buffs. According to the capture (shown in full after the jump), all this functionality will only run you $179 (sans an HDD), but we'll out find out for certain in a matter of hours.UPDATE: Seems this could be a rebadge of another product -- guess we'll wait and see, eh? Thanks for the update, Gabriel M.[Thanks, Johan W.]
