PX-M402U

[opilion]

Any chance that you're considering hardware MPEG-4/DivX encoding with the Plextor PX-M402U? I think that the first PVR with a decent UI that supports hardware based MPEG-4/DivX will become an instant favorite. Sure the PX-M402U is just one device and others will come - But look how many people have bought a PVR-250 just because someone decided to support it. Someone has to bite the bullet and add support for this device, even if just to be the first one out of the gates with hardware MPEG-4/DivX. "If you build it, they will come..."

- Hi-Speed USB 2.0 Video Capture Peripheral
- Composite Video, Composite Audio and S-Video Inputs
- Hardware Encode to DivX®, MPEG-4, MPEG-2/DVD, MPEG-1/VCD   Formats
- Includes InterVideo WinDVD Creator 2 Video Editing and DVD Authoring Software
- Hardware and Software Certified by DivXNetworks

op

[sub]

No promises, but I'll add it to the list of devices to investigate.

[opilion]

See a review at thenoisereport.com, author quoted below...

Quote[/b] ]I contacted Frey Technologies makers of SageTV DVR software, who told me “[the PX-M402U is] on our radar for the future but has not yet been tested”. Plextor said “We are currently working with many DVR companies on adding support for the product. InterVideo will most likely be the first available this summer but as the product is selling very well, we believe we can get support from all the big DVR software companies like [SnapStream and Frey Technologies] in this timeframe.” So, hopefully we should see support for this product in the near future, making a huge impact on its usefulness as a DVR. SnapStream, makers of BeyondTV 3 were less positive about the ConvertX, saying, “[the ConvertX is] pretty low on our radar”, so SnapStream users take note, if you want to use the ConvertX, you may have to move to another DVR application.

op

[glassvial]

Maybe Plextor should contact sub

[opilion]

Posted by a Plextor rep on the DivX.com forums:

Quote[/b] ]Anyone who wants to write software for the 402U can. The developer of the encoder chip we use (WIS Technologies) provides a SDK on their site. http://www.wischip.com/prod.html

We have hardware at Ulead, Roxio, Ahead, SnapStream and Frey right now under evaluation so you will see a lot more software support this summer.

op

[opilion]

sub,

I left a message a while back on the DivX forum, suggesting that they send you a sample M402U. A rep from Plextor replied:

Quote[/b] ]I checked and both GBPVR and GOTTPVR have samples from us.

Have you received a sample? Have you done any testing with the device?

op

[sub]

If you call receiving a sample - buying one myself from newegg and having it sent from the USA. Then yes, I've received my sample.

The next release will support the PX-M402U. Please email me, I need someone to check a few things.

[opilion]

How extensive is the support that you have added for this device? Can it record direct to DivX? Can it time-shift in DivX? If a scheduled DivX recording has already begun, can I start watching from the beginning before the recording completes?

op

[sub]

Yes, you can record directly to DivX/MPEG4/MPEG2/MPEG1. The LiveTV timeshift buffer will always use MPEG2 behind the scenes, but this isn't something the user should be concerned about as its hidden from the user.

At the moment I haven't found a way to watch an AVI as its recording. AVI's contain required table information at the end of the file, which obviously isn't present while it is still recording. ...but this is a first release, and I'm still learning so there may be a way I havn't found yet.

[sub]

Again, please email me if you can help test a few things on you PX-M402U. I really need a guinea pig that is able to test a few things before I do the main release.