MVP broke down - replace with Client PC or with other extender like Popcorn?

[jasjol]

My MVP stopped working probably hardware failure

I have read some threads about popcorn that now seems to work quite well with GBPVR.

If I choose popcorn :
Can I choose to get recordings via GBPVR interface and sometimes by going directly to NAS (so not to start GBPVR PC for alrease archived recordings) - or will I have to choose either since switching will take long time

is Popcorn as reliable as MVP in uptime no hassle etc?

I plan to use Popcorn without HDD to keep noise down - any issues?


If I go another route?

I guess TVIX M-6500A or other extender will not work?

Using PC as client has some advantages in getting other funcitonality in the livingroom PC

but how will the PC work as client - will it be harder to make work reliably and set up for remote controlling? or is it stable in GBPVR?
I guess one needs extra software and hardware for remotes etc?


so client versus Popcorn ( Where I live Popcorn A110 cost approx 300USD and a client would be 500USD and up)

I am not sure where to go

[steveum]

I went from a MVP to a PCH over a year ago. I think the PCH is just as reliable as the MVP, probably even more reliable now. If you have been happy with your MVP, I would recommend the PCH without the HDD.

[SLR_65]

And you can get a refurbished Popcorn Hour A-100 (ide hd interface instead of a sata) for about $115 shipped to the US. MUCH cheaper than a client pc!

I played with popcorn hour in my living room, but I prefer the client. I just prefer the client interface and one thing that bugs me about the pch is it's 30 sec forward or back and I can program GBPVR how to handle those - I prefer 30 sec forward skip and 10 sec reverse skip. (GBPVR on a pch will call the pch's interanl avi player)

Doesn't mean the pch isn't a good deal though - it's going in the bedroom. basically I had already built a client so I'm leaving it in the living room as I prefer it, but I probably wont ever build another client as a pch is just so much cheaper and easier and the minor difference between a pch and a client aren't worth the bucks to me.

The pch can easily pull off the nas without needing GBPVR, but the GBPVR is much easier to read and navigate. Switching between the two is easy though.

Botton line, go with a pch and you should be happy - especially if it's replacing an mvp.

/Steve

[mvallevand]

slr_65's issue with skipping is because he prefers avi over mpeg even with reduced quality to save disk space. With live TV, in-progress recordings, and if you save as mpeg files until you archive you do get native GBPVR navigation and it does not call the NMT player.

Martin

[Jaggy]

I played with popcorn hour in my living room, but I prefer the client. I just prefer the client interface

I'm not sure what you mean by this but "for me" if I select the same skin for both the interface is exactly the same on my client & my NMT?

and one thing that bugs me about the pch is it's 30 sec forward or back and I can program GBPVR how to handle those - I prefer 30 sec forward skip and 10 sec reverse skip. (GBPVR on a pch will call the pch's interanl avi player)

I just tested these exact setting on my NMT (30 forward & 10 back) & for .mpg's & .ts's it does exactly that 30 forward & 10 back just like the client. Have you actually tried playing back .mpg or .ts recordings via the NMT to see how it works?

If it was me & I decided to try to compress my recordings to save disk space I would be trying to see what I could get by lowering the quality to a level that I found still acceptable but as an mpeg so I still had all the advantages of the NMT!

[mkenyon2]

What are you going to do w/ your broken MVP? You can PM me if you're interested in finding a home for it.

[jasjol]

ok thanks for all comments

I checked the cost for buying refurbished - but the site was out of stock on those and for a new one it is cheaper and faster for me to order from Sweden (later hwen in stock If it works for me I could need more PCH and then maybe a refurbished one)

Anyway I have ordered one Popcorn A110 which I expect to get tomorrow.

I will try to find the instructions somewhere on the forum when I have got the popcorn - always a small christmas feeling with a new toy...

[jasjol]

What are you going to do w/ your broken MVP? You can PM me if you're interested in finding a home for it.

Weel I planned to open it first just to see if there was any minor issue (but after buying the popcorn...)


If it is no use for me I could give it away - but I do live in Sweden though

[zed]

What are you going to do w/ your broken MVP? You can PM me if you're interested in finding a home for it.

I have an MVP I don't use anymore. If you want it, it's yours for postage ($5 to $10). PM me if you're interested.

[SLR_65]

> I'm not sure what you mean by this but "for me" if I select
> the same skin for both the interface is exactly the same
> on my client & my NMT?

I"m sorry, I was a bit unclear. I meant the whole general feel. I prefer my mce remote over the pch remote. I think there's a way to use a mce remote but I just didn't get that far. And Martin is correct, I prefer avi even with it's reduced quality - I just don't need to count the grains of sand on the beach when I watch Survivor. I'm just using a 32" crt tv though, I haven't moved up to a better tv so I just haven't had a problem with the quality of avis. The problem with avi is that it calls the pch player so the screen flickers a bit before it starts and after it's done with the video so it just feels a bit clunky, and then the 30 sec forward/back thing that's part of the pch's firmware kicks in. All in all I prefer my client.

On the other hand . . . the pch runs GBPVR just fine, the screens are lightening fast changing. It plays live tv stutter free -> something that took a whole lot of tweaking to get my client to do. It's dead quiet. It's small and unobtrusive. Installation of the software to run GBPVR is a snap with Martin's installer. And they are CHEAP if you compare them to building even a minimal pc for a client! Like I said, although I like my client I'll never build another one! The pch is going in the bedroom!

/Steve