A-200 or A-110

zaldwaik · 2010-09-14, 12:23 AM

Martin,
I know you are still working on supporting A-200 I am wondering if I should get an A-110 (refurbished) or A-200. I would like A-200, but would not want it without NPVR support. I am afraid to wait for a time when no A-110 are available and no A-200 NPVR support. What do you recommend?

mvallevand · 2010-09-14, 03:05 AM

I was hoping that this season we'd see cheap multimedia PC's that would make this question less important but when I saw that the new Acer ION2 are almost $600 my jaw dropped. Last years ION didn't quite cut it for GBPVR and I expect it will be back to XBMC/linux as soon as NPVR testing is out of the way

For NPVR purposes the A110 does everything I want so I can't help but think it is the best choice and value for users who aren't worried about HE-AAC audio. I don't think broadcast technology is going to change too much in the next few years so the fact that it is older isn't as too much of an issue. Caveat emptor, these are refurbished not new.

The A200 is risky I almost had support going but I stopped because the changed the SDK which broke everything I had working. If sub actually used the A200 I'd probably put more work into it, without a doubt it would get even better support, even though sub still goes out of his way to support the current NMT's which he can't use.

The 200 series aren't cheap especially in comparison to the other extenders that came out this year from so many sources, you'd really have to way your non-NPVR use. I already see more choice with a whole new family of extenders based on the Intel CE4100 coming out soon from the Boxee Box to an new Asus box. I might even stop working on the chip used in the NMT if I find a platform that intrigues me.

Android interests me too, last week, I got a cheap Android tablet, and the hardware in mine is able to decode all the broadcast ts files I have is even able to play most sample avi and mkv files I've accumulated. Once Android comes to extenders I think we will in a really good place.

Last night you gave me some history I hope this helps you, more than it confuses you.

Martin

nia · 2010-09-14, 05:42 AM

mvallevand Wrote:(...) I might even stop working on the chip used in the NMT if I find a platform that intrigues me.

UhOh... :eek: Does not sound good Sad

I sure hope that we can keep you on for essential maintenance at least... It's a little early to already consider retireing the PCH.

On the upside, a new intreaguing platform may interest us as well. Smile

***sub*** · 2010-09-14, 05:52 AM

mvallevand Wrote:The A200 is risky I almost had support going but I stopped because the changed the SDK which broke everything I had working. If sub actually used the A200 I'd probably put more work into it, without a doubt it would get even better support, even though sub still goes out of his way to support the current NMT's which he can't use.

I can assure you, if the A200 worked to the level of the A100/110, then I'd be using it. The reason I dont use my A100 is because it doesnt support our HE-AAC audio, which makes it next to useless for me me. The A200 preview versions of mvpmcx3 were a good technical demo, and show a lot of promise, and was great to see HE-AAC audio working, but unfortunately not yet at a state where I could really use it (need HDMI, OSD graphics etc).

nia · 2010-09-14, 08:33 AM

Here in Denmark we also have a few select HD channels with HE-AAC, so I'm also rooting for some HE-AAC support somewhere. The A-100 could be retired to a secondary room for cartoons and the like if A200 was working, even though I essentially have all I need with the A100 and Martins implementations.

As I understand it, all hope for HE-AAC on the 100-platform is out?

mvallevand · 2010-09-14, 12:04 PM

nia Wrote:UhOh... :eek: Does not sound good

I sure hope that we can keep you on for essential maintenance at least... It's a little early to already consider retireing the PCH.

On the upside, a new intreaguing platform may interest us as well.

I certainly didn't mean to imply I was dropping support for the original PCH's. At this point the client for GBPVR and NPVR is very stable though so I can't foresee making any major changes.

I do keep looking for solutions for the HE-AAC problem but I really don't think it will be coming from Syabas (the vendor).

Martin

nia · 2010-09-14, 02:03 PM

mvallevand Wrote:I certainly didn't mean to imply I was dropping support for the original PCH's.

Phewww

Good to know you're sticking around.

fering · 2010-09-14, 02:33 PM

mvallevand Wrote:Android interests me too, last week, I got a cheap Android tablet, and the hardware in mine is able to decode all the broadcast ts files I have is even able to play most sample avi and mkv files I've accumulated.

Slightly off-topic, what cheap-o tablet did you get? I've been playing around with an Eken M001 for a while and I'm a little disappointed in it's multimedia playback. I'd be interested to see what one you are having success with.

Joel

whurlston · 2010-09-14, 05:33 PM

It's a shame we can't flash the NMTs with Windows 7 Standard Embedded.

zaldwaik · 2010-09-14, 08:01 PM

mvallevand Wrote:Last night you gave me some history I hope this helps you, more than it confuses you.

Martin

Thank you, this is very helpful. I am still struggling with client support for NPVR for a PC-based client (my preference) Acer Revo should do the trick. But I will probably end up buying another A-110.