Smart Home Blog

Network media tank Popcorn hour doesn’t stop make its fans happy. The last main update is possibility to use a 802.11n for network connection with USB adaptor WN-100. That means that you can get rid of annoying wires.

WN-100 supports all Popcorn hour models including A-100. It supports 64/128 bit strength WEP encryptions, as well as WPA/WPA2 and WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK encryptions and mechanisms and adopts CCA technology which automatically avoids channel conflicts using its channel selection feature.

WN-100 is available standalone for $37.00 and as part of bundle together with A-110 for $250.00 and it’s another good reason to try Popcorn hour.

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The latest Popcorn Hour box A-110 and its base B-110 were reviewed on the Digital Reviews. The conclusion is that. The A-110 is stronger then A-100. It supports 2.5″/3.5″ SATA HDD and offers HDMI 1.3a and DTS decoding.

The B-110 is really cool solution for those who’d like to build a custom box. For example, some old DVD case and drive can be use as a base together with B-110.

But in other hand A-100 is still relevant. If you don’t need SATA or HD audio it’s a good choice for network media player.

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Swedish Valei Computer produced a new media player ZC-HV0105. It features a DVI interface (can handle 1080i, 720p, 480p resolutions), 10/100Mbps LAN-connection and portable NDAS, 1.2-inch backlit LCD display on the front (128 x 64 pixels), USB 2.0 port, S-Video and component outputs, optical and coaxial audio outs. The new HD media player supports a big number of media content: WMV9, DivX, Xvid (also with Quarter Pixel), MPEG1/2/4, MP3, WMA, ASF, Ogg vorbis (with latest Sigma-chip), DAT (VideoCD), VOB MPEG-2 (DVD structure), MPG, MPA, M1V, M2V, AC3, DTS, JPEG (JPG). It can also show subtitles in SMI, SRT and SUB formats.

Regardless of that list of the ZC-HV0105’s advantages it doesn’t look good for the living room I think. Its design seems to be more appropriate for DSL modem or router then for device which should be placed near TV. Plus, player doesn’t have built-in IR receiver. To use remote control the external one should be added.

The ZC-HV0105 is expected to be available in March but the price is not tagged yet.

[via Re@dle Gadgets]

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Today Mvix launched the HDMI equipped HD Media Player - MV780. Unlike the similar devices the MV780 has a built-in 3.5″ HDD (up to 750Gb) and can not only receive media content from PC to display on TV but store it locally. It has a native HDMI output to deliver a full HD (1080i) signal to your TV. Also the MV780 doesn’t need special software on the PC. Just add it into your home network using WiFi (802.11n) or LAN connection and it will appear for the rest PCs as external HDD. It should be doesn’t mutter what operation system run your PC - Linux, MacOSX or Windows. The unit have to work correctly with all of them. Thanks to syncing function the MV780 can sync with any PC in your network or with filesharing PNP services such eMul or BitTorrent.

The is no any word about availability and price of the MV780. But if you take into account the price of previous model MV760HD (€260) you can approximate the cost for MV780.

[via eHomeUpgrade]

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If you’d like to have personal video recorder (PVR) but wouldn’t to buy an expensive one or build it by yourself the new Conceptronic Grab’n’GO Multimedia Recorder & Player is probably what do you really need. Thanks to built-in storage and integrated analog TV tuner the device allows to record TV shows, pause LiveTV, create a recording schedule. Additionally, it can record video from DVD player, set-top box or camcorder.

It’s planing that Grab’n’GO Multimedia Recorder & Player will be shipped with HDD in 500Gb which should be enough to store more than 228 hours in high quality video and more than 656 hours in low quality. It also acan be connected to the PC via USB to copy media content (XviD, AVI, MPEG 1/2/4,JPEG, MP3, WAV and VOB are supported) from/to device.

The CM3PVR is now available, with a retail price starting from € 269,- incl. VAT (500GB).

[via eHomeUpgrade]

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