Από το mpcclub
It's almost impossible to come up with a TOP5 that is so clearly well arranged and sorted by the players themselves as they all have minor and major flaws so in the interest of explaining our choices we just had to release an accompanying news release about the new TOP5 adjusted today. First off, a reminder the TOP 5 includes "everything" and not includes or excludes a player over a single issue like a flaw in 24p or the price only. It's a combination of how we feel today the best value is delivered keeping "everything" in mind. So here goes our new TOP5 media players and Hybrid's...
TOP 5 Media Players:
Mede8er MEDX500: With the upcoming new firmware we have verified the Mede8er outperforms the competition in streaming performance however also the new Movie Wall implementation is a nice addition. With no increase in price for a while the package you get when purchasing the Mede8er is by far complete including any and all cables and carrying bag. The unit is of a very decent build and operates silently. (Our October newsletter will offer a lot information). If any major thing is lacking, it's the 24p issue most (all) Realtek's are struggling with that is important for the more advanced users.
Popcorn Hour A-200: Our previous Nr1 model has dropped one spot since the prices for the A-200 seem to increase everywhere up here lately whilst it was introduced at MAX €199 (some stores even €179). Syabas remains the best active as far as firmware is concerned but the late NMJ feature causes it to loose a few points in "the fun section"...
DViCo TViX S1: DViCo remains the best "Realtek" player out there in our opinion even though it delivers less package value compared to Mede8er while being more expensive. The interface is sublime and totally different from other Realtek players whereas the price is causing DViCo mostly to be pushed lower on the list, but still manages to remain at NR3.
SageTV HD Theatre 300: We never liked the force of using software and SageTV understood what had to be done. Now they present a full stand alone unit that can work with their software as well, the best of both worlds whereas the hardware is up to par with the competition. Great work earning them a 4th spot in our most recommended list helped obviously by the affordable $149 price tag! Other than the sometimes quirky interface (they are working on) this player is a treat.
HDIUM DUO PVR: HDIUM only joined the list a couple weeks ago but has to drop one spot due to the SageTV coming in so strong. The main benefit of HDIUM DUO PVR is the inclusion of a Dual DVB-T tuner for as low as €179 and it being a great HD player as well like the others. Few enhancements are still pending but HDIUM is working on them. Who knows where it may lead them in our top 5 in the future?
Oh oh, we must say goodbye to Dune HD BASE in our TOP5 but would want to mention, it remains the most complete player and we are 100% satisfied with the unit in general. Unfortunately the price is so high and doesn't come down while we approach the new generation players coming up early next year... That makes the investment become less attractive now but the player remains in our opinion the best overall...
TOP 5 Hybrid Media Players:
Dune BD Prime 3.0: Dune BD Prime remains the top of the line for Hybrid players but could have been in danger by the new model called the MAX if it hadn't had such a high price tag.
A second danger could have been more affordable Hybrids being available (there are none) so they remain proudly on NR1. Woth the changed BDLoader a while ago and full HD Audio support from A to Z and it's real "Blu-Ray player" status, it is considered still the best Hybrid to invest in.
PoPCorn Hour C-200: Equally suffering from the NMJ not being released yet to be included somewhere in the future comes the C-200. By hardware the specs with RF and multi line display give it an edge over the BD Prime 3.0 as does the lower price tag but that comes without BD Loader. Both NR1 and NR2 are very close and selection kind of depends on what you seek most, advanced media player (C-200) or more standard convenience (Dune BD Prime 3.0)?
Dune HD SMART B1: Recently introduced but not available yet comes the SMART B1. Unfortunately the concept disallows a display (major remark) with this unit (unlike the D1 version without Blu-Ray that requires purchasing an addition BD module and drive). The cost is relative ly high considering the time we are at currently, only months away from expected new models adding GBIT and then some...
HDI Dune HD MAX: The Dune HD MAX would have easily occupied NR1 if not for the price and statement it consists of "better quality components" we disagree with looking at the intestants of the player. It may be partially true but it does not warrant the price still which is the only thing keeping the HD MAX from being placed higher by us. If we exclude the price, the HD MAX definitely is the most appealing Hybrid unit out there so if you don't care about spending half a month's wage on a player so close to new generations, the MAX for sure delivers...
So that makes up our current opinion of all the players we actually have seen or tested (except SMART but running exactly the same FW as MAX and using the same drive etc...). It may differ from other people's opinion and based on your specific needs other players may classify better or higher... We keep recommending discussing on-line about which player fits you best...
You are welcome to share you idea's with us... Surely I had some mixed feelings evaluating the players again and had to grab on details to come up with our TOP 5... but well earned for everyone in it... Keep going!
It's almost impossible to come up with a TOP5 that is so clearly well arranged and sorted by the players themselves as they all have minor and major flaws so in the interest of explaining our choices we just had to release an accompanying news release about the new TOP5 adjusted today. First off, a reminder the TOP 5 includes "everything" and not includes or excludes a player over a single issue like a flaw in 24p or the price only. It's a combination of how we feel today the best value is delivered keeping "everything" in mind. So here goes our new TOP5 media players and Hybrid's...
TOP 5 Media Players:
Mede8er MEDX500: With the upcoming new firmware we have verified the Mede8er outperforms the competition in streaming performance however also the new Movie Wall implementation is a nice addition. With no increase in price for a while the package you get when purchasing the Mede8er is by far complete including any and all cables and carrying bag. The unit is of a very decent build and operates silently. (Our October newsletter will offer a lot information). If any major thing is lacking, it's the 24p issue most (all) Realtek's are struggling with that is important for the more advanced users.
Popcorn Hour A-200: Our previous Nr1 model has dropped one spot since the prices for the A-200 seem to increase everywhere up here lately whilst it was introduced at MAX €199 (some stores even €179). Syabas remains the best active as far as firmware is concerned but the late NMJ feature causes it to loose a few points in "the fun section"...
DViCo TViX S1: DViCo remains the best "Realtek" player out there in our opinion even though it delivers less package value compared to Mede8er while being more expensive. The interface is sublime and totally different from other Realtek players whereas the price is causing DViCo mostly to be pushed lower on the list, but still manages to remain at NR3.
SageTV HD Theatre 300: We never liked the force of using software and SageTV understood what had to be done. Now they present a full stand alone unit that can work with their software as well, the best of both worlds whereas the hardware is up to par with the competition. Great work earning them a 4th spot in our most recommended list helped obviously by the affordable $149 price tag! Other than the sometimes quirky interface (they are working on) this player is a treat.
HDIUM DUO PVR: HDIUM only joined the list a couple weeks ago but has to drop one spot due to the SageTV coming in so strong. The main benefit of HDIUM DUO PVR is the inclusion of a Dual DVB-T tuner for as low as €179 and it being a great HD player as well like the others. Few enhancements are still pending but HDIUM is working on them. Who knows where it may lead them in our top 5 in the future?
Oh oh, we must say goodbye to Dune HD BASE in our TOP5 but would want to mention, it remains the most complete player and we are 100% satisfied with the unit in general. Unfortunately the price is so high and doesn't come down while we approach the new generation players coming up early next year... That makes the investment become less attractive now but the player remains in our opinion the best overall...
TOP 5 Hybrid Media Players:
Dune BD Prime 3.0: Dune BD Prime remains the top of the line for Hybrid players but could have been in danger by the new model called the MAX if it hadn't had such a high price tag.
A second danger could have been more affordable Hybrids being available (there are none) so they remain proudly on NR1. Woth the changed BDLoader a while ago and full HD Audio support from A to Z and it's real "Blu-Ray player" status, it is considered still the best Hybrid to invest in.
PoPCorn Hour C-200: Equally suffering from the NMJ not being released yet to be included somewhere in the future comes the C-200. By hardware the specs with RF and multi line display give it an edge over the BD Prime 3.0 as does the lower price tag but that comes without BD Loader. Both NR1 and NR2 are very close and selection kind of depends on what you seek most, advanced media player (C-200) or more standard convenience (Dune BD Prime 3.0)?
Dune HD SMART B1: Recently introduced but not available yet comes the SMART B1. Unfortunately the concept disallows a display (major remark) with this unit (unlike the D1 version without Blu-Ray that requires purchasing an addition BD module and drive). The cost is relative ly high considering the time we are at currently, only months away from expected new models adding GBIT and then some...
HDI Dune HD MAX: The Dune HD MAX would have easily occupied NR1 if not for the price and statement it consists of "better quality components" we disagree with looking at the intestants of the player. It may be partially true but it does not warrant the price still which is the only thing keeping the HD MAX from being placed higher by us. If we exclude the price, the HD MAX definitely is the most appealing Hybrid unit out there so if you don't care about spending half a month's wage on a player so close to new generations, the MAX for sure delivers...
So that makes up our current opinion of all the players we actually have seen or tested (except SMART but running exactly the same FW as MAX and using the same drive etc...). It may differ from other people's opinion and based on your specific needs other players may classify better or higher... We keep recommending discussing on-line about which player fits you best...
You are welcome to share you idea's with us... Surely I had some mixed feelings evaluating the players again and had to grab on details to come up with our TOP 5... but well earned for everyone in it... Keep going!
