Media Extender for .TP files

[nlt499]

I"ve been looking for a media extender that will play the .TP files that BeyondTV records in for HD. I don't want to have to translate the HD file into another format like WMV-HD, Divx-HD, or H.264 before being able to watch it. Nothing out there seems to be able to do this, except the Helios X3000 http://helios-labs.com/us/products/X...overview.shtml or their X5000 media extenders. The Negear HD doesn't seem to have support for .TP files and the Apple TV definitely doesn't.

Am I wrong about this? Have any of you found any other media extenders that will play the .TP files that Beyond TV records HD in?
I know .TP is a form of Mpeg-2, so will the netgear HD support our .TP files?

[greyhound]

I've used this one for a little while:

http://www.mvixusa.com/product.php?product=mx760

It's performance was uninspiring, but there is new firmware out that supposedly has fixed many of the issues.

You can buy it at think geek for about $300.
http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/drives/8e50/

I personally use an aopen minipc MP945-X (http://minipc.aopen.com/Global/spec_945X.htm) with a mobile Core Duo 2ghz and 1G of ram. It's way overkill but it has component out which is all I have for an HD television right now. That will set you back about $700 fully configured plus you would need a BTV link license and some sort of remote (I use the FireFly). So 3x more than the 760HD.

You could also score a dell GX620 Ultra Small Form Factor (USFF) from Ebay. That will run between $300-400 dollars if you are patient. You would still need a link license and some form of remote control though.

If you can make the 760HD work it would be ideal. I didnt have the patience.

-Grey

[coolhand]

I've been using the IOData AvelLink LinkPlayer2 for over a year, with pretty good results:
http://us.taxan.com/products/product...2&tsc=&sc=AVEL

I record OTA HD using BeyondTV with a DVICO PCI card tuner. The player defintely has the feel of a "not quite ready for prime time" product, but has worked out pretty well if you can overlook a few quirks. Also note there's a JVC-branded version of the Linkplayer with DVI output.

It uses software (really just a simple web server) that installs on your PC, and lets you browse video, music, and pictures on your PC (you can also do simple browsing to any PnP server). You can also use 3rd party software -- I started using Wizd, because the included software wouldn't recognize the .ts files that were recorded (it would play them, but only after changing the file extension). Wizd has some other neat features, including automatic bookmarking when you press Stop, so you can pick up where you left off the next time you view a file. One very nice feature of the included software is the ability to play iTunes playlists.

The video quality is very good, although it does periodically freeze in glitches in the recorded file. However, with the bookmarking, I can just press stop and play again, and it picks right back up. I can't really say how it compares to playing through anything else, since it's really the only way I watch my shows -- I onyl use my computer to schedule recordings.

Overall, I'm pretty happy with it, and I think it's a lot simpler than dealing with a whole PC in the living room.

I hope that helps!

--- coolhand

[bits]

Originally Posted by coolhand

I've been using the IOData AvelLink LinkPlayer2 for over a year, with pretty good results:
http://us.taxan.com/products/product...2&tsc=&sc=AVEL

I record OTA HD using BeyondTV with a DVICO PCI card tuner. The player defintely has the feel of a "not quite ready for prime time" product, but has worked out pretty well if you can overlook a few quirks. Also note there's a JVC-branded version of the Linkplayer with DVI output.

It uses software (really just a simple web server) that installs on your PC, and lets you browse video, music, and pictures on your PC (you can also do simple browsing to any PnP server). You can also use 3rd party software -- I started using Wizd, because the included software wouldn't recognize the .ts files that were recorded (it would play them, but only after changing the file extension). Wizd has some other neat features, including automatic bookmarking when you press Stop, so you can pick up where you left off the next time you view a file. One very nice feature of the included software is the ability to play iTunes playlists.

The video quality is very good, although it does periodically freeze in glitches in the recorded file. However, with the bookmarking, I can just press stop and play again, and it picks right back up. I can't really say how it compares to playing through anything else, since it's really the only way I watch my shows -- I onyl use my computer to schedule recordings.

Overall, I'm pretty happy with it, and I think it's a lot simpler than dealing with a whole PC in the living room.

I hope that helps!

--- coolhand

I have been using the Linkplayer2 + WIZD for nearly 2 years now with very good results also. I will add that WIZD also provides the ability to delete video files using the Linkplayer2 remote....very convenient feature for keeping up with what has been watched and what has not...may not be good however if there are small children using it. There is also a Linux version that works quite nicely...I am currently using it on my Linspire server...very solid

I am getting ready to purchase a second networked media player and it will probably be another LP2. Some good candidates are the Ziova CS505 or 510 and the TVIX 4100SH.

FYI the Linkplayer2 are available here: http://www.pcmall.com/pcmall/search/...=1&incimage=on

[nlt499]

its good to see there are so many devices out there. The only ones you really hear about are the Netgear HD and AppleTV.

That Linkplayer seems like a popular device, but I'm concerned about the lack of digital video connection.

That Wizd software seems pretty cool with its ability to give these media extenders additional capabilities. i work at intel and no one around here knows what viiv does. It seems like one of viiv's capabilities should be similar to what Wizd does.

[tscales]

Personally I believe the best extender is an inexpensive PC and a copy of BTVLink. The true BTV experience with the ability to schedule, etc.

[bits]

Originally Posted by tscales

Personally I believe the best extender is an inexpensive PC and a copy of BTVLink. The true BTV experience with the ability to schedule, etc.

So are you suggesting watching recorded and live TV on a PC monitor? or are you suggesting BTV on an HTPC?

[tscales]

Define monitor

I have more HDTVs than I should have an each has a PC attached to it. For my daughters' 32" Vizio (amazing LCD TVs for the money), they each have an older Dimension 4550 that used to be my main machines. For my bedroom and the Family room and the bonus room (46" 1080 Samsung LCD, 63" Samsung Plasma and 42" LG LCD respectively), I have a Dell Optiplex GX620 USFF (ultra small form factor) for each -- the PC I highly recommend here quite often. For my office (37" 1080p Westinghouse) I have the slightly larger GX620 SFF.

The USFF Optis can be found for under $300 on ebay with patience. They have integrated Intel GMA950 graphics which, surprisingly, handle HD flawlessly, even at 1080p. The also have integrated gigabit which was important to me as our whole house is gigabit. Lastly they are very small and almost silent.

With a copy of BTVLink, I get the whole thing for around $320. Yes, more than an extender (although HD extenders are pricey), but I know it will work with BTV and can also use it for other purposes. My daughters love having friends over and doing IM and Myspace on the TV because everyone can watch.

OK, I spent way too much money around the house, but I AM a geek.

Tom

[bits]

Originally Posted by tscales

Define monitor

I have more HDTVs than I should have an each has a PC attached to it. For my daughters' 32" Vizio (amazing LCD TVs for the money), they each have an older Dimension 4550 that used to be my main machines. For my bedroom and the Family room and the bonus room (46" 1080 Samsung LCD, 63" Samsung Plasma and 42" LG LCD respectively), I have a Dell Optiplex GX620 USFF (ultra small form factor) for each -- the PC I highly recommend here quite often. For my office (37" 1080p Westinghouse) I have the slightly larger GX620 SFF.

The USFF Optis can be found for under $300 on ebay with patience. They have integrated Intel GMA950 graphics which, surprisingly, handle HD flawlessly, even at 1080p. The also have integrated gigabit which was important to me as our whole house is gigabit. Lastly they are very small and almost silent.

With a copy of BTVLink, I get the whole thing for around $320. Yes, more than an extender (although HD extenders are pricey), but I know it will work with BTV and can also use it for other purposes. My daughters love having friends over and doing IM and Myspace on the TV because everyone can watch.

OK, I spent way too much money around the house, but I AM a geek.

Tom

The 320$ includes what exactly? Are these used PCs you pickup at work or ones that you build? New low end ones with an upgraded video card? Does this include video cards, quieter fans ect.? How do you control these PCs...what is the remote control setup? Wireless keyboards?

Do you leave all these PCs running 24/7? Do they have virus protection?

I am picking on you a bit but I am also really interested in what you have done. I have never gone the HTPC route because of noise, clutter and complexity but since I have never actually tried it I can not help but think that I may be missing out on something.

By any chance do you have recent direct experience with network media players?

[tscales]

$320 is a fully equipped GX620 USFF shipped to my door off ebay. That's the limit of what I'll pay. It also includes my costs for a copy of BTVLink and a remote (usually the $10 mini deal or a regular FF).

On a USFF, there isn't anything to upgrade -- it's a complete, ready to go box. For virus protection, I use AVG, which is free.

They're really small -- smaller, I suspect, than some extenders and really quiet. Most run 24/7 except the one in my bedroom. It's very quiet, but when the lights are out and I'm trying to sleep, I do notice the slight fan noise, so I go ahead and put it to sleep.

I haven't tried extenders, except one. I've done a lot of research on them, but haven't found one that gives me all the features I want. For example, I want to watch a show being recorded and skip the commercials, so I start it about 15 minutes late. This is particularly true of basketball. Perhaps there is one, but I haven't found one that will do that. I also want to be able to use the guide and schedule recordings from these machines -- just very convenient. Definitely haven't found one that will do that.

Lastly, I find it very convenient to be able to manage my servers through the extender, including web admin and even RealVNC to take over the server. Can't do that on an extender.

I did try one extender -- the XBOX 360, which is the only HD extender currently available for Vista. I'm sure others will come. The 360 was absolutely and completely worthless.

Why?

The thing sounds like a jet taking off. It scares my cats it is so loud. It also is as big as the GX620, so what did I gain?

Everybody's needs are different, but I know of three or four others that have picked up the Optiplex based on my suggestion and everyone has contacted me afterwards to tell me how perfect it was.

To each his own though

[bits]

Originally Posted by tscales

$320 is a fully equipped GX620 USFF shipped to my door off ebay. That's the limit of what I'll pay. It also includes my costs for a copy of BTVLink and a remote (usually the $10 mini deal or a regular FF).

On a USFF, there isn't anything to upgrade -- it's a complete, ready to go box. For virus protection, I use AVG, which is free.

They're really small -- smaller, I suspect, than some extenders and really quiet. Most run 24/7 except the one in my bedroom. It's very quiet, but when the lights are out and I'm trying to sleep, I do notice the slight fan noise, so I go ahead and put it to sleep.

I haven't tried extenders, except one. I've done a lot of research on them, but haven't found one that gives me all the features I want. For example, I want to watch a show being recorded and skip the commercials, so I start it about 15 minutes late. This is particularly true of basketball. Perhaps there is one, but I haven't found one that will do that. I also want to be able to use the guide and schedule recordings from these machines -- just very convenient. Definitely haven't found one that will do that.

Lastly, I find it very convenient to be able to manage my servers through the extender, including web admin and even RealVNC to take over the server. Can't do that on an extender.

I did try one extender -- the XBOX 360, which is the only HD extender currently available for Vista. I'm sure others will come. The 360 was absolutely and completely worthless.

Why?

The thing sounds like a jet taking off. It scares my cats it is so loud. It also is as big as the GX620, so what did I gain?

Everybody's needs are different, but I know of three or four others that have picked up the Optiplex based on my suggestion and everyone has contacted me afterwards to tell me how perfect it was.

To each his own though

So you buy the GX620 used from ebay...correct? Do they come with a complete set of OS disks? So that you can do a fresh install of XP...BTW is that XP Pro or Home? HP also sells a small footprint business pointing PC that would work as well.

I do not consider the XBox a networked media player...to me it is a networked game console that has to be hacked in order to be a networked media player.

As you say to each his own. I no longer have children at home so my wife and I are content to watch recorded shows with out commercials (fast forwarding is better than not but once you start watching commercial free it is hard to go back). We very rarely ever watch live TV.

With all that said for the sake of this being my hobby I will probably take a close look at either a Dell or HP small footprint PC.

BTW does the GX620 come with DVI, HDMI or Component video out?

[tscales]

Several things to look out for when purchasing one used.

1) Make SURE the seller says there is an XP COA sticker on the box for the OS you want. It's usually Pro, but any flavor works fine for BTV Link. Often they will not comes with the CD media, but since I have a bunch of Dells, I have the media, just need the sticker to be legal.

2) The GX620 USFF has DVI out. Try to find an auction that includes the Y cable, that splits it to one VGA and one DVI. Both work as dual monitor, although that doesn't gain you much on an HTPC. I generally use DVI->HDMI, so the splitter isn't essential, but on my Samsung 1080p, VGA actually works better.

Can't comment on the HP. I won't consider them as my past history is so horrible. The ones I looked at (curiosity) were underpowered and overpriced.

The 360 really is a media extender for Windows MCE or Vista MCE -- no hacks necessary -- but the noise was just too overwhelming. I can hear it from the other room when my daugther is playing a game.

Have fun.

Tom

[cncb]

Originally Posted by tscales

2) The GX620 USFF has DVI out. Try to find an auction that includes the Y cable, that splits it to one VGA and one DVI. Both work as dual monitor, although that doesn't gain you much on an HTPC. I generally use DVI->HDMI, so the splitter isn't essential, but on my Samsung 1080p, VGA actually works better.

Interesting. Can it actually play HD video ok (720p or 1080i)?

[bits]

Originally Posted by tscales

Several things to look out for when purchasing one used.

1) Make SURE the seller says there is an XP COA sticker on the box for the OS you want. It's usually Pro, but any flavor works fine for BTV Link. Often they will not comes with the CD media, but since I have a bunch of Dells, I have the media, just need the sticker to be legal.

2) The GX620 USFF has DVI out. Try to find an auction that includes the Y cable, that splits it to one VGA and one DVI. Both work as dual monitor, although that doesn't gain you much on an HTPC. I generally use DVI->HDMI, so the splitter isn't essential, but on my Samsung 1080p, VGA actually works better.

Can't comment on the HP. I won't consider them as my past history is so horrible. The ones I looked at (curiosity) were underpowered and overpriced.

The 360 really is a media extender for Windows MCE or Vista MCE -- no hacks necessary -- but the noise was just too overwhelming. I can hear it from the other room when my daugther is playing a game.

Have fun.

Tom

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately, I do not have the proper OS disks lying about so the used GX620 is out unless I am willing to accept what ever condition the OS on the HDD is in. A new 740 or 745 with a DVI card is pretty spendy but if you are looking for a small footprint it may be worth it.

BTW my experience with HP and Dell is just the opposite of yours....HP has been solid and very reasonably priced while Dell has been problematic but priced ok. I need to look more closely at the Optiplex and at the Slimline. First blush does support that the Dell, for this particular situation (small footprint media server) may be cheaper and a better choice but I am a bit leary of the reliability and support for the Dell. One big plus for Dell is that they offer XP on their new systems.

[tscales]

Originally Posted by cncb

Interesting. Can it actually play HD video ok (720p or 1080i)?

Oh yes. Either 720p or 1080i. That's about all I watch anymore.