I have that same enclosure for a USB 2.0 external HD.

It looks great, except you can't actually buy one.

But does it blend? (ducks)

It's a shame about the name and logo though. I mean, seriously, what self-respecting home theater buff is going to go for that?

I have one of these and I will completely vouch for it. I have yet to try to play anything that it wouldn't play. I will say that it is a bit weak as far as audio playback, but the video playback is top-notch. I replaced my XBMC set up with this unit and haven't regretted it one bit. (FYI, I put my name on the list back in Nov. and was able to order in mid-January.)

@john_nyc: You can, you just have to wait in line to be able to. I was waiting for about 1-1.5 months before I got my email to order it.

That text graphic screams BLOW POP-BAG OF PARTY BALLOONS- 99 CENT STORE KIDDIE CEREAL.

When they were out choosing names, the exec must've been out taking a whiz.

@Kaiser-Machead: What do you mean? This is exactly the kind of thing an exec would want on his product. More like, it's unfortunate that he wasn't out taking a whiz when important things were being decided.

I prefer to just use a computer connected to my TV. It is simple and effective.

@Xavoc: Touche.

He was probably eating a big ass bag of BonTon cheese flavored popcorn at the time.

@john_nyc: This isn't quite true, I know a friend in the UK who got his. There is a waiting list of about a month I've heard.

I submitted this about 2 weeks ago, I started with my first HTPC running myHTPC years ago. Upgraded to Meedio and have used that ever since. I registered to be able to order one once production catches up to my registration I am ordering it.

This is the HTPC you can move with you between rooms etc, and has a lot of standard features already built in. I can't wait to get my hands on it and play with it.

@Xavoc:
Its a POS. Why in the hell does it cost 180 bucks when:
1) it has no HDD
2) no wireless
3)no gigabit ethernet?

I'd rather get this:
[www.shopping.hp.com]

Its a 100 bucks more but dammit you get what you pay for!

@daftrok: I don't think I was advocating purchase of such hardware in any way, shape, or form.

Honestly, if Apple added a DVD (or even better Blu Ray) drive to the Apple TV module I'd buy it. Currently I just use my Mac Mini to do what the above box does.

1. You can add your own HDD. Why limit choice?
2. Wireless HD is rarely acceptable
3. Gigabit is overkill for the necessary throughput

For the money, this compares very well with anything available on the market.

This looks just like the SageTV HD Media extender.
[www.sagetv.com]
I am willing to bet it's the same hardware. When coupled with Sagetv, this thing is awsome.

You can visit here if you want to know more (complete) about this PopCorn Hour:

[www.mpcclub.com]

Well, I prefer TVix 6500 :)

And forget about that HP crap *lol*

those music and photo icons are very familiar…

"Its a POS. Why in the hell does it cost 180 bucks when:
1) it has no HDD
2) no wireless
3)no gigabit ethernet?"

#1 It doesn't need one. It connects to a computer network.

#2 It doesn't need it. It connects to a computer via a cable. So, no interference from all those 2.X Ghz sources.

#3 And YOU need gigabit ethernet because...?

So, if YOU want to spend almost US$300 for a box with all your fiddling little bells and whistles, don't let me stop you.

For a LOT of people, this will do just fine, and, what with all the supported codecs, is just the thing for the BitTorrent crowd.

It's cheaper than an Apple TV or Mac Mini.

I was going to buy an Apple TV. This is making me reconsider that purchase.

@Inepsa:
But what if you have all the great HD content and your friend has the awesome video setup. Are you gonna lug your computer to their house for 'Popcorn Hour'?

Oh, and daftrok, RTFA!

It doesn't come with an internal HDD, but you can add one if you want.

Whoops, and, as it has a USB port, you can plug in an external HD.

to the comment about the logo on the top of the unit, yes it is ugly, but there is an easy fix. The top panel of the unit screws off to allow access to add an internal HDD and all you have to do is flip the lid over. It looks exactly the same as the normal side minus the text/logo.

i wouldn't buy it jsut because of the stupid fucking name

@honer123:

It uses the Sigma smp8635 processor which is better than what's used in the Sage HD Media Extender. Unfortunately, as I'd wish the Sage extender could handle the high bitrate stuff.

@agrajag42: Thanks, but I'm not in the UK. I would consider a product available for purchase when you can put your credit card info into a form and then 2 days later the thing shows up.
All you can do on this company's website is create an account so that you can be put on some sort of waiting list.
The only info they have with regards to order fulfillment is that in November they started shipping orders placed before then and that new registrants won't be entered into the queue until those orders are all filled.

I would classify this as "can't buy the thing".

Also the name is idiotic.

Now if it doubled as a personal web server I'd be sold!

I bought one for the 1080p MKV playback and so far it has worked flawlessly.

@john_nyc: the name doesn't change how well it works.

If we didn't have a Mac Mini HTPC, which does all of this and more (but is admittedly overkill in a lot of respects, I mean core2duo 1.8 GHz?), my GF would kill for this thing. The price is right, the torrent support is hecka convenient. As long as it performs solidly, and you hide the top logo, looks like a nice HT addition for a lot of folks.

No FLAC no buy. C'mon, source code is available--add it for the audiophiles!

@brutek: a true audiophile would waste their money on something far more expensive.

I'm on the waiting list for this, but I'll probably go the OSXBMC route with a Mac Mini.

@jetexas: Hey, maybe this is a kickass name in China. Who knows. :)

Pop-kung-chaw... how bout that ?

pop-chow-mah!

The Mac Mini can really play high bitrate (30 Mbps+) AVC/VC1 video without dropping frames?

I have my doubts.

I've got one of these, and love it. Sure, it has its quirks... but it's one of the only reasonably priced devices on the market that will play all that new x.264/h.264/AVC/VC1 high def content that seems to be popping up on the intertubes recently. Plays Blu-ray and HD-DVD rips flawlessly. That's why I bought it.

Sure, if you just need to play DIVX/XVID, there's more elegant solutions, but if you need the high-def goodness, this is a solid choice.

Also, the manufacturer is active on the support forums, and actually listens to bug-fix/feature requests. They've been releasing new firmware about monthly, and updating their users on the progress as new firmwares are developed.

Also, once fitted with a large hard drive, it's nice to be able to just grab the popcorn box and bring ~100 720p HD movies with you to any HDTV to watch.

@dsloth:
How do this compare to Tvix Box? same or better? Tvix Box is $369 without HDD and it does not do many of the things this box claims to do. Please share your thoughts.

-GGR

I don't get it. Where are you all getting your source content?

It does handle FLAC as of the last firmware update.

From the product page link.

Seriously guys, this looks awesome. Maybe the interface sucks or something, but this seems like the closest thing to an xbmc killer I've seen in a while.

I almost bought one of these when my name came up, and now I wish I had. The main reason, is that I have two new TVs that need media pc's. Distributed video is $$$ . This is not. Plus, maintaining 3 media PC's is a pain, and a waste of power, which is something I am becoming more and more concious of. I'll deal with interface quirks to be able to just plug something small into the TV and go. Plus you know the hardware is going to be a decent fit with the software. Either it will play something or it won't. No more, "lets spend 1/2 hour fucking with codecs only to screw up other codecs" BS. This may not be the end "killer app", but I have a feeling it will be something very similar.

I thought this actually does have a gigabit ethernet connection however the processor can't handle that data so they don't rate it as gigabit capable. However it does get you more then non-giga ethernet.

I might be flipping the PH A-300 and the Tvix HD M-6500A tho. Been watching both to see if it's worth upgrading from my XBMC.

Well, having used the XBMC for quite some time, and having gone through three different HTPC builds (and spent a ridiculous amount of money doing so - but hey, it's a hobby), I was hoping for the best and expecting the worst.

Playback of 720p/1080p content is close to flawless. Seriously, stop reading here and go get one - if you can find one.

Setup and interface leaves a lot to be desired. I would rather view this as a hardware proof-of-concept, and I doubt that future firmware revisions will add the thing I feel it lacks the most: An intuitive interface with a smooth flow. But for this price I am not going to complain, and who knows... these guys may surprise us down the road.

Unboxing pics at: [www.flickr.com]

@ggvrsn: The tvix 6500 wasn't out when I bought this... but it is based on the same chipset (sigmatel 8635/4). Also the same chipset as many stand-alone blu-ray players.

The interface is a little clunky, but workable.

The latest firmware added time-seek for .MKV files, which was sorely missing before.

User forums here for anyone who wants more info:
[www.networkedmediatank.com]

@dsloth: Sure, if you just need to play DIVX/XVID, there's more elegant solutions, but if you need the high-def goodness, this is a solid choice.

That's pretty much all I need to do. Anyone know of a "more elegant" solution? I'm really tempted to get this box. I mostly play divx/xvid files, but I could really use the bittorrent options with this.

Does it upscale to 1080p?

@kaylix: I would just use my laptop. VPN.