DivX Connected Alternatives
Posted on: Mon, 09/14/2009 - 13:46
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DivX Connected Alternatives
I love the DivX Connected device, but I feel that it's time is over. I'm looking to buy a second device for another room in my house and would like something that will move along with technology. What have other people found to be great alternatives?
I wonder if this will be deleted...
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Zitat, good post. I've echoed these thoughts for a long time. It's shameful and poor PR on DivX's part not to have provided any communication whatsoever to their customers, particularly when Dlink announced the discontinuation of Connected. If nothing else, they could at least say they are still seeking new hardware partners or have decided to focus on alternative areas for hundreds of reasons they don't have to reveal etc Some communication, no matter how small, is certainly better than none.
Regarding alternatives, I've proposed loads in the past. Again, like Zitat said, none come close to the UI of Connected.
- NMT's like Popcorn Hour - Ok, superb codec support but at the expense of a decent native GUI - can't believe they are still using file explorer type GUI's - without thumbnail support to boot). Yes, 2 shells are available but let's just say there's quite a bit of work involved. If you have a large media collection, bottom line is that you are going to find browsing a very onerous experience.
- Xtreamer - Proposed this one a while back, great value for the money (€99) and beats Popcorn hour on many levels. Fan noise remains an issue though a firmware update was to provide automatic fan speeds.
- WD PLayers etc. Popular with the masses. Again, basic UI and many don't offer network streaming.
- HTPC using XBMC or Mediaportal - If you have an old spare PC lying around, you could do more wrong than give either of these free options a go. There is a little bit of setup and it's obviously not an out of the box solution but functionally, this is as good as it gets. Some of the themes are simply superb and mimic the likes of Kaleidescape.
- High End Solutions. €5000-€10,000 and upwards will get you top solutions like Kaleidescape. There are other ones like Envie Theaterstation etc. One thing I've never understood is why there hasn't been a software house at this stage that has tried to emulate the superb GUI's of these systems, but they will likely come as streaming devices gain popularity.
When you say you are unable to watch video, can you be more specific? Eg Any picture/Connected menu present, distorted, screen blank, tried different HDMI cables etc...
The max resolution video output is indeed 720 from the Connected box. However, the hardware does support output to 1080P devices. Presume you were beta testing the Gej box, basic question but have you've updated the firmware and hardware? If so, check out settings and you should be able to configure your box from the video and audio setting.
I have a friend that uses WD's media streaming box, and another that uses something called "Popcorn"... however, that is not why I'm here.
I have a question on the current hardware/software compatibility of the DivX Connected box and any 1080p. I made the mistake of testing the DivX connected a couple of years back ago, was satisfied (tried on a friends 720p HDTV) so I went and purchased my own HDTV. Sadly, for DivX connected experience, my purchase was an 1080p HDTV. Last I read, the box did not support it. I'm still unable to watch video from my Connected box to my 1080p HDTV, so I rely on using the PC client, and use it as a virtual server for DivX Connected box. And watch my video accordingly from my PC instead of my HDTV.
Q: Does the DivX connected Box (Obsolete as you say?) support 1080p HDTV?
Thanks
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Charlize Theron FAN~
Char ~-- Jer' --
DSM-330 has no alternatives in terms of the flexibility it provides such as the Kamiwa's hack and the SDK for plug-ins, and on the fly rendering of the GUI, very nice!.
It is sad that Divx does not realize this fact, the device has its own short comings such as 720p, DTS, etc but I/we can live with that.
I don't understand why the device does not get the support it deserves.
It is really simple, support DSM-330 to the fullest degree that it can be by maintaining the server code and extending the SDK, and when the time is correct, push another device that can go beyond with the same server and all of us will be jumping on board with a big smile, knowing that divx backs up its products and we can trust them.
I replaced my DSM-330 about a month ago with the LGBD390 network blu-ray player and am loving it. Plays everything I throw at it (MKV w/ DTS, Divx, etc.) but can also use the device to catch up on Lost episodes in HD via Netflix On-Demand, or goof around on YouTube (the interface is simple but works great). Hell, with the latest firmware update I can now surf Shared directories on my home network to play files... don't even have to worry about running server software. Only trade-off is that the LG doesn't have the same sexy interface that Divx created BUT I don't miss having to run upstairs and reset the server once a week after a crash. The LG just works.
Divx Connected has always been an enigma to me.
It was obsoleted, when it first came out.
Heck, I think if Divx would have put their resources in creating an extremely reliable, flexible, multi-platform web player, it would have paid and would play way more dividends than Divx Connected.
There are A TON, of alternatives that are way less expensive and are far less restrictive.
For example, I have an inexpensive, standard 1/2 gb disk drive,that I have connected to a USB port on my DVD player, and my player has a WiFi card, so I can share whatever I want with my box.
I can also share, via my Cable TV boxes to all TVs, and it will play any DVR movies that I have stored.
There are SO many ways.
I also am connected using HDMI, with my cable box and DVD player, as well as speakers.
I also have been seeing some disk drives coming out that are meant to store video and have WiFi adapters on the drives.
There are many products that are available to do the same thing.
I try to look at the least proprietary products, so I am not locked into anything.
I love those open source video and audio codecs as well.
I really believe that if we all stay away from those vendors, who don't allow for International, Industry standards, (like Microsoft/Apple), who use proprietary software/hardware, have a bought and sold government to allow them to purchase insane Copyright protection, in their attempt to kill off competition, creativity, innovation and choice, we will be in good shape.
Honestly, try to stay with industry standards, open source codecs, so we can have a choice to do whatever fits our situation. I think the various solutions depend on an individuals priorities and situation.
Jon
Yes there a ton of cheap media players. But all of them only focusses on codec support and not on usability. I have searched a long time to find a player with a user friendly and good looking user interface (with thumbnails for all media etc.). Besides the appleTV, the divx connected device was the only player with an attractive interface which also makes it usable for my wife and the kids.
Popcorn-hour, the other NMT devices and all these cheap harddisc player are device only for geeks and not family friendly.
But hey, if you know a player with a good ui, as easy to setup and to handle as the divx connected, I'm willing to move on. Even if it's more expensive.
Unfortunatly divx has abandoned us (formerly) loyal users. And without a single comment, that's the biggest shame. And that is what will stop me for all times from spending money in another divx product. If they had said, the minor success of the product doesn't justify further development, I would have been disappointed, but with the market and not with divx. The complete silence from divx, not answering a single question about this situation, this, is what I can not accept and let me keep away from such a company.
@divx: Honesty would have been a better way to keep your customers, especially when bad news are unavoidable.
But that's only my opinion.
Can you share more details on this solution? Which DVD player has a WIFI connection that allows you to access the USB attached HDD?
I also use other setups such as Samsung HT-BD3252 Home Theater System for streaming from Netflix (also supports Pandora for music) and Logitech's squeezebox duet for streaming any kind of audio from duet's server which runs on the same machine with DSM 330 Server and that little gem (logitech's duet) also streams subscribed music from the internet, in my case rhapsody, along with everything that can be streamed such as my favorite podcasts! and free radios and such.
My relation with the DSM 330 is like a bad relation with obsession, which I both love and hate at the same time ( especially subtitle problem makes me cry, all my movie collection is 1080p with mkv containers).
But still I can't replace it with anything, the damn thing plays any video file I throw at her so far, thanks to kamiwa's hack, that guy is an angel hehe.
I beg to divx developer community, please show some love and respect to this little wonder, it really deserves it.
I purchased a 500GB Sumvision Cyclone last week - not good! Pretty much DOA! Hard drive not recognised on XP or Vista, front display was non-functioning, GUI was awful. Sending it back ASAP.
Subsequently purchased the new 64GB Ipod Touch. After re-encoding AVI's to MP4 format (a bit of a pain) the quality is more than acceptable and you can fit dozens of movies on the device. I am using it in conjunction with the Apple composite cable so that I can take my movies etc on holiday/business trips with me - most hotel room tv's have a composite input.
For a more permanent solution, the Xtreamer looks good (thanks GreenMan), although I have read reports of excessive fan noise. Popcorn Hour is the obvious choice, although more expensive.
I have spent hours looking into possible alternatives to the DSM-330 and in my opinion there isn't one "perfect" option out there. I think that this is incredible when you consider that we are now living in a digital age. When are manufacturer's gonna wake up and realise that there is a massive market for such devices? If I had the money I wouldn't hesitate in bringing an all-singing all-dancing digital media box into the market place. All it needs is one of the big names, say Sony or Samsung, to realise this potential and it will be game over.
Then again, they are probably making too much money from blu-ray (and DVD's). Savvy people like us will just have to keep on waiting I guess!
I HIGHLY recommend the PopcornHour boxes. The C-200 may be a bit overkill, but the A-110 is similar in price to the DivxConnected and blows it away on features:
http://www.popcornhour.com/onlinestore/
-Kacy
This looks interesting (and vaguely familiar)
http://www.ehomeupgrade.com/2009/09/08/netgear-eva2000-digital-entertainer-live/#more-13404
I don't think this thread will be deleted - DivX don't come here these days ;-)
It's looks like the DSM330 with the capability of plugging in an external HD.
It was this one firmware enhancement not added to our box that basically killed it guys!
I wish someone with the know how could hack/write a firmware version that could support usb drives.
What I find it is missing is the plugins. I was seriously looking at the PH after reading these posts, but I think I'll get an additional Connected box this fall before they become unavailable.
If I could build a small HTPC fanless, I'd probably go with that instead, I have such a setup that is pretty close to what I want, but it's a little noisy because even though the CPU has no fan (Atom) the case and the chipset have them.
I'm also in the market for displays around the house, I would definitely buy a Connected-enabled TV.
I'm using Mediaportal with the new PureVision HD skin on an HTPC and it's so amazing I could sh#t! After months of contemplating buying another streamer with the inevitable built in obslolesence that entails I finally found my dream player right under my nose. It's infinitely configurable and has an incredible wide range of plugins to suit everyone. The fact that it's open source is also a huge bonus with new development and updates arriving almost every day. Stunning!