Standalone MKV Player

[CKtoph]

I think the best audience to get advice on this would be the current TV group...so here goes...

http://www.tvixbox.com/product_details.php?product_id=23

I've been recently looking into standalone MKV players. I'm not yet a fan of TV because they are so exclusive to the MP4 format (which is understandable of course).

Anyone have any experience with this product? It's a little pricey, but if it can do what it says it does, then could be worthwhile for me. Also, if you do have experience with the product, my major question is whether or not the firmware is fully upgradable as new formats come out. It definitely seems like it does considering the "Firmware" section on their website, but it's still not 100% clear on whether or not updates to video formats are fully capable.

Thanks.

 

[northy124]

Same Price Get A Mac Mini And You Also Get A HDD Unlike What You Are Looking At Which Cost Extra For The HDD

 

[traderx1]

I have both AppleTV and TViX 4100SH (the previous model to the 6500).

The TViX is very good unit and does exactly what is advertised. Plays 720p and 1080p mkv extremely well. There have been reports of some stuttering with 1080p but I have not experienced this, and I have had the unit for 9 months. The 6500 model has an updated chip which I believe was put in to play mkv files better. Seems to be all the rage nowadays, playing mkv files. As far as updating firmware, the company DVICO is very good at frequent updates. In fact (I believe) when the 4100 was first made, mkv was not a "priority" but due to the popularity of the format DVICO put out updates to support this. Does this mean the latest model, 6500, will be able to support "any" future video formats. No one knows, but if the chip can handle the processing power required for future formats, perhaps DVICO will try and put it in. But no one knows. For today, and until mkv dies down (which I dont see happening anytime soon) the TVIX is solid.

And there is always the bad side. Compared to the AppleTV. The user interface for AppleTV is much better. AppleTV is wireless. TViX "can be" wireless with an extra adapter, but it will never wireless stream 1080p movies. The DVICO can stream with a ethernet cable, but then it has to be near a computer and setting up this connections is not easy. Whereas the AppleTV is plug and play. The TViX had a built in hard drive (which you put in), so it can be any size. But in order to put movies on to it you have to carry it to computer and connect via USB. It can also be done through a wired ethernet connection, but like I said setting up the connection to a MAC is not easy. Also TVIX only reads FAT32 and NTFS. Most 720p and ALL 1080p movies are greater than 4.5 gigs so you have to use NTFS. Macs can not natively write to NTFS, unless you get "that" (Paragon) plug-in which allows you to write NTFS.

So if want mkv format on one TV and dont mind moving you TVIX to your computer to transfer movies, then TVIX is right for you. I have taken a hybrid approach, since I have both AppleTV and TVIX. All 1080p movies, I use TVIX. All 720p movies, I convert to AppleTV using VisualHub (with AC3), so I can watch movies in all my bedrooms, wirelessly. Yes I have more than one AppleTV. The 720p movies stream perfectly and they look AWESOME even after the conversion from mkv to h264. To be honest I can not tell the difference between 720p and 1080p, but I do like to have the 1080p version for those high action movies, and most 1080p mkv files have DTS audio tracks, which Apple/Quicktime/VisualHub/Handbrake have no idea what to do.
Come to think of it, nothing beats the DTS Master HD track on my blu ray discs, but that is another story for another day...

hope this helps

 

[CKtoph]

That helps a ton, thanks traderx1!

User interface really isn't a big deal to me, as long as the video I am trying to play, plays to the best of its ability, I'm fine.

I guess the biggest issue I would have would be transferring the files over like you mentioned. It would look like I would have to get Paragon if this is the case.

 

[FCBarca]

Good information...Have been considering something as well and wondering if the 6500 and the Popcorn A110 are the best options outside of Apple TV.

I've read good reviews of the A110 but they are having A LOT of problems with DOA units, as well as replacements.