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Popcorn Hour C-200 Networked Media Tank: Awesome hardware, lame software
Imagine a box that can play almost any video or audio file from anywhere, right there in your home theater. That's the promise of the $300 Syabas Popcorn Hour C-200, billed as a Networked Media Tank (NMT) that brings digital movies, photos and tunes to your living room via Ethernet, Wi-Fi, attached USB drive or internal hard disk. Syabas Technology, the maker of Popcorn Hour, sent us one of its boxes to review — let's see what it can do.
The Popcorn Hour C-200, affectionately known by its unusually enthusiastic followers as the PCH C-200, is about the size of a Blu-ray player. That $300 price doesn't include a hard drive, so to enjoy its full power, you'll need to install your own. That's a lot easier than it sounds, involving merely opening up its front door, sliding in the drive, and snapping the door shut behind it. We popped in a 320GB SATA drive, connected the C-200 to our home theater system via its HDMI port (you can also use component, composite, or S-Video connections) and it was ready to go.
When we first saw the user interface, our hearts sank. Aside from a carousel-like source screen, this awkward interface was like a throwback to something from 15 years ago. It's user-unfriendly, with confusing controls, lists of files, colorless except a blue background with white text, and comes with the worst documentation we've ever seen with any product. Making matters worse was Syabas's unresponsive tech support. Using it was like solving a frustrating puzzle. Overall, the software of the Popcorn Hour C-200 is unacceptable, and as clunky as any user interface we've ever seen. It's just terrible. Apple TV this ain't.
Undaunted, we set up network shares with the remote control, a tedious process that involves typing as if we were texting from a cellphone. But it was easy to plug in an external USB drive with a variety of movie files on board, and once we found them, they played perfectly. If we could somehow get accustomed to that awful user interface, we'd enjoy its BitTorrent capabilities, FTP functionality, streaming video from anywhere on a home network or Internet (including Flash sites like YouTube), and its quick gigabit Ethernet (or optional Wi-Fi) connectivity.
We were delighted to discover that the C-200's hardware is the most versatile and powerful we've ever seen for the home theater. It plays back high-resolution 1080p files magnificently, handles just about any video format we've ever seen except for DivX, accommodates an internal Blu-ray drive and plays its high-rez video with ease, has an radio-frequency (RF) remote control that's so powerful it can go through walls, and it even includes an IR blaster so you can use your universal remote. It handles all forms of digital surround sound, photos, subtitles, and anything else we threw at it. it even plays back those Matroska files that other mainstream commercial boxes won't touch. And except for that hokey Popcorn Hour logo on top which you'll probably never see after it's installed, even its case was first-rate. Great hardware all around.
We tested this unit extensively, and our feelings about it are enormously mixed. Its characteristics are both excellent and horrible at the same time. It's expensive — once you've procured a terabyte-sized hard drive or a Blu-ray drive to install inside it, its total price could skyrocket to $400 or even $500. For that kind of money, you're probably better off spending a few more bucks for a home theater PC like we reviewed last week, or soon, an even-cheaper $400 HP Mini 311 laptop, both of which can play 1080p files with ease, no matter what the file type. Still, with a lower price, and a total overhaul to its incompetent consumer-unfriendly user interface, the C-200 could have a chance at success. Unless that happens, the Popcorn Hour C-200 will remain mired in the realm of its enthusiastic cult of devoted tinkerers, geeks and hobbyists.
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By krazypoloc at 6:38 PM ON 09/21/09
The reviewer has obviously never used NMT OS before. Its the simplest, most user friendly, tweakable UI out there.
This is not a device for morons, or "consumers" as the reviewer dubs them.
I have several NMT devices along with several of my friends, one of which is not tech savvy at all and he has never had an issue with his.
By jpopusa at 6:56 PM ON 09/21/09
The OS and all the applications look really fantastic and all the options are great too.
But like any new product these days. There appears to be many bugs in the FW. PH is calling Beta. There also appears to be some hardware problems and case constuction problems. I'm very sure all these reported problems will be corrected with FW updates and case design updates.
But, right now. I feel the C200 is not ready for prime time. We will be holding off our purchase now for maybe 3 to 6 months. Once all the new users or (beta testers) have corrected most of the bugs reported.
By vwmike at 7:07 PM ON 09/21/09
Keep in mind that PCH enthusiasts don't use the default interface that comes with it. I've had various multimedia pcs and other media players and the PCH line wins hands down. You don't have to leave your computer on or deal with Windows/Linux/etc. Check out YAMJ (Yet Another Media Jukebox) to see what real users of the PCH see.
By murc at 7:32 PM ON 09/21/09
that review sounds pretty spot on to me.
I have a PCH A-110, its nice, but the stock UI is horrid.
I got YAMJ working after a few headaches,it at least makes the PCH bearable...
But still, this is 2009, it should be good right out the box.
I want to replace my PCH with a more user friendly UI.
I'm (un)patiently waiting for the unveiling of the WD TV2.
By chippy at 2:49 AM ON 09/22/09
As soon as I read 'unusually enthusiastic user' I could tell we wouldn't see an unbiased report. Review the product not its users!
The review has many errors, youtube is mp4 not flash, the UI is like the firmware a temporary one until developed and Flash license obtained. Then the UI will be totally new and the user will be able to configure it to operate as they personally wish it to operate.
The player can handle bitrates of over 110Mb/s on playback. Try that on a low powered HTPC!
Entering shares is auto populated if you use the browse button and a guest account.
Etc.Etc.
Get us an unbiased user who knows how to use an NMT AND review when a none beta firmware and UI is in existence.
PCH could have waited to launch until the license and firmware were none beta. Customers demanded release now, so that together they can work with Syabas/PCH.
By Gibbo at 11:03 AM ON 09/22/09
This review is based on a very early version of a beta firmware. Over the next few months many things will change.
As stated this device is not for your average consumer who is looking for a BD player, it will in the long run provide so much more once the user has implemented any number of the user add-ons available from the NMT community forum. Not to mention the improvements once more stable FW's are released with more flashy interfaces as standard.
By Charlie White at 11:24 AM ON 09/22/09
@Gibbo: "This review is based on a very early version of a beta firmware." Perhaps it is, but this is the shipping version, available for sale on the company's website now, and was presented to us as such. If the company chooses to ship a beta product, it takes its chances by sending it to reviewers and selling it to its customers.
We would be doing DVICE readers a disservice if we didn't point out all the flaws, so they won't have to spend their money on a product that is not ready yet.
By Radiogeek1 at 12:31 AM ON 09/23/09
While I haven't used this or any of their other products, I did visit their website to learn more, and it seems they're aiming more towards the tech-savvy audience rather than the family users that might be attracted by their fun name and logo.
I own 2 of HP's discontinued X280N digital media extenders, and while their user interface is very simple, they won't handle 1080P, prompting me to look for a replacement to match a new TV I have. Reading the specifications on the C200, Popcorn lists an incredible array of formats that they support, but fail to provide the basic resolution info that most A/V shoppers would be familiar with. If they have taken the same approach with their user interface, it doesn't surprise me that they might take a few hits from reviewers and owners on this front.
By Nuke12 at 8:52 AM ON 09/24/09
@Charlie "We would be doing DVICE readers a disservice if we didn't point out all the flaws, so they won't have to spend their money on a product that is not ready yet."
Fair enough but at the same time you should state your reviewing beta firmware.
By Charlie White at 5:54 PM ON 09/25/09
@Nuke12: This is the shipping product. There was never any indication from the company rep, or noted in its software/firmware, that it's in beta.
The only people saying it's in beta are its apologists. Unfortunately, this software is so bad, it should be in beta.
But it's for sale, shipping and offered as a product to reviewers and to paying customers. That, to me, means it isn't (or shouldn't be) beta software.
By Nuke12 at 3:52 PM ON 09/28/09
God, that is pathetic. Your telling me you reviewed the device with the firmware that came with the device and not even the latest firmware? There were at least three firmware upgrades from the one shipped on the device. You never checked?
Did you actually see any video or hear any audio?
By Flemming at 3:25 PM ON 09/30/09
wow this is like reading apple fanboys trying to defend apple, the review is correct and factual - you have to face it you are fan boys -
I love the product too, but i would never ever recommend it to anyone i did not know would love spending hours (many) getting to know it.. and their software do stink, it should not be needed to change the ui to make it look fairly ok..
As it is now, its not pretty, and pretty sells alot on a media center device.
Try hitting the ball, not the man..
Greetings from Denmark
By Stereo at 7:12 AM ON 10/01/09
What’s the main difference between the PCH C-200 and HDI’S DUNE BD Prime 3.0?
Would the DUNE BD Prime 3.0 be able to handle bitrates of over 110Mb/s on playback?
By Stereo at 7:18 AM ON 10/01/09
By Paul at 1:32 PM ON 10/01/09
I can understand the reviewers point of view. I own a PCH A-110 and love it - I even replaced my HTPC with a similar Syabas-powered NMT device. That said, I consider myself fairly tech-savvy.
It would be nice to get a review from both sides of the spectrum; it's obviously not for the average consumer (that's not the target market anyway) but what about us über-nerds?
By Jason at 6:36 PM ON 10/27/09
Bottom Line...
Functionality is FANTASTIC
Visual Interface is POOR.
If you are comparing it to the other crap that is out there, then it's great. But if you are comparing it to things that are good. Hell, even windows media center blows it out of the water (interface wise). It needs a serious makeover aesthetically (which seems like it wouldn't be all that difficult).
By HughJass at 1:26 PM ON 11/08/09
It doesn't seem fair to compare NMTs to HTPC's. I'm sorry, but most of the HTPC's which will fit under my TV stand are far more expensive than this. Also, you can get a 1TB HDD for $60, so that makes the total for PCH $375. I don't own one yet, but the only device that even comes close to this functionality and in an attractive and small form-factor is the Asus EeeBox PC, which is ~$580 (E 399). If you don't care about looks and have a PC that is on 24/7 to serve media, then the WD TV 2 is an okay alternative. However, it's definitely not as attractive as the PCH and doesn't have the built-in bittorrent functions which help save power compared to having that PC on 24/7.
Also, this reviewer did seem heavily biased and was very combative and very unprofessional in his responses to comments.
By thyme at 8:20 PM ON 11/20/09
By john at 5:42 AM ON 11/21/09
I'd have to agree with the reviewer. I do like my c-200 but his point about it's out-of-box operation is totally valid, and there is little documentation. Lets face it; there is practically no documentation apart from on the web. Many consumers, probably most, wouldn't accept this, nor accept that the firmware is in development.
Compared to my freesat pvr which I pre-ordered before launch, and waited three months for delivery. It has quality documentation and received its first firmware upgrade after a year.. not an option.. it's very first change. The PCH is now on it's third 'beta' and the product is definitely not ready for mainstream use (I've had it two months).
- Love the audio/viseo decoding.
- Hate not being able to browse by default while listening/watching. My D-link might well be getting reinstalled in parallel to allow music playing and browsing.
- Photos aren't great. MUCHO better to use the PCH as a media server and display photos on the PS3. Fantastic on PS3.
- Worst problem I have is the network. I'm on Gigabit, but have to select 100 on the PCH to get it to work half decent.... currently transferring at 60 meg. What's that all about?
- And browse the PCH remotely whilst transferring media... Forget it.. mine locks up and needs a reboot to enable the network again.
These issues/problems shouldn't be present on a retail product and is possibly the reason for the current delivery problems.
That said I can at least play the movies that my PS3 can't. When it can (if it ever does)though, I'll seriously need to think about flogging the PCH.
By MediaHo at 11:53 PM ON 11/30/09
I have had an A110 for about a year as well as a WD HDTV. The Tank played more files but the WD was better in so many ways. We'll I just upgraded both, and The WDTV Live Kicks the Crap out of the C-200. Period!
By Jhyde at 6:22 PM ON 01/30/10
Still not ready for primetime. Unit constantly freezes. Can't seem to go more than twenty minutes without a reboot. Blech!!! What kind of movie watching experience that turns out to be.
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