A.C.Ryan PlayOn!HD2 - First Realtek 1185 Media Streamer in the Wild!
by Ganesh T S on February 14, 2011 5:50 AM EST- Posted in
- Media Streamer
- Home Theater
- Media Player
- AC Ryan
We are excited to have the first Realtek 1185DD based media player in our labs. The firmware is still in pre-release mode, and we expect to get a more consumer friendly version soon.
In addition to putting the streamer through our test suite, we also plan to evaluate it as a NAS and a DAS (USB3). The firmware already happens to have some hidden easter eggs in the form of DTS-HD MA passthrough from both M2TS and MKV containers. It remains to be seen what other surprises are in store for us in the final launch firmware. If there is something that you readers want us to test out in particular on the PlayOn!HD2, do let us know in the comments.
Stay tuned for the second part of the PlayOn!HD2 review coming up as soon as A.C.Ryan delivers us the launch firmware.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
31 Comments
View All Comments
conejo99 - Monday, February 14, 2011 - link
Doesn't the Popcorn Hour A210 support a hard drive without needing a fan?Sharro - Monday, February 14, 2011 - link
Yes it does, got 2 at home.:-)
I wish Anandtech would cover more or PCH products.
ganeshts - Monday, February 14, 2011 - link
I should have mentioned -- amongst the streamers we have reviewed :)Btw, a 3.5" HD without fan is asking for trouble wrt component longevity unless there is quite a bit of airflow in the case.
AmdInside - Monday, February 14, 2011 - link
What video streaming services will be supported? Netflix?ganeshts - Monday, February 14, 2011 - link
A.C.Ryan is working on this, but you should never assume the feature is going to come in until it is announced. As of now, there is no Netflix, but it MIGHT change in the future.bertrandr - Monday, February 14, 2011 - link
When doing the final review try to compare features with: the also new Netgear NeoTV-550, the Dune SMART (D1) and the current gold standard for HD streamers -the Popcorn A-210.The NeoTV-550 seems very promising, and the latest beta firmwares are quickly fixing any serious issues.
Cheers,
BR
ganeshts - Monday, February 14, 2011 - link
Got the NTV-550 and it is a great streamer for the price to feature ratio. Still needs some firmware tweaks. Will definitely compare it against the PlayOn!HD2 though there are a lot of features in the 550 which are not in the POHD2, while there are some features in the POHD2 not in the 550 (this is reflected in the price of the base model.. the POHD2 is cheaper)Don't have the Dune D1 or the A210 for comparison, though :( (unless the manufacturers contact us for reviews, we don't want to take them up because we already have quite a number of streamers lined up for review)
hohowan - Monday, February 14, 2011 - link
Can you please test for proper stylized-ASS subtitle support?ganeshts - Monday, February 14, 2011 - link
Sure, I will do that.. Just wanted to mention that the Boxee Box is the only streamer I have tested so far to do flawless stylized-ASS.ckryan - Monday, February 14, 2011 - link
I've got streaming devices falling out of my closet (and off my desk, and draped off my tv). I like what I have seen with the ACRyan devices. My hope is that interest will continue to climb and perhaps ACRyan will reconsider their decision to not offer their more interesting devices here in the US.I'll be looking for the update.