Hauppauge MediaMVP $69 @ CC

[degeester]

This week's ad for Circuit City has the Happauge for sale at the normal price of $99 but with 2 MIR's (a $20 from Hauupauge and a $10 from Circuit City)

I have his unit (purchased at Fry's when it was on special for $89) and it works well. With software I can scan all media(Jpegs, Mpegs, Mp3, etc...) and have it play through the MediaMVP on my TV.

 

[AntMan530]

for that much, you can get an older 7500? AIW thats even better IMHO

 

[chewyboy]

but with the ati you can't run dscaler, which makes this deal hot again

 

[cmv]

More information here for those like me who didn't know what this was:

http://www.hauppauge.com/html/mediamvp_datasheet.htm

 

[Netgeek]

And the MediaMVP plays native ReplayTV MPGs. If you have both you install DVArchive on your PC, schedule it to download ReplayTV MPGs every night, and have the MediaMVP software installed on the same PC. Works great.

 

[Frykun]

haha
just wait until somebody adds PVR functionality to the device...


AntMan530:
AIW would need you to run RCA cables to your TV. MVP, however, wants 10bt ethernet instead. IMO, it's much easier (and cheaper) to run an ethernet cable to the TV

 

[queequeg99]

Originally posted by: Frykun



AntMan530:
AIW would need you to run RCA cables to your TV. MVP, however, wants 10bt ethernet instead. IMO, it's much easier (and cheaper) to run an ethernet cable to the TV

This is especially true if the computer is in another room (signal quality over a long RCA run can be bad. I've had mixed experiences with the MediaMVP. MP3 playing has been very good for the most part (depending on which version of the software you are using). Video playback has also been quite good, even with mpeg2 files at full DVD bit rates. I've read that every other set top networked device that plays mpeg2 files (like the gateway and govideo dvd players) chokes on files that are more than 2-3 Mbps, which renders the device useless for video playback.

One big downside is that the Media MVP was clearly released prematurely. There are some areas where the lack of polish has been merely annoying (it can be a bit inconvenient to access MP3s if you have hundreds of ripped disks) and others that are almost deal killers (only 3X fast forward on video files, which makes forwarding to the middle of a movie like LotR insane). One big upside is that Hauppauge has been constantly updating the software and has been addressing these issues. Also, the Media MVP is linux based, which means that there is a dedicated (if small) group of people out there that are hacking the device to add more functionality.

For me, the sub-$100 price was worth it for MP3 playing alone since I have now archived all of my CDs to a hard drive (freeing up shelf space and promoting marital harmony).

Jay

 

[Pothead]

Originally posted by: AntMan530
for that much, you can get an older 7500? AIW thats even better IMHO

When your AIW is obsolete, you have to replace it with another AIW whereas with a separate card, you can upgrade your vid card without having to mess with the capture/tuner card. Hence, one would preferably have a separate tv tuner/capture card from the graphics card.

 

[GnatGoSplat]

Originally posted by: AntMan530
for that much, you can get an older 7500? AIW thats even better IMHO

Are you comparing a video card to a networked media player? If so, I don't get it?!?!

 

[Frykun]

AntMan530 was trying to say that you can connect your TV to your computer via the S-Video or RCA on the AIW cards. If your computer is right next to the TV, that may be a smarter option (assuming that 7500 would be an upgrade to your system )

I agree that MVP was released a bit too soon... the version i've been working on is kinda slow to act on keypresses... but i think that's fixable in software...

 

[nsafreak]

Just some info for you folks concerning this box, I have purchased one but I haven't hooked it up as of yet. Since this box is essential a Linux thin client the Linux community is actively working on it. If you go here there is a Linux version of the server for this box. If you go to these forums you can find more info on what the Linux community is doing with this box. I even found a program here that will allow the box to display faster native menus. Very interesting box indeed that they're selling here and I'll experiment with a bit once I get it hooked up.

 

[rdh]

Originally posted by: Frykun
haha
just wait until somebody adds PVR functionality to the device...


AntMan530:
AIW would need you to run RCA cables to your TV. MVP, however, wants 10bt ethernet instead. IMO, it's much easier (and cheaper) to run an ethernet cable to the TV

 

[rdh]

Originally posted by: rdh

Originally posted by: Frykun
haha
just wait until somebody adds PVR functionality to the device...


AntMan530:
AIW would need you to run RCA cables to your TV. MVP, however, wants 10bt ethernet instead. IMO, it's much easier (and cheaper) to run an ethernet cable to the TV

SageTV has stated publically that it is in their plans to add a sageTV PVR interface to the mediaMVP. no timelines, but sometime this year......

 

[dman]

While it may be stated, I highly doubt they'll ever release that functionality. Instead they'll release the MVP-Pro or MVPPVR with this feature for $99 more or something. Well, just a hunch.

I looked through the forums, pretty cool stuff in terms of potential hackability. (They should have added a keyboard port to the device... then you could have MAME or something on it and play arcade games on your TV too... )


Maybe they'll be able to add MPEG4 modes, until then I'd just stick with my dvd player--not quite as functional but I really don't need the lan connectivity unless it can do Mpeg4.

 

[superflysocal]

I think some of you guys are missing the point or potential of this unit, especially if you live in a small apartment or your tv is near your computer in your bedroom. However if you live in a house or 1 -2 bedroom apartment and it is ethernet wired, then this becomes a very low cost HTPC (home theater PC) alternative. Imagine then playing your mpg2 and mp3 istored in your bedroom computer onto your main living room tv. One little advantage over an HTPC is that you won't have to worry fan noise while watching a movie.

I read somewhere that Hauppage plan to have firmware upgrades and eventually have mpeg4 support. Anyone else heard this?

 

[andrew2w]

I dont like vendors I can't pronounce or have never heard of, who are these jokers

 

[andrew2w]

At least name your company something close to an American name, instead of something that sounds like a town in Worthless old Canada

 

[sat4fun]

Originally posted by: andrew2w
At least name your company something close to an American name, instead of something that sounds like a town in Worthless old Canada

You must have failed geography. Sounds like a town on Long Island New York to me. Hauppauge has made quality items for years.

Seriously, your two posts are the lamest that I have seen here in a long time.

 

[sat4fun]

I would buy one of these if it has optical outs. Has anyone added SPDIF out to these things?

 

[rdh]

Originally posted by: andrew2w
I dont like vendors I can't pronounce or have never heard of, who are these jokers

Judging by what your post adds to this topic, I'd say that limits you to about four or five vendors, tops.

 

[Hahaha]

Does it play .RM and .ASF video?

 

[ozone13]

Just my 2 cents:

I have this.....have had it for a while now. I use it in conjunction with a Hauppauge PVR250.

Its great so long as you don't try streaming too large of bitrate files. Files at 7mb/sec tend to stutter, but files at 4mb/sec are great.

 

[queequeg99]

Originally posted by: ozone13


Its great so long as you don't try streaming too large of bitrate files. Files at 7mb/sec tend to stutter, but files at 4mb/sec are great.

I had this problem as well until I installed the TCPIP optimization program you can get on Hauppauge's website. Everything I've played since then has been fine, even mpeg2 files created from rips of LotR and the Harry Potter movies (without reencoding the video at a lower bit rate than was present on the DVD). The real test will be when I try watching an mpeg2 file I create with a ripped superbit DVD.

One other thing people should know: the Media MVP does not have component video outputs. Instead, it has only composite and S video. I just hot an HDTV (haven't connected the Media MVP to it yet) so this may or may not be an issue (I don't know how great a difference there is between component and S video quality).

 

[sat4fun]

Reading this thread and info makes me feel better about my Gateway Connected DVD for $149. The Gateway is not perfect, but all of these media hubs have their problems. I like the progressive outputs and optical connections of the Gateway. It drives my Infocus X1 quite well. It will be apart of my HT until I decide to go the HTPC route.

 

[ozone13]

Originally posted by: queequeg99

Originally posted by: ozone13


Its great so long as you don't try streaming too large of bitrate files. Files at 7mb/sec tend to stutter, but files at 4mb/sec are great.

I had this problem as well until I installed the TCPIP optimization program you can get on Hauppauge's website. Everything I've played since then has been fine, even mpeg2 files created from rips of LotR and the Harry Potter movies (without reencoding the video at a lower bit rate than was present on the DVD). The real test will be when I try watching an mpeg2 file I create with a ripped superbit DVD.

One other thing people should know: the Media MVP does not have component video outputs. Instead, it has only composite and S video. I just hot an HDTV (haven't connected the Media MVP to it yet) so this may or may not be an issue (I don't know how great a difference there is between component and S video quality).

I tried the optimization program, didn't change anything for me.