POSTED BY

Joel Johnson

AT 2:20 PM
Thursday June 18, 2009

HDTV and Displays

c-200 • popcorn hour • settop box

All new Popcorn Hour C-200 set-top box supports Blu-ray and every video format

popcornhourc200.jpgWhile I've been pleased as punch with my Mac Mini (with Boxee/Plex) working as a set-top box, I know many of you guys have been using Popcorn Hour boxes to great satisfaction. You may lust anew: there's a new model announced, the C-200, with Blu-ray support, a front-panel LCD, and a swappable bay that can hold a hard drive—if you don't use it to install a Blu-ray drive.

The C-200 will continue the Popcorn Hour tradition of playing pretty much every video format known to man. Except to pick it up next month for $300—with included HDMI cable. [via Oh Gizmo!]

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14 Comments

Ryan

#1 – 2:53 PM June 18, 2009

I wonder if that supports a Blu-Ray/HD-DVD combo drive. If so, I'd seriously consider a purchase.

malex

#2 – 5:01 PM June 18, 2009

Am I correct in that this box doesn't do DVR?

I've managed to go this long without breaking down and getting a Tivo, but I still can't find a reasonable alternative.

Brandon West

#3 – 5:02 PM June 18, 2009

The swappable drive bay is great (hot-swappable bay would be awesome, but I don't see it mentioned anywhere so I'll assume it's not), but I think the biggest win on this model is the faster processor. I still love my Popcorn Hour but there is some noticeable lag while doing certain things in the interface. The bootup time, while probably comparable to a mediocre HTPC, is still a bit frustrating. I'm gonna wait for some reviews but this would give me a good reason to get a small LCD panel for my exercise room and recommission my A-110.

Peter J. Cat

#4 – 3:56 PM June 19, 2009

It'll take a Blu-Ray/HD DVD combo drive but it won't play HD DVDs, it doesn't know what to do with the structure/filetype. And it doesn't do DVR at present.

I'm also running a Mac Mini with Plex for lower-bitrate stuff but I use my PCH A-110 to play Blu-ray and HD DVD remuxes -- the Mac Mini just can't keep up with those, and nor can it pass HD audio.

uncola

#5 – 2:25 PM June 20, 2009

This device is going to have a hard time competing with the new realtek 1283 based players.

pwntalive

#6 – 7:54 PM June 20, 2009

Thank god, something to play all these Divx movies i got at a Circuit City close-out in 1999

aphid

#7 – 1:57 PM June 21, 2009

weak, theora is not listed as a supported video format on the spec sheet.

Arnold

#8 – 11:21 PM June 28, 2009

mmmmmm...I prefer Telsey Blobbox

eljomedia

#9 – 6:56 PM July 8, 2009

This product is set to be the most feature rich network media centre yet. Its' support of a huge range of file formats, combined with the addition of a Blu Ray drive will ensure it dominates.

For those interested in ordering, or even for more information, there is a public presale being launch tomorrow.

http://www.eljomedia.com.au/Popcorn_Hour_C200_w_Blu_Ray_p/ph‐c200a.htm

Cheers.

moviebuff

#10 – 4:18 PM July 15, 2009

I still prefer my [a href="http://www.mvixusa.com/ultio/1080p-high-definition-home-theater-pc.html"]MVix Ultio[/a] with its built-in 1.5-TB HDD. It also plays MKV and has a built-in Bittorrent client. I was also able to stream my DTS with it... Cooler than your Popcorn Hour! :P

moviebuff

#11 – 4:20 PM July 15, 2009

I still prefer my [URL=http://www.mvixusa.com/ultio/1080p-high-definition-home-theater-pc.html]MVix Ultio[/URL] with its built-in 1.5-TB HDD. It also plays MKV and has a built-in Bittorrent client. I was also able to stream my DTS with it... Cooler than your Popcorn Hour! :P

PacoBell

#12 – 2:59 AM August 10, 2009

@moviebuff: "Cooler than your Popcorn Hour"? Let's investigate that claim, shall we? No gigabit ethernet, no integrated 802.11n, no bluray support, no usenet client, no convenient LCD display, no RF remote, no integrated power supply. Have I missed anything? So much for "cooler than thou"...

Daan

#13 – 1:21 PM August 18, 2009

to pacobell - agreed

Andy

#14 – 9:42 AM October 5, 2009

Amazing this company is still in business considering the horrible sales and support service.

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