Any future updates to include HD audio formats?

[hingepin]

I've been checking out the PCH A-110 and the HD200 and I'm torn. Would a future firmware udate be possible to include HD audio format passthrough? I have a Hatachi 1TB drive I haven't used yet. I want to get rid of my HTPC (soon to be on ebay once I decide which to invest in).

I'm trying to decide of a NAS would be a better option than a shared drive on my desktop, an external drive directly to either the HD200 or A-110, put the drive in the A-110, which I would end up filling up rather quickly, or something else. The choices are endless and its difficult to pull the trigger. I played with SageMC for a bit, just didn't give it the time to get it set up totally. Besides, an HD-DVR from comcrap is wife approved with all the channels.

My library is ripped in Video TS format (AnyDVD/MyMovies/) and Sage does already have a nice GUI that doesn't need tweaking out of the box; just plug in and go.

I guess I need a push. As far as the storage issue, build a NAS? At least it would be an easy set up on a different network than just a shared drive.

Someone push me!

[hingepin]

Kind of and incoherent previous post. Sorry. 26 hour shift. After a nap and a little research, I figured it out. NAS is the way to go if you move around a lot and have to set everything up over and over. Now that the HD200 supports Hulu (never checked Hulu out until now), hoping for Netflix, and plays anything you can throw at it (at least what I have), you can’t go wrong.

What I didn’t find was anyone having problems running it through a receiver. I have a Sony STR-DG720 which does not decode HD audio formats anyway, just passes the signal to the amp from the source. I’ll assume that no one is having any issues routing this though a receiver with HDMI?
If anyone is contemplating this or one the PCH boxes, read their forums. It takes a lot to get up and running for a novice like me. Take the easy route. Stick with SageTV products.

[Beefcake550]

I have both units and love them both.

I found the PCH actually very easy to setup. I loaded up iHome on my server PC and got the YAMJ plugin setup pretty easily.

The one lacking feature of the HD200 is lack of HD Audio passthrough or decoding. Given that the HD200 has an HDMI 1.2 output, it can only ever do LPCM output. Our best hopes for HD Audio is that Sage can build in TrueHD and DTS-MA decoders so that the HD200 will decode them to LPCM and life will be good.

In the meantime, I have the PCH A-110 and I like it. I've only hit some issues with TrueHD tracks even after using the suggested method to create the rips.

-B

[stanger89]

Jeff mentioned they were "looking into" TrueHD and DTS-HD decoding in a thread a couple weeks ago.

[Narflex]

One way we'll definitely be supporting the HD audio formats is by converting them to the non-HD versions and passing that through. So if you have DTS-HD; it'll pass through DTS and if you have TrueHD it'll pass through AC3. So it would end up being 5.1 channels instead of 7.1 channels.

As stanger mentioned; we're also looking into decoding the HD audio formats and then sending them out as LPCM; but we're still 'looking into it' we're not committing to that one yet.

[stanger89]

Maybe you can clear something up quick. Are you just extracting the core streams from TrueHD/DTS-HD? Because not all TrueHD streams have a core stream (those from HD DVDs). If you're really "converting" them, then you'd already be decoding them right?

[HelenWeathers]

Also, if converting/decoding, a stereo downmix would be much appreciated as well to feed out through the L/R audio outs on the HD-200 and the HDMI out too. Many of us have older TVs that can't decode the advanced formats and really need the stereo option at both outputs.

[stanger89]

I'm just guessing that if "converting" is coming first, with decoding later (maybe), that "converting" means extracting the core stream.

[Narflex]

I meant extracting the core stream.

[hingepin]

Serious question time now that I had a couple days to relax. My head had been spinnng from the research. I'm more confused than ever.

I ordered a 2 bay USB inclosure that I will be putting 2 Hatachi 7K1000 1TB drives in and will either set it up as BSOD or RAID0. Six of one, half dozen the other with USB (right?) I'd like to format NTFS and not EXT3. The drive will be connected to the HD200; HD200 hardwired to the network; PC wireless. Will I have read AND write to the external drive through the HD200? I'm trying to ditch the MC all together and will be using standalone mode. If I stream anything, it will be music (mostly my itunes library) and xfer my DVD back-up to the external drive as I rip to the PC. I'd probably keep everything video_TS and keep using My Movies 2.

I know I should get the server software. I purchased it from PCAlchemy and lost the liscese and formated my HD :nono:. Not sure if I want to pay for it again.

This thing is so simple to set up, I don't know why I'm still looking at the PCH. Plus native Hulu and possibly Netflix without paying for mor 3rd party softwate.

Would I be able to write to the external HD connected to the HD200?

[stanger89]

I know I should get the server software. I purchased it from PCAlchemy and lost the liscese and formated my HD :nono:. Not sure if I want to pay for it again.

Why don't you email them and see if they've still got your license info on record?

[hingepin]

They no longer exist. :(

[stanger89]

If you have any open issues please email sales@pcalchemy.com and we
will assist as long as we are able to do so.
http://www.pcalchemy.com/down_for_maintenance.html

[hingepin]

Thanks. I thought I tried that some time back and Greg couldn't find it. He was quick. Ended up formatting both HD's as BIG. I think I'll leave everything in the folder structure. Nice and portable. The only thing I'm missing is the HD200 and I can get rid if that ATX tower in my HT setup!

[bigbill]

Now that the HD200 supports Hulu (never checked Hulu out until now), hoping for Netflix, and plays anything you can throw at it (at least what I have), you can’t go wrong.

I just read this thread and poked around the machine. How do I access HULU via my HD200?

[gplasky]

Two ways.
1) Purchase the playon software. ($30) Works but not great. Search the forum.
2) Wait. Sage demoed at CES Hulu running on the extender. I don't think the commercials were working yet so it won't go without that. Search the forum.

Gerry

[hingepin]

Sorry for the confusion. I should have said future native support. Still, if you read my first posts in this thread, I was loking at a PCH A-110. I have no clue when it comes to software. There are too many tweaks needed to set one up. If you can do it, I think it has a better looking GUI, but the HD200 is too easy. I'll take easy over prety any day.

[eepmatt]

I had an HD100 and ditched it for the A110. I was considering switching back to the HD200, but lack of HD audio is a deal killer for me.

I love the popcorn hour, except for one thing: it will not fast forward or rewind blu ray rips, and can't bookmark them either. So if you sit down and watch the whole movie through, it's exactly as good as watching the disk. If you have to stop and restart it later, it is very annoying to have to try to find your place again. I really miss the way by HD100 bookmarked EVERYTHING automatically!!!

[Beefcake550]

eepmatt - you can do a direct jump to a time in the movie....that's what I do on bluray rips. I hit pause when I leave to get the time.

-Brian