Best / Most recommended hardware media player??

[Soulstice]

What up guys!

I just wanted to get some quick opinions, based on your own experiences with the various available hardware media-players (i.e. Asus O!Play, WD Live, Patriot Theatre, etc, etc.)

I will be purchasing one within the next week or so, and, thus far, I'm leaning toward the Western Digital Live Hub

I have experience with the WD TV Live Plus, and I have nothing but good things to say about it. I purchased for my parents roughly 4 months back, and they love it. I simply fill up a removable USB 2.5-inch hard drive everyone few months or so with new content, movies, etc.

In fact, I would probably go ahead and purchase another one for myself, but given that the Western Digital Live Hub comes with a pre-installed 1 TB hard drive, and has the ability to stream content to any PC in the home, etc, it just seems more cost-effective and feature-full (especially being able to use it as my centralized MP3 storage center).
Since I live in Canada, I'm fully aware that I will not be able to take advantage of the NetFlix and Blockbuster OnDemand features, but these are secondary benefits, and I see that as a bonus. Plus, I'm sure when Netflix and BB decide to license their services in Canada, WD will simply release a firmware update for the Live Hub.


So yes, aside from the Western Digital Live Hub, are there any other units that I should have at the top of my list?? Here are my requirements:

1. Play any and all formats
2. Up to 1080P output via HDMI (bonus if the unit supports component-out ports as well)
3. Optical-Out Sound (bonus if the unit provides a second out-put for normal stereo cable)
4. Can stream music / video to any PC / laptop on the network (this is a must, as I want to centralize all my music)


Bonuses, but not mandatory:

1. Provides ability to surf Internet (or stream content from multiple supported sites)
2. Built-in Torrent client
3. Built-in hard drive with the ability to add additional drive(s) via eSATA and / or USB 2/3


Thanks in advance for all the assistance

 

[Markdek]

I suggest you do some research at AVSForum:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=39

Then, if you want more data, look at iBoum:

http://www.iboum.com/index.php

My opinion: they all have limits/problems, some caused by the hardware, software, or content providers. So, don't spend too much because it's lifespan will likely be less than 1 to 2 years.

One of the biggest problems seems to be the network speed/nis built into the units....some just don't want to stream over a network at Blu-Ray speeds (many get hickups if a stream is >22Mbps is needed).

I picked up the Seagate Theater+ for $40 this holiday, just to play around...and for the money/life span, this is a good (not great) unit. The WD Hub may seem good now, but it will not be "the" box in another year........that's just the way it is.

.

 

[Soulstice]

Apparently, Iomega TV with Boxee will be available soon. Based on the initial specs, it will do everything I need, including streaming media to other PCs, TVs, etc over the network.

The current D-Link Boxee is unable to do that, and, hence, why I can't go with it at this point. I would prefer Boxee over the WD, but WD seems to be the only device capable of supporting everyting I need at a reasonable price.

 

[Harry1969]

Check out mpcclub.com they have a review for just about every media player on the market. My choice would be WDTV live plus or PCH A-200 for low end and PCH C-200 or HDI Dune Prime for high end.