[mythtv-users] Kodak Theatre HD Player Impressions

Mike Perkins mikep at randomtraveller.org.uk
Fri Apr 2 11:59:02 UTC 2010


Brian Wood wrote:
> I picked up one of the Woot deals, a Kodak Theatre HD Player for $50. It was 
> delivered yesterday.
> 
> It appears to be another "networked Media Tank", or derivative thereof, 
> meaning it's set up to view a lot of internet content like YouTube, and other 
> podcasts etc., in this respect it's similar to my Myka.
> 
> 
> Positives: $50 (not sure what the non-Woot street price might be).
> 
> (Amazon says the list price is $199, and sells them for $149.)
> 
> 
> 
> Negatives:
> 
> You need to use their (Windows) software to view your own content over your 
> network.
> 
> It can't deal with Matroska (.MKV) containers.
> 
> Visual interface is a bit odd, as is the included gyroscopic pointing device.
> 
> No composite or S-Video output, component or HDMI only (but it *does* say 
> "HD", so I guess that makes sense).
> 
> Conclusion:
> 
> It will play (non MKV) content from a USB storage device, or from the network, 
> but only with the included software.
> 
> It's probably OK for a Windows-centric household that just wants to watch 
> content. It's heavily oriented towards photo sharing and other still-photo 
> applications (makes sense for Kodak).
> 
> If you just want the cheapest way to play back  HD media (not MKV), this might 
> fill the bill, but it's not the best bet for a Myth-oriented household or user. 
> Better devices are available, but not for $50.
> 
> It was certainly worth the $50 I paid, but I would not pay even $100 for it. 
> For the list price, I'd buy a Revo. It does not integrate into Myth systems 
> well at all.
> 
Is there any possibility you could put a sensible OS on it? That might make the 
hardware more useful.

-- 

Mike Perkins



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