[mythtv-users] Kodak Theatre HD Player Impressions

[Brian Wood]

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.

There are several online reviews if you are interested, at the usual places.