Popcorn Hour C-200

Popcorn Hour C-200 is a digital media player that play extensive range of digital media files from variety of sources (e.g. PC, network attached storage, internal hard drive) in wired or wireless network environment. It is the third product from the Network Media Tank line. The first two are Popcorn Hour A-100 (which is no longer available) and Popcorn Hour A-110. One notable features from the C-200 is the ability to play Blu-Ray movies using optional computer's Blu-Ray drive attached to the unit. [1]

The C-200 does not have remote control feature. Hence, a Popcorn Hour IR Kit (IRK-200) needs to be purchased separately. It is available for $11.99 (plus shipping and handling) [2]

Announced on June 16, 2009, the Popcorn Hour C-200 is priced at $299 and available from Popcorn Hour website and limited retailers. [3]

The Popcorn hour supports a very extensive media files containers and decoders. Some of the supported files are MEPG1, MPEG2, MPEG4, MKV, MOV (H.264), XVID, AAC, WMA, FLAC, MP3. The information on media files is available from the 192x64 pixels LCD screen.

UPnP, Windows Media Connect and Bonjour amongst others are used to connect to network devices such as PC and NAS (Network Attached Storage) using the Gigabit Ethernet port or (optional) mini PCI wireless card.

For local storage, there are options of external USB hard drive (connected to one of the four USB ports) or internal SATA hard drive (in both 2.5 and 3.5 inch format).

Online Web Services (video, audio, photo, RSS feeds, Internet radio, etc) are accessible from the Popcorn Hour C-200. For example, YouTube, BBC podcast, Flickr, Bloglines, Live365 Radio, etc. There is also BitTorrent client for downloading torrent files.

For Audio and video outputs, there are HDMI (with the ability to play video files with resolution of up to 1080p), Component and composite video, S-Video, Stereo Analog audio, S/PDIF Optical and Coaxial, and Digital audio.

Items included in the package are power cord, 5 feet HDMI cable, remote control (with 2 x AAA batteries supplied) and quick start guide.

[1]

The-Gadgeteer: While I really liked the first Popcorn Hour (A-110), I am loving the C-200 for what I use it for – video file playback. It seems to handle every video type that I throw at it and it loads that content much faster than the older Popcorn Hour.[1]

CNET UK: Great machine that could have done with being delayed slightly to fix some minor bugs [ http://reviews.cnet.co.uk/accessories/0,39100116,49303755,00.htm]

Mediasmartserver: Overall I am glad I made this purchase and am very interested to see where this goes, but I would recommend that most people hold off on purchasing the C-200 until it has a chance to mature and work out the kinks. [2]

Dvice: We were delighted to discover that the C-200's hardware is the most versatile and powerful we've ever seen for the home theater. [3]