On Tuesday 18 August 2020 04:05:15 pm BorgLabs - Kate Draven wrote:
> On Tuesday 18 August 2020, you wrote:
> > Thanks Kate,
> > it is good to know that you are not the only one on the planet earth :)
> > although regarding SyncEvolution over BT, I pretend to be the only one,
> > but it is a different topic.
> >
> > What do you think about the Popcorn Hour? Have you used such?
> > I think I bought my A100 about that time ~10y ago. It is connected via
> > cable to the local network and can use either NFS or Samba to play movies
> > or music. The sound system is a dolby stereo Yamaha amplifier. I would
> > say the sound depends more on the amplifier and the boxes, but of course
> > the quality of the recorded audio plays a big role. I wouldn't say the
> > audio card makes a big difference, although I still have one SB in the
> > attic the sound of which I can not forget.
> > I was pointing to that one, because I think it is worth considering the
> > option. Especially when you think how long such a device can last.
> > I was looking for a replacement for that A100 few weeks ago, evaluating
> > also the effort to turn a RPi4 into a multimedia player, but it was just
> > too much work :) and still the popcorn hour beats it in terms of comfort.
> >
> > regards
>
> I use a laptop to achieve the same results.
> But I see how this device might be better.
> I've never heard if it until now. I'll have to research it.

Made me interested, the Popcorn Hour A-400 (~$125) seems riddled with software 
bugs, 
https://www.amazon.com/Popcorn-Hour-Networked-Media-Jukebox/dp/B009VB27KA

and doesn't do 4k.  The A-500 Pro is ~$500?

I admit, I'd be on the lookout for a good used notebook that has 4k hdmi out 
(or better) instead.  Check garage sales if you want to go real cheap...

Then again, I'm not a hard core media person, and wouldn't really notice the 
difference of VXP stuff anyway...

Best,
Michael