WholeHome

Latest in a series of exceptional sources for the BOCS system – a media player with Blu-Ray capabilities.

I’ve had an HDX-1000 for a long time, and if you’ve read previous posts/reviews, you will recall my findings that it has an exceptional Codec list and can play perhaps the largest set of media out there. Combined with a decent online experience and both SD and HD capabilities, it has been at the top of its class for a long time.  My gripes, however, have been a lack of BluRay support, a less than navigable UI, and a lack of streaming online service (the latter is perhaps not fair since I’m asking for the box to be more than what it was intended).

Now – comes the HDX-BD1. — Frankly, a huge improvement, with a few issues, but a definite upgrade.

I’ll do a full review and post on AVS next week, but a few notes here so yall can go take a look at it.

The new system has:

• Full BD support – once ripped, a locally stored file plays flawlessly (Solving 50% of the issue with the 1000)
• The same exceptional codec coverage – including some of the best A/V sync in the industry
• Hugely improved UI

See the basic page on AmperorDirect HERE. A good general overview can also be found there.

And best of all, the Amperor folks put together a very detailed “Things to Consider before you buy” page HERE.  I havn’t seen that kind of up-front honesty and detailed analysis of a new product in a long time.

The key seems to be that the HdX company in China is actively working on the new firmware since they took it on themselves for this upgrade instead of licensing a third party. It is not yet fully complete and there are definitely a few issues, but the product is clearly ready for prime-time and their work will only serve to make things better.

David

Got your flatscreen? Updated to Blu-Ray and high refresh rates? Beginning to consider that craving to go 3D at home?

Next to “smell-a-vision”, 3DTV has long been the ultimate goal of the home theater enthusiast. I recall the thrill of the first 3D broadcast premier of “Creature from the Black Lagoon” using the old red/blue glasses and thinking what a technological miracle the slimy arms of the monster represented. Now, the thought of the blue bombshell with the erotic tail (from Avatar) in my own home – in 3D – makes my heart go pitter patter. If only it were that simple.

The best technology on the way uses special glasses that pass light alternately allowing each eye to get its own view – pretty straightforward. Obviously, the TV needs to support the technology and many are beginning to come on the market. The problem is that the vast majority of consumers buying flatscreen 3D TVs will be tragically dissapointed. Why? Turns out size really does matter – let me explain.

A typical home flatscreen setup is a 46″ to 55″ TV mounted on a wall 10-15′ from the viewing location. Very reasonable for “TV” – even 2D Blu-Ray. The bigger the better, obviously, but except for a more grandiose experience, anything over 50″ does not enhance the experience that much. Not so with 3D. The powers that be in the industry have come out with new recommendations, and while these “powers” are usually on the extreme side, this time they got it right. 3D requires a LOT more screen area to give you a good experience – 75% or more of your field of vision needs to be screen for 3D to be really immersive. So, just for fun, lets run those calculations. A typical TV room or home theater has a 12′ distance from screen to viewing location so lets use that for our example.

The recommendation then, is for a MINIMUM 93″ screen. Oops – 100″ flatscreens are not viable in most installations (and budgets) – meaning you are almost required to jump to projection. Is it really that different an experience if you don’t follow the recommendations – absolutely…

A really great experiment is to head down to your local home installer who has a 3D flatscreen set up – try the experience at 12′ away, then step right up – stand within 4′ of the screen and your eyes will pop.

Summary? Want 3D – go for a HUGE projection setup. Don’t bother with 3D on a flatscreen.