C-200 Network speed compared to other NMTs

[Agent86]

Hey, wasn't really sure which section to post this in, and hopefully my subject isn't antagonistic (mods, change it if it is!), but here goes!

Basically, I've been very happy with my C-200 overall. My only big complaint is the lack of Gigabit Networking, as I cannot seem to stream a Bluray ISO over the network without it cutting out or losing audio(yes, I've switched to 100Mbps in the settings, tried a 100Mbps switch, and enabled NFS sharing). Not a big deal, as I just pop my hard drives in and out of the front of the C-200 when I want to watch something, but definitely inconvenient, as I'd like to be able to use YAMJ to access my whole library at once!

Anyway, I digress. I (like I'm sure a lot of the experienced users here do) approach technology from a very objective viewpoint, and will go with whatever product works best for my uses and gets the job done. With that said, I've been researching other NMTs just to get a feel for what is available, and when looking at the Dune HD Base 3.0, I saw this statement at the bottom of the page:

Code:

1000 Mbit/s support is experimental since it is not officially supported by Sigma Designs 864x chips;
Note: smooth playback of any supported kind of media content (including BDMV folders and BD ISO images) is ensured via any network protocol (both NFS and SMB) in both 100 Mbit/s and 1000 Mbit/s networks, due to Dune Network Playback Accelerator feature.

Anyone know if there is anything to this, or have any comments on this? Are they just including the same 'backwards compatibility' with 100Mbps networks that the PCH is doing, or does/will the networking actually work without dropping out? I'd be willing to purchase one to compare it with the C-200, but thought I'd ask around first.

Thanks for y'alls input!

[choochoo7777]

well ..if thats true ... then they have actually advanced or trumped the PCH. I don't know what the acceleration is ... Must be some sort of buffer using the available memory of the unit whether it being a hard drive or whatnot.

Note: at least they mention the sigma designs chip isn't really capable of gigabit speeds.

actually the dune prime with 300Mb speeds is available with an "older" sigma chip. Wonder how thats possible with an older chip?

You have definitely hit the sore spot with me and the lackluster network speeds of the c200. If you do indeed get one ... plz let us ... if not us ... let me know how it works for you. if its good ... i just might sell off this c200 and jump ship... thats how important network speed is to me.

[spawn]

Nothing to it - its marketing BS - they are doing the same thing PCH is doing, and ensuring the same things, and basically just benefiting from the early adopting Syabas did months before on the 864x chips, by receiving the SDK patches from Sigma which are made together with or based on input from Syabas on the Sigma SDK

The C-200 will eventually supply enough speed on both 100mbps and gigabit networks, on any protocol used to ensure playback of all supported media
This is allready possible, for me atleast, on both NFS and HTTP where I can stream files on a 100mbit network only, with bitratespikes of 80-90mbps, far above what any official media conforming to Bluray standards would do (they max out at 50mbps) - its only the Samba protocoll and gigabit connection that still needs some fixing - and some enhancement of reading BD.ISO which are not related to network or network protocol, but to the mounting of the UDF iso to read the BDMV folder inside. Theres no playback problem if you use a raw BDMV folder instead of an ISO

Dune doesnt supply anything special or anything better, they simply wait for Syabas todo the initial work before they will start to launch, and will then be able to have a launch that may have less initial bugs than the C-200 had at launch. And making a lot of noice doing so trying to look better, but its on behalf of Syabas work

Also note that you cant actually get a Dune 3.0 yet - you can only order but it wont be available untill some time november, maybe.
Likely because they are still waiting for more Sigma patches to the firmware based on the work Syabas are doing.

And just for the record a Dune is not an NMT - NMT is a copyrighted brand for the Syabas based media players - Dune is not part of that.

So have patience, your C-200 will be every bit as stable and performing in every way as good as a Dune, by the time the Dune players are released to the customers.

If not, I'll buy a bloody Dune myself and kick Werner and other staff members at Syabas with it

[chris57]

Moved to Off Topic as Dune is not an NMT backed by Syabas, Dune/HDi are backed by Russian financiers.

As Spawn says Syabas are the ones working with Sigma to develop this chip. The Dune are the follower who were not initially ever going to go with this chip, until Syabas joined Sigma in developing it they said they were not as Sigma's SDK was too immature.

[choochoo7777]

well they are using an even numbered chip ... which may or may not be the exact same thing. if the thing works out of the box ... then well ..it works out of the box. Being first to market only is good when you can stay in front of everyone else. I genuinely hope PCH stays in front of anything financed by Russian interests lol. I'm not really down on supporting mobsters.

[Agent86]

choochoo7777; I'll let you know how it works out if I do indeed get one once they're released. I am a bit leery, though, as they don't seem to have user forum like PCH does (of which I'm very thankful).

spawn; Yeah, I was kind of thinking along the same lines that they're just wording it very cleverly... Never fear, I'm not dissatisfied with the C-200; I think it's a great product, and works perfectly with my DVD ISOs (and is a heck of a lot better than WD's HD TV!). I'll try tinkering around with the NFS sharing, as I probably just don't have something set up correctly!

chris57; Thank you for moving my thread to the appropriate section (feel free to edit the title too, if you feel it is misleading)! You're of course right about Dune not being an NMT. I was looking at the pictures of it, and saw "Network Media Player" and jumped to the wrong conclusion!

Thanks all for setting the record straight and the helpful insight!

[werner]

don't worry about samba streaming and other things, we try to fix as much as possible the next weeks and months so that HDI has an better start , anyway it will be interesting how they can start and when they will start and what they will have at start, so looking forward to it, because i think competition is every time a good thing and this time HDI wont have the advantage to use a old chip with a polished SDK like they had with there HDi 1.0, so looking forward to some engineering battles

Regards,
Werner

[Agent86]

Don't worry, I've been in the software industry for a number of years, and know how updates/upgrades go; I'm confident that everything will get fixed in due time! Yes, I agree, it should be interesting to see what the competition does and how everything plays out.

(10-21-2009 05:33 PM)werner Wrote:  don't worry about samba streaming and other things, we try to fix as much as possible the next weeks and months so that HDI has an better start , anyway it will be interesting how they can start and when they will start and what they will have at start, so looking forward to it, because i think competition is every time a good thing and this time HDI wont have the advantage to use a old chip with a polished SDK like they had with there HDi 1.0, so looking forward to some engineering battles

Regards,
Werner

[mysticc]

(10-21-2009 04:49 PM)spawn Wrote:  Nothing to it - its marketing BS - they are doing the same thing PCH is doing, and ensuring the same things, and basically just benefiting from the early adopting Syabas did months before on the 864x chips, by receiving the SDK patches from Sigma which are made together with or based on input from Syabas on the Sigma SDK

For the customer out there it is meaningless why the Dune 3.0 will stream with sufficient performance from the start (let`s simply assume it will in this case)

So one could say "very clever thing, starting later with less problems due to work the competitor did before together with Sigma."

This is what remains out there as experience. C-200 - early- lots of problems
Dune 3.0 starting some weeks after - running smoother. (Yes, yes, we cannot really know by now, just guessing)

So starting as early maybe wasn`t the best choice.

Whatever will be true - competition is very welcome for me as a customer.

[chris57]

Totally agree, Dune had the first hybrid player (8634) and now PCH have joined in the sector as competition. The Dune hybrid was 599 euros when they were the only hybrid player on the market. The spec and price of the C200 has significantly reduced Dune/HDi's prices. Competition has combated their profiteering through monopolistic market control. I'm hoping that HDi were not relying on those excessive prices to continue, otherwise, unless the C200 brings them extra sales, their time will be very limited. Those financiers will want results.