Am I mad to buy a boxee now?

[Gingerpride]

Here is the score... I need to buy a new media player...

I have spent 2 days googling all the current options... and had almost settled on the WD Live... when I came across Boxee...

Key +'s for me...

Internet Browser
Attractive Media info/presentation... eg posters for your films...
Qwerty remote

Keg -'s

Platform looks dead.. no updates for a long time
V awkward support for 3TB drives and USB 3 (the drive I own) although I am trying to convince myself that I can format my way round this??
Reading of a lot of bugs/hardware issues?

Price on Amazon is £130 ($200)...

Main use will be playing local media off a 3TB USB local drive and browsing internet - that is really all I want... and if it can do this well, and it seems that none of the current comp can beat it, then why not??

Happy to hear your thoughts?!?

[akira62]

The question is what you are searching for.

I bought a used Boxee Box 1 week ago and for what I need I am happy with it.

No Media Player that I know (and use) work flawlessy. The Boxee got the last update nearly 4 months ago, that is not bad. The only problem that you have with the boxee it is a closed system, no Custom Firmware will be able to run without much afford from the user side. WD has a lot of cutom firmwares so you can pick this one with the Functions you need and want.

The Boxee is my sixth media player and the 4th that I keep and will use. I hope that some day custom firmware will be possible to use beside the original firmware (I use Netflix, Spotify and VUDU with the system).

[Gingerpride]

Thanks for your thoughts, I suppose if I was confident I could get the USB 3 2TB drive running ok I would probably be tempted to take the risk....

[kaymc]

Well USB 3 devices are designed to work on USB 2 ports, but they will only run at USB 2 speeds, so it should be fine, just slower than you're used to.

Personally, I still love my Boxee. I have a 2tb NAS and it plays local media perfectly well. The main issue seems to be for people using HD audio. If you're like 99% of users, with the audio on your media encoded at sensible bit rates, this issue will not affect you.

Also remember, there is plenty of chatter about a new Boxee on the horizon, so patience might repay you.

[Gingerpride]

Thanks - Can I just clarify - when you say HD audio...? A lot of my files are encoded in DTS.... is HD Audio a specific individual Codec type or would my DTS files be affected?

Thanks

[drunkwithpower]

Thanks - Can I just clarify - when you say HD audio...? A lot of my files are encoded in DTS.... is HD Audio a specific individual Codec type or would my DTS files be affected?

Thanks

DTS should be fine. I have only had a very few sound hiccups with DTS but I think it was more a connectivity issue rather than a Boxee issue. All of my Bluray and DVD movies encoded in DTS and I don't have any problems.

[Gingerpride]

Thanks for your reply.

[darcilicious]

If you're on the fence at all, here's what I typically recommend folks in your situation: buy the Boxee Box from a retailer that has a good return policy. Amazon.com for example typically has a 30-day return policy (plus shipping).

[Gingerpride]

Yes, its got to be worth a go... although I am torn between the WD Live and the Boxee at the moment.. as the WD Live has had a firmware update to ensure it supports 3tb... which means I have less risk of my drive not working... I just shelled out £140 for this.. so its a big issue to me... but the WD Live does not have a browser.... why is nothing ever simple!

[csrini1]

Yes, its got to be worth a go... although I am torn between the WD Live and the Boxee at the moment.. as the WD Live has had a firmware update to ensure it supports 3tb... which means I have less risk of my drive not working... I just shelled out £140 for this.. so its a big issue to me... but the WD Live does not have a browser.... why is nothing ever simple!

I have both boxee and wdtv live, boxee is super fast compared to wd and plays bluray iso's a lot lot better than wdtv, that being said it is better to buy used BB or refurbished unit for not more than 120 USD