| Manufacturer: Syabas | Model: Popcorn Hour C-200 |
| Price: $299 | Web: Popcorn Hour |
Back in December, Syabas’ Popcorn Hour C-200 ran away with the WGS Readers’ Award for Best Digital Media Receiver, with hundreds of votes separating it from the runners up. It’s a device that we continue to get great feedback about, but as yet we have not had it in for review. That’s set to change today with our hands on look at the C-200 – and it’s a review that we’re looking forward to writing!
Syabas have been around since 2001, and started out developing entertainment middleware solutions for many well known names including Netgear, Hewlett Packard, D-Link, Buffalo, I/O Data and Pinnacle. However, the Popcorn Hour brand was only launched in 2007, with the release of the first generation consumer hardware (the A-100) and Networked Media Tank software platform. Since then, the brand has built up a great reputation amongst media enthusiasts for its wide range of features, strong file format support and perpetual cycle of firmware updates which continue to add value to the product range.
The latest Popcorn Hour, the C-200 is built around Sigma Design’s SMP8643 chipset, with 512MB RAM on board (double the amount of the first generation), 256MB Flash RAM and Gigabit Ethernet – that’s a fair amount of power for a digital media receiver and goes some way to explaining the Popcorn Hour’s $299 price point, which is a significant step up from the average DMR today. But if the C-200’s performance and features provide a similar step up, that’s value for money – let’s take a look.
Specifications
The C-200 packs a punch (relatively, for a digital media receiver) with the following specs:
| Processor: | Sigma Design SMP8643 667MHz |
| RAM: | 512MB |
| Flash RAM: | 256MB |
| Networking: | Gigabit Ethernet Wi-Fi (Optional) |
| AV Outputs: | HDMI 1.3a, Component Video, S-Video, Composite, S/PDIF Coaxial Digital Audio, S/PDIF Optical Digital Audio, Stereo Analog Audio |
| USB 2.0: | 4 (2 x Front, 2 x Rear) |
| Storage: | Optional SATA 2.5” or 3.5” Hard Drive (Front Drive Bay) |
| LCD Screen: | Front Mounted |
| Remote Control: | RF (IR Optional) |
| Dimensions (W x D X H): | 425mm x 290mm x 80mm |
| Weight: | 3.7kg |
Whilst the C-200 is well specced, with enough AV outputs to satisfy all but the most stringent media enthusiast the most notable difference compared to many DMRs is the provision of a front SATA drive bay for storage. We’ve seen a few media receivers recently that allow the installation of a hard drive, but generally this requires opening up the box with a screwdriver, and whilst not a difficult job, is inconvenient. The C-200 comes with a front drive tray (similar to those you may find in HP’s MediaSmart Server) which unlatches and pulls out, allowing simple installation of local storage if required. It’s a neat design that promises a touch of class when we power on the C-200.
What’s in the Box?
Your C-200 will arrive in a large brown box, which is first cue that the latest Popcorn Hour model is not the smallest DMR on the market. Indeed, at a time when receivers are shrinking in size, the C-200 will dominate your TV cabinet, at a size of 425mm (w) x 290mm (d) x 80mm (h), so make sure you have sufficient space under the TV to accommodate it.
Accompanying the C-200 is a branded envelope with your accessories.
Full package contents are as follows:
- Popcorn Hour C-200
- Power cable
- HDMI cable
- RF Receiver antenna
- Remote Control
- Quickstart Guide
The package isn’t the most generous we’ve seen, but at least a HDMI cable is included. An Ethernet cable would have been appreciated too. Given the C-200 is a powerful device with many features, the lack of an included manual is a big miss. One is available, but you’ll have to download it from the Popcorn Hour support site.
First Looks
The C-200 is a substantial device, and feels big and robust like your Blu-Ray player or receiver. This is no “shrinking violet” DMR, the Popcorn Hour will demand pride of place in your TV Cabinet. The size of the unit is due to an integral power supply unit as well as that 3.5” drive bay, but should also help air circulate around the C-200.
Inside the C-200, you can see that there is a lot of wasted space inside the chassis – a stacked design with the hard disk above/below the motherboard would be more efficient. Note that as well as the internal drive bay, a second, 2.5” hard drive can also be connected to the C-200 with the supplied, free SATA cable (top right of picture).
The front of the device holds a power button, 2 USB 2.0 ports for attaching external storage devices, an adjustable LCD Display with D-Pad control, and the 3.5” SATA drive tray.
