You are newbie alright, until post at the wrong thread

I don't know why you have to Google all over the world for an answer when just a logical short trip to AC Ryan's Playon!HD FAQ would have given you some insight.

"Can I install a harddisk with existing data into the Playon!HD as its internal harddisk?
You can, but your data will be erased. Once you install a harddisk (new or old, with or without existing data) and power up your Playon!HD for the first time, you will be asked for confirm to have your harddisk formatted. At this point you can proceed or stop. The harddisk needs to be formatted because Playon!HD will create hidden partitions (total of about 300mb only) for the system use (eg. buffering). You will not see this system-use hidden partition on the Playon!HD or on your computer. The main data area is formatted as NTFS.


When I connect Playon!HD to my computer with USB and check Disk Manager, why do I see 3 hidden partitions in addition to the main NTFS partition?"

The hidden partitions are created (total about 300mb) and used by the Playon!HD system eg. buffering for smoother network streaming when there is inconsistent speed in the network. Do not edit or delete these 3 hidden partitions.

This post has been edited by Ngto: Dec 16 2009, 05:32 PM

You can always get an old/spare small capacity HD and install internally just for the buffering, just in case it comes in handy in the future.

For Blu-ray movies most of the time it's either DTS-MA or True-HD, seldom both.

The POHD can't even recognise True-HD. Gives a "Unknown Audio Format" error. Not even downmixed to Stereo.

Thankfully nowadays DTS-MA is more available than True-HD. At least can hear the DTS 5.1 Core. If another 3 mths still not included in the firmware upgrades, then can say goodbye to HD Audio already.

Can give up dreaming about HD Audio already .

I noticed new firmware now got adjustments for Hue and saturation, not that it matters to some people.

Also besides being able to play BD.iso in previous firmware , now BDMV folder also can be played automatically (previously have to select the largest file). Now when you select the BDV folder it asks you whether you want to browse the folder or play automatically

I also feel that bootup and browsing is faster. The HDD plugin and USB plugin message is also quicker.

And another thing , I think (haven't tried extensively yet) the loss of sound problem which sometimes happens when you click on the file too soon, before the previews starts , is now no loger a problem. (Have to test more on this to make sure).

Next firmware, YAMJ coming up

This post has been edited by Ngto: Jan 7 2010, 11:22 PM

DTS-MA and True-HD have to give up hope already. Last time AC Ryan advertised with the HD audio but now their website already removed the specs.

Maybe you are not reading me correctly . I just said can give up hope already . What does that tell you.

Just in case you still don't get what I mean, no , TrueHD can't even get stereo sound, just like before.

This post has been edited by Ngto: Jan 8 2010, 01:03 PM

I am now shooting down his hopes

Better, but if I were you I still wouldn't be satisfied until I get the real thing

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Added on January 8, 2010, 8:35 pmI upgraded from 2388 to 2901 without unplugging HD. No problems except you have to re-sync the video by pressing the TV Sys button.

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Added on January 8, 2010, 8:48 pmLike AR188 said, you haven't tried the real thing yet.

Anyway even if by some miracle, POHD get to support HD audio someday, you still need the AVR with True-HD and DTS-MA decoders to get the full sound anyway.

I suggest you try the BDMV or ISO of Kung Fu Panda , the 1st audio track is a True-HD track. Then you willl know what the meannng of "Unknown Audio Format" from the POHD means

Please don't try the MKV version because all MKV can't support Lossless HD Audio and is downgraded regular 5.1 sound.

This post has been edited by Ngto: Jan 8 2010, 08:54 PM

No point you try m2ts file if it doesn't have True-HD audio. A lot of them are in DTS-MA (which at least the POHD is able to play, but only the core (regular DTS) .

Find a Blu-ray BDMV with True-HD like the Kung Fu Panda I mentioned. The moment you play a True-HD audio track you will get a "Unknown Audio Format" message from your POHD (Even if you buy an amp with HD Audio Decoder there will be no sound. That's because the POHD doesn't even recognise the True-HD format..... until they solve the licensing problem i.e)

Btw a movie M2TS file averages 30GB

This post has been edited by Ngto: Jan 9 2010, 11:01 AM

From the little I have read about xtreamer it is supposed to be able to downmix, but I don't really know whether regular 5.1 or just stereo.

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Added on January 9, 2010, 11:04 amHave added to my post above .

Actually BDMV is not a file. Rather it's the whole Disc contents (Folders and files) extracted from a Blu-Ray disc. With the latest firmware you just have to find and select the BDMV folder and the POHD can automatically make a guess and select the largest m2ts file (in the stream folder) to play. You are also given the option to manually find the largest file yourself.

This post has been edited by Ngto: Jan 9 2010, 11:22 AM

AR, sent him one of your Blu-ray iso with True-HD lah, for testing. Bribe the moderator , then you can be given free reign over the Forum

They removed the posts regarding hacked firmware.

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Added on January 13, 2010, 1:22 pmMaybe media players like POHD can't display adverts.

This post has been edited by Ngto: Jan 13 2010, 01:24 PM

Go to POHD forums and ask some members there for the links.

Are you dreaming . You sure you are not playing a DVD .iso ?

Do you know David Foster Blu-ray disc is around 40GB ?

This post has been edited by Ngto: Jan 18 2010, 10:47 AM

David Foster Blu-ray disc is around 40GB my friend . You must be playing a DVD .iso

The POHD can only play BD.iso by automatically choosing the largest m2ts file in the BDMV/stream folder, nothing more.

This post has been edited by Ngto: Jan 18 2010, 11:09 AM

You are exactly Right . Gracias

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Added on January 18, 2010, 11:12 amStimix should change back the Title to :-

"BD.iso (Quarter Baked)"

This post has been edited by Ngto: Jan 18 2010, 11:18 AM

ISO is an image of the original disc (whether DVD or Blu-ray). So if a DVD is dual layer - DVD9 (max approx 8.5BG) then the .iso file will also be in that size. Same for Blu-ray disc (Dual Layer Max 50GB)

Those 700mb DVD files you mentioned are only compressed and reduced in size and quality from original DVD.

On the other hand your David Foster .iso was probably a direct image of the original DVD.

This post has been edited by Ngto: Jan 18 2010, 11:58 AM

Like I mentioned before, It still can play BD.iso , but only in a simple way without the menus and all. (what I called Quarter baked )

It does so by selecting the largest m2ts file to play. It just assumes the largest m2ts file is the main movie itself. If it not, then you won't be able to get the results you want.

If the whole movie is broken up into many smaller files and in different numerical order then it wouldn't be practical at all to play that movie.

The next step we are praying for with future firmware is at least for selection from the Menus (which means the POHD must be able to recognise the playlist files found in the BD.iso files)

btw, your Celine Dion BDMV is very similar to a BD.iso. It is just a BD.iso with all the contents extracted out in a form where you can see and browse manually.

This post has been edited by Ngto: Jan 18 2010, 12:32 PM