MED800X3D

[jer1956]

The 1186 runs hotter than  the 1185.  The case is the same as the 500x2, and that needed a fan with even  with the 1185.   

The 1000 case is a huge piece of cast aluminium which acts as a huge heat sink. Without that it would need a fan  also.

[Skyliner]

ok, then the 800X3D has a plastic case Thank you. I am happy with my 600X3D

[jer1956]

The 500x2 case is not plastic!  It's "bent" steel like the 600.   I'm pointing out that a lot effort of effort went in to making the more substantial "cast"  alumimium case of the 1000 fanless by making the huge, heavy case a heatsink.  The demand for a fansless disk hosting device was one reason behind that design. Otherwise the hot 1186 chip and a hard drive will need a fan.

[Skyliner]

I see, but why is it then possible to build the Dune HD TV-303D without a fan?
What are the advantages of the MED in contrast to this quite new Dune? Thanks.

[jer1956]

I see, but why is it then possible to build the Dune HD TV-303D without a fan?
What are the advantages of the MED in contrast to this quite new Dune? Thanks.

Dune use Sigma chips. Sigma have been in this  game longer and could now be on a lower die size.  That reduces power requiremrnts, and hence heat.   The 1186 uses the same die size as the 1185..it's basically an overclocked version of  it, producing more heat, not less. 

[Skyliner]

Are the Sigma chips better than the Realtek at the moment? It was said that the Sigma supports BD menues in ISOs?
Is this true and what are the performance differences? Thanks for your help.

[jer1956]

You have to judge chips in combination with firmware. A lot of popcorn and dune users have been disappointed with their combination of chip  and firmware,,hence why the Med's firmware in combination with the older 1186 has been more than  competitive.  You would have check out AVS and compare posts. The main sigma issues are lan  stuttering for 3d media, and no support for MVC MKV to  get around branching issues in the 3d BD lite stack.

Older sigma players did use the full Bd stack, supporting full menu support.  That is no longer possible with recent sigma SDK's, and those buying the latest 3d players don't have an old firmware to  go back to where full menu's are supported.

Sigma players with optical drives can support full menus, but only for retail optical  disks. They have both BD stacks installed, and use the Bd lite for rips  just like realtek players.

[Skyliner]

That's quite diplomatic - ok we are in a Mede8ter forum :9 I am quite satisfies with the 600X3D, but waht I really miss is the BD-Menu support, a more attractive interface and the possibility to add/adjust Web services.

[jer1956]

You can't have full Menu support for rips since the introduction of cinavia.  All Full stacks have to  support it, or else they are in breach of their licence from Bd.org (sony).    Sigma are in the same boat, and the change has happened just as 3d mediaplayers arrived.  Sigma only had the advantage with older 2d chips,  which coincidently pre-dates cinavia.


So it's no longer a realtek - sigma debate, more a 2d - 3d debate for sigma users. Those sigma users upgrading from 2d to  3d are in for a nasty surprise.

[Skyliner]

I am still puzzled because I read everywhere different arguments.
First of all Cinavia should only be a matter of optical drives and only be an issue of US BDs. In Europe this protection hardly exists.
Then I have read that menu support is a subject of Java and it depends on the profiles a player supports (i.e. the Himedia BD profile 1.0). The big advantage of media players should be that they are not affected by Cinavia.
What is correct now?

[jer1956]

The full stack  needs a cinavia response form a compatible optical drive or  it shuts down.  Dune then drop back  to bd lite.    No compatible optical drive, disk or not...and the full stack won't run (well not longer than  5mins by accounts)

Sony aren't licening SDK's to bypass this process, even it's possible. That's just inviting a "see you in court" moment.

[Skyliner]

Ok, then Cinavia is very popular throughout the world now and is only affecting the menu function with regard to hard drive media players?

[jer1956]

Ok, then Cinavia is very popular throughout the world now and is only affecting the menu function with regard to hard drive media players?

It appear to be more than  that.  It forces the use of the bd lite stack and that has other limitations.  Branching is worse causing jumps and stutters compared to  the full stack.  24hz and 3d are not possible with even java free menu's. java free Menu support seems purely for 50/60hz 2d camcorder video.

These are not "shock/horror" issues for long term mede8er users as Mede8er have never used the full stack. They are an issues for those migrating from 2d sigma players because their first reaction is the restrictions  are due to  shifting to  mede8er.  They  will find exactly the same "shock/horror" reactions on 3d sigma forums.

[Skyliner]

What is meant by camcorder video unless the Himedia and Dune is really using BD-lite when the original menu is not accessible?
Why would you prefer the MED to the current Dune 3D player with Sigma chipset explicitely?

[jer1956]

Sony make camcorders. If they only licenced software for retail optical disks,  no one could play their camcorder video on a bd player or other device, such  as Smart TV.  So Camcorders is the only "legitimate" reason sony see for making a lite stack. So  every limitation we find in the bd lite stack is there because  camcorder video doesn't need anything better.