My blog readers already know that I’m a user of PS3 Media Server. I use PMS in order to stream media files to my PS3.

But there are some disadvantages in this solution when watching HD-videos. Either I have bad wifi-performance (54Mb/s) with my PS3 or I have to unplug my dreambox in order to use 100Mb/s LAN. Also my pc hardware isn’t up to date (AMD Athlon 64 X2 5050e / 2,6GHz). Reducing CPU load by using CoreAVC with CUDA for decoding doesn’t help in any case. I also dislike having my pc running all the time.

There are lots of HD media players available, most of them use chips from Realtek or sigma Designs. Support of formats and codecs is really good in current devices.

Syabas Popcorn Hour NMT A-200

So I bought such a media player some weeks ago. I chose Syabas Popcorn Hour NMT A-200 because one can run both 2,5” and 3,5” hard disk drives. Also Syabas offers a certified  WLAN-adapter (IEEE 802.11n). The builtin fan is really, really annoying. But the french Popcorn hour reseller offers a metal case. The A-200 is able to operate fanless after reassembling the parts in the alternate case.

original case:

reassembled fanless A-200 in Moovika metal case:

P.S.

One should have assembled at least pc cooling before reassembling the A-200

quick start guide for A-200

• First of all read the  installation instructions. It’s also clever to read what to do when updating Firmware of NMT A-200 fails…
• startup A-200 and do configuration (at least network config)
• update A-200 firmwareupdate (it’s simple via internet when using menu)
• mount 2,5” or 3,5” SATA hdd
  
• install NMT apps (it’s simple via internet when using menu)
• activate FTP, NFS and SMB for file upload/download
• activate UPNP in order to enable NMT A-200 as streaming server
• download and install NMT Community Software Installer (CSI)
• download and install Lundman Shell and PHPterminal via NMT CSI, download and unzip netcat for Windows (tools for using A-200 shell)
• download and install filemanager via NMT CSI (filemanager with root access)
• software for NMT C-200 should also work on A-200 (same CPU type). But libz library is missing on A-200. Copy tar-file to /share/Apps/Qt/lib and unzip it there (don’t unzip within Windows because tar-file contains symbolic links).
• download and install CSI Gaya via NMT CSI (replacement for NMT CSI, use it via tv or browser)
• There’s a known bug with HDMI synchronization which troubles HDMI connections with certain tv models. Workaround: change your video output settings from auto to e.g. 1080p 50Hz (choose best setting appropriate for your tv).
• There’s another bug with HDMI CEC. Once you have started playback of a video on your NMT you cannot switch to another input source on your AV receiver. You have to shutdown the NMT to cleanup the situation. Workaround: turn of HDMI CEC on your AV receiver.

Lundman Shell

• change to local shell (Windows command prompt)
• netcat nmt 2222
• sh

PHP Terminal

http://nmt:9999/phpterminal_web/

You may have to disable authentication because of a bug.

change file \\nmt\share\Apps\phpterminal\webui\index.php with text editor

function checkPassword($passwd)
{
//if(!isset($_SERVER['PHP_AUTH_USER'])||
//    !isset($_SERVER['PHP_AUTH_PW']) ||
//    !isset($passwd[$_SERVER['PHP_AUTH_USER']]) ||
//    $passwd[$_SERVER['PHP_AUTH_USER']] != $_SERVER['PHP_AUTH_PW'])
//    {
//        @session_destroy();
//        return false;
//    }
//    else
//    {
 @session_start();
 return true;
//    }
}

Filemanager

http://nmt:9999/FileManager_web/

install libz for C-200 apps

• copy libz.tar to \\nmt\share\Apps\Qt\lib
• change to A-200 shell (Lundman shell or PHPterm)
• cd /opt/sybhttpd/localhost.drives/SATA_DISK/Apps/Qt/lib
• tar -xf libz.tar

CSI Gaya

http://nmt:9999/CSI%20Gaya_gaya/

P.S.

replace “nmt” in URLs mentioned above with IP-address of your NMT A-200

PS3 Media Server and Popcorn Hour NMT A-200

You can use PS3 Media Server also as streaming server for NMT A-200. Do not wonder when the A-200 device is discovered as “WD TV live”…

Both devices use similar chips of Sigma Designs (NMT A-200: SMP8643, WD TV live: SMP8655). Please use current PMS beta-version…