AC Ryan PLAYON! HD
Packaging and Appearance
Published: 5th October 2009 | Source: AC Ryan | Price: £143.74 |
Packaging and Appearance
The Playon came well packaged, arriving spotless from it's travels. The front has a product shot, name and a few logos showing the drive's key technologies. The minimalist front looks very professional, as does the blue/black colour combination used. The back is where all the information can be found, and is an absolute wash of multilingual text in the minutest of fonts.
Pulling the Playon out of it's box reveals it's subtle styling and smooth curves. The front is made from a shiny plastic, with just the AC Ryan logo and a recessed power button damaging the smooth appearance. The drive is constructed from reassuringly thick plastic, along with a weighty steel base plate, giving the drive a very sturdy overall feel. On the top we can see the PLAYON!HD branding, which is ever so slightly raised, making it noticeable to the touch.
Down the right hand side we have a pair of USB ports for connecting external devices, such as cameras and hard drives, along with a B-type USB port for connecting the Playon to your PC via USB. There is also a small slit where you can insert memory cards - Memory Stick & SD cards are supported.
Around the back we have a large selection of connectors and ports to choose from. From left to right we have: Optical and Coxial audio connection, RJ45 Network port, HDMI port, 6 component outputs (3x for HD, 3x for Audio and standard video) and finally the DC input connection. On the left there is also a small 40mm fan, which managed to stay quiet throughout testing, despite its minuscule size.
Flipping the Playon over reveals a hatch for inserting/removing the hard drive as well as accessing the internals. The drive connects through the standard Sata power/data connections so pretty much any hard disk can be used. As far as internals go, the Playon is fairly sparse, with only one PCB residing inside - but then again, size isn't everything.
Delving into the box we find a rather thorough bundle of accessories - it includes pretty much all the cables and extras you will need to get up and running. From left to right we have: Remote Control, Batteries, HDMI Cable, Yellow-Red-White Component lead, Green-Red-Blue Component lead, USB Wi-Fi adaptor, USB A-B Cable, Power Adaptor and Users manual. Unfortunately the power adaptor included with our unit had a European plug attached - hopefully this won't be a retail problem. The bundled remote is fairly tall, but fits nicely in the hand and is comfortable to use.
Overall, I rather like the styling of the Playon, it's subtle curves and simple fascia give it an overall look and feel of class. The ports are smartly arranged around the exterior, with the USB's easy to access from the sides. The included bundle compliments the unit well, rounding the package off nicely. With this in mind, I think it's about time we got onto some testing....
Most Recent Comments
Nice review mate... Interesting product.
Quick question.. How long did it take the device to boot into a usable state?
Maybe a tiny little bit dear, but not by much. Still think I'd prefer to build my own HTPC as you can gear it up to exactly what you need.
Quick question.. How long did it take the device to boot into a usable state?
Maybe a tiny little bit dear, but not by much. Still think I'd prefer to build my own HTPC as you can gear it up to exactly what you need.
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Originally Posted by name='Bungral'
Nice review mate... Interesting product.
Quick question.. How long did it take the device to boot into a usable state? Maybe a tiny little bit dear, but not by much. Still think I'd prefer to build my own HTPC as you can gear it up to exactly what you need. |
I totally agree, I'd also prefer to build my own HTPC, but even just the case could cost more than the Playon...
Was recently thinking of getting the Western Digital TV HD 1080P Media Player, tho this has now made me think twice.
Would i be right in assuming you can upgrade the HDD in the Playon to say 1/2TB and load movies onto it, so in effect have your entire media library on your Playon?
Have you used the WD TV HD, any thoughts?
Would i be right in assuming you can upgrade the HDD in the Playon to say 1/2TB and load movies onto it, so in effect have your entire media library on your Playon?
Have you used the WD TV HD, any thoughts?
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Originally Posted by name='Maverick1dj'
Was recently thinking of getting the Western Digital TV HD 1080P Media Player, tho this has now made me think twice.
Would i be right in assuming you can upgrade the HDD in the Playon to say 1/2TB and load movies onto it, so in effect have your entire media library on your Playon? Have you used the WD TV HD, any thoughts? |
You'll need to buy a hard drive to get the Playon! Working, but the size of that hard drive is upto you, so you could use a 1tb and put all your media on it no problems.
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Originally Posted by name='Luigi'
so you could use a 1tb and put all your media on it no problems.
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Media? :awhip:
Great review.
I think it's a great piece of kit for the price - not just for the sake of saying it, but if it has both the upgrading possiblilities, does stuff over a network.
A next revision of this could be very impressive.
I'd be picky and expect a slot loaded bluray to be in the top of it - but it certainly has alot more ticks than crosses that some similar boxes have had.
As far as it slowing down, I got Vista64 Media Center on a c2d 3ghz/4g/9400GT pc and it suffers the same fate when it's starting up. As soon as it knows where everything is, it's a bit quicker. 5000 albums and it struggles with the listings.
I think it's a great piece of kit for the price - not just for the sake of saying it, but if it has both the upgrading possiblilities, does stuff over a network.
A next revision of this could be very impressive.
I'd be picky and expect a slot loaded bluray to be in the top of it - but it certainly has alot more ticks than crosses that some similar boxes have had.
As far as it slowing down, I got Vista64 Media Center on a c2d 3ghz/4g/9400GT pc and it suffers the same fate when it's starting up. As soon as it knows where everything is, it's a bit quicker. 5000 albums and it struggles with the listings.
its a good little box - firmware updates coming soon include a lot of new toys as well.
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Originally Posted by name='Luigi'
Not really used/looked at the WD TV HD, so Im afraid I can't really offer any advice there.
You'll need to buy a hard drive to get the Playon! Working, but the size of that hard drive is upto you, so you could use a 1tb and put all your media on it no problems. |
So let me get this straight, buy the AC Ryan Playon!, a 1TB HDD, add media to the HDD then install it into the Playon, all done and dusted, my entire media library on the AC Playon! ???
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Originally Posted by name='Maverick1dj'
Sorry been away for a week,
So let me get this straight, buy the AC Ryan Playon!, a 1TB HDD, add media to the HDD then install it into the Playon, all done and dusted, my entire media library on the AC Playon! ??? |
You'll need to put the hard drive in the Playon, then let it format the hard drive, then transfer all your media across (through USB or Network)..
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Originally Posted by name='Luigi'
Kind of..
You'll need to put the hard drive in the Playon, then let it format the hard drive, then transfer all your media across (through USB or Network).. |
First time i find/read article about POHD, i think this device is very cool
But after i buy and use this device, WOW this device is very SUCK
Its So many problem
First time (1-2 months)
- running well but some times HANG
- some times ask to reformated HDD (imagine if non IT guy select yes to reformat HDD)
3 months till now
- i also update latest firmware but only fix about ask to reformat HDD, but every time after period OFF/standby this device always HANG
The conclusion is 5 star for SUCKER DEVICE
But after i buy and use this device, WOW this device is very SUCK
Its So many problem
First time (1-2 months)
- running well but some times HANG
- some times ask to reformated HDD (imagine if non IT guy select yes to reformat HDD)
3 months till now
- i also update latest firmware but only fix about ask to reformat HDD, but every time after period OFF/standby this device always HANG
The conclusion is 5 star for SUCKER DEVICE
A few pointers
1) A WIFI USB stick OMG what a joke that should be on the PCB not a wifi stick
2) Its ugly and cheap looking
3) Its not worth the money there are devices out there cheaper and more features
4) The hi def playback of MKV files are blocky, FF / RW is realy badly jurky
5) Large hard drives with Fast spin rates cause the whole system to over heat and this causes the system to hang (due to heat) allso cause the systems to suggest a format ROTFLMAO
6) Badly designed The Slot load for the memory cards and USB slot should be in the front you you can easily access it
7) It needs more air vents in the side so it has better air flow (this is a major Flaw of the system)
Forget getting this is you relay what some thing decent look else ware
Stick to a media PC you can buy one or build one for £180 and have more features, better playback, more expansion options, a wide varty of free media software that is free to use ect ect ect.
1) A WIFI USB stick OMG what a joke that should be on the PCB not a wifi stick
2) Its ugly and cheap looking
3) Its not worth the money there are devices out there cheaper and more features
4) The hi def playback of MKV files are blocky, FF / RW is realy badly jurky
5) Large hard drives with Fast spin rates cause the whole system to over heat and this causes the system to hang (due to heat) allso cause the systems to suggest a format ROTFLMAO
6) Badly designed The Slot load for the memory cards and USB slot should be in the front you you can easily access it
7) It needs more air vents in the side so it has better air flow (this is a major Flaw of the system)
Forget getting this is you relay what some thing decent look else ware
Stick to a media PC you can buy one or build one for £180 and have more features, better playback, more expansion options, a wide varty of free media software that is free to use ect ect ect.
how would you transfer via USB
my hard disk is not getting detected in the playon. can anyone suggest an idea?
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