Customer Reviews

Brite-View BV-5005HD "CinemaTube" 3-in-1 1080p Full HD Multimedia Player/Streamer/Torrent Downloader, Black

5 star:		(63)
4 star:		(37)
3 star:		(15)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

I have tried both WD TV and CinemaTube. For my review, I will be comparing CinemaTube primarily with WD TV since these are the media players having similar features at similar prices. Despite WD TV is the most popular media player, CinemaTube wins and I will show you why. To my belief, there are no other media player at this price right now which can beat CinemaTube. And, this is a statement from an advanced user.

I have tried both WD TV and CinemaTube by hooking it up with my 1.5 TB external hard disk drive (HDD, Seagate 7200 rpm inside) via USB and then connecting the player to my 720p plasma HDTV via HDMI.

What CinemaTube CAN do:

# Plays virtually any file you are aware of. I have many different files in my HDD, namely, x.264 coded MKV, DivX/XviD coded AVI, WMV, RM, MP4, MOV and so on. None of them failed. It even played .MTS files (from my HD camcorder) flawlessly. Unless the file specs are unusual and/or not supported by CinemaTube, it should play well. Other than WD TV Mini, none of the WD players play RM files.

# Can play upto 1080p although I could be able to test upto 720p as my TV does not support 1080p.

# DTS + Dolby digital ready. Could not test it as I do not have a dedicated surround system.

# Video preview. Very nice feature. Not available in WD players.

# Resumes playback. WD players does this too, CinemaTube does only in a nicer way.

# Edits playlist.

# Plays DVD menu with dedicated button. This means if normal DVD disk is copied into the HDD as VIDEO_TS folder or ISO file, CinemaTube plays it as if you were playing a DVD in normal standalone DVD player (for example, if I want to turn on/off English subtitles or go to a specific scene (scene selection), or extra features). None of the WD TV have this great feature. I actually returned WD TV because of the absence of this feature.

# Downloads torrents (simultaneously 3). I could be able to do it by setting up a static IP address for the player. No WD players can do it.

# UPnP streaming through 3rd party apps. CinemaTube is a networkable media player, so it can connect to your home network. Did not test it.

# Turns HDTV into a supersized digital photo frame.

# Plays a plethora of formats for music, photo and subtitle files.

# Compatible with Mac file system (HFS+ supportive). Not available in WD players.

# Remote control is bigger but much better than WD's.

# Really light and not too big.

# Universal voltage (100-240 V). Consumes little power.

# Spin down the HDD when the player is turned off.

# Two USB ports; one HDMI, component, composite video each; one L/R S/P DIF optical audio; one Ethernet port. Other than WD TV Live, none of the WD players have Ethernet port for internet connection.

# Can show files directly from any plugged USB storage devices like digital camera or camcorder like Flip Video.

# Optional wireless USB adapter.

# Now comes with HDMI cable. WD does not offer it.

# Does firmware update (online/USB update) frequently to get you more and improved features. This is where WD disappointed me. They have been in the market for so long time, but do little update.

# CinemaTube seemed to be faster than WD TV when same USB drive was loaded. Keep in mind that loading time of a HDD may vary depending on its capacity, rpm, how much space you are using, etc.

# I have liked its interface.

# Many more features you will come to know only when you play with it.

What CinemaTube CANNOT do:

# Can't search media file you are looking for. Here WD players win. CinemaTube still has to come up with an update to include this essential feature (specially, when you have hundreds of files in your HDD).

# Can't copy files between USB drives. WD TV Live does it.

# No torrent uploads. Torrent communities typically want members to maintain a typical upload/download ratio, therefore, you eventually have to use a computer to "upload" something. In addition to that, computer can offer better control in torrent client like configuration, speed, details, etc.

# Changes drive letter to a different one. Keeping the drive letter the same is important specially if you have OS files in your USB drive. You may have to reassign the drive letter if you want to hook it up back again with your computer.

# WD players are somewhat smaller than CinemaTube.

# WD has an online community which can help you.

# Occasionally, it fails to respond, but that happens to every standalone media player including WD players.

Last but not the least, excellent customer service from Brite-view. They respond to your email promptly and really try to answer your question. Their reps are knowledgeable. I cannot tell you how many times I asked them questions, but they responded very well. On the other hand, WD reps are just disappointing.

Bottomline: If you are looking for computer-free media file playback, torrent download and streaming, you are going to love this gadget. For your peace of mind, frequent firmware update and excellent customer service are also right there. Buy it, you won't regret.

UPDATE: 05/05/10: Some features (which I always wanted or like) added in Cinematube in newer firmware versions:

* Added Flickr Support

* Added Music "Previous" "Next" feature when playing back music

* Support for file copy/move

* Support for file search

* Support for file sharing (Simple NAS)

* Supported playback Blu-ray ISO file

* Added new high definition UI

* RSS readers added

Before I bought this media player, I did my research on AVS forum. Here were the major reasons helped me make up my mind.

1.Inexpensive.

2.Support rmvb format files.

3.Support .iso DVD menu with button on remote.

4.Support online update.

5.BitTorrent download support...you know what I am talking about...

After I got my toy,

1.Remote is amazing! Quick response! Very user friendly.

2.UPnP function works well. No problem plays video from my Playon app.

3.Smooth PC connecting.

4.I have tried to play rmvb, avi, and DVD image file without any problem.

5.Fantastic image and sound quality, totally worth it!!

6.The last and the most important one for me, fast and stable BT downloading!! (I have AT&T 6MB DSL)

By the way, I did contact customer service to ask a couple technical questions, and they responded nicely and quickly.

Overall, I am pretty satisfied with my new toy, and surprisingly, even my mom knows how to use that!!

I like to wait awhile before I review a product so that I have enough time to really get a good opinion of it. A lot of people just rate it as soon as they buy it and don't give themselves time to see all the little quirks the product may have. So after using this device for awhile here are my pros and cons.

Pros

- Updatable firmware via internet connection

- Plays almost every file you can think of

- Very easy to configure (even if you have to do it after every update)

- Smooth interface (after recent update. First interface wasn't so great)

- Great picture Quality

- HDMI port

- Comes with HDMI cable and a few extra cables as well

- The unit is very compact and light

- The unit looks pretty cool

- Reasonably priced

Cons

- The button layout on the remote control isn't very user friendly and the video control buttons are very small.

- For this item in particular the wireless adapter and CinemaTube are shipped separately. My wireless adapter arrived 10 days after the CinemaTube did and that was only after emailing them to let them know I never got it. (They were very nice about the situation though so this made up for this issue completely)

- Power cord is pretty short considering most people may be placing thing on top of their entertainment center and it's not long enough to reach the standard plug height.

- Every time it updates you have to re-configure the wireless settings.

- Loading the video preview slows down the system and causing scrolling through movies to lag.

- There should be an option to load the preview manually or put a slight delay on it loading.

- Every now and then the directories when browsing UPnP device show as "Empty" and you have to reboot.

- Wireless should be built-in.

- Unable to use your own wireless adapter, it has to be a proprietary one.

- The wireless adapter is rather large.

- If you stop a movie in the middle of watching it and it returns back out to the menu there is no data for the UPnP connection. It just says "Empty". You have to back out and go back in.

- There's no way to set a default directory on your UPnP server so you have to navigate to the same directory every time.

- Some times it won't let you fast forward or rewind. I think this may be dependent on the file type though. I've ran in to this issue with some .avi files but I'm not sure if they were standard .avi or divx.

So given the above pros and cons my experience hasn't been too bad or too good. I'd say the product as of now is pretty average but the price helps to sway me towards it being worth it. I'm really excited about the fact that it can be updated via the internet because I'm sure most issues will be addressed. When I got the device it went through 3 updates. This was good but at the same time annoying because after every update I had to re-configure my wireless settings.

My biggest issue with the device right now is the whole "Empty" folder message I keep getting. Sometimes I have to keep clicking on the UPnP option over and over again until it finally shows my folders. I don't have this problem with my PS3. Also after a certain amount of time watching a movie if you back out it puts you back to the "Empty" folder message and you have to back all the way out again and reload it. One time I even let it sit for about 10 minutes on my list of movies via my UPnP server and when I came back to select a movie nothing would play so I hit back and it sent me to the "Empty" folder message again. Keep in mind though that all of this experience has been via the UPnP option. So far anything loading off an external hard drive seems fine.

I have not run in to a file type yet that it could not play and that is pretty awesome.

When I first got it set up I didn't care much for the interface but after the first update, the new interface was a huge improvement. It also makes the user manual useless though.

There really isn't much in the way of customization but that's ok. I would like to see some additions of bookmarking folder locations for UPnP servers though. I'd also LOVE to see an option similar to XBMC which allows you to stream video via a FTP connection. This makes setting up a server very simple. Just drop the files on to your FTP and stream away.

I don't use the torrent option because while it seems nifty it's not all that practical. If you're going to go through the trouble of doing it the way it's set up then why not just download the file on your computer and then just put it on a portable hard drive and plug that in to this device. Most people compress movie files in torrents anyways to decrease transfer times.

Regardless of all the Cons I'm still somewhat happy with the device. With that being said though, if a PS3 were able to play all the formats this thing can, I would have got that instead even though it costs more.

I own the last gen device (CinemaCube; BV-5003) too and the CinemaTube (BV-5005HD) is definitely a notch way up. It now comes with full HD 1080p support in all file format, and acts as a streamer and P2P downloader. The product is very easy to use and the remote control that comes with it is in high quality and very responsive. I am especially happy they decided to go with the black design this time (it does tend to "attract" finger prints, though).

- I connected the CinemaTube to my network; its very easy to configure and connect the files in my pc (I have Windows Vista Home Premium).

- I watched movies via network and CinemaTube works fine without any problem.

- I watched most HD videos (Xvid 720p, mkv 720/1080p,) stored on the hard drive attached to the BVCT as suggested; it works like magic. No problems so far.

- The online firmware option is GREAT! Very easy breezy.

- The UI is basic and simple. To me it's really great and easy to use, but the brite-View guys are working on the improvement of GUI according to this brite-View rep on a user forum.

- The subtitle configuration is great.

- ISO and DVD file support is pretty good with all menus working.

- Being able to create a playlist is pretty nice, although it only works with the attached drive (not with file on the netowkr)

- USB Connectors on the rear is much better than the CinemaCube design

- Torrents can actually be pulled from the networked PC now (I had to put them on a USB drive first and feed it to the CinemaCube before).

Overall, it's a great product with great price, with very friendly and responsive tech support.

I have two Asus O!Plays at my house but wants to get some additional clients for some other rooms. Having been reading about these types of devices I came across the BV-5005HD partly since it uses the same Realtek chipset 1073DD as the Asus products but was significantly cheaper (especially the "dented box unopened product).

I run my clients off a Windows Home Server which it works great with.

To be brief, the video playback and audio are basically great, plays MTS files from HD camcorders (albiet with inital stutter for <1second); plays all my divx and xvid great and dvd files including menus).

When compared with the Asus the remote is better (more functions on the remote); has a torrent down-loader (which I haven't tried), has component video out. The unit has online firmware update, the Asus does not (have to use a thumb drive). The unit is half the weight of the Asus product. The Asus has more online content: picasa, flikr, weather, feeds, radio (great!) and online TV streaming (which is not that good); the BV has only Flikr. I also have noted FW updates seem to be monthly with the Asus but BV has had last in Feb 2010.

Both this player and the Asus do not play wtv and dvr-ms files which I hope will be supported in future FW updates. Neither units support Hulu, youtube or Netflix.

In conclusion for the price this is the best buy for the money - has 95% feature that more people will use as the O!Play and the torrent down-loader. I will likely be buying a few more.

Pros:

- Box handles all files I've thrown at it from mp4, avi, mkv or flv.

- With the update I am now able to flawlessly stream media from any PC on my network flawlessly to the device. File sizes vary from 1.5GB or less (have yet to try larger file) via DLink 615 Wireless N Router to Airlink 101 Wireless N 300Mbps card. (Side note signal shows up as only one bar missing and this was the only traffic running at the time on this router)

- Upgrade has added a file copy option

- Interface is quick and easy to use

- Remote just works (very responsive)

- Detected 3 random wireless USB network adapters that I just plugged in Linksys Wireless G/Airlink 101 Wireless N 300Mbps & TRENDnet TEW-649UB Mini Wireless N Speed USB Adapter. (Prefer the Airlink)

- Box runs cool & quiet unlike heating problems with other units I read about

- Emailed the customer support they responded back very quickly let me know there was an update coming out.

Cons:

- No phone support (not really necessary email suffices as long as you get a response)

- HDMI doesn't detect on some TV's (they are working on this issue)

HDMI picked up flawlessly on my 52 inch 1080P Samsung but I have a lower brand Westinghouse 32inch or 31.5 720P black friday special that cannot detect signal input. (I use a work-around because box does what I need and use component Cable for bedroom TV) Component will provide HD quality just not as convenient as one HDMI.

Overview:

I recommend this box to everyone it handles files like VLC media player does for PC's. Quick and responsive remote and it doesn't take forever to load and play files (3 secs or less including video preview that has to be shown before file is played side note this feature can be disabled and files will probably play faster) Not to mention that I can now stream all my video files to my upstairs bedroom TV flawlessly this box is everything I need.

Other boxes I've owned was the MVix 760HD older version (doesn't support all file formats and lacks all input/ouput options) they now have a MVIX Ultio but it's more expensive and files take a lot longer to load.

Will Update once new features/firmware are released and HDMI detection on some Televisions are supported.

The cinema tube works very well for streaming PC video files. So far I've used it to stream .tp files recorded on my PC's hard drive by Beyond TV, from over-the-air HD shows. The files are streamed over wired Ethernet to the cinema tube which displays them via HDMI on my TV at 1080i. Compared to the network media player I had before, fast-forward (to skip commercials) is smoother and the UI is nicer. Another advantage of cinema tube is that, for the purpose of streaming files from a PC hard drive, it requires no additional software or server to be installed on the PC. It can access Windows shared drives directly. I do wish they had designed the remote control better, though. The play / pause and fast-forward / reverse buttons are too small.

Have tried the WDTV Live, the Asus oplay, the wd tv and this one beats them all for the price and features. Setup was a breeze. Usb ports and included audio/ video access points satisfied my needs and worked great. Haven't tried the network options or bitorrent downloader but a quick interent scan yielded plenty of successful posts concerning network ability. I have a lot of mixed files stored on a 1 1/2 terabyte drive (formatted in to 4 sections) and this player works perfectly. With the latest firmware update it plays all files i have thrown at it (flv, mp4, iso, ifo, avi, vob)and more. Although some of my older odd framerate files saved from hulu were sluggish, it still recognized, loaded and played them (the sluggishness im sure will be fixed in a future firmware update). Wd tv and WD tv live DO NOT play ifo or flv files, unfortunately, although they have been around for some time they are still lacking in this area.

Onscreen menus were a breeze and preferred when compared to others. Wd tv live only shows playable files and can be confusing as to space allocation on a drive. The units remote alone is enough reason to buy this unit just because it allows you to do everything and more (the wd and asus remotes are a joke).

The only issues if any, are firstly that this unit downmixes, i believe, some higher end 7 channel audio to 2 channel stereo. Not a big deal for me since my files dont have that type of advanced audio. Secondly, the unit itself doesn't have a menu file copy feature yet, but this has been promised as a future firmware upgrade.

Thirdly, the Cinematube is based on a 400mhz realtek chipset and the wd tv live unit is based on a 500 mhz sigma with more ram. But, even with its marginally faster chip, the wd tv live still doesn't play more file formats or give better video quality output to justify buying it .

All in all for what i want it for: a simple, full functional unit which plays just about any file i can throw at it; seamless playback ability and quality; painless onscreen menu and a topnotch remote; it is as good a bang for the buck as you can get!!

If you are researching buying a digital media player look no more! Briteview is the best digital media player hands down! It kicks the Western Digital TV and Popcorn hour way out of the water. ( I personally tried both the WDTV and Popcorn Hour) Why?

What's awesome about Briteview:

1. Fully functional DVD ISO Menu's: This was a must for me and the main reason I wanted a digital media player in the first place. It's just like watching a movie in your DVD player, and the controller if fully functional to scroll through chapters and different sections of the DVD. The Western Digital TV player in comparison is horrible at this. Say you have a DVD ISO with 4 TV episodes, well with the WDTV you get a huge 2 hour video file. The only way to get to the episode you want is to fast forward through the huge video. Major fail from WDTV on this one.

2. The controller is amazing! Over 30 buttons or more to do everything your TV-DVD-CD player- could ever do. The WDTV has about 5 buttons that can barely do anything.

3. Quick support: From the online forums to e-mail Briteview always gives you a response within 24 hours. Briteview has already released 2 major firmware updates adding major new functionalities such as Flickr and file/copy options. If there is a feature not yet available they acknowledge it, and offer to inform the developers of the need for it. In comparison, lets say you ask Western Digital when fully functional DVD ISO menu will be available...they just ignore the support forums and e-mails.

About the complaints:

1. People are complaining about the placement of the buttons on the Briteview controller. This controller is fully functional with full dvd menu buttons- subtitles key- aspect ratio key- in short over 30 keys with everything you would ever want to do on your Briteview. Compare this to the Western Digital TV player, which only has like 5 buttons. What if you want to skip ahead to say 30 minutes into a video on the Western Digital- well you better like holding down the fast forward key. In comparison, the Briteview you can simply enter 30:00 numerically, and zam you go right to that time index.

2. Network support complaints: First off the Briteview has a fully compatible Wi-Fi dongle that works great for streaming videos to your Briteview, or using Playon to watch Hulu videos. Also, of course you can plug in a standard Ethernet jack if your prefer the wired approach. The WDTV in comparison was only meant to work with a wired connection (there are some half baked wi-fi work arounds in place but they fail miserable) . So good luck buying that 100ft Ethernet cord to reach your living room!

3. Youtube: Yes Briteview removed the Youtube option because of licensing problems, but you can still watch youtube through the Playon function just fine! In fact, with your youtube account you can favorite videos and add playlists so the videos you want are easily accessible once you sit down and watch on your Briteview.

I'm confused by all the negative posts, and have to assume its either Western Digital's sabotage marketing team working overtime, or some people with incurable mental problems. Hands down if you want the best digital media player on the market this is the one to buy!

I bought this product about a week ago. Can't put it down. Setup was extremely easy, the setup menu is extremely user friendly. I had mine up and running in about 10 minutes. I chose to go with the wired internet connection, was worried about lag with wireless. I was able to find my computer and a external hd that I have connected to our wireless router. In order to stream online content, you will need to download a third party software such as playon or tversity. I haven't noticed any lag in either online content that is streamed or content that I am pulling from my external HD. ou will need to be patient when streaming online content. This was a source of frustratin at first but I soon realized the device need a moment to load the content. I was pleasantly surprised by the resume feature. I had started viewing a couple of different movies in various formats to confirm that they were indeed compatible with the device. Each of those movies that I had stopped all picked up whee I left of. have yet to find a format that this device can't play. I looked at the WD Live and after reading several reviews I decided to go with the CThinema Tube. For $100 you can't go wrong.