Comments on: Cirago Multimedia Center Review http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/06/12/cirago-multimedia-center-review/ Gadget reviews and news by Julie Strietelmeier and friends since 1997 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:08:32 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: John Schettino http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/06/12/cirago-multimedia-center-review/comment-page-1/#comment-48763 John Schettino Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:15:50 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15881#comment-48763 Kevin, I don't believe it does. Underneath it all it uses NTFS/file names, and recordings have file names that are based on date/time stamps. Kevin, I don’t believe it does. Underneath it all it uses NTFS/file names, and recordings have file names that are based on date/time stamps.

]]> By: kevin http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/06/12/cirago-multimedia-center-review/comment-page-1/#comment-48639 kevin Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:46:18 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15881#comment-48639 Does the Cirago multimedia have a search files by number? Like input a number -say, "23"-, and the file allocated in that number order.. Does the Cirago multimedia have a search files by number? Like input a number -say, “23″-, and the file allocated in that number order..

]]> By: John Schettino http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/06/12/cirago-multimedia-center-review/comment-page-1/#comment-44433 John Schettino Thu, 24 Sep 2009 22:13:45 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15881#comment-44433 Hi HK, So if I understand correctly you're relying on the HDMI cable for audio and video? Its hard to say what the problem might be - it could be anything from an incompatible audio format in the source to an issue on your playback device. I'm not positive, but the HDMI may just be passing through the audio stream as is from the source material. Did you try using either the digital or rca cable connections for the audio hookup? Hi HK,

So if I understand correctly you’re relying on the HDMI cable for audio and video?

Its hard to say what the problem might be – it could be anything from an incompatible audio format in the source to an issue on your playback device. I’m not positive, but the HDMI may just be passing through the audio stream as is from the source material.

Did you try using either the digital or rca cable connections for the audio hookup?

]]> By: HK http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/06/12/cirago-multimedia-center-review/comment-page-1/#comment-44414 HK Thu, 24 Sep 2009 18:01:32 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15881#comment-44414 I broght this last week connected as it explains, everything is fine except the Audio, i have connected through HDMI cable and playing DVD and Divx. with a 480p mode when i play the file no sound, after struggling for 30mins some how i got the sound and watched the movie, but when i'm trying to watch next day its same thing i'm not getting Audio. can some one help me what i'm doing wrong the audio and video setup was fine thanks HK I broght this last week connected as it explains, everything is fine except the Audio, i have connected through HDMI cable and playing DVD and Divx. with a 480p mode
when i play the file no sound, after struggling for 30mins some how i got the sound and watched the movie, but when i’m trying to watch next day its same thing i’m not getting Audio.

can some one help me what i’m doing wrong
the audio and video setup was fine

thanks
HK

]]> By: YAHDMPFYT (Yet Another Hard Drive Media Player For Your TV) — The Gadgeteer http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/06/12/cirago-multimedia-center-review/comment-page-1/#comment-38718 YAHDMPFYT (Yet Another Hard Drive Media Player For Your TV) — The Gadgeteer Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:04:42 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15881#comment-38718 [...] drive based media players for your TV are popping up on the market. From obscure products like the Cirago MultiMedia Center, to the extremely popular WD TV HD Player and the Popcorn Hour Media Tank. LaCie has been an [...] [...] drive based media players for your TV are popping up on the market. From obscure products like the Cirago MultiMedia Center, to the extremely popular WD TV HD Player and the Popcorn Hour Media Tank. LaCie has been an [...]

]]> By: paul z http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/06/12/cirago-multimedia-center-review/comment-page-1/#comment-38310 paul z Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:48:58 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15881#comment-38310 What is the best product to simply wirelessly stream a cable or satellite signal to a hd lcd tv that is without wires. Does one exist? Does it require a wireless capable tv plus what? What is the best product to simply wirelessly stream a cable or satellite signal to a hd lcd tv that is without wires.
Does one exist?
Does it require a wireless capable tv plus what?

]]> By: John Schettino http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/06/12/cirago-multimedia-center-review/comment-page-1/#comment-38296 John Schettino Wed, 01 Jul 2009 04:12:23 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15881#comment-38296 I realize the "it's a vcr" statement is actually incorrect in one regard. The unit does not have any kind of tuner at all - can't tune antenna/analog/digital or cable. Now, assuming you have a cable box, you could connect this thing to its analog out, and then you can record whatever channel the cable box is on. So its not a DVR like a Tivo, or the DVR you can get from your cable company. For many people who are not technical at all, but who do use cable or dish, the easiest option is usually to use the DVR available from your provider. Might not be cheap to rent (or buy) but at least you end up with something that works. I realize the “it’s a vcr” statement is actually incorrect in one regard. The unit does not have any kind of tuner at all – can’t tune antenna/analog/digital or cable. Now, assuming you have a cable box, you could connect this thing to its analog out, and then you can record whatever channel the cable box is on.

So its not a DVR like a Tivo, or the DVR you can get from your cable company.

For many people who are not technical at all, but who do use cable or dish, the easiest option is usually to use the DVR available from your provider. Might not be cheap to rent (or buy) but at least you end up with something that works.

]]> By: Bob http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/06/12/cirago-multimedia-center-review/comment-page-1/#comment-38278 Bob Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:58:59 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15881#comment-38278 More of a question than a comment for those who can answer: I'm not much of a true techy but can get my way around most common problems. I have a question with the live tv recording. In the section of the review were you said "It's a VCR": with VCR's you would have an antenna/cable hooked up into the AV/ANT input and then an output to TV, as you can record TV shows at a scheduled time for a given channel with the TV off (bc the AV feed is going directly into/through the VCR). Would I virtually be able to do the same type of recording with my HDTV turned off (given the AV output connection is feeding into the Cirago)? Same question but worded differently, is it possible for the Cirago to select a channel to record at a given time even if the TV is off or the does the TV have to be on to feed the AV signals into the Cirago to record? The main purpose for me to get this is mainly to be a DVR when we're not home. Any other feature is a plus. If this Cirago can truly be a "VCR" without the tapes then I would get it. Thanks for your input. Buy.com has a 1TB on sale for $200 after a $20 rebate (as of June 30) More of a question than a comment for those who can answer:
I’m not much of a true techy but can get my way around most common problems. I have a question with the live tv recording. In the section of the review were you said “It’s a VCR”: with VCR’s you would have an antenna/cable hooked up into the AV/ANT input and then an output to TV, as you can record TV shows at a scheduled time for a given channel with the TV off (bc the AV feed is going directly into/through the VCR). Would I virtually be able to do the same type of recording with my HDTV turned off (given the AV output connection is feeding into the Cirago)? Same question but worded differently, is it possible for the Cirago to select a channel to record at a given time even if the TV is off or the does the TV have to be on to feed the AV signals into the Cirago to record? The main purpose for me to get this is mainly to be a DVR when we’re not home. Any other feature is a plus. If this Cirago can truly be a “VCR” without the tapes then I would get it. Thanks for your input.

Buy.com has a 1TB on sale for $200 after a $20 rebate (as of June 30)

]]> By: John Schettino http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/06/12/cirago-multimedia-center-review/comment-page-1/#comment-38269 John Schettino Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:02:35 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15881#comment-38269 You can copy HD content onto the device via USB, or even via the wired or wireless network. If that content is 480p (ie, DVD) or 720p or 1080i, it will display at full HD resolution. Plus, you get your audio out via the HDMI as well (or of course via the RCA stereo jacks, or the 5.1 audio out options, but HDMI audio worked fine. Think of it mostly as a media player, with some weird SD/AV recording capability added on. You can copy HD content onto the device via USB, or even via the wired or wireless network. If that content is 480p (ie, DVD) or 720p or 1080i, it will display at full HD resolution.

Plus, you get your audio out via the HDMI as well (or of course via the RCA stereo jacks, or the 5.1 audio out options, but HDMI audio worked fine.

Think of it mostly as a media player, with some weird SD/AV recording capability added on.

]]> By: microwavedave http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/06/12/cirago-multimedia-center-review/comment-page-1/#comment-38261 microwavedave Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:04:06 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15881#comment-38261 I dont get the HDMI out... if you can only input AV how do you get HD out? Magic? I dont get the HDMI out… if you can only input AV how do you get HD out? Magic?

]]> By: John Schettino http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/06/12/cirago-multimedia-center-review/comment-page-1/#comment-37551 John Schettino Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:42:15 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15881#comment-37551 I was put off by the networking options as well. The drive is fast enough to take advantage of gigabit to support full speed access. For streaming 100mbit is plenty fast, but of course 802.11g isn't if you've got material that needs more then about 2.2MB/sec. Your best option to get large stuff in/out is sneakernet... It's an odd duck for sure. I was put off by the networking options as well. The drive is fast enough to take advantage of gigabit to support full speed access. For streaming 100mbit is plenty fast, but of course 802.11g isn’t if you’ve got material that needs more then about 2.2MB/sec.

Your best option to get large stuff in/out is sneakernet… It’s an odd duck for sure.

]]> By: James Branch http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/06/12/cirago-multimedia-center-review/comment-page-1/#comment-37535 James Branch Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:09:07 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15881#comment-37535 Great review John! I'm with Marc... the lack of Gigabit ethernet certainly puts me off, big style. If that and the update to a NAS are in any future releases of the CMC1000, then maybe I would be more tempted.... Great review John!

I’m with Marc… the lack of Gigabit ethernet certainly puts me off, big style. If that and the update to a NAS are in any future releases of the CMC1000, then maybe I would be more tempted….

]]> By: Marc http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/06/12/cirago-multimedia-center-review/comment-page-1/#comment-37318 Marc Sun, 14 Jun 2009 11:41:01 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=15881#comment-37318 The lack of gigabit ethernet on new devices is unforgivable, in my opinion. The lack of gigabit ethernet on new devices is unforgivable, in my opinion.

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