We also struggled a bit when trying to use the Twonky software to stream files to the Black MAX across our network. We’ve encountered Twonky and its cumbersome web-browser interface before, so we knew what to expect.
The remote control is rather too basic for the demands of most users
Still, this program really isn’t suitable for non-technical users with no previous experience of configuring a media server. While there is a newer version called TwonkyMedia Manager, which has a more modern graphical interface, it isn’t currently included with the Black MAX.
Verdict
LaCie does deserve credit for attempting to combine the features of a DVR and network media server into a single unit and, from a technical standpoint, the Black MAX is pretty successful. You can switch from streaming music or video across your network to pausing or recording live TV with the press of a button. Unfortunately, the Black MAX is let down by its ease of use, as its limited DVR features, sluggish menu system and the ungainly Twonky software mean that many simple tasks just take longer than they should. ®
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LaCie LaCinema Black MAX
COMMENTS
Why include a Hard Drive
A couple days ago i installed a cheap ($119 US) ATSC tuner with composite, S-video, and RGB component connectors.
The RGB connectors went to a legacy DVR, and thence to RGB inputs of our TV. The only downside of this arrangement is the DVR/DVD combo limits resolution to 720X480i.
Interestingly, however, the tuner also features ethernet and USB connectors, so a simple software revision would make the perfect product, a tuner that lets you record onto your own external hard drives. Building a hard drive inside a product almost guarantees that it will cost too much because Hard drive prices are falling so rapidly. Consumers can then fill up hard drives with shows they believe they will watch again someday, and put them on a shelf instead of tediously choosing what shows to erase to clear space for the next recording.
You could even plug in one hard drive for a specific series or repurpose all those old 120G harddrives that are laying around.
On the other hand, COX Cable, the provider here in Las Vegas, provides virtual DVR service, recording EVERY network programme and making it available for playback on demand the day after airing.
Paris because her sister is coming to vegas for my Halloween party.
Ermm But...
including a digital TV tuner. However, at this price you might have expected two separate tuners, so that you could record one programme while watching another.
Surely you watch via the TV's Freeview Tuner while the Box Records? iasn't that how video recorders have worked for the last erm years... (admitedly no pause while recording)
Personnaly I'd stick to the Foxsat HDR.. way cheaper it works and its HD!
What, no DTS input?
And for those of us who choose not to pay Murdoch a monthly fee, what about FreeSat integration?
Oh, what a missed opportunity for HD.
Not quite...
To be fair, you can get a Freeview tuner for £30, but not a DVR with 500Gb hard disk....
Needs work
The Popcorn Hour AT-110 can stream video from NFS or Samba shares (or its own HD) with no need for Twonky or whatever and it costs £175.
Given that you can also buy a Freeview DVR with way more features than the LaCinema provides for about £30 it seems LaCie is charging around £200 extra for the luxury of having inferior versions of both products in one box.
