Pacific Valve Cyber Server - any opinions?

JLM · « **on:** 10 Sep 2012, 03:25 am »

Price is right, seems flexible, but appears to require a computer to be running (for at least some functions). Not super friendly (really easy for computer novice) but does integrate with video (as a single storage/playback tool). Uses a solid state drive and has room for a 3.5 inch HD, but lacks a CD/DVD/BR optical drive and appears to have a fan (even though the site states it doesn't). From the description it seems to use the solid state drive as a "jitter buffer". Mentions sample rates up to 192k, but not a word length. Doesn't say the capacity of the internal solid state drive. Can't explain why the associated NAS are so small/expensive (maybe a really, really old link?).

http://www.pacificvalve.us/CYIndex.html

What do you all think? How is Pacific Valve to deal with?

TIA

firedog · « **Reply #1 on:** 10 Sep 2012, 09:24 am »

The problem with this system for me is the UI - very limited and clunky, and you need a screen attached to it. As far as the UI, sort of tech
from 5 years ago.

JLM · « **Reply #2 on:** 10 Sep 2012, 09:32 am »

UI = User Interface, right? But if part of HT system, not sooo bad I suppose.

Remember to please frame all responses for computer novices.

munosmario · « **Reply #3 on:** 10 Sep 2012, 03:47 pm »

Quote from: JLM on 10 Sep 2012, 03:25 am

Price is right, seems flexible, but appears to require a computer to be running (for at least some functions). Not super friendly (really easy for computer novice) but does integrate with video (as a single storage/playback tool). Uses a solid state drive and has room for a 3.5 inch HD, but lacks a CD/DVD/BR optical drive and appears to have a fan (even though the site states it doesn't). From the description it seems to use the solid state drive as a "jitter buffer". Mentions sample rates up to 192k, but not a word length. Doesn't say the capacity of the internal solid state drive. Can't explain why the associated NAS are so small/expensive (maybe a really, really old link?).

http://www.pacificvalve.us/CYIndex.html

What do you all think? How is Pacific Valve to deal with?

TIA

It's based on the EVA 9000, a now obsolete Netgear multimedia player series (no firmware updates or tech support from Netgear and doubt Pacific Valve could provide anything of significance other than having tweaked firmware for 192k resolution handling). Even its replacement, the NeoTV 550 (with better firmaware and 192k Hi Rez enabled) is being phased out of market by Netgear (no more Netgear firmware updates/support, either) but can be obtained for less than $100 (ongoing Staples clearance?). Much smaller than the older player used by Pacific Valve (ommits the bay for internal hard drive), plastic enclosure, but work rather well with hi rez Flac files (problematic handling metadata with wave files). Have installed a couple of NeoTV 550's (for daughter and a friend, both rather demanding regarding SQ).

I personally use 1) a Bryston BDP-1 digital player and 2) a Dune HD Smart D1, a full feature multimedia player, which I bought more recently and-the good news--I have found to be a phenomenal performer and value ($340) http://dune-hd.com/eng/products/full_hd_media_players/15.

Dune has other players than can cater to your different needs (check, particularly, the other items in the Smart Series tab). The Smart D1 is significantly much better made than the Netgear units--designed in Germany, sofware programing in Russia, made in Taiwan (not China). All aforementioned Netgear/ Dune units work "stand alone"--no need for computer but, if not used in a music-home theater set up, all need a suitable-size portable video screen for efficient UI and file handling. Of course, they can be networked to a computer (wireless, using an adapter, or lan using cable connection).

munosmario

JLM · « **Reply #4 on:** 10 Sep 2012, 05:10 pm »

Thanks so much, your advice is very appreciated.

The Dune products look most promising, but I'm lost when it comes to this level of technology. It does access audio internet streaming, right? Can it access cable/satellite/antenna inputs? From what I understand, why couldn't I purchase a Dune Smart HD B1 (with CD/DVD/BR player built-in) and simply plug in a HD for mass storage (prefer external HD so I can backup with an extra copy). With the B1 and external HD could I use it to rip to the HD. Could I also duplicate one external HD to another?

Who would set up a media player for inept Luddites (like me)?

munosmario · « **Reply #5 on:** 10 Sep 2012, 08:45 pm »

I am not sure if it can access audio internet(radio?) streaming directly or you would always be needing your computer to stream into the Dune--I don't do internet radio (still prefer good old FM), I only use my Dune Smart D1 for stand alone music playing (stored in 32GB USB memory sticks, or 32GB Mushkin SDHC card, or 240GB Oyen Digital Solid State (not rotary) USB/eSATA portable hard drives (two of them--I preferd that way, rather than going for their 480GB largest capacity Solid State HD offering, and move the various mass storage devices around to use them with my different players and computer) http://oyendigital.com/hard-drives/store/EN3-SSD-480-M.html.

My Smart D1 does not have cable/satellite/antenna inputs but you should and certainly can connect the digital cable/satellite box to it, if you want to access such video programing. You absolutely can purchase a Dune Smart HD B1 (with CD/DVD/BR player built-in) and simply plugin a HD for mass storage. I don't know if you could rip from computer into drive connected to the Dune (D1 or B1), I have not tried and doubt I will ever. With a good portable eSata/USB HD drive it takes a couple of seconds to connect HD directly to computer, so why hassle with multiple path, multiple entry--maybe even likely to be error-vulnerable--lenghty wireless or cabled Lan connections? That would be a necessary evil if your HD is sort of permanently stored inside you digital media player--but not if you are using an external portable HD.

Call Dune Player (Dune USA's online retailer and warranty center) at number shown in this link http://duneplayer.com/shop/.[ For your convenience: 908-968-0859--Sales Hours 8:00AM to 5:00PM; Support 8:00AM to 9:00PM EST]. Call ""Sales" option first
(they will switch you to technical if necessary. I believe, they will be able to answer all your questions and likely address/clarify most if not all of your concerns--plus, a good chance, recommend an installer near you.

Good luck

Munosmario

Phil A · « **Reply #6 on:** 10 Sep 2012, 09:24 pm »

I'd also look at HAL's (a member here) server. I got to see and hear it at a meet at my house last Saturday. Really nice and at around the price point you are looking. Easy to use even for a non-tech guy like me. There's a thread that HAL has and also one over in the Mid-Atlantic Audio Circle about the meet. One member took one of the two that was over my house home to try. http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=98467.msg1129771#msg1129771