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Compact Flash vs. USB

rcmaples

December 19, 2007 03:39

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Hello all,

We are about to roll out two Roku Boxes for testing and evaluation. We have an HD2000 as well as an HD600.

My first question regards a mention of usb on the roku webpage:

HD600 and HD2000 models only: 1 bbcodeparser bbcode.php bbcode.pl bbcode.txt bbparse.php engine existusers.txt extstusers.parsed1.txt extstusers.parsed2.txt extstusers.parsed.txt htmlentdec.php logs nbbc_files phpbb2zendesk.log phpbb3-to-zd.log phpbb3-to-zdnew.log phpbb3-to-zd.sh phpbb3-to-zd-undo.sh phpbb_db phpbbdb3 phpbbusers.xls postids.tmp post_results.xml posts.xml SBBCodeParser.php stdout studioloft_phpbb.sql styles test2 test4 tests testtext.txt test.txt txt2html_func.php txt2html.php txthtmlencode.php users.json users.json.txt users_tmp.json users_tmp_nc.json zddelete zdget zdpost Brings flexibility to displays with support for button control and touch-screen interactivity 1 bbcodeparser bbcode.php bbcode.pl bbcode.txt bbparse.php engine existusers.txt extstusers.parsed1.txt extstusers.parsed2.txt extstusers.parsed.txt htmlentdec.php logs nbbc_files phpbb2zendesk.log phpbb3-to-zd.log phpbb3-to-zdnew.log phpbb3-to-zd.sh phpbb3-to-zd-undo.sh phpbb_db phpbbdb3 phpbbusers.xls postids.tmp post_results.xml posts.xml SBBCodeParser.php stdout studioloft_phpbb.sql styles test2 test4 tests testtext.txt test.txt txt2html_func.php txt2html.php txthtmlencode.php users.json users.json.txt users_tmp.json users_tmp_nc.json zddelete zdget zdpost State-based tables provide a simple way to customize interactivity 1 bbcodeparser bbcode.php bbcode.pl bbcode.txt bbparse.php engine existusers.txt extstusers.parsed1.txt extstusers.parsed2.txt extstusers.parsed.txt htmlentdec.php logs nbbc_files phpbb2zendesk.log phpbb3-to-zd.log phpbb3-to-zdnew.log phpbb3-to-zd.sh phpbb3-to-zd-undo.sh phpbb_db phpbbdb3 phpbbusers.xls postids.tmp post_results.xml posts.xml SBBCodeParser.php stdout studioloft_phpbb.sql styles test2 test4 tests testtext.txt test.txt txt2html_func.php txt2html.php txthtmlencode.php users.json users.json.txt users_tmp.json users_tmp_nc.json zddelete zdget zdpost BrightScript scripting language offers maximum flexibility an is specifically designed for controlling digital kiosks using concepts familiar to developers 1 bbcodeparser bbcode.php bbcode.pl bbcode.txt bbparse.php engine existusers.txt extstusers.parsed1.txt extstusers.parsed2.txt extstusers.parsed.txt htmlentdec.php logs nbbc_files phpbb2zendesk.log phpbb3-to-zd.log phpbb3-to-zdnew.log phpbb3-to-zd.sh phpbb3-to-zd-undo.sh phpbb_db phpbbdb3 phpbbusers.xls postids.tmp post_results.xml posts.xml SBBCodeParser.php stdout studioloft_phpbb.sql styles test2 test4 tests testtext.txt test.txt txt2html_func.php txt2html.php txthtmlencode.php users.json users.json.txt users_tmp.json users_tmp_nc.json zddelete zdget zdpost Offers two USB host ports for connecting USB storage, touch-screens, keyboards, or speakers on the 1 bbcodeparser bbcode.php bbcode.pl bbcode.txt bbparse.php engine existusers.txt extstusers.parsed1.txt extstusers.parsed2.txt extstusers.parsed.txt htmlentdec.php logs nbbc_files phpbb2zendesk.log phpbb3-to-zd.log phpbb3-to-zdnew.log phpbb3-to-zd.sh phpbb3-to-zd-undo.sh phpbb_db phpbbdb3 phpbbusers.xls postids.tmp post_results.xml posts.xml SBBCodeParser.php stdout studioloft_phpbb.sql styles test2 test4 tests testtext.txt test.txt txt2html_func.php txt2html.php txthtmlencode.php users.json users.json.txt users_tmp.json users_tmp_nc.json zddelete zdget zdpost Supports multiple audio channels and allows for switching between them

Now, according to this (in my logic) both models would support USB Mass Storage devices for playback. However, I noticed the 600 did not seem to recognize my flash drive; but the 2000 did and played fine.

Can someone explain if the 600 does not in fact support USB storage? If it does not, is there a firmware upgrade planned that would allow this to be supported?

Also, Is there any particular type of compact flash cards that are not compatible? I noticed that two of the 133x cards were having issues in the boxes. Does this mean that some of the high speed, high capacity (8gb, 16gb) cards will not be compatible? Can someone recommend a hi-cap card that works well with the Rokus?

Last question (I promise):
Is there any noticeable playback/performance difference between using a USB storage device and using a compact flash card?

Thanks in advance for answering the questions of a newbie.

R.C. Maples
A/V Technician

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3 comments

• 0
  
  RokuLyndon December 19, 2007 05:32

  
  
  The HD2000 supports mass storage, while the HD600 does not. There is not going to be a firmware update adding mass storage to the HD600.
  
  
  
  There aren't any types of compact flash cards that we've found to be problematic. What is the brand and model number of the cards you are having problems with? What kinds of problems are you having?
  
  
  
  While we don't have a comprehensive list high capacity cards, customers have been satisfied the performance of ATP, Sandisk, Lexar, and Patriot. This is in no way a comprehensive list, but these names are mentioned more frequently.
  
  
  
  We have also tested some industrial rated compact flash cards: PQI, Simpletech, and Transcend. I've personally used the ATP ProMax 150x 8GB card with the brightsign without any problems.
  
  
  
  From the shell on your brightsign, accessible using a null modem cable, you can test read performance using the readperf command. I test a 2GB transcend card and a 4GB lexar USB storage.
  
  
  
  The transcend was 7MB/s. The lexar was 11MB/s. This is a 45x transcend card.
  
  
  
  Both playback 1080i HD content without problems on the HD2000. You don't need the fastest flash memory or USB device to playback HD content.
  
  
  
  We support HD content, on the HD2000, up to 25Mbps, that's 3Mbytes/sec. So, 4MBytes/sec should work, but anything 6MBytes/sec or better would be ideal for the highest supported bit rate. If you're using content with lower bitrate, a card with lower throughput should be fine.
  
• 0
  
  rcmaples January 01, 2008 04:36

  
  
  

  "RokuLyndon" wrote:

  
  There aren't any types of compact flash cards that we've found to be problematic. What is the brand and model number of the cards you are having problems with? What kinds of problems are you having?
  

  
  
  
  
  At this time, we do not have any cards other than a 512M that was sent with the unit for testing. I had read somewhere (forgive me, I can't recall where at the moment) that there were some difficulties with a few cards. I was just curious what kind were recommended.
  
  
  
  Thank you very much for getting back to me. It's been a help!
  
  
  
  RC Maples
  
• 0
  
  RokuLyndon January 01, 2008 05:48

  
  
  We recommend industrial cards from PQI, Transcent, or Simpletech.
  
  
  
  Additionally, our customers have reported success using a variety of cards. You should be able to use any brand. In addition to three brands with industrial cards, you can try:
  
  
  
  Sandisk
  
  Lexar
  
  Patriot
  
  ATP
  
  Kingston