Unofficial Beyonwiz comparison guide

[prl]

Beyonwiz comparison guide 20190729.png (241.97 KiB) Viewed 7251 times

Last updated 2019-07-29.

The same information is in the attached PDF.

[Grumpy_Geoff]

U4 out of production?

[sub3R]

A typo I hope.
The V2 doesn't impress me compared to the U4.

[MrQuade]

A typo I hope.
The V2 doesn't impress me compared to the U4.

They fill different product niches. Not comparable any more than the T2 would be.

[prl]

A typo I hope.
The V2 doesn't impress me compared to the U4.

They fill different product niches. Not comparable any more than the T2 would be.

IMO it's targetted at the T2 market. Similar characteristics - two internal tuners, convection cooling, and the possibility of using silent storage, microSD or USB SSD. But with some more modern capabilities, especially 4k/UHD.

[prl]

U4 out of production?

So Jai tells me.

[prl]

Could a friendly mod make the topic sticky?

[MrQuade]

IMO it's targetted at the T2 market. Similar characteristics - two internal tuners, convection cooling, and the possibility of using silent storage, microSD or USB SSD. But with some more modern capabilities, especially 4k/UHD.

Exactly my thoughts. It's a T2 replacement, so comparing the V2 to the U4 is about as useful as comparing the T2 to the U4.

[sub3R]

They fill different product niches. Not comparable any more than the T2 would be.

I realise that, but if the U4 has been discontinued then the V2 falls a lot short of replacing the U4 IMO if that is the intention. It seems to be a replacement for the T2.

[sub3R]

U4 out of production?

So Jai tells me.

Any news about a replacement for the U4?

[MrQuade]

I realise that, but if the U4 has been discontinued then the V2 falls a lot short of replacing the U4 IMO if that is the intention.

I doubt that's the intention seeing as it lacks an internal drive and HDMI-IN.

It seems to be a replacement for the T2.

Very much so.

[Gully]

Could a friendly mod make the topic sticky?

Done.

[prl]

Thanks

[prl]

U4 out of production?

So Jai tells me.

Any news about a replacement for the U4?

I guess Jai will announce one if/when there is one.

[peteru]

I don't think the V2 is intended to be a replacement for any previous Beyonwiz product. It's just the latest iteration of an evolving landscape. As you might have seen over the last few years, the technology landscape has shifted towards chipsets intended for phones, tablets and other portable devices. The traditional media (only) device sector was being left behind, so manufacturers are forced to build media systems based on the technology that the mobile market produces. I'm pretty sure that the V2 is a (by)product of this paradigm shift. IMHO this is a positive thing for keeping the choices open and not being forced to choose between Android or iOS, while still benefiting from (at least some) of the innovation that comes from the mobile market segment.

[dRdoS7]

Hi,

The U4 is listed as having no PIP, I don't know if it's HD + SD or HD + HD, but it definitely works.

I see it is listed as a USB Dual Tuner, is that correct, or did you mean 2 USB Tuners?

dRdoS7

PS. Thanks for the dimensions. ;p

[HarryHoudini]

What's the story with no Internal HDD on the V2...so we have to plug in a USB type??s

[dRdoS7]

Hi,

What's the story with no Internal HDD on the V2...so we have to plug in a USB type??s

So it appears.

SD Card, or Micro according to the specs., would do us, especially as it has Gigabit LAN. From the pics., it looks like an SD slot, but I have been wrong before.

dRdoS7

[MrQuade]

I see it is listed as a USB Dual Tuner, is that correct, or did you mean 2 USB Tuners?

Either works. Two separate USB tuners or a dual USB tuner.

[MrQuade]

What's the story with no Internal HDD on the V2...so we have to plug in a USB type??s

Correct, no internal storage. You need to add USB, SD, or network storage yourself.

[dRdoS7]

Hi,

I see it is listed as a USB Dual Tuner, is that correct, or did you mean 2 USB Tuners?

Either works. Two separate USB tuners or a dual USB tuner.

Should have looked at the BW site first.

dRdoS7

[prl]

I see it is listed as a USB Dual Tuner, is that correct, or did you mean 2 USB Tuners?

Either works. Two separate USB tuners or a dual USB tuner.

Yes, I just did the dual tuner option to save space.

[prl]

Hi,

What's the story with no Internal HDD on the V2...so we have to plug in a USB type??s

So it appears.

SD Card, or Micro according to the specs., would do us, especially as it has Gigabit LAN. From the pics., it looks like an SD slot, but I have been wrong before.

The slot will not take an SD card without excessive use of force.

It's definitely a microSD slot, despite what it says on the image of the back panel on the Beyonwiz V2 page. The slot is larger than it needs to be to accept a microSD card, but still too small to take an SD card, and the socket is a microSD-only socket..

[prl]

The U4 is listed as having no PIP, I don't know if it's HD + SD or HD + HD, but it definitely works.

I'm happy to change it to whatever the Guru of Beyonwiz PiP, MrQuade, says that it can handle. But I suspect that the answer may be complicated.

[Henk]

Hi Peter (PRL),

Would it be possible to add the power specs for those units which have external power supplies.
Along the line of (example for U4):

Output plug type: 2.1mm DC
Output voltage/amperage: 12V / 5A
Input plug type: 3 pole AC inlet

This should complete the specifications, and allow for power brick replacements without guessing.

[MrQuade]

I'm happy to change it to whatever the Guru of Beyonwiz PiP, MrQuade, says that it can handle. But I suspect that the answer may be complicated.

Guru is a strong word! (very) Occasional user.

The U4's PiP does work with any combination of SD/HD, but it is still possible to put it in an unstable state much like the T4.

[prl]

Would it be possible to add the power specs for those units which have external power supplies.
Along the line of (example for U4):

Output plug type: 2.1mm DC
Output voltage/amperage: 12V / 5A
Input plug type: 3 pole AC inlet

This should complete the specifications, and allow for power brick replacements without guessing.

I agree that that would be a good idea, but I'd have to rely on others for the DC current specs, because I don't have any production-model external power supplies (I have fewer power supplies than test boxes). I also don't know whether they are 2- or 3-pin mains plugs (if they're double insulated, it probably doesn't matter).

The V2 specs may have to come later, because I don't think anyone who has a V2 has a production power supply (mine didn't come with one at all, just the suggestion to use a U4 power supply).

I tried to measure the DC plug pin size, but I can't get my calipers far enough into the plug to measure the inside diameter. The T2, U4 and V2 all take the same size plug.

The T2, U4 & V2 all take 12V DC in.

[prl]

I'm happy to change it to whatever the Guru of Beyonwiz PiP, MrQuade, says that it can handle. But I suspect that the answer may be complicated.

Guru is a strong word! (very) Occasional user.

That's still probably a lot more often than me.

The U4's PiP does work with any combination of SD/HD, but it is still possible to put it in an unstable state much like the T4.

I'll amend it when I add the power supply specs.

[sub3R]

... but I'd have to rely on others for the DC current specs, because I don't have any production-model external power supplies ...

The T2 AC/DC adapter plug-pack output is rated at 12V DC 3.0A. The DC plug is 2.5mm x 5.5mm (matches panel socket). Centre pin is +ve.

The U4 AC/DC adapter plug-pack output is rated at 12V DC 3.5A. The DC plug is 2.1mm x 5.5mm (matches panel socket). Centre pin is +ve.

[prl]

... but I'd have to rely on others for the DC current specs, because I don't have any production-model external power supplies ...

The T2 AC/DC adapter plug-pack output is rated at 12V DC 3.0A. The DC plug is 2.5mm x 5.5mm (matches panel socket). Centre pin is +ve.

The U4 AC/DC adapter plug-pack output is rated at 12V DC 3.5A. The DC plug is 2.1mm x 5.5mm (matches panel socket). Centre pin is +ve.

Thanks.

Where you write "2.5mm x 5.5mm" do you mean 2.5mm pin diameter & 5.5mm outside diameter?

Comparing the V2 power socket with the U4 & T2 makes it a 2.5mm pin & 5.5mm outer diameter. Still not sure what the V2 power pack max current will be. I'll put in "3.0A (to be confirmed)" for now.

[sub3R]

Where you write "2.5mm x 5.5mm" do you mean 2.5mm pin diameter & 5.5mm outside diameter?

Yes, that is what I meant.

For testing purposes, I found that the T2 plug-pack’s 2.5mm ID x 5.5mm OD plug will fit into the U4’s 2.1mm rear panel socket but it wasn’t an ideal fit. I wouldn’t like to rely on that sort of mismatch.

On a side note: If anyone ends up with the wrong size DC plug on a replacement plug-pack, Jaycar sells adapters to convert one size to the other (Cat.No: PA3704 2.1mm plug to 2.5mm socket, & Cat.No: PA3706 2.5mm plug to 2.1mm socket).

[prl]

For testing purposes, I found that the T2 plug-pack’s 2.5mm ID x 5.5mm OD plug will fit into the U4’s 2.1mm rear panel socket but it wasn’t an ideal fit. I wouldn’t like to rely on that sort of mismatch.

I'd been doing that without even noticing that the pin sizes were different

[sub3R]

Reading between the lines I had an idea you were. It was a gentle hint. See the last paragraph re the adapters from Jaycar.

I discovered the difference when I tried unsuccessfully to plug the U4 plug-pack’s 2.1mm DC plug into the T2’s 2.5mm panel socket. Up till then I assumed both boxes used the same size rear panel socket.

[prl]

Updated comparison guide.

Added to "Availability" footnote 1 that while the U4 has been discontinued, some variants are still available for sale.
Fixed incorrect PiP information for U4.
Clarified USB tuner support for V2 with a footnote.
Added power supply specifications for external power supplies.

[Grumpy_Geoff]

Updated comparison guide.

Added to "Availability" footnote 1 that while the U4 has been discontinued, some variants are still available for sale.
Fixed incorrect PiP information for U4.
Clarified USB tuner support for V2 with a footnote.
Added power supply specifications for external power supplies.

... and lost the header row

[Gully]

... and lost the header row

Only on the screen shot though.

[prl]

... and lost the header row

Only on the screen shot though.

The header for the screen shot is just above the screen shot and the author/original post date line

It was like that in the original, too, so nothing was "lost".

The PDF header is the spreadsheet sheet name.

Sharp-eyed readers may have also noticed that the date in the new PDF header was wrong. That has now been fixed

[Grumpy_Geoff]

The header for the screen shot is just above the screen shot and the author/original post date line

It was like that in the original, too, so nothing was "lost".

I'm meaning the 'T2 T3 T4 U4 V2' header line/row
I was positive it was in at least one of the previous versions, and therefore "lost".

[Gully]

The header for the screen shot is just above the screen shot and the author/original post date line

It was like that in the original, too, so nothing was "lost".

I'm meaning the 'T2 T3 T4 U4 V2' header line/row
I was positive it was in at least one of the previous versions, and therefore "lost".

Ditto. I'm sure that line was in the first screen shot but definitely not showing here, so no way of knowing which model is which.

[prl]

You're right. I hate screen shots.

Fixed now.

[Henk]

Hi Peter,

Thanks for the update, a perfect one page reference document.

I would change the "Max output current" to "Minimum output current required" to guard for any under-dimensioning of the power brick when replacement is called for.

Henk

[prl]

Hi Peter,

Thanks for the update, a perfect one page reference document.

Thanks

I would change the "Max output current" to "Minimum output current required" to guard for any under-dimensioning of the power brick when replacement is called for.

What's listed are the specs of the Beyonwiz-supplied power supplies.

[Trial_Master]

What's the story with no Internal HDD on the V2...so we have to plug in a USB type??s

Correct, no internal storage. You need to add USB, SD, or network storage yourself.

That seems like an odd decision from Beyonwiz. I initially used external storage on my T2 but now use the provided mounting bracket and cable for a laptop drive internally. I would of thought they’d have done same for V2?

I hope they bring out a U2 replacement, I wouldn’t be keen on the V2 to replace my T4.

[Mack46]

In the comparison chart I believe there is an error in the Power Supply centre connector diameter. It is actually 2.1mm. As an amateur model engineer I have all the good gear to measure including a set of twist drills in steps of ,05mm and there is no way a 2.5mm drill will fit but 2.15 is the largest size that will fit.

[prl]

In the comparison chart I believe there is an error in the Power Supply centre connector diameter. It is actually 2.1mm.

There are two models listed as having 2.5mm power supply pins, the T2 & the V2. Which do you mean?

[Mack46]

My apologies. Not including the model was not very diligent of me. I was referring to the V2.

[prl]

My apologies. Not including the model was not very diligent of me. I was referring to the V2.

No problem. I just checked a production V2's power supply plug against the T2 and U4. The T2 is 2.5mm & the U2 and V2 are 2.1mm.

I'll fix the chart.

Thanks for the heads-up.

[stevebow]

Would it be possible to include the highest decoding profiles and levels possible for each model please? It would come in handy when encoding videos or troubleshooting files that won't play.

[prl]

Would it be possible to include the highest decoding profiles and levels possible for each model please? It would come in handy when encoding videos or troubleshooting files that won't play.

I'm happy to do it, but someone would have to tell me. I'm also a bit concerned that it may be a bit of a "moving feast" that needs to be checked with each update of gstreamer.