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DVD Player as 802.11b Peripheral

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the now-thats-using-your-noodle dept.

sysadmn writes "Instead of building a PVR from a computer, why not let your DVD player access the computer you already have? That's the thinking behind Sonicblue's new Go-Video D2730. The just-announced DVD player will use an 802.11b (Wi-Fi) wireless network connection to access content on PCs, such as photos, music and videos. The player is aggressively priced at about $250 US and is due out in first quarter 2003. Full details are on CNET."

9 of 191 comments (clear)

  1. Maybe I've overlooked something... by CommieLib · · Score: 5, Informative

    But how does this relate to PVR? Allowing my DVD player to access PC content doesn't allow me to PVR, as far as I can tell. The article mentioned plans to network to Replay TV, but that's not what you're saying here.

    Did I miss something?

    --
    If your bitterest enemies are people who hack the heads off civilians, then I would say you're doing something right.
  2. Ethernet, 802.11b add-on by crow · · Score: 5, Informative

    The posting is misleading. The item comes with an ethernet port, but support for 802.11b will require an additional piece of hardware. I'm not clear from the information available if it will just use a PCMCIA slot or something else.

    1. Re:Ethernet, 802.11b add-on by stevel · · Score: 5, Interesting

      It's even more misleading than it first appears - the article discusses a DVD player that allows display of content from your networked PC. The only reference to PVRs is a mention that ReplayTV boxes from the same company also offer network connectivity. There's nothing PVR-related in this announcement at all.

      Don't people actually read the articles they point to before posting here?

  3. Re:Fast enough? by phurley · · Score: 5, Informative

    802.11b is plenty fast to stream DivX. Now as some point you could have too many players (and other 802.11b devices) in a home (possibly a bigger problem in apartment buildings?) trying to share the same bandwidth.

    --
    Home Automation & Linux -- now I know I'm a geek
  4. Re:Fast enough? by brunes69 · · Score: 5, Informative

    A DVD quality SVCD runs at arounf 3000 kbps (around 3 Mbps), and a simmilar quality DivX around 1500 kbps (1.5 Mbps). So I don't know what you are doing at your place, but a 11 Mbps conneciton should handle them just fine. In face, my 10 Mbps nic can play a SVCD over the LAN perfectly.

  5. Re:Fast enough? by Hayzeus · · Score: 5, Interesting
    11MBPS is probably fast enough; however, it's worth pointing out that 11MBPS isn't guaranteed by 802.11B. In fact, the connection speed can fall back to fairly slow speeds in the presence of a less than perfect RF link. I can't recall the bottom end off hand (1MBPS?).

    It may be that you are seeing partial signal blockage or reflectance problems between your office and den. Try using something to benchmark the actual connection speed (if you haven't done so already).

    --

    Roving Web-Teleoperated Robot
  6. Blame your neighbor. by jdludlow · · Score: 5, Funny

    But honey, I swear that the DVD player just started pumping out pron on its own!

  7. Here's why you want to DIY instead of BUY by 4/3PI*R^3 · · Score: 5, Insightful
    From the Sonic Blue web page:
    SONICblue reserves the right to automatically add, modify, or disable any features in the operating software when your ReplayTV 5000 connects to our server.

    Translated:
    We will sell you this box with a list of features you want but once the *AA gets congress to pass favorable laws, wins a court battle, or becomes a major shareholder in our business we will promptly castrate your box without sending you one penny in refund.

  8. Re:Free movies! by aero6dof · · Score: 5, Funny

    And I thought drive-in movie theatres were dying off!