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Linksys DVD player w/ WiFi and ethernet

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the thats-a-lot-of-toys dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Linksys has announced a progressive scan DVD player with 802.11g and ethernet. Users can stream MPEG2, MPEG4, DivX, MP3, WMA, and other formats from their PC to the TV. Sure I can do this cobbling together other tools, but this is a self contained box even newbies can use. Think how many people could install and config a router and an AP, versus the number of people that can plug in one of the self-contained wireless routers? "

4 of 338 comments (clear)

  1. Gateway has something similiar by Triumph+The+Insult+C · · Score: 4, Informative

    here ya go. my boss has been eyeing one

    and epson just came out with a whoopass hdtv. something like 72", built in photo printer, etc. $4k

    --
    vodka, straight up, thank you!
    1. Re:Gateway has something similiar by -tji · · Score: 4, Informative


      The Gateway product is weak at best..

      It requires proprietary streaming server software, which is only available for Windows. That server software has many restrictions on what it will allow to be sent to the player. For example, it would not allow me to stream my home movies exported to DVD format (or the native Mini-DV, or any other export I tried). It won't import any video with a rate that is > 3Mbps. So, you can basically only do poor quality internet downloaded thumbnail videos.

      The MP3 streaming was okay, but not great. The GUI needs a lot of help. It also requires you to use the streaming server, so any exising song/playlist management you have is useless.

      The JPEG playback was okay, but could be better. It only supported resolution up to 480p, no HD display. It did not allow MP3 playback during the slideshow - only silence. Of course, you had to import your images into the crappy server software.

      A more interesting product is the Roku HD streaming device. http://www.rokulabs.com/ Linux based, open architecture, developers kit & API's, access content via samba (works with Windows, Linux, MacOS), JPEG display at HDTV resolutions, MP3 playback. They had a beta release that supported streaming of HDTV captures.. I'm not sure if that is released yet, or if they support DVD VOBs yet.

    2. Re:Gateway has something similiar by RedX · · Score: 5, Informative

      According to this note, with a firmware upgrade to the Gateway player, it will support a Linksys 802.11g card. No idea if other cards are supported. The link also includes a good review of the Gateway. I've been eyeing this device for a few weeks now, about to pull the trigger on a purchase, so this Linksys announcement is timely.

  2. Or you could get a momitsu instead by Mike+Bridge · · Score: 5, Informative

    you could get the new unit from momitsu (the v880n) which does all that, and has DVI output for your HD set (so you can actually appreciate the progressive scan), and supports ogg.