GoVideo D2740 Network DVD Player Review

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(More customer reviews)First and foremost, this is a good sturdy player with a solid chassis; so it's by no means cheap like many other players out there.
2. The network and software was a piece of cake to setup and start using. Although there are no updates at the time of this writing, I like the idea the software and firmware can be updated if it needs to be.
3. I'm using a Linksys Wireless-G setup so I have yet to experience any lag or network slow-downs, even while using my full bandwidth on my computer and watching a file over the network simultaneously. There really isn't any waiting for communication sync either while browsing files.
4. The DVD player is awesome and really does read both DVD+R and DVD-R discs. I had previously purchased a Sony which said it did do just that, but didn't when I took it home and tried to use it.
5. The server software runs great on my Windows 2003 server installation (I use the server for my intranet including web development and now file serving).
6. The photo gallery and playing audio playlists worked flawlessly.
About Video Formats
- DivX plays but looks awful (audio came through fine)
- SVCD plays well, but will get choppy on fast motion scenes (I think its the stream having a hard time keeping up... the file is crystal clear on my PC and scenes with little motion).
- VCD plays the best (no choppiness), but is a little grainy... only because of the format
Now for the negative stuff which isn't really negative... just informative:
- The software does take an abnormal amount of time to launch on the intital boot. However, if you have a dedicated server/computer for this program, you shouldn't be rebooting all too often anyhow. Both when idle and being used, the software itself consistantly used about 5000k of memory (about the same as windows explorer).
- If you have lots of media, you'll spend a lot of time fixing your ID3 tags and creating playlists to make your overall experience better.
- On that note, ID3 tags are limited to title, album, artist and genre for audio files (you can only edit the title on video files which is frustrating, but wouldn't show up on the tv screen anyhow so I guess it doesn't matter). I highly recommend having a seperate ID3 tag editor onhand such as "tag & rename" just to make life simpler.
- You can't "lock out" playlists (ie - I don't exactly want my 5-year-old watching my "Sex and the City" playlist.
- It'd be nice if I could custom skin or style the network interface. It's not that it's bad, I just like to do that sort of thing.
- Only uses WEP security... would be nice if it used WPA as well. The GoVideo FAQs clearly state that the D2740 won't be supporting WPA.
- I've found that the player doesn't like to switch between the DVD player and the network. I often find myself powering off the machine after a DVD before switching to the network.
- The remote control isn't as sensitive as I'd like it to be. It needs to be pointed directly at the machine.
- The tray isn't as sensitive as I'd like it either. It doesn't instantly pop out when you push the button like other players. The tray does instantly come open when using the remote though.
- Similar to the D2730, getting the S-Video working is weird (its not auto-sensing like most DVD players; its manual), but it's clear how to do it in the instructions.
The main advantage to this player is that you get everything for your home media network in one package that isn't gonna break the bank. The Microsoft setup cost me for a dedicated computer, a custom OS and then $250 a pop for each set-top box and you can't really customize as much as you'd like to (in my experience anyway). This particular setup will only set you back about $200.00 and you don't need anything else other then an already existing wired or wireless network. I had mine setup and operable in only about ten minutes.
Despite its few minor flaws, I love this product! I suspect some firmware and software upgrades will resolve most of these very minor issues. I'll definitely be buying another one for my other television.

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GoVideo's slim D2740 is a true 21st-century entertainment device: it will play your commercial and homemade DVDs, sure, but it also spins MP3 music and JPEG image CDs and--as if that weren't enough--it'll stream audio, images, and video files from your PC right to your TV at the touch of a button. Streams may include JPEG, TIFF, and BMP images; MP3 and WMA audio formats; and MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4 video formats. Compatible physical media includes DVD-R/DVD-RW, video CD, Kodak Picture CD, and MP3 and WMA CDs.The Wi-Fi 802.11g-capable D2740 is compatible with existing wireless home networks, allowing instant out-of-the-box set-up and use. Just open the box, install the D2740's server software (PC only), hook it up to the TV, and start enjoying its innovative capabilities. If your home isn't networked yet, the unit still operates as a full-function DVD player.Besides routing content from your hard drive to your home theater, the player also offers the ability to stream audio from RealNetworks' Rhapsody music service to any TV or stereo system in your home. This means you can enjoy any of more than 650,000 songs at the touch of a button and view your personal Rhapsody library right there on your television. With Rhapsody, you'll be able to browse by artist, album, and song title in a library of more than 50,000 albums. (D2740 owners can sign up for a free 30-day Rhapsody trial by visiting www.listen.com/govideo; the Rhapsody music service is available from RealNetworks for $9.95 per month).An intuitive graphical user interface simplifies operation. User-upgradeable onscreen "skins" give operation a personalized look and feel, and the unit's upgradeable firmware ensures that you'll be ready for future DVD formats, too. A headphone output with a dedicated volume control facilitates private listening--perfect for tuning into Internet radio in your living room while the rest of the family reads or sleeps.Top-of-the-line component-video outputs (switchable between progressive-scan and interlaced) help minimize digital and line-scan artifacts on compatible advanced televisions, while composite- and S-video outputs bring compatibility with nearly any television. Whether your living room is currently home to an HDTV or you're merely thinking of "someday," the D2740 stands ready to deliver the full potential of your DVDs. Progressive scanning, referred to as 480p for the number of horizontal lines that compose the video image, creates a picture using twice the scan lines of a conventional DVD picture, giving you higher resolution and sharper images while eliminating nearly all motion artifacts.A set of left/right analog-audio outputs channel audio to Dolby Pro Logic receivers and stereo televisions. Both Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel surround-sound signals can be routed through the player's digital-audio outputs (one each of RCA coaxial and Toslink optical) for direct connection to a full-featured audio/video receiver, and--in case your existing receiver is merely "Dolby Digital ready" (with multichannel RCA analog inputs), the D2740 decodes Dolby Digital 5.1 to six discrete analog signals (left, center, right, left/right surround, and subwoofer).What's in the Box DVD player, remote control, remote batteries, an installation CD-ROM (PC software), a user's manual, onscreen user interface skins, a stereo analog audio interconnect/composite-video cable, and warranty information.

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Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex Home 1TB STAM1000100 Review

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(More customer reviews)I give this item a 3.5 stars. It looses some stars because it really is not "simple set up" as it states. It takes some time to get it up and your files to back up the first initial time. I was extremely excited to try this product with my home network since we have two Windows PCs (1 XP & 1 Windows 7), and one Mac computer.For each desktop computer, I have installed wired external backup drives. The idea of having ONE back up drive to backup all my files, photos and iTunes music seemed to be like a dream come true. Features a 1TB storage, which is equivalent to 1000GB.
Lets start with the installation. I am using the Windows 7 PC for initial setup. First and most important, you need a Home Network, a wireless router and of course an internet connection. Enclosed in the box is a very basic "Quick Start" guide, I recommend going to the manufacturer's website and downloading the 82 page manual which gives more information. I plugged in power and Ethernet cable to my wireless router. I powered up the drive and inserted the installation CD. I named and registered my drive and added additional user accounts , one for each computer. After that was complete I had to install the software on my other Windows PC and Mac. After I installed the CD on the other PCs, a screen pops up asking to insert the username and password. It's that simple. On my Mac the installation was a little different, but I was able to easily follow the instructions and get it connected using Time Machine with no hassles. One bit of advice for Mac users, if you plan on using Time Machine to back up your files instead of using the optional Memeo Instant Backup, you need to go to Seagate Share Preferences before installing the program on the Mac. Once you are in the preferences page, enable ComputersBackup. Create a password, this password will be used to configure the program when it is installed on your Mac. This information can only be found in the downloaded Users Manual online. Luckily I read the entire manual before attempting to install the Seagate GoFlex. It did take a long, long time to backup all files and folders from all three computers, but I had no bugs or issues. Depending on how many files and folders you are having backed up, it may take all day and night. The program will just run in the background and you do not have to do anything.
The drive will automatically created three folders for each PC account, a public, personal and backup folders. The Seagate Dashboard is the centralized location for all the computer files. This only works with Windows, this is the reason I used my Windows 7 PC as the main system. On the Mac it is Seagate Share and you must use the internet to access the files. You do have the option to use the internet storage base for Windows as well if you like.
There are a few options on how you want to backup your files, I went with the automatic backup. I clicked on instant backups on my menu and the computer shows you the amount of storage that will be included in the backup. If you only what to choose certain files, you can use the advanced settings and drag which files to backup. After clicking "Start Backup", my files started backing up. Whenever I add a new file to the folder or make and changes, the Seagate GoFlex will automatically back up the new file.
Every computer in my home already has a wireless printer, so I really have no use to for the share printer option. But if you do want to use a printer wireless throughout your home network, you must attach the printer via the printer's USB cable to the Seagate GoFlex Drive.
There are many other features and options that can be used, but my primary reason for using this device is to backup the iTunes and photo files on all the computers. When you have thousands of songs and spent several hundreds of dollars on iTunes purchases for every iTunes account on each system, you want to make sure you can access your file in case something terrible happens like the internal hard drive dies. Trust me, I have had this happen to me. I always burn my photos to a CD for added protection, but this way we can share our photos from any computer.
Overall, once you get the unit installed and your files and folders backed up it is extremely easy to use. I guess time will tell if the unit is reliable for retrieving backup files if your system crashes or dies. Hopefully I will not have to find that out! :-)
UPDATE: Sometimes I am not able to gain access to my account online. This is because I use Firefox with a 64-bit operating system and currently "Flash" is not not supported for this OS. I keep getting the "Flash Crash Error Report". However, I can sign in with no troubles using Internet Explorer. So if you have troubles signing into the account online, try a different browser.
If you notice that the drives are not showing under devices in your computer, best thing to do is to unplug it for 15 seconds and then plug it back in to reboot.

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The GoFlex Home network storage system connects to your WiFi router, allowing you to wirelessly store and access files and back up multiple computers in the home. The GoFlex Home network storage system includes software to automatically and continuously back up all the files and folders on up to 3 PC and Mac computers in the home. By storing files in a central location on your network, you can use one drive for all your storage and backup needs. When connected to your home WiFi router, the GoFlex Home network storage system enables you to wirelessly store and access files from any PC or Mac computer in the home. The GoFlex Home network storage system also allows you to stream media to game consoles and the GoFlex TV HD media player. Store all your photos, movies and music on the GoFlex Home network storage system and enjoy your media and favorite memories from any room in the house. Additionally, you can share a USB printer with every computer in the home by simply connecting to the USB port on the GoFlex Home network storage system or you can plug in a USB drive to the port to increase storage capacity. The built-in drive can also be upgraded by simply removing the drive from the base and replacing with a higher capacity GoFlex Desk drive. With a simple guided setup process and just two cable connections, the GoFlex Home network storage system installs in just minutes, allowing you to quickly begin protecting your files, enjoying your media and accessing your content wherever you are. Additional licenses available for purchase

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Sony SMP-N100 Network Media Player with Wi-Fi Review

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(More customer reviews)i bought this to replace my asus o!play and wdtv 1st gen. i am very happy with it so far. the picture and audio output is fantastic so far. it plays all my mkv, h264 720p, 1080p, dts, and ac3 beautifully.
i don't like the subtitle output. they're FUGLY pixelated fonts. sony needs to release a new firmware for properly rendered subtitles. i also don't like that it doesn't output 1080p/24 mode. it only outputs in 1080p/60. hopefully new firmware will add this feature.
netflix in hd is awesome, hulu plus is coming real soon, and there's amazon VOD. there's lots of other video podcasts too. sucks that youtube isn't in 720p or 1080p. i believe this is youtube prohibiting hd resolution on set top boxes. everyone go complain to youtube about this!
the build quality of the unit and remote is much better than wdtv and asus o!play. the fit and finish is on par with sony blu-ray player. i am very pleased.
this is the best media streamer thus far. don't buy the wdtv live plus, get this instead! maybe boxee box might be better but it isn't released yet and cost $200.

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Enjoy a variety of entertainment with the Sony SMP-N100 Network Media Player. Wirelessly stream movies, TV episodes, videos, and music from Netflix, YouTube, Pandora, Slacker, and more. Easily access your music, videos and photos in up to Full HD 1080p when you connect a USB drive or wirelessly stream them over home network using your PC. You can even download the free "BD remote" app to turn your iPhone, iPod touch, or compatible Android phone into a versatile remote.

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