Wireless Media Players

[makicr]

Through the recent introductions at CES and some press releases I have compiled a list of wireless media players that are out or coming out. While most of the list provide for wireless video, at least one only provides audio.

I was wondering if anyone has seen a comparison of any/all of these? If you know of others (with the ability to receive wireless video) please feel free to add them to my list.

Ultimately, I would like to purchase one within the next 6 to 8 months and I am trying to do my research in advance.

My list is:

1) Acoustic Research's Digital MediaBridge
http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000860026257;
2) Buffalo Technology LinkTheater High-Definition Wireless Media Player PC-P3WG/DVD
http://www.cnet.com/4520-10602_1-5619005-1.html;
3) Linksys WMLV54G Media Link
http://www.cnet.com/4520-10602_1-5620161-1.html;
4) Roku SoundBridge M500 (audio only)
http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/home-entertainment/audio/roku-soundbridge-m500-027253.php;
5) LG LRM-519 DVD Recorder with DVR
http://blog.seanalexander.com/PermaLink,guid,1741fccb-263a-4e72-8967-a32a6a34a347.aspx;
6) D-Link MediaLounge Wireless Media Player
http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000470026001;
7) Netgear Wireless Digital Media Player Model MP115
http://www.netgear.com/products/details/MP115.php; and
8) Sharp CE-MR01 Network Media Player
http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/home-entertainment/dvrs/sharp-cemr01-028421.php.

[Jason Dunn]

Yeah, there are a lot out there aren't there? I'm setting up an M2000 just for audio, and upstairs I have an ADS Media Link for video, but I really haven't tried out that many of them to know which is the best. It's such a new market, no leaders have really emerged yet.

[JTWise]

I have a question about these. Do all of the products supporting video require their own proprietary software that runs on the host computer?

I find two problems with this type of model:
(1.) Proprietary cataloging software usually sucks, is slow, and eats lots of system resources - At least the ones I have seen (I use to use a HP media streamer for a while) Plus, the host computer has to stay on all the time. It would be nice if there was some non-proprietary streaming software, or
(2.) Make these things see shares on a network and do the decoding themselves. Then I could use a NAS (like the Linksys NSLU) as an always on server without needing a whole computer running just so that I can run the said proprietary software in (1).

Anyone know of a product to do this?

Damn, I guess I just need to come in to some money to invest in a nice Media Center PC and xbox extenders or find some time to finish hacking my Xbox to run XBMC.

[makicr]

I have a question about these. Do all of the products supporting video require their own proprietary software that runs on the host computer?

The LG and the DLink use Microsoft Windows Media Connect. I am not sure about the others.

(2.) Make these things see shares on a network and do the decoding themselves. Then I could use a NAS (like the Linksys NSLU) as an always on server without needing a whole computer running just so that I can run the said proprietary software in (1).

Anyone know of a product to do this?

I am not sure, but I would suspect that the LG must do its own encoding and decoding, as it is also a dvr. The question is the cost.

[makicr]

Anyone seen any of these in the Real World?

[makicr]

anyone seen any yet?

[Jason Dunn]

There are just so many of these out there that I don't think you're going to find someone that has seen/tried all of them. In my house I have a Roku Soundbridge M2000 (awesome) and I use an Xbox with a Media Center Extender for my video stuff (so-so).

[Timothy Huber]

I'm seriously considering the Buffalo Linktheater. It appears to have very broad codec support, including WMV. Also, I like the idea of HD support, although I haven't yet upgraded my set. The support for the LinkStation server is very appealing. That way, if I read the manual correctly, I can stream from the LinkStation without having any other servers running. I have a BeyondTV PVR running that dumps its files onto the LinkStation. It's an old laptop, so the playback is not the greatest off the PC, so I've been looking for a dedicated device. This may be the one.

Timothy

[makicr]

Just to follow up on my old post.

Went with the Buffalo LinkTheater. I like it generally, but the biggest problem is that it cannot play video dumped from my Sony DCR-TRV38. I get a codec error.

This is a big problem as the reason I wanted it was to do quick viewing of the video, prior to encoding. I will live with it though (until a codec update in the firmware - not holding my breath).

The other problem is with the media server. While it is ok for some things, there has to be a better one out there. I have used Microsoft's Windows Media Connect and Nero MediaHome (as both were on my mahine already). However, I am still looking for the killer app for xp based media serving.