encece
07-25-2004, 04:28 AM
About a month ago, I purchased an extra $100 Power Adapter from CompUSA, for my Toshiba Notebook. Well, I never opened it and decided to return it as I dont really need it as I thought I would.
Everytime I walk into CompUSA, I am not allowed to get Credit on my card for returned items. I was very surprised this time since the product wasnt opened and I had the receipt. But instead of getting frustrated as I often do at that damn store, I decided to not fight the "Same Day - Same Store Credit" policy, since I need RAM for my notebook anyway.
They did not have the RAM I wanted, so I went browsing. I picked up an XBOX game for me and my son since I had to bribe him to stop complaining that I was taking too long. (Pitfall...only $20). While walking toward the counter, prepared to argue for a refund of the balance, I saw the D-Link DSM-320 on a shelf that it wasnt supposed to be on...placed there by a lazy customer who decided against it. So I grabbed it and bought it. The price was $200 minus my $105 credit, so in my warped mind, I talked myself into believing I was only paying $95 for it! :D
I am now baptized into the world of Digital Media Sharing across my home network...onto my TV and Stereo!
The unit has 802.11g built-in so setup was a breeze. I plugged it in, attached the wifi antenna and A/V cables, loaded the simple server software on my PC, and turned the unit on. After a quick setup via the VERY easy to use Wizard...it was running like a champ.
In about 10 total minutes, I was watching video and photos from my PC, listening to my entire MP3/WMA/WAV collection and even am able to use the AOL Streaming Radio for free (I am not an AOL user) until September 30th, at which time, I hope there are more online offerings.
The unit even upgraded itself via the internet all by itself. Hopefully there will be more upgrades for a few of it's small/medium shortcomings...which I'll list in this thread a bit later.
The remote is nice and easy to use, but I have a Sony RM AV-3100 Remote that's programmable for up to 18 devices, so I programmed it to mimic the remote and I am golden!
This is my only experience with DMAs so I'm a bit starry-eyed. There very well may be better devices out there. But this is a very cool option for 802.11g wireless access to all of your digital media!
Quick Negatives:
1) Have a problem playing AVIs, though the manual says it's possible, I dont know which format is acceptable.
2) I havent figured out playlists yet...but apparently, Windows Media Playlists aren't allowed.
3) It's hard to turn on at times. When I hit the powerbutton, it sometimes goes on then off, like I'm hitting the button twice (on both remotes).
4) It would be nice to have more online offerings like custome internet radio streaming, weather, RSS news, etc.
Other than that...I have no other complaints (yet!). But I dont know what I should be expecting anyway! Either way...I like what I see! :D
EDIT: Here is a review I found thru Gizmodo. Read some of the comments at the bottome of the page as well!
http://www.nodrm.com/index.php?p=54
Everytime I walk into CompUSA, I am not allowed to get Credit on my card for returned items. I was very surprised this time since the product wasnt opened and I had the receipt. But instead of getting frustrated as I often do at that damn store, I decided to not fight the "Same Day - Same Store Credit" policy, since I need RAM for my notebook anyway.
They did not have the RAM I wanted, so I went browsing. I picked up an XBOX game for me and my son since I had to bribe him to stop complaining that I was taking too long. (Pitfall...only $20). While walking toward the counter, prepared to argue for a refund of the balance, I saw the D-Link DSM-320 on a shelf that it wasnt supposed to be on...placed there by a lazy customer who decided against it. So I grabbed it and bought it. The price was $200 minus my $105 credit, so in my warped mind, I talked myself into believing I was only paying $95 for it! :D
I am now baptized into the world of Digital Media Sharing across my home network...onto my TV and Stereo!
The unit has 802.11g built-in so setup was a breeze. I plugged it in, attached the wifi antenna and A/V cables, loaded the simple server software on my PC, and turned the unit on. After a quick setup via the VERY easy to use Wizard...it was running like a champ.
In about 10 total minutes, I was watching video and photos from my PC, listening to my entire MP3/WMA/WAV collection and even am able to use the AOL Streaming Radio for free (I am not an AOL user) until September 30th, at which time, I hope there are more online offerings.
The unit even upgraded itself via the internet all by itself. Hopefully there will be more upgrades for a few of it's small/medium shortcomings...which I'll list in this thread a bit later.
The remote is nice and easy to use, but I have a Sony RM AV-3100 Remote that's programmable for up to 18 devices, so I programmed it to mimic the remote and I am golden!
This is my only experience with DMAs so I'm a bit starry-eyed. There very well may be better devices out there. But this is a very cool option for 802.11g wireless access to all of your digital media!
Quick Negatives:
1) Have a problem playing AVIs, though the manual says it's possible, I dont know which format is acceptable.
2) I havent figured out playlists yet...but apparently, Windows Media Playlists aren't allowed.
3) It's hard to turn on at times. When I hit the powerbutton, it sometimes goes on then off, like I'm hitting the button twice (on both remotes).
4) It would be nice to have more online offerings like custome internet radio streaming, weather, RSS news, etc.
Other than that...I have no other complaints (yet!). But I dont know what I should be expecting anyway! Either way...I like what I see! :D
EDIT: Here is a review I found thru Gizmodo. Read some of the comments at the bottome of the page as well!
http://www.nodrm.com/index.php?p=54