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Wireless Home
Entertainment System Reviews
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Wireless Media Players
The new world of wireless home entertainment awaits you!
Today, you can easily move music, video, and other multi-media content around the house without wires.
Thanks to the developments in software and wireless digital technology, today's wireless media players and wireless-enabled home entertainment systems, can enable even the average home PC user to experience his or her entire digital collection in its full glory over a big screen TV and proper surround sound system. And this without being tied to a PC.
In particular, wireless digital media players provide an affordable solution for ease of integration of digital content from a PC or any other device accessible through your home network, and the rest of your home entertainment setup.
Priced at around three hundred dollars, these devices pull digital content through your home network, in order to play it anywhere in the house, say over an existing TV in the kids' room, a stereo speaker system in a garage, or a big screen in your dedicated home theater room.
Wireless Media Players come with a remote control and an intuitive on-screen menu - accessible through your TV or home theater monitor - that lets you browse through media files on your network and online internet services.
Some wireless digital media
players require the installation of accompanying software that transforms your PC into a
multi-media server. Such wireless media players include the
D-Link DSM-520 MediaLounge Wireless HD Media Player
Others like the
Mvix Wireless HD Media Center (MX-760HD)
A
welcome improvement over earlier media players is the availability of more
wireless digital media players that can interface with standard applications
like Apple iTunes, installed on your networked PC. Standard media
applications would normally include a host of features that one gets used to
and that are often missing from accompanying media server software that come
with some wireless digital media players.
Apple TV
Unfortunately, despite the fact that wireless digital media players have been around for quite some time, choice of available wireless digital media players is still somewhat limited. This is rather surprising when considering that 'wireless' home entertainment is such a hot issue these days. It was following the announcement of Apple TV that we started to see again a revival of interest in wireless digital media players.
On our part, we have gone through a number of affordable wireless digital media players with the scope of providing added information that will hopefully prove to be of assistance in your selection process.
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If you have not already done so, we suggest that you go through our Introductory Guide to Wireless Home Entertainment Systems. This should give you a better insight as to what wireless entertainment is all about, and in particular, on the different wireless standards and related security issues. |
Apple TV
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Originally dubbed as iTV, the Apple TV lets you stream your multi-media content - movies, TV shows, music, photos - from iTunes, onto a big screen TV in the comfort of your Living room. |
It comes in an extremely compact, sleek silver finished box that is no larger than 7.7 inches square by just 1.1 inches high. The front consists of just the power led, while all connectivity resides on the back panel. Most of the space within the square box is taken up by an internal hard disk. This is used to store files when synchronizing media content from up to five different computers (PCs or MACs), wirelessly via an 802.11b, g, or n interface.
Two versions are available of the Apple TV: The 40GB Apple TV, with its 40GB hard dish, and a somewhat more expensive but with a larger hard dish, the Apple MB189LL/A 160GB Apple TV. Other than the hard disks, both versions share the same feature set.
Storing files locally on the Apple TV allows for later playback; besides, it also renders for a smoother playback especially when working over an 802.11b or g network.
The Apple TV is probably, one of the few - if not the only wireless digital media player - that at present sports an 802.11n wireless connectivity. The 'n' standard is the fastest and the latest in wireless connectivity protocols. It gives the Apple, an edge over competition in terms of streaming performance, even when both the computer source and the Apple TV are wireless connected to the network.
Setup is easy and simple - almost plug and play, while the on-screen interface is intuitive and easy to navigate - even with the provided oversimplified remote control. Overall, the Apple TV interface is more like an up-scaled iPod menu but with the difference that the Apple TV uses the left half of the screen to display contextual graphics, album art, etc.
The Apple TV has a decent set of connectivity options, including component video and HDMI, supporting high definition video in resolutions up to 720p, but no support for standard video out. This means that if your TV does not support any one of these connections, you cannot use the Apple TV. Audio is available in stereo format only (no support for surround) via RCA jacks or optical audio. Other connectivity options include USB2.0, 10/100Base-T Ethernet, and as already indicated, an 802.11n wireless interface that is backward compatible with 802.11b and 802.11g.
Supported file formats include: H.264 and protected H.264 (from iTunes Store) - 640 by 480, 30 fps, LC version of Baseline Profile; 320 by 240, 30 fps, Baseline profile up to Level 1.3; 1280 by 720, 24 fps, Progressive Main Profile. MPEG-4 - 640 by 480, 30 fps, Simple Profile Supported Audio Formats - AAC (16 to 320 Kbps); protected AAC (from iTunes Store); MP3 (16 to 320 Kbps); MP3 VBR; Apple Lossless; AIFF; WAV Supported Photo Formats - JPEG, BMP, GIF, TIFF, PNG.
The bottom line: If iTunes is your preferred digital media player application, then there is no doubt the Apple TV will be pretty much your only choice. Ok, you cannot purchase from the iTunes store via the Apple TV, but...
It is one of the few wireless digital media players that can stream content purchased via the iTunes stores.
And though it does not support Internet radio, surround sound, or connect to older non-HD TVs, yet the Apple TV is capable of delivering a simple almost plug-and-play wireless digital media player solution.
For more information on the Apple TV products, including pricing and availability, please refer to the respective product pages at amazon.com:
Apple MB189LL/A 160GB Apple TV
For a recommended Apple TV Pocket Guide, click here.
D-Link MediaLounge DSM-520
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The D-Link MediaLounge DSM-520 wireless digital media player is a follow-up to the D-Link DSM-320 released way back in 2005.
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Both the DSM-320 and the DSM-520 wireless digital media players are capable of streaming audio, video and photos over an 802.11g wireless network. However, the DSM-520 represents a significant improvement over its predecessor both in terms of streaming performance and also, supported features. The latter includes - among a never ending list of features - streaming of high definition video with resolutions up to 1080i in Windows Media Video 9 or MPEG-4 format, surround sound, support for DRM-protected WMA files purchased from Internet stores, Rhapsody streaming, and internet radio - something that the Apple TV lacks.
And to top it off, this new D-Link wireless digital media player comes at a cheaper price tag than most of the competition.
Measuring 1.5 by 11.25 by 16.75 inches, the DSM-520 is housed in a black aluminum chassis with stylish front panel that blends in perfectly well with other home entertainment gear.
Connectivity includes a USB 2.0 port in the front panel for instant access to music, photos, and videos stored on removable USB flash drives or hard drives. Other connections include an HDMI, Component Video, Coax Digital Audio, Optical Digital Audio, Composite Audio, Composite Video and S-Video. This means that the DSM-520 may be used equally well with both HDTV sets as well with the older 4:3 standard definition televisions.
All this is accompanied by a friendly user interface. The built-in Setup Wizard makes setting up the DSM-520 wireless digital media player straightforward, while wireless configuration is made even simpler than ever thanks to Windows Connect Now. Simply run the Wireless Network Setup Wizard from Windows XP SP2, and transfer the wireless settings to the DSM-520 using a USB flash drive.
File formats supported include MP3 up to 320Kbps, WAV and AIFF, WMA for audio, JPEG, JPEG2000, BMP, PNG, TIFF, and GIF for image files, and WMV9, MPEG1, MPEG2, MPEG4, XviD and AVI files for video.
Overall, the D-Link MediaLounge DSM-520 wireless digital media player offers a winning combination of impressive features and streaming performance - covering audio, photos and high definition video at a price tag that is among the cheapest within its category.
For more information on the DSM-520 wireless digital media player, including the latest price offers, please check out the following amazon product page:
D-Link MediaLounge DSM-520 HD Wireless Digital Media Player
NETGEAR Digital Entertainer HD EVA8000
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Probably, the NETGEAR EVA8000 Digital Entertainer is the wireless digital media player of choice for those who do not like iTunes in that it is one of the few non-Apple media players that can play protected iTunes songs. |
In addition, it also supports an extensive range of file formats - including high-definition media up to 1080p, to stream movies, videos, music, internet radio, and photos, from your computer and other storage devices, to display it in its full glory on your big screen HDTV set.
Moreover, as if this is not enough, it can stream YouTube and BitTorrent videos and Flickr photos as well.
At 1.5 by 10 by 17 inches, the NETGEAR EVA8000 wireless digital media player can sit atop your home theater gear. True that it is not as compact as the Apple TV, but aesthetically, it can easily blend with the rest of your gear.
You would need to install the accompanying NETGEAR software on your PC to get things working, but once done, setting up of the EVA8000 is easy thanks to a functional and intuitive on-screen interface.
Connectivity on the NETGEAR Entertainer HD covers about everything. Video connections cover HDMI and component video for HD TV sets, and S-video and composite video for connecting to old standard definition TVs. For audio, you have a choice of both optical and coaxial digital outputs, as well as standard analog stereo RCA jacks.
To top up the connectivity list, there are an Ethernet jack, a USB2.0 and a SCART port on the rear panel and a USB2.0 and a headphone jack on the front.
The two built-in USB 2.0 ports give you the possibility to plug whatever you want on the front while using the one on the back panel to connect a USB2.0 hard drive. The latter is important as it gives you the possibility to stream content without being bound to have your PC on.
Wireless connectivity is via the 802.11g standard, which means that you should avoid streaming HD content via a double hoop connection over your network, say from a wireless connected laptop to your wirelessly connected NETGEAR EVA8000 wireless digital media player. (For more info on this issue, please refer to our Intro Guide to Wireless Media Players).
A possible alternative to streaming content wirelessly without being tied
to Cat5e cabling is to use one of the many
powerline Ethernet kits
As stated earlier on, file support is extensive and includes MP3, WAV, WMA, AAC (unprotected), and FLAC for audio, MPEG1, MPEG2, and MPEG4, AVI, WMV, and XVID for video, and JPEG, BMP, PNG, TIFF for photos.
Note that playback of Windows Media DRM (WMDRM10) protected downloaded content purchased from major online services requires Windows Media Connect (WMC) server software, available from Microsoft.
The bottom line: The NETGEAR EVA8000 wireless digital media player is surely one of the most versatile digital media receivers presently available with an extensive array of features that should surely delight the tech-savvy user.
More info on the NETGEAR EVA8000 wireless digital media player, including availability, pricing and customer feedback is available at the following amazon product page:
NETGEAR EVA8000 Digital Entertainer HD
Additional Related Articles under the
Wireless Speakers Systems and Wireless Home Entertainment Sections:
Reviews:
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Wireless Digital Media Players
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Copyright © - Practical-Home-Theater-Guide.com All rights reserved.
Review Date:
8h July, 2007
Lots more info at
Practical Home Theater Guide
Suggested Further Reading:
Wireless Home Theater: A buying guide to Wireless
Speakers Systems
Wireless speakers offer greater
flexibility especially when in-wall wiring is not an option. This wireless
speakers buying guide should help you identify the best solution for your needs.
A Practical Guide to Wireless Headphones and Dolby
Headphone technology
Ever told to turn it down? Wireless headphones may be a
solution. However, you need to combine the flexibility
of a wireless headset with Dolby Headphone technology to
enjoy a great sound experience.
Surround Sound
Formats
The never ending list of terms and brand names - Dolby, DTS,
THX - associated with surround systems is starting to get a bit too
complicated...
Speaker Placement in Multi-Channel Audio Correct home theater speaker placement plays a critical role towards achieving that seamless ‘enveloping’ sound so important in the overall home theater experience.
Time Delay
Settings in Surround Systems
Directly related with your home theater speaker placement is a correctly set surround sound
field in multi-channel audio playback systems.
Home
Theater Equipment Placement
Just as important as which equipment to buy, is deciding where to put them.
Correct placement of system components is a major contributor towards...
Selecting and Installing Speaker Wire
A correct home theater wiring approach
is important for your home theater sound. Poor workmanship and low quality
speaker wire will surely impact...
Home Theater Design:
A series of
articles covering all aspects of a home theater setup.
Home Theater Room Design Basics (1):
Room Acoustics and Lighting
Acoustics
& lighting are dependent on the shape, size and layout of your room – a fact
often overlooked by many during their home theater design stage...
Set-up Discs and Video Calibration Solutions
Home theater setup DVDs and video calibration kits can help you squeeze a
lot more out of your system.
Quick
Guide to DVI
The DVI Cable Guide
- explaining the different flavors of DVI interconnects
HDMI
Cable Guide
A short guide explaining all you need to know about HDMI
cables & connectors.
HDCP and HDTV:
What is HDCP, and why
it impacts HDTV viewing? What about HDCP strippers as a solution to
non-compliant devices?
Audio Video
Equipment Racks
There is more to equipment racks than a storage space for your
home theater gear. More in this info guide.
Recommended Guides to
Home Networking
This book covers everything from terminology through wireless security and down to products needed. An extremely informative guide that can help you set up and run your own WiFi network.
Through this easy-to-follow step-by-step guide, you’ll learn to design your network, select the components, install any necessary wiring, connect to the Internet, connect PCs to the network, set up wireless security measures, and troubleshoot your network.
Wireless
Media Players
@
Wireless HTiBs
Panasonic SC-PT953 1100Watts Home Theater System with Wireless Rear Speakers.
Sony DAV-HDX267W
1000W HTiB with Wireless
Rear Speakers