The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group DLink DSM 330 David Hague |
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How would SWMBO like yet another box connected to the big TV in the lounge room? David Hague has found one that might just serve a need for the HD enthusiasts. |
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Since its inception as a bit of a pirate codec, DivX has come along in leaps and
bounds
and has matured very nicely so that it's now well respected. In fact, DivX HD
has gained much praise as a vehicle for 'net based video with much less overhead
than its rivals. With the uptake of hi-def video cameras coinciding with their ever increasing affordability, plus the fact that people actually want to see their footage played back in hi-def, it can be argued that the DivX codec makes an attractive alternative to a method such as rendering out and playing back on a Blu-ray player. That route involves having a Bluray burner and player, or at the very least, access to them. Conversely, using most later video editing / DVD authoring packages, you can quite easily make high quality, hi-def videos in DivX. With this in mind, the new D-Link DSM 330 DivX Connected HD Media Player makes an interesting addition to a home theatre setup. Simply, in addition to the scenario quoted above, if you have lots of DivX content on your hard drives, or access to DivX content via the 'net, this could be a very desirable piece of kit to have, albeit pricey at $400. Only a tad larger than a wireless router/modem, the DSM 330 connects to a PC via either wireless 802.11g, or Ethernet cable. The unit then connects via HDMI, component or S-video to yourTV or projector.To play back content via theTV, simply fire up the server software that comes with the DSM 330 and switch theTV to the box (I used a four way selector to switch between TV, a Playstation 3, Wii and the DivX Connected box). |
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PC Update ratings: Performance: 8 Features: 8 Documentation: 7 Setup: 9 Value for money: 6 We liked: easy to setup, excellent streaming of DivX clips Disliked: Price, will only play DviX, all others need transcoding Vendor: DLink Australia www.dlink.com.a Price: $400 |
On screen will appear a menu, controlled by (sigh) another remote for the
collection, letting you
switch between videos, music, photos, plug-ins (from
www.dvix.com/plugins) and
services. Installed services include Funspot, a casual gaming service, that
mysteriously, is also activated by the `Stage6' button on the remote. To play videos or music, or to look at photos, upon installation, you have to connect folders in your network containing this content to the DSM 330 via the server software. For example, My Drive F; is an external drive of all DivX footage, Drive E: is my music drive and Drive G: contains photos. The setup and operation of the DSM 330 is a no-brainer, and if you have lots DivX content could be a useful addition to your home theatre setup. If not, and as any other form has to be transcoded before watching, other devices may be better value for money. |
Reprinted from the July 2008 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia
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