Multi media players

[uofmtiger]

Do any of you own one of these devices? I had a program for PS2 (Qtuner), a Prismiq, and now an IO Data Linkplayer. They will stream music, movies, and photos to your TV. The Linkplayer is a very special unit because it will upscale to High Definition and play back HD files you may have on your computer.

The player is a networked DVD player that can stream movies you have on your computer to your HDTV or TV. It now has added Rhapsody streaming and will soon become a Microsoft "Playforsure" liscensed product (from what I understand). If you are interested in a DVD player that can upconvert over component outputs, play HD video, play internet radio, stream rhapsody, play DVDs you burned to your computer, play back photos with music, has a built in screensaver, plays MP3s, Ogg, etc..then you should take a look at this player!

I wrote a review here (http://uofmtiger.blogspot.com/2004_12_03_uofmtiger_archive.html#1101435327984151 79).

The company added so many new features since I wrote my first review that I had to add several extra items to the bottom of it. I am waiting for their WMV DRM update before I re-write the entire review. The company has also stated that it plans to add FLAC in the future. BTW I am not affiliated with the company in any way, but I am a huge fan of it!

[uofmtiger]

The company has also stated that it plans to add FLAC in the future. BTW I am not affiliated with the company in any way, but I am a huge fan of it! The company has not added FLAC, but there is now a way to get FLAC to the Linkplayer. Twonkymedia has a UPNP software program that will transcode FLAC to WAV on the fly. It works great on the Linkplayer, but still requires the Twonkymedia program to be runnng on your computer.

I would prefer native FLAC, so I could play it without a computer being on, but I will settle for this since it now allows me access to my my FLAC files that are stored on my computer. :banana:

[JimmyNeutron]

I'm in the process of building a second media server for my main theater system downstairs. The only things keeping me from finishing the project is which TV tuner card to get and which video card to get. I have been thinking about the ATI series as they can upconvert video to 1080p - nice, and maybe a hauppauge HDTV tuner cards since their PVR functions seem to be the most widely supported. This is,of course, just for the video side, as the audio would be cloned from my current music media system running the Meedio front end and all CD's stored locally in FLAC format. Why stream when HD space and computers are so cheap you could just add a small computer to your system for at least music playback?

[uofmtiger]

Why stream when HD space and computers are so cheap you could just add a small computer to your system for at least music playback? This is a good question. The reason I chose the Linkplayer is because of the lack of fan noise, the ease of setup, the fact that I was not forced to have a computer running, and the relative cost (at the time).

I have since hooked up my main computer to my TV directly and it is also hooked up to the Linkplayer via the network. Right now, it is just easier to use the Linkplayer for everything but Rhapsody, XM radio (which I prefer getting directly from my computer), and interent surfing.

I am not sure computers that can handle high def processing/recording are still all that cheap. My main computer can handle it, but I like to have it for other applications in the office while others are watching a movie, listening to music, or watching picture slideshows in the living room.

I plan to add a media only computer in the near future, but I am pretty sure I will be spending more than $250 (which is what I paid for the do it all DVD player).

My current issue with buying a new computer that can handle high def is that it will still cost several hundred dollars to get it up and running. With HD-DVD and BluRay on the horizon, I do not want to spend the money on something until I see how these technologies will be implemented into the new operating systems.
Why stream when HD space and computers are so cheap Hard drive space is still required for streaming to the Linkplayer, the main issue is spending the money on a 3Ghz+ computer for handling high def processing.

To be clear, I still like to use my computer in the living room, but it is not for full time media duty. I have Meedio and a few other front ends that I use when I am in the mood and I also like the ability to surf the internet on my 61 inch screen. However, it is much easier to have the Linkplayer doing everything else until I decide to buy a computer that is ONLY for media. I would guess I will have that in process by the end of the year if the new HD media is ever released. Right now, I have the best of both worlds when I choose, so I am in no hurry.

BTW I was using the computer to play back FLAC, but it is just easier to handle all of the music via the Linkplayer now that it is compatible. I am sure there is a way to run my computer on two screens independently (I am currently just cloning to the TV in the living room), but it could tax my hard drive when I am doing other things. When I get a media only computer, the Linkplayer will be moved to the bedroom and I will just run it off the network like I am doing now.