D-Link's DSM-5210R Wireless HD streamer
By Kevin C. Tofel 
posted Jan 5th 2006 6:05AM
posted Jan 5th 2006 6:05AM
D-Link is touting the new DSM-5210R as the first wireless high-def streaming media player with 100GB of storage and 5-in-1 card reader, but is it semantics? We already know that a Windows Media Center PC can stream HDTV via WiFi to an Xbox 360 via the Windows Media Extender functionality, so maybe we're sticklers on these kinds of statements. Doesn't really matter because we want our HDTV to follow us wherever we go and the DSM-5210R might deliver. D-Link doesn't specify the wireless type included with the media server (802.11a works well) and 100GB of storage isn't going to hold a ton of high-def content. However, the box does show promise with XviD and Ogg Vorbis support, something those WMCEs don't do easily. If you do like the native Windows format for media, you can use the included Windows Media Connection functionality. HDMI, USB, S-Video, composite, coax and optical audio are all part of the 1.5-inch high and 17-inch wide unit. Notably missing are details on availability and price.
The AVeL LinkPlayer from I-O Data has streamed HD content including XViD for a while now. It even plays Windows Media HD DVDs now.
http://www.iodata.com/products/products.php?cat=HNP&sc=AVEL&pId=AVLP2%2FDVDLA&ts=2&tsc=15
Does the D-Link have H.264 support as well?
The next i-o data avel linkplayer 3 will.
Who really wants to buy a 360, though?
I bet this thing doesn't dim your neighborhoods streetlights everytime you turn it on, either.
I think the 'first' their claiming is that the device is a Media server, as well as a player. The LinkPlayer is not a server. Personally, I like more flexibility in my server. My feeling is that with no recording capabilities, it will be relatively useless as a server, and with only 100G it will not be able to act as a storage device for all media. It will either be used only as a wireless HD player (which LinkPlayer among others already do) or it will get stuck in the middle and die a horrible death.
crud...
$cat $POST_4 | sed 's/their//they're/'
I should always proof my post.
Its look like access point..!
Just want to add that the DSM-520 has a USB mass storage device port in the front and it looks like this one does as well. Although 100GB is somewhat limited for video, its pretty nice for music and the ability to add USB storage and playback without a computer running is bonus. I'm not running some media server 24/7 just to play music/video in my flat.
It is offered on dlink's site for $249.99 US. For wireless it supports 802.11g/b. It also supports UPnP AV 1.0 so it should work with any UPnP AV compliant media server. Unfortunately, you are still limited to only connecting to one media server at a time. Lastly, the WMV9 support is maxxed at 720P.
"D-Link is touting the new DSM-5210R as the first wireless high-def streaming media player"
I call bullshi$%:
Pinnacle has had their Showcenter 200 unit out for a while now.
http://pinnaclesys.com/PublicSite/us/Products/Consumer+Products/Digital+Media+Adapters/Digital+Media+Player/ShowCenter+200.htm
Hey, maybe they could even get it to play divx and xvid properly this time too.
I've had a DSM-320 for a while now. It isn't too bad for music, but video support is terrible. Maybe one in ten xvids will play properly - everthing else is jerky and unwatchable.
As for streaming HD - the DSM-320 has trouble streaming SD, much less HD over 802.11g. Good luck getting 720p or 1080i to play without a wired connection.