D-Link gives DSM-520 access to hundreds of online TV channels

Evidently, loosing the DSM-750 Extender for Windows Media Center just wasn't enough for D-Link, as the firm seemingly felt the need to give loyal (and to-be) owners of the DSM-520 Wireless HD Media Player a nice bonus. Starting today, buyers of the aforementioned digital media adapter will have access to "more than 200 online channels," as the unit can now take advantage of active-TV technology. The service reportedly "allows easy access to internet video and entertainment sites with a remote control," and it also uses a "content aggregator developed by MediaMall Technologies." Some notable channels include Comedy Central, CinemaNow, Google Video, Movielink, ROOtv Music Videos, Akimbo, MTV, Musicmatch, Napster, VH1, ESPN and FOX Sports, and there's also international content out there for those willing to branch out. The expanded DSM-520 should be shipping momentarily for $249.99, and existing owners can snag the update gratis on October 4th.

[ominx @ Sep 26th 2007 9:47PM]

I hope their "active-TV" technology makes this worth it. Currently, streaming internet TV content (with the most recent firmware on the 520) over anything but a wired connection will leave many users frustrated.

[ciscoguerrero @ Sep 26th 2007 9:59PM]

Any chance a few of those 200 channels are prOn? That could be make this an awesome device.

[Jay @ Sep 26th 2007 10:38PM]

I have the 320 and really like it for music. Less so for video since it's just a little bit choppy (just barely bad enough to really get on my nerves).

Makes me wonder if upgrading to the 520 would fix this, or if it is on the computer-server side of things (I'm running the video off of an 2800xp Athlon system with 1 gig of RAM).

[gadgetgal @ Sep 28th 2007 6:03PM]

I just got the 520 and the new features are a nice bonus indeed - no problem with the video over my local wireless network either.

[Bob S. @ Oct 5th 2007 6:08AM]

I got this response when I asked why the release to existing DSM-520 owners:
Date of Reply: 10/4/2007
Products: DSM-520
Operating System: Windows XP Pro

>>>Robert
I have been informed that it has been pushed forward it may be released next week I have been told I am very sorry for this inconvenience.

Should you require further assistance with your D-Link products, please reply to this message, or call toll free at 877-453-5465.

[Jorge @ Oct 9th 2007 9:49AM]

I upgraded my DSM-520 to latest firmware version 1.04 and installed the Active-TV (from amd.com) on my Win XP Pro. Although the Active-TV server is running (square light is green), my DSM-520 unit cannot see it. Side Note: My DSM-520 can see the Dlink and the TVersity Media Servers.

Any ideas why the unit cannot detect the Active-TV Media Server?

Thanks

[David @ Nov 14th 2007 12:23AM]

I have both the 320 and the 520. The 320 does have a kind of subtle stutter when it plays videos (either wired or wirelessly), but I'm happy to say that the 520 plays most videos smooooothly, even wirelessly! For me, that alone was worth it to replace my 320! Note that the 520 doesn't seem to have the horsepower to play true HD videos very well. It will play 720P ok (bogs down occasionally in complex parts), but 1080 is unwatcheable.