This seemed like more than the WD Live as it has a Browser, that was the reason for my ordering it, along with a cool, full keyboard remote.
Sadly the Browser is useless, slow and quirky and really serves little purpose. I was also hoping that one could assign a VPN to the box allowing access to streaming media from the UK. Which it doesn't.
It did pick up my network, but does not recognize a USB hub, so you are limited to what you can connect to the 3 USB ports.
My reasons for giving it 2 stars, rather than 1, are it actually comes with a wireless dongle along with an HDMI cable. Many other manufacturers do not include this.
It will not playback BluRay files, again a drawback. But others seemed to stream over my network without any hiccups.
There is so little information about this product, even on iomega's website, which is why I ordered it in the hope it would work with my set-up.
So in conclusion, it's basically the same as a WD Live, it has Netlfix, Pandora, Mediafly etc. So if that's what you want and it fit's your needs, then choose whichever is the cheapest !! But if you are buying it for the browser, better you opt for GoogleTV. Iomega 35039 1 TB ScreenPlay DX HD Media Player
First this is awesome player with huge I TB capacity.
You can dump all your personal photos, videos, movies, songs and watch/listen at a click of button. Included remote (mini keyboard) is good but it will take some time before to get used.
I tried with MKV, JPG, AVI, BMP, MP3 formats and it works well.
Sometimes it is struck but that is fine we can't expect powerful processor for less than $200. Not yet tried with Netflix.
But for web browser it is like basic only you can't read text as letters are very small.
PROS:
1. 1 TB hard disk
2. Runs almost all formats with Ease
3. Bearable starting and running speed
4. Can run Music and photos simultaneously
5. Include WIFI USB which is good if you are setting home network.
6. Included HDMI cable
7. Joystick (Player Control Pad) is awesome when you are watching YouTube or searching.
8. Can run for older TV's with composite AV cables
9. Pretty fast when copying files to hard disk. Copied 60 GB in 1 hour.
10. Good YouTube app - but some times alignment goes crazy - may be video issue.
CONS:
1. Provides beta web browser i.e., you can't play anything out of website which ruined my happiness. If it supports Flash it would have been instant hit.
E.g. can't play any video from CNN, CNBC!!!!
This reduces 1 point in rating.
2. Struck when it can't run file types. But "Eject" button is helping to move back to home screen.
3. Very very small letters when you are typing. Literally invisible. Just assume you are typing correctly! Could have been better if input window enlarges when typing.
4. No Zoom functionality except for photos.
Nice-to-have
- Could have provided home screen back ground music.
- Printed Manual atleast for some items like key board, navigation, home network setup.
- Lengthy cables like power cord, HDMI, composite cables.
Setup was easy. Updated firmware and connected via ethernet. Netflix worked fine, but what I bought it for was streaming video from my PC. Some files worked...but froze more than I found acceptable...others were not compatible - even though they were formats listed on the box (and Iomega's site) as playable formats.
The remote was horrible. Sometimes you hit the center button of the directional pad to select something, sometimes you don't - and it's MUCH smaller than pictures make it appear. I'm no technophobe at all and was really hoping this would work as advertised...sadly it doesn't. I sold it and await something better...though I'm close to going with the Boxee Box. I had thought about considering the Iomega TV with Boxee (settop box not yet available), but with the way this Iomega product disappointed me, I doubt I'll go that route.
If all you want to do is watch Netflix or load Divx files to the hard drive and watch them, this unit might satisfy you. Anything more than that most likely will disappoint...
The unit comes with a solutions cd that would not load.
I called customer support and they told me I had to download the latest version. I had already looked for it and couldn't find any version. The customer service rep looked for 25 minutes and couldn't find one either. He told me to just read the manual. Point being I wanted to see what was on the Solutions cd. I expect there is organizational software etc. I gave up and retuned the unit.
If you plan to use this for rmvb playback don't bother. even though it does play it technically, it is useless unless you want 20 fps even on 480p videos, and also you don't need to fast forward, or skip, which it can't do.
The only reason why I give it 3 stars is that playback of other video types are pretty nice, like m2ts from my panny micro 3/4. And also even though it doesn't say it supports .3gp files, it actually can play 720p videos recorded from my android phone, although not perfectly smooth, and that I had to rename the files from .3gp to .avi first.
online content I would rate it 2 stars, even though it does work, it isn't very practical even with the keyboard remote. - Boxee Box - Hdmi - Amazon Video On Demand - Boxee'
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