ADS Tech Media-Link

[jwhitesel]

Is there anyone else out there with this device?

http://www.adstech.com/products/MXL-581/intro/MXL-581_intro.asp?pid=MXL-581

I just got mine yesterday and hooked it up last night. Setup was pretty simple and I was streaming audio and video wirelessly within 20 minutes of getting it out of the box. First impression, this is a very cool device!

I'm still playing with it to figure out the details. The info that came with the unit is not very informative, but the results I've seen so far are impressive. The interface may not be the best although I haven't really tried other media streamers to compare. Sometimes there is a lag between the remote and the unit doing what you want, but that may be a wireless connection issue. I haven't tried it hardwired yet, but hopefully I will soon.

If anyone else has one of these lets compare.

james

[Ioman]

Wow, thanks for posting. I really like the way it looks. I wish the website would show more angles, and post more detailed specs.

What types of video inputs/outputs does it have?
What types of audio inputs/outputs does it have?
Is the remote IR or RF based?
What is SCART again? Is it the equivalent to cable card here in the states?
Does it support internet radio?
Whats the MSRP?

[ECA]

Provantage has it at $200 MSRP is $269.
SCART is Euro TV output..

I WOULD like MORe pics, and to SEE the back...close up detail.

[jwhitesel]

I'll try to get a digital picture of the back and post it for you. Its actually pretty nicely equiped. Including Component Video, and DVI video outputs, as well as the normal S-video and Composite video outputs. On the audio side it has the normal composite audio L & R outputs, a digital coaxial output, and toslink out. There is also an ethernet port.

I got mine for about $195 + $20S&H online from Unity Electronics. It also comes with a 802.11g PCMCIA Card making what I thought was a great deal.

After playing a little more with the unit I found I can also do a picture slide show as well as access the internet. The interent interface is a little cumbersome because of having to use the remote control, but still pretty cool.

Also you can use it to access internet radio stations. They have probably close to 100 channels pre-programmed and seperated by music type. Sounds very good.

As I said before the documentation that comes with the unit isn't very good, so I'll keep playing and see what else I can do.

[extrabyte]

i am also extremely interested in this unit.
my main objective is to play movies and with the DVI connection, it should be a great match with my plasma.

i would also think that wired rather than wireless would ultimately be the best way to go especially when it comes to streaming video.

there is a review of this unit in the sound&vision january issue.

by the way, great website and great forum.

thanks.

[ECA]

Love the Praise...
nice quiet spot to REAd whats up...aint it nice..

[arevee]

Found one for auction. does not have scart connector. how much are those??

also, can this player access file-tree structure for MP3/fotos or do they have be sorted genre wise??

[jwhitesel]

As far as reading files; it basically, by default, reads everything in the "my documents" directory of windows. So "my music" will show up in the music menu of the unit and be sorted the same way you have it on your computer. On my computer its all saved by band then by album.

You can also setup "watch folders" in the ADS software to point it to read any other directory, like on a different hard drive, etc.

Hope that answered your question.

[pakapinos]

Do you think the 581 can be used to playback XM satellite radio that is streamed over the internet ?

[jwhitesel]

There is really no need because the unit is preset with a bunch of interent radio stations of numerous formats that are all free. XM music content sticks anyway. JMO.

[tnkingsley]

If you are interested, Product Testing Labs did a review of the Media-Link and they rated it highly. The review is at http://www.product-testing-labs.com and the review is at: http://www.product-testing-labs.com/media-link.html