Linksys WMA11B - Media Player w/TV out

["gjggroupid" <yahoogroups@xxxxxxx>]

I've been using one of these for a few days now so thought I would
share my thoughts.  I suppose i'm really comparing it to my rio
receiver as that's the only other device I used.

*** The device ***
Size - It's very small, being slightly bigger than a VHS tape.
Connects via Wireless 11b or Ethernet.
There is no display on the device, only status lights for
wireless/power/ready.
User interface is displayed on the tv, via composite or s-vhs output.

*** Install/Setup ***
Give the device an ip/wireless ssid/wep config and install the
windows app.
Then Set the folders on your pc where your photo's and music are.
Turn it on, and it contacts the server app and downloads a binary
image of some sort.  Then boots to the menu sceen.

The device can operate in ad-hoc mode, so you don't need a wireless
access point.

*** Interface ***
The Very simple graphical interface is displayed on your Tv, whilst
the audio output is connected to my av amp.

Essentially there are two menu options:
1- Play audio (mp3/wma)
Audio is listed by artist, title, genre or playlist
Each artist lists albums underneath it,where you can futher drill
into individual songs.
An options menu lets you turn on/off shuffle and repeat.

2- View Photo's (jpg/bmp etc)
Photo's are displayed by sub-folder.
You can view Thumbnails or display all in a slide show.
An options menu lets you set the time between photos in the slide
show.

I found if you play music 1st, you can then display photo's with the
music in the background.

*** Observations ***
User Interface and functionality may appear a little basic.
However it does exactly what it's supposed to do and in a very easy
to use way.
It only supports windows 2000/xp at present, and there no digital out.
It's doesn't do internet radio or syncronised playing like the slim
devices models

Ultimately for the price (just over 100 pounds) it plays, music and
photos via the tv/hi-fi fantastically.

It's a basic device which works well, and I can buy two for the price
of a the wireless slim devices product and overcome the display
problems of my current Rio at the same time.

GarryG.


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