Filed under: Go Video | Tags: 3555.55.00, GoVideo, Networked, Player, Progressive-Scan, SPEEDMASTER
GoVideo D 2730 Networked Progressive-Scan DVD Player Review
After reading all of the reviews for this product I was a little trepid about buying it. I decided that the bulk of the problems users have is due to lack of computer experience. To test this theory I tried to examine the product thoroughly before coming to any conclusion.
I wanted to test the product out of the box and then upgrade to the latest software versions and test it again… here is what I found…
Out of the box the product set itself up very well. It found the network and the server (my PC). It could play most of the files that I tried but had trouble with a few. The main interface was a little cumbersome and the program had an overall buggy and unintuitive feel. I would have rated the product a three at this point. In fact I would have agreed with most of the negative reviews written here.
Now… here is where the fun started.
Upgrading the product was soooooo easy that my pet monkey (If I had one) could have pulled it off flawlessly. It was as easy as going to Govideo’s site and downloading two files. One of the files is an ISO image (burnable to cd) and one is a zip file containing the new software for your server (PC).
Once I downloaded the ISO it burned to a cd in about 38 seconds (at 48x). I placed the cd into the DVD drive and it immediately came up with a menu prompting me to confirm that I would like to upgrade. It finished upgrading in about a minute and prompted me to restart the system.
The upgrade for my PC was rather large (68MB or so). This took me about 15 minutes to download. I recommend downloading it in advance if you buy this product, especially if you have a slow connection. Though the file is large it is critical that you download it. Setting it up was as easy as clicking next, next, next and finish.
The software is very, very easy to use. On the PC you simply click the folders you would like to share and click scan. The program will find all of the Video, audio and image files in these folders. You can set it up to scan on a timer as well. I have a large collection of MP3’s and all-in-all it took about 10 minutes to scan my entire collection. Once you finish scanning the PC can be left alone (especially if you set a timed scan). One final thing on the software is the ability to create play lists. Very easy to do and minimal on time. Software is perfect for the device.
Overall setup was easy even for basic computer users. The updates come in ISO’s that are ready to be burned to cd instantly. all you have to do is pop the new CD in and hit enter… Setup (minus downloading) took less than 15 minutes. That included the time it took to figure out how to share files without the manual. If you do not install the updates this product will not function properly, period.
The DVD player is very, very easy to use. It separates your video files into categories for easy searching. It is basically the same thing as the file system in your shared folder with a different skin. Very easy to search, organize and play all of your files. I was extremely satisfied with the diversity of files played. In fact I have files on my PC that I have been unable to find a good codec for that play flawlessly on this DVD player. I cannot say enough about the simplicity and quality of this player. The diversity of files played is shocking and flawless.
One thing that you need to make sure of is this… the player only takes certain wireless cards. If you open the product manual (above) on page 13 you will find a list of acceptable cards. It is probably best to order the card at the same time as the player… otherwise you may end up with a fancy DVD only player for a while… I was under the impression that it had built in wireless. It does however come with a Ethernet PC card that works great.
For a first Generation product that is breaking new ground you cannot beat this player. I cannot see myself replacing it until the format of media on the internet changes. If you cant afford to build a PC for the media room… or simply want something perfectly capable of filling that role you cannot go wrong with this product. It has my stamp of approval!
GoVideo D 2730 Networked Progressive-Scan DVD Player Feature
- Full-featured DVD player with built-in PCMCIA network slot for instant access to streaming media from your PC or home network
- Compatible with DVD-Video, DVD-R, DVD-RW, and MP3/WMA music CDs
- Dolby Digital and DTS digital outputs; Dolby Digital 5.1-channel decoding for wider compatibility
- Progressive-scan component-video outputs for seamless, flicker-free images on high-definition and HD-ready TVs
- Upgradeable onscreen “skins” and internal firmware; dedicated headphone jack fosters private listening
GoVideo D 2730 Networked Progressive-Scan DVD Player Overview
Early Adopters Pick: July 2003. This is the world’s first consumer electronics component featuring advanced DVD functionality that enables users to stream audio, images, and video from the PC to the TV at the touch of a button on the remote control.
Finally, there’s a home-entertainment device that integrates PC entertainment with traditional audio/video sources. GoVideo’s slim and stylish D2730 is not only compatible with a wide range of physical media, but it comes with a rear-panel PCMCIA slot for either wired or wireless networking with a desktop or laptop PC–it even comes with wired networking card. Now you can easily stream audio, images, and video files from the PC through to the TV at the touch of a button. The unit streams JPEG images, MP3 and WMA audio formats, and MPEG1 and MPEG2 video formats. Compatible physical media includes DVD-R/DVD-RW, video CD, Kodak Picture CD, and MP3 and WMA CDs.
The D2730 comes equipped with a network card for wired home networks, allowing instant out-of-the-box set-up and use. Just open the box, install the D2730’s server software, hook it up to the TV and an Ethernet-capable PC or networked PCs, and start enjoying its innovative capabilities. If your home isn’t networked yet, the unit still operates as a full-function DVD player. And the player operates wirelessly, too, using an optional wireless 802.11b (16-bit) network card.
An intuitive graphical user interface simplifies operation, ideal for novice and technically proficient users of both DVD players and computers. User-upgradeable onscreen “skins” give operation a personalized look and feel, and the unit’s upgradeable firmware ensures that you’ll be ready for future DVD formats, too. A headphone output with a dedicated volume control facilitates private listening–perfect for tuning into Internet radio in the living room while the rest of the family reads or sleeps.
Top-of-the-line component-video outputs (switchable between progressive-scan and interlaced) help minimize digital and line-scan artifacts on compatible advanced televisions, while composite- and S-video outputs bring compatibility with nearly any television. Whether your living room is currently home to an HDTV or you’re merely thinking of “someday,” the D2730 stands ready to deliver the full potential of DVDs. Progressive scanning, referred to as 480p for the number of horizontal lines that compose the video image, creates a picture using twice the scan lines of a conventional DVD picture, giving you higher resolution and sharper images while eliminating nearly all motion artifacts.
A set of left/right analog-audio outputs channel audio to Dolby Pro Logic receivers and stereo televisions. Both Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel surround-sound signals can be routed through the player’s digital-audio outputs (one each of RCA coaxial and Toslink optical) for direct connection to a full-featured audio/video receiver, and–in case your existing receiver is merely “Dolby Digital ready” (with multichannel RCA analog inputs), the D2730 decodes Dolby Digital 5.1 to six discrete analog signals (left, center, right, left/right surround, and subwoofer).
What’s in the Box
DVD player, full-function remote control, 2 AAA batteries, wired Ethernet adapter (PCMCIA), installation CD-ROM (PC system software), onscreen user interface skin, stereo analog/composite-video interconnect (3 feet), user’s manual, warranty information.
GoVideo D 2730 Networked Progressive-Scan DVD Player Specifications
The GoVideo Networked DVD Player is a high end, slim-line Progressive Scan DVD player, and is the first player of its kind to be able to stream video files through a wireless network to a consumer electronics component. The Networked DVD Player works with either a wired PCMCIA Ethernet Adapter (included) or an optional PCMCIA 802.11b Wireless Network Card. The D2730 can also stream MP3 and WMA audio files and JPEG image files, as well as MPEG1 and MPEG2 video files.
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*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Dec 19, 2009 09:21:10
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