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[JimH]

I bought a couple of UPnP devices today to test with our new UPnP server plug-in.

UPnP is a standard that many new devices support.  A compliant device can talk to another UPnP device or to software.  The reason you'd want one is that you can connect it to your home theater or TV and to your network, and then play the audio, video, and images that are stored on your PC.   MC11 can handle the PC side now--nothing else is required on the PC.

The devices I bought were the 300i and the 400i Streamiums from Philips.  The 300i is the one on top and the 400i is the one below it in this picture:
http://www.jriver.com/~jriver/2005/streamium/DSC02398.JPG

Hooking both up was a breeze.  I just plugged in cables (RCA jack cables for video, left and right audio) and turned them on.  They worked.  Both use the same remote and it works well.  Both have wireless Ethernet built in, but I used the wired ports.

The only problem I had was my own.  I'd told MC11 to convert my library (all APE) to MP3 as it streamed.  But I'd forgotten that I had no MP3 encoder installed.  This required a walk back to my office to find the reason.

There are less expensive solutions for this problem (the 300i was $299 and the 400i was $449) but these two seem to deliver the promise of UPnP.  They do a good job of making things as easy as a TiVo.

Photos are here:
http://www.jriver.com/~jriver/2005/streamium/

The screenshots are mostly a series of screens resulting from pressing the right button of this set:
http://www.jriver.com/~jriver/2005/streamium/DSC02395.JPG

Philip's Streamium web site is here:
http://www.streamium.com

[JimH]

Here are a couple of screenshots (1 MC and 1 TV ) that show how you can set up custom view schemes for browsing on the UPnP device.

http://www.jriver.com/~jriver/2005/streamium2/

[jgourd]

That is so cool. I may have to rethink deploying my new BeyondTV system with Beyond Media. If only there was a way to auto import new media.

Does it stream DVD quality MPEGS and DivX files?

[TXgary]

JimH
Where did you purchase your 300I
I went to Fry's, but they have no clue as to what I am talking about....
How would you compare the 300I to just using TV out from your computer directly to the family room TV..
I value your comments and will buy the 300i if that is the best for me to do....
I am looking to have everything in one place (TV, TV recording, Videos, Music, Photos, etc) and MC11 is the perfect place, but need to get that to the family room.  If I move the PC into the family room, then I have too much noice from it, etc. 
Thanks for your help

[bebop]

Jim, thanks for the info and the pics - this looks like something even I can do!  In fact, I am checking out the D-link device this afternoon.  If it is a easy to install as the one you showed, it will be coming home with me to become part of our home theater setup!    Thanks again.  Bet