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[Vorgod]

Hi

I know that there has been a lot of talk about connecting PC and stereo. And I have been reading a lot in the forum.... But I'm not sure anyway

so here I go....

If I chose to use my PC as media server, my laptop as client and Dlink DSM as media receiver. Can I then use the client (laptop) af a sort of remote to play music from the server (PC) to the media receiver (Dlink) and stereo (NAD by the way...). ?


 

[hit_ny]

Yes...

or you could set up theatre view in MC and use a remote and a TV screen. (but this would be mostly for playback) as opposed to doing MC centric tasks.

[Alex B]

What is the Dlink DSM good for?

I would just connect the laptop directly to the stereo and enjoy. A high quality external soundcard like M-Audio Transit USB might further increase the amount of enjoyment.

[John Gateley]

The DLink DSM-320 is overkill, it's designed to connect to a TV too (and
in fact, you'll have to have a TV to see what's going on).

A music only box, like the NetGear MP101, is more appropriate here.

The advantage over a laptop is less noise, less space required, and
less hassle when you want to take the laptop on a trip.

j

[Myron]

Yes...

or you could set up theatre view in MC and use a remote and a TV screen. (but this would be mostly for playback) as opposed to doing MC centric tasks.

Wouldn't the laptop need to have some sort of UPnP control point application and LAN connection to control the DSM?

[alanl]

The advantage over a laptop is less noise, less space required, and
less hassle when you want to take the laptop on a trip.

Ah, but you can't show full screen visualizations on a music box!

What I am trying to do is use my home built box of bits upstairs as a server, my old-ish laptop as a client showing G-Force, and then control the pair of them from No.1 laptop through my Wi-Fi network.

I say trying because No. 1 laptop has spent the last couple of months in and out of warranty repair, and the old-ish laptop's graphics are somewhat lacking in ... everything, but hey, the principle's sound 

Maybe I should get out more?

Alan

[mbdundee]

I have had a DSM-320 for several years now. To say the least it is a frustrating device. These are my personal views and experiences. If you want to play mp3's it is fine and the wireless will work. If you want to do photo's there are some sizing issues with certain formats, but it will do a decent job with photo's. If you want to use it for video's, this is where it becomes frustrating. It is not anything to do with the software driving it, MC does do as good a job as possible.  Most of the issues can be attributed to D-Link and there f/w for the box. Sizing is the biggest issue. Anamorphic wide screen will never size correctly. If your tv is capable of switching from 4:3 to 16:9 then it will work. Multiple VOB files will alway pause between files and sometimes just hang. It can not recognize any file larger than 2gb.  Using an mp4 format will work and compresses nicely, but it will not decode 5.1 in that format so you are stuck with stereo. FF and Reverse do not function well nor does the jump setting. The wireless needs an internal mod to boost the signal to even attempt video. Hard wire is best for video unless you can get a consistant high signal strength.