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D-Link DSM-320RD Wireless Media Player, PS DVD, 5-in-1 Card Reader, 802.11g, 54Mbps | 
 enlarge | Brand: D-Link
Category: CE
List Price: $299.99
Buy Used: $167.51
You Save: $132.48 (44%)
New (4) from $188.89
Avg. Customer Rating:  27 reviews
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 11
Dimensions (in): 16 x 19.7 x 3
Legal Disclaimer: Warranty does not cover misuse of product.
MPN: DSM-320RD
Model: DSM-320RD
UPC: 790069270413
EAN: 0790069270413
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | An on-screen Wizard guides you step-by-step through the process. With support for Windows Connect Now, configuring the wireless settings is easier than ever before! Simply run the Wireless Network Setup Wizard from Windows XP Service Pack 2 and transfer the wireless settings to the DSM-320RD using a USB thumbdrive | | • | Universal Plug-&-Play AV | | • | Power Source - 110-220 VAC 50/60Hz, 0.5A max | | • | Dimensions - L = 16.75 inches / W = 11.25 inches / H = 1.5 inches | | • | D-Link 1-Year Warranty |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
The DSM-320RD is a gatway that connects your home entertainment center to an existing network, allowing you to wirelessly stream music, photos and videos from your Windows PC to your television and stereo system, all without running cables through your home. Using 802.11g wireless technology, the DSM-320RD streams media content at a maximum wireless signal rate of up to 54Mbps. You can also stream media content via Ethernet at speeds of up to 100Mbps. The DSM-320RD integrates seamlessly with your existing wired or wireless network. Using progressive scan technology, you can watch your favorite DVDs in high resolution (for high-definition and HD-ready TVs) with theatre-like sound. In addition to DVDs, this DVD Player will also play SVCD, CD-R, CD-RW, CD, and MP3 discs. The DSM-320RD also features a built-in 5-in-1 card reader, which provides a fast and convenient way to view and share digital photos, music, and videos stored on a memory card. Insert the memory card into the card reader and your media content becomes just a click away. Popular memory cards, including XD Card, SD, Memory Stick, SmartMedia, and Compact Flash (Type I and II) are supported. Get access to thousands of songs right from your living room. D-Link has partnered with premium online service providers such as AOL, Napster, and Rhapsody to bring you a large collection of CD-quality, commercial-free radio stations and PC music downloads. And now, with support for Windows Media Connect (WMC), all Windows Media Digital Rights Management (WMDRM) protected files can be seamlessly streamed from your PC to your living room.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 22 more reviews...
Good potential, but poor design... August 25, 2005
13 out of 13 found this review helpful
This could've been a great product, if it actually worked as advertised. First of all, the setup was a nightmare. And it's coming from me, someone with over 10 years of experience in IT. I spent a few hours on the phone with D-Link Support, and they weren't very helpful. I ended up resolving problem(s) myself after hours of online research. I finally got the damn thing to work, but it's behaving very flaky at times. I have to reboot my computer several times before it finally recognizes the server (software); sometimes I loose wireless signal all of a sudden. The hardware part seems to be working fine, it's mostly the software (firmware) that I blame. Like I said before, it's got a lot of nice features, but lacks performance. Hopefully, D-Link will release some updates shortly, otherwise, I suggest you think twice before purchasing this player.
 5 Stars for Value (Update -2 stars for mediocre software) January 5, 2007
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
Is it perfect? No. However, for just over $200 it's hard for me to complain about this device since it does exactly what I need it to do and integrates a lot of features. It gets my media files off my PC and plays it on my stereo and TV in my living room. It has an integrated DVD player that works quite well and the software works pretty well.
After my first day of use, here are my comments. I'll write a followup in a few days after playing around with it more.
Setup:
Install the server software on your PC FIRST.
I have a D-Link Wireless G router so that may be part of the reason why it was pretty easy for me to setup, but it was pretty straightforward right out of the box. I put the CD in my PC, ran the setup software. Then plugged in the DSM, followed the directions, it found my system and all my stuff and I was done in about 10 minutes. I am using WPA-PSK encryption and that worked just fine as well.
The on-screen navigation was a little odd at times and the remote is rather busy with a myriad of buttons, but I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to get going. Finding music files and such isn't so easy with the limited navigation you can do with a handheld remote and TiVo like TV interface as opposed to a mouse and keyboard. However, that is largely my fault since my media collection is about as well organized as laundry in a duffle bag at the moment. Playlists are key and I'm in the process of getting that all sorted out now. I just wanted to make sure it worked before I went through the trouble of getting organized.
Features:
One of the main reasons why I went with this unit is because it is one of the few Media Players out there that supports WPA-PSK encryption. Because of better security and WEP compatibility issues with other devices on my network, I have to use WPA. I put in my key clicked OK and it connected to my network just fine.
The single disc DVD player actually is really useful for me. I have a 400 disc DVD changer which is great for discs I own, but discs that I borrow or rent and need to take in and out, it's a pain. Now I can just use the DSM to play discs that I have temporarily.
CF and SD card readers are nice, but I'm not sure how often I'll use them since I'll likely dump pictures on my PC server and then get it over the network.
Auto software and firmware updates are nice and when I first power cycled the system it automatically updated itself to the latest firmware.
The server software is a little techy but being an engineer, it was easy for me to deal with. The server software scans the directories on your PC that you want to make accessible to the DSM which reads the scan file when it starts up. Note that if you make changes to your media files, i.e. add new files, change playlists, etc., you have to update the server before you will see the changes on your DSM. A small inconvenience, but I can see that you don't want the DSM using the network all the time checking the files when most of the time things aren't changing.
I can't comment on the progressive scan since I don't have a progressive scan TV (yet).
PROS:
Relatively inexpensive and lots of features
Setup was easy (at least with other D-Link gear)
Nice looking on screen display
CONS:
Does not recognize MOV files
Remote control buttons feel pretty mushy (ok, that's a nitpick)
In summary, I think ease of installation is largely luck of the draw with regards to whatever else is on your network. Sometimes things play well together, sometimes they don't. In my case, they played well together. It's not audiophile/videophile level performance, but if that's what you want, what are you doing buying a $200 gizmo and listening to MP3s anyways? For the price, the performance and value is hard to beat. I'll see how things go over the next few days, but so far so good.
May 5, 2007 Update:
Ok, I'm going to have to take away 2 stars because after using this for some time, the software really keeps this thing from reaching its full potential. Fairly often, when I power it up, it just hangs and I have to restart it. On occasion, several times. Other times, it will just randomly hang in the middle of a song. It doesn't do it very often, but enough that it gets annoying. Also, the audio still does skip every now and then. You'd think it wouldn't be that hard to put in a 3-4 second buffer to deal with sporadic network interruptions. Geez, $30 CD players have buffers. Memory is cheap guys.
It pains me to write this since this device really does have some nice features. I like being able to put up slide shows of my family and then go and select from my music collection to play it in the background while it goes through the images.
On a high level, it works and does cool things. It's just some of the finer details of the software robustness and user interface that make me shake my head and say, "Another *almost* great product..."
 I figured out how to make it work! October 3, 2005
10 out of 12 found this review helpful
I have also experienced many problems with setting up the DSM 320 RD. However, I figured it out. After getting dozens of DIFFERENT answers from DLINK tech support levels one two AND three, I was able to learn the following:
1) Poor or inadequate training of tech support levels 1-3 on both DSM 320 and DSM 320 RD.
2) Lack of coordination between designers, tech support and marketing for these products.
3) Incorrect information on setting up either DSM 320 or DSM 320 RD in downloaded operators manual, FAQ's, quick set up guide AND web site.
4) Bottom line: It took three weeks of my time trying to figure out the many discrepancies between what I observed during set up and what I read or learned from DLINK tech support.
The DSM 320 is NOT the same as the DSM 320 RD. They are not even close in firmware or software. I would NOT recommend the DSM 320 because of reports drop outs in streaming wideband video. I recommend the DSM 320 RD since it has a built in DVD and five in one flash card reader. It works best with the DLINK DI 624 router at 108 g.
I am using the Dlink DI 624 108g wireless router, Windows XP Home and a PC with P4 3.2 Ghz, 1 Gb DDR RAM, 256 Mb VRAM on Radeon 9250 graphics card. Dial up "only" connect to internet.
DSM 320 RD was shipped with faulty firmware ver 1.00 (don't confuse with the DSM 320..using different firmware-now up to v 1.06).
You must first connect DSM 320 RD to router connected to a LAN which is connected to the internet. Disconnect or inactivate ALL firewalls.
I don't have a direct internet connection to the router (DI 624), instead I have a slow dial up using my PC. I took the DSM 320 RD to an ISP who connected it to a LAN using the CAT cable and automatically downloaded firmware 1.2.
Don't install the CDROM software that comes with the DSM 320 RD.
Instead, go to [...] and download free copy of Windows Media Connect. Install software. Hook up DSM 320 RD either by cable (CAT 5 ) or wirelessly to stereo system or TV. Make sure you only use composite for video out and line level (RCA jacks) audio out or you won't be able to set it up properly. The factory default is Comp video output and line level RCA audio output ONLY. Configure the system and change these settings for your needs. I am using S video for Video Out and optical cable for audio OUT.
Select the media to stream on your PC (you don't need to be online or have wideband connection). Add this or drag and drop to "shared" folder of Win Media Connect. No more pain. Thats it.
Turn on system and it works.
CAUTION: The WEP is not yet configured for Windows Media Connect. It must be enabled for privacy. I expect that Microsoft will eventually enable WEP functions for this software. I like 64 bit Hex but this is not possible with the Microsoft software. I got the Dlink software to work under Firmware 1.00 but both firmware and server software are slow and buggy. When you upgrade firmware to 1.02 THE CD ROM DSM 320 RD server software WILL NO LONGER WORK!
I enjoy the DSM 320 RD very much but it was a big waste of valuable time to try to get this device working at first. I have received three separate RMA return authorizations from level 3 tech support but kept trying to get it running and never returned the unit. The DSM 320 RD is working great for me now...but it was a super hassle until I figured it out. Don't believe DLINK tech support level 1 or 2 and most of tech support level 3 answers. First ask them if they have actually USED this same model! The odds are they haven't. Most answers are for the DSM 320 NON-RD model which won't help you.
[...]
Good product and easy setup. May 10, 2006
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
I was skeptical about buying this product and made sure the return policy would allow me to easily return it if it turned out to be a dud. I have been looking at other products of this type including the DLink DSM-320, DLink DSM-520, Buffalo Technologies LinkTheater PC-P3LWG/DVD.
1) DSM-320: Had many negative reviews and no dvd player.
2) DSM-520: Very new. High Definition player, but no DVD.
3) Buffalo Technologies LinkTheater: Many negative reviews but has HD and a dvd player, also supports wmv and divx.
Initially I had been leaning towards the Buffalo unit. It supports WMV, WMV HD, DivX, DivX HD and had a progressive scan DVD player built in and supported HD output. 2 reasons I did not buy it were 1) the many bad reviews and 2) it was not available to pick up locally and I was worried that if it really did not function properly I would have to go through a lot of hassle to get it returned.
I chose the DSM-320RD mainly because I suspected that my old DVD player (which is really not old, bought it on Black Friday last year) was having trouble playing the discs I burned. I figured I would like a player with an integrated dvd player so I could save some space and have a decent player.
I have a Netgear 802.11g/a wireless router and I actually went ahead and installed the media lounge software that came with the unit onto my Windows XP based PC. When I fired up the unit and followed the configuration steps, I was pleasantly surprised to see I had no issues detecting the network and that it detected the server easily.
One thing that I worried about was wether the unit would support WPA-PSK wireless security as that is what I use on my network. Luckily it did and after using the onscreen keyboard to enter the information it worked fine.
I have it set up to use the component video output (progressive scan) and 16:9 on my HDTV. The picture quality is great. I started off by watching a couple episodes of Supernatural that I had recorded with my TV tuner card on the PC. They played very smoothly except for a few places that caused the video to start stuttering. Since it always seems to do it at the same part, I am not sure if it is a case where the variable bit rate on the videos gets too high and the player is not able to keep up with the decoding or the bandwidth of the wireless connection becomes saturated. The video catches up afterwards though and things move along. I am going to try a wired connection at some point to test wether it is the player or the wireless that causes this.
My one big problem with this player is that the reverse function on streamed videos does not work well at all. You are almost better off starting over from the beginning and fast forwarding (which seems to work ok) to the part you want. Another problem I had was that at one point when I was trying to reverse a video it froze up for a little while at which point I hit "Stop". It then lost connection to the server and was not able to find it again until I restard the PC where the server was running. I am thinking maybe using the Windows Media Connect software that people have mentioned might be a way to avoid this. Also, this only happened once and it has worked fine beyond that.
The DVD player on this thing works great! All those old discs that caused my old player to choke work like a charm on this one. Very happy about that.
This player does not support wmv's which is a disappointment but not a showstopper for me since I am most interested in the DivX support. Overall this player is great and I don't know how I lived without one of these things.
Summary:
Pros:
Wireless Streaming works like a charm.
Very nice full featured remote control.
Easy setup.
Very good dvd player, handles burned discs well.
Progressive Scan output.
Good number of inputs/outputs (composite, S-Video, Component)
Cons:
Seems to choke a little when the bit rate gets high on VBR videos.
No support for WMV.
Really bad at trying to reverse through a streamed video.
Seemed to disconnect from the server at one point and required the PC to be restarted before it found it again.
Beyond that I have not experienced any of the crashing some of the other folks here have mentioned. Perhaps because my player was shipped with a later firmware revision? Overall I would recommend this although I wonder if the Buffalo Technologies LinkTheater would have been a better buy.
Not Ready for Primetime December 15, 2005
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
After 4 days of intensive testing, sadly I am packing my DSM-320RD and about to return it to the store.
Before I detail my reasons for returning the unit, for all farness I would like to point out that other than the reasons I detail below, the unit performs perfectly as advertised. The quality of picture and sound is excellent and I did not experience any issues with streaming through wireless. The user interface is intuitive and this unit could be a great addition to your system. The DVD player does the work.
Cons
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1. Most and above all... I found a bug in the firmware. When you play your music files in Shuffle mode, everything works fine. however, once you switch to your photos (while the music plays) in order to show off with your fancy slide show, the unit seem to insist replaying the last song that was playing while you switched.... again and again and again...
After hearing numerous "theories" from tech support level 1-2 I finally got to level 3... wow... actually someone who listens to you... anyway.. the guy at level 3 confirmed it may be a bug in the firmware and promissed to forward the issue to the product manager. Unfortunately I only have 30 days to return the unit... so I can't wait for the upgrade to come out.. if ever.
2. Since I'm very technical (work in IT for 14 years) I found level 1-2 of the technical support a waste of time. I got the feeling as if they are rushing to send you away with homeworks. However you may find it sufficient for your needs.
3. The search doesn't seem to work. I assumed that I can search MP3 files by the MP3 tag info but I always either got "Can't Access This folder" or "No results Found". But when played the music it shows the info.
4. Navigation is hard when you have thousands of songs and you want to find a specific artist. Basically you have to scroll (or page down every 8 names at the time) through the names.
5. Same as #4 applies for video
6. You may want to use Windows Media Connect instead of the application shipped with the unit.
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