Originally posted by GoingHD
It appears the moderator is changing a few of the threads to polls so you can vote on which features are important.

Go vote.

Problem for them, I've been voting "Yes" on everything!

Really? Which ones? I couldn't find any.

Is there any third party server that will allow you to create playlists from the TV? Actually I know there is one, the Swiss Server mentioned over on the iodata forum in the Wzd thread, but it's very cumbersome to use. I downloaded TwonkyVision but it does not have this ability.

I find it hard to believe that no one out there has thought it would be a good idea to not have to go to the computer to create a playlist. The whole point of this type of device is to free you from the computer.

For video, the Link Player is a great thing. For music, not so good.

Originally posted by DouglasCleary
Really? Which ones? I couldn't find any.

I could swear I saw the moderator convert two threads to polls, that were ordinary threads a few seconds earlier.

Then took a quick scan of the threads and saw a few polls I had not noticed before, but I was not sure if they were always there or not.

The moderator left the board not too long after that. I just noticed the Who's Online feature and it was fun following the mod immediately after he posted his comments. You could get a sense of what was important to him and what was not.

Yes I'm a sad person, and didn't have much to do that morning.

Is any way to enlarge/re-encode somewhere between the full screen mode and actual size? Tickantanium from IoData Forum says that Toshiba tv's offer and in between type of zoom and stretch, I was wondering if theres a software way to do it.
<Tickantaniums post>
<<Another Zoom Mode.
Not sure if you can do this easily IOData but my Toshiba HDTV has a feature of converting 4:3 to wide screen by attempting to maintain the aspect ratio in the middle by stretching it slightly with slightly more stretch toward the outer edges to fill the screen. Its not noticable unless you try really hard. It works great and is not annoying like other stretch modes. Buddy of Mines Mitsubishi does not have this mode so he would benifit greatly.>>

But I see no upside to putting up a forum where the most recent response from the I-O Data team is now a month old..I am surprised you do not see the benefit of a forum for a product even if the moderator is too busy to respond on a daily/weekly basis. There are many knowledgable users that have posted on that forum and made the product even better. The wizard software alone made it a worthy venture as far as I am concerned.

A few question from a non technically person when it comes to Wireless networks.

I am looking to buy this player to play back my TS 1080i files from my computer. Questions-

1) For playing back 1080i ts files you need a superfast computer (currently my computer is only a AMD 1gh). Does the same hold true when you are using the Linkplayer to play back files from your computer or do I need to upgrade?

2) As I want to run a wireless link to my Home Theater room from my computer which is located about 40 feet apart is this doable? Will TS files stream without any problems?

3) Lastly what wireless hardware do I need for my computer to be able to do this and cover this distance. Super G has no meaning to me but I gather it is stronger signal?

Thanks in advance.

Originally posted by Spizz
A few question from a non technically person when it comes to Wireless networks.

I am looking to buy this player to play back my TS 1080i files from my computer. Questions-

1) For playing back 1080i ts files you need a superfast computer (currently my computer is only a AMD 1gh). Does the same hold true when you are using the Linkplayer to play back files from your computer or do I need to upgrade?

2) As I want to run a wireless link to my Home Theater room from my computer which is located about 40 feet apart is this doable? Will TS files stream without any problems?

3) Lastly what wireless hardware do I need for my computer to be able to do this and cover this distance. Super G has no meaning to me but I gather it is stronger signal?

Thanks in advance.

1) No you don't need a fast computer, except when you transcode files from one format to another on the PC. TS files do not need to be transcoded, since the LP can handle TS files directly. It can handle most file types directly, but on those few occasions you can use the advanced server to transocde files. However, since the PC serve's the file lists to the LP, if you have a huge collection of files, the LP may appear sluggish when listing files.
2) I highly doubt it will work at 40 feet, especially if the signal must pass through several walls. Some have had luck with 108Mbps wireless. But wireless is just not very robust to play high bitrate material. It can play mp3s fairly well. DVD type bandwidth runs ok to marginal. HD bandwidth is generally not possible unless under idle conditions. It depends on how many other devices are in the area, such as portable phones, your neighbor equipment, bluetooth devices such as wireless mice and some cellphones, and microwave ovens.
3) Just make sure you buy 108Mbps wireless equipment from the same vendor, get the latest hardware build you can, and upgrade the bios to the latest release for each wireless device. Do not mix and match equipment, since many vendors do not follow the specs very well and lead to compatibility issues.

Unfortunately I do not of a good way to test how robust your network could be unless you actually purchase and use all the equipment together.

Originally posted by uofmtiger
I am surprised you do not see the benefit of a forum for a product even if the moderator is too busy to respond on a daily/weekly basis. Hear, hear. I can't believe the amount of complaining about IO Data's posting frequency, especially since only one overworked employee is moderating it. I especially can't believe people evaluating IO Data as a company based on their forum involvement. I know for a fact the people at IO Data work 12 hour days. Their office doors are only open 9am-4:30pm, but the employees are all there 8am-8pm. I asked Jack when I stood in his office.

Many people who bought this unit do not know of AVS forum, and IO Data's forum provides an excellent place for exchange of information, whether IO Data updates frequently or not.

Personally, if IO Data disappeared tomorrow, I would still be very pleased with my decision to purchase the AVLP2. It blows away the Philips DVP642 I had prior, and currently does most everything I want. I (wisely) stayed at the 27Dec04 firmware until I read the reports from the subsequent updates, all of which have been negative for my needs (.ts and other HD playback).

Now that I have integrated the remote functions into the Logitech Harmony 688 universal remote (based on recommendations from people a couple pages back in this thread) I am very happy. I didn't like the included remote with the AVLP2, but the Harmony is a *very* nice piece of equipment.

Edited: to change "Here, here" to "Hear, hear" :)

Originally posted by catware
I asked Jack when I stood in his office............. I (wisely) stayed at the 27Dec04 firmware until I read the reports from the subsequent updates, all of which have been negative for my needs (.ts and other HD playback).


Just wondered what's Jack's comments were when you told him you did not see the need to upgrade?

BTW I'm anxiously waiting for Wednesday posting of I-O Data Teams comments on their forum (assuming Wednesday is their day to make replies. Little has been posted from them since then, when they seem to be going down the list responding to thread after thread and stopping only at quiting time.)

The activity of the members really spiked after their postings.

Originally posted by catware
Hear, hear. I can't believe the amount of complaining about IO Data's posting frequency, especially since only one overworked employee is moderating it. I especially can't believe people evaluating IO Data as a company based on their forum involvement. I know for a fact the people at IO Data work 12 hour days. Their office doors are only open 9am-4:30pm, but the employees are all there 8am-8pm. I asked Jack when I stood in his office.

Many people who bought this unit do not know of AVS forum, and IO Data's forum provides an excellent place for exchange of information, whether IO Data updates frequently or not.

Personally, if IO Data disappeared tomorrow, I would still be very pleased with my decision to purchase the AVLP2. It blows away the Philips DVP642 I had prior, and currently does most everything I want. I (wisely) stayed at the 27Dec04 firmware until I read the reports from the subsequent updates, all of which have been negative for my needs (.ts and other HD playback).

Now that I have integrated the remote functions into the Logitech Harmony 688 universal remote (based on recommendations from people a couple pages back in this thread) I am very happy. I didn't like the included remote with the AVLP2, but the Harmony is a *very* nice piece of equipment.

Edited: to change "Here, here" to "Hear, hear" :)

I agree completely. Keeping in mind that they are still establishing a presence here in the States and are just getting underway with enabling an "indirect channel" (we are now resellers of this product) support will only get better. Personally, I've found them to be very responsive; I think its just a matter of priorities and resource constraints -- as early adopters, I'd expect that folks here would recognize that....

Its all good though - I think it is a great product.

Originally posted by lmengel
Just wondered what's Jack's comments were when you told him you did not see the need to upgrade? Honestly, I didn't buy this product based IO Data's promise of future expansion of its capabilities. At the time I bought the AVLP2 (late Dec '04), I was using the DVP642, and was very frustrated with its limited ability to playback DivX/Xvid formats used in tv episodes downloaded off the web.

I came across the Momitsu 880 as a recommended DivX/Xvid player which also upconverted to 1080i(!) The latter feature was something I had no experience with, but sounded very attractive. I almost bought that unit. However, I have a Toshiba 40H80 RPTV which has only component inputs (no DVI). The 880 doesn't upconvert over component. The AVLP2 at the same $250 price point did DivX/Xvid playback, upconverted over component, and had added networkabilty (the 880 does not; the 880N which does is $350). Since IO Data's sales office is about 1/4 mile up 1st St from my office, I drove over there after work, met Jack, and handed him the cash.

I was ecstatic after playing around with the AVLP2 later that evening. It played all the downloaded tv episodes I threw at it without trouble. Browsing over the network without having to burn them onto disc first was incredibly easy. And I shortly got into playing High Definition .ts files from the web. The upconversion on the 40H80 is the best picture the set has ever displayed.

Personally, I don't really care about the expansion of the AVLP2 to play other formats or internet radio. As long as it plays .ts and Xvid-HD content, I have access to all the media I care to watch and much more.

The only expansion Jack and I talked about was future H.264 playback. He said the Sigma processor used in the AVLP2 is too slow to decompress H.264, and that IO Data will have a new product out by the end of '05 with Sigma's latest processor which will be fast enough for H.264 playback.

Jack gave me a full demo of the AVLP2 in his cubicle, took the cover off one and showed me what each chip on the PCB does, and even gave me a free 32MB USB flashdrive just for stopping by. He was very friendly and did all this at about 5:30pm after they were closed to public (I just knocked on the door.) I have no complaints about their company, and very few about their product.

Don't get me wrong, I welcome upgrades, but they aren't essential to my enjoyment of the AVLP2. My recommended list of changes:

(1) Get rid of the "scanning" before FF/RW and also the 3 minute jump ahead before rewinding. Even the DVP642 had FF/RW that worked as it should.

(2) There are audio dropouts from time to time when the scene changes, even on commercial DVDs. It's sometimes difficult to get back. Fix whatever bug that is.

(3) If you FF/RW too often in Xvid playback, the AVLP2 will require a hard reset. Another bugfix needed.

(4) Have a 'time remaining' option on the display.

(5) My Pioneer Elite receiver was unaffected by the Dolby Digital bug, but had I been affected I definitely would want that fixed over the 27Dec04 firmware (note: it has been fixed, but other things are broken).

Such is the life of the early adopter. I guess it's all a matter of your needs/desires. Exactly what model are you comparing the AVLP2 to that makes you disappointed in its performace or capabilities?

Originally posted by catware
Such is the life of the early adopter. I guess it's all a matter of your needs/desires. Exactly what model are you comparing the AVLP2 to that makes you disappointed in its performance or capabilities?
I too was among the first to buy this player. I had a D2730 and was thinking about the Momitsu 880n. I was reading the AVS Forum trying to make up my mind when I saw the AVel Linkplayer discussed. I was interested in something that would play music, do slide shows, and play video over the network on a HDTV set at 1080i. I wanted to play HD content. The DVD player was excess (how many DVD players can you put a living room).

The other thing I wanted was something that was Mac compatible. I read the spec that I-O Data had on their web-site, emailed Jack some questions about it and he jumped right on it, emailed me back and he was a pleasant surprise and help steer me toward my decision to go with this player.

Before getting the player I knew that not all the things listed in the spec would be available in the first firmware. I-O Data was up front and did not hide this. Firmware and server software upgrades were going to be part of the deal.

When I got the player I was not disappointed, but it only wet my appetite. Each new firmware was like a Christmas present and I could hardly wait for the next one to come out. I read the posts on this forum and could not see what people were complaining about, most of it was above my head. Then with the last firmware, I could not play my ts videos that were larger than 2 GB. It turned out it was software related, but we were told there would be a new mac linkserver software at the end of Feb and I'm waiting to see if that fixes things. Apparently the wizd software doesn't have the same issues as the mac server and the advance server allows the player to play files my mac server can't. Then I found out the Advance player can play mov files but my mac can't and these are quicktime files, an apple product.

Since Feb, I-O Data has not responded to my questions submitted thru their website and nothing on their forum. Yet I still wait hoping to get a few more crumbs; that my next Christmas present from them will be the big one. By the time everythings gets sorted out, the next best thing will be here.

Of course there are external factors, Microsoft wanting to control the video media (WMV DVD plays on XP computers only) and Apple preventing me from playing my purchased music on this player. As for HD content over the web, the only place I have been able to find HD video other than trailers (files on news servers suck) was on Ifriends and these are definitely not family oriented.

Oh Well, I still visiting this forum and I-O Data several times a day trying to get my next fix.

I should mention too that I'm still happy with this player primarily because I stayed with the 27Dec04 firmware. Since the subsequent firmwares have partially broken .ts playback, I would be very upset if I had upgraded and wasn't able to go back.

I'll add another item to my wishlist:

(6) Be able to choose which firmware you want to have on the AVLP2! This 'rollback one step' technique is awkward and a dumb way to implement upgrades.

My brother just bought an AVLP2 for himself. His unit came with last September's firmware. He is very frustrated that he can't have the functionality of my unit, since he can only have the original firmware or the March release, neither of which is as good as Dec's.

Catware,

I am running into the same problem as your brother, except my anticipation of this problem is keeping me from buying another Linkplayer2. I want to buy another LInkplayer2 for another room in my home but I won't be able to get the firmware that works with my high bitrate standard definition mpeg2 files. So I'm stuck until a new firmware comes out that fixes this problem. What a nightmare.

Hello! IODATA, fix your existing features before adding new ones please.

Ricardo

There is a way to load any FW you have on file.

Just switch the index.html file you have in you favorite PC/Mac server to one that has a link that points to the firmware file. Then surf into your server and click the link.

Bjorn,

Can you post the links to the various firmware revisions. How can I figure these links out myself? What linkserver software directory contains the index.html that I need to modify?

Ricardo

Originally posted by Bjorn_E
There is a way to load any FW you have on file.

How do you get the FW on file in the first place?
I guess I need more detail.

Originally posted by catware

My brother just bought an AVLP2 for himself. His unit came with last September's firmware. He is very frustrated that he can't have the functionality of my unit, since he can only have the original firmware or the March release, neither of which is as good as Dec's.

Unless something changed in the last week he should be able to update to the dec firmware. The linkplayer does not just load the latest version, it grabs the firmware updates in order.

Sorry, but I don't have any FW for AVLP2/DVDLA, only one for AVLP2/DVDG. I got it by sniffing while doing an update. found it to be located here: http://myibox.net/update/local-bus/03-42-041101-01-IOD-231-000.bin Maybe you can find others by altering this URL to point to the FW you are interested in.

I don't know exactly which server it works with because I haven't tried it myself, only got the information from reliable source...

Originally posted by irgaac
Unless something changed in the last week he should be able to update to the dec firmware. The linkplayer does not just load the latest version, it grabs the firmware updates in order. I'd forgotten that is how it worked. Great, I'll let him know he can do so. We never even bothered to check because I thought it only grabbed the most recent. Thanks.

Originally posted by Bjorn_E
Sorry, but I don't have any FW for AVLP2/DVDLA, only one for AVLP2/DVDG. I got it by sniffing while doing an update. found it to be located here: http://myibox.net/update/local-bus/03-42-041101-01-IOD-231-000.bin Maybe you can find others by altering this URL to point to the FW you are interested in.

I don't know exactly which server it works with because I haven't tried it myself, only got the information from reliable source...

Grabing the firware versions is easy for example here
http://myibox.net/update/local-bus/04-91-050127-01-IOD-234-000.binFeb 04th 2004

http://myibox.net/update/local-bus/04-33-041227-01-IOD-234-000.bin Dec 29th 2004

Its a matter of spoofing the linkplayer to go to the right place to get it.

This could be done threw your/our router by blocking the webaddress and rerouting it to a local pc that holds the firmware. we would just need to know the exact address (im assuming its an ip address) Has anyone been able to get into the player yet? has anyone figured out a way to turn on telnet and gain access?

<EDIT>
Doesnt the other server software (nuestron/momositu) give the user the ability to update/upgrade the firmware threw the software???

Think we can use that software to upgrade the firmware with out breaking the player?

</EDIT>

Take a look at the BuffaloTech LinkTheater thread, now that is how I wish the LP was supported.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=495915
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=5406927#post5406927


I will put my LP up for sale if the next firmware does not work out. I thought IOData support was fairly decent, but BrianV shows how it should be done. If their first firmware upgrade works out better than IOData's, I will probably jump ship only for that reason.

I agree, Brian is excellent. But the LinkTheater still does not offer what I want:

********************************
BrianV
Buffalo Technology

Registered: Jan 2005
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 158
Ok, I work for BuffaloTech and just found this post so let me help out.

-It doesn't have DVI or HDMI.
-It does upconvert everything EXCEPT DVD playback to 720p/1080i. We don't do DVD upconversion because of the component video issues with upconverting DVD playback, it's limited to 480p pscan.
-The no sound issue with WMV-HD has to do with the WMA9 Pro audio codec, your version of firmware doesn't support it. We're still beta-testing a unit with WMA9 Pro support. If you can find WMV-HDs with regular WMA9 audio it will work fine.

D4 connector is a Japanese connector, this product has been out in Japan for a while.

Any other questions, let me know.

Originally posted by GoingHD
I will put my LP up for sale if the next firmware does not work out.
How much you asking?

As far as upconversion goes, the LT is doing that with their current firmware, according to several owners.

I suspect it will be removed at some point, if they get a complaint.

I expect IOData will probably do the same, should that happen.

Sigma is mostly likely telling their partners that this feature is not supported and that a future firmware will most likely change the current behavior. I wonder if Sigma by default has upconversion disabled but lets it's partners reconfigure the firmware, thereby putting the upconversion risk in their hands and not in Sigma's.

I am very interested in the idea of spoofing the LinkPlayer to going to a different address for firmware. Has anyone done this? I've got a WRT54G router running Sveasoft, can I use this device to re-route to a local machine, or will I have to run a local DNS server or something? I want to load the Dec firmware which I have already downloaded.

Originally posted by Steely
I am very interested in the idea of spoofing the LinkPlayer to going to a different address for firmware. Has anyone done this? I've got a WRT54G router running Sveasoft, can I use this device to re-route to a local machine, or will I have to run a local DNS server or something? I want to load the Dec firmware which I have already downloaded.

Well look at what i started... I am trying to figure out how to go about this also. After downloading the MOMITSU MEDIA CENTER software there is a firmware upgrade option that goes out and gets the latest firmware, and i guess updates the player over your lan. Havent tried it as i dont own this player. But since its the same software os our player im wondering if it will work if i can make it see our firmware file.

There docs also talk about pressing the url button and navigating to the firmware page that way also, so im building a firmware page now to test this.

Time is scarse so if any one else can figure something out please do...

I poked threw the linksys router it doesnt let you re direct websites i thought it did. It only allows you to block sites. bummer. So I think i will have to turn on dns services and re configure the network to point to my internal server to see if it can be accomplished that way. If anyone is running a real firewall you should be able to block requests the player makes and re route it that way. I dont have a hardware firewall in place here to test.

Will report back later...

Originally posted by GoingHD
As far as upconversion goes, the LT is doing that with their current firmware, according to several owners.

I suspect it will be removed at some point, if they get a complaint.

I expect IOData will probably do the same, should that happen.

Sigma is mostly likely telling their partners that this feature is not supported and that a future firmware will most likely change the current behavior. I wonder if Sigma by default has upconversion disabled but lets it's partners reconfigure the firmware, thereby putting the upconversion risk in their hands and not in Sigma's.

I really don't get this business of players not upconverting a DVD. I bought, I own it, I can play it anywhere and anyhow I wish. I did not buy them subject to some down-the-road restriction on interpolating the data to get the best picture.

I can at least half-way understand the HDCP arguments as regards high-definition content ... at least I understand what the content creators are concerned about ... but in the case of upscaling low-res content I don't get it at all, and it makes me mad as hell!

Originally posted by psg
I really don't get this business of players not upconverting a DVD. I bought, I own it, I can play it anywhere and anyhow I wish. Yeah, this has been discussed a lot. I don't have a good link for you right now, but basically you're right on the first two counts. The latter, however, is not true. Just because you bought the disc doesn't mean (legally) you have the right to do as you wish with the information contained inside. You're licensing the use of it. Rather, your player is licensing the use of it.

Another example of how you are licensing the information instead of owning it, is not being able to show the movie for commercial uses or gain. To do so requires a different agreement with the actual owner of the content.

I'm on your side, of course, but that's the way it is. Don't even get me started on that fact that it is illegal to decrypt the EM radiation from the DirecTV and E* satellites that are beaming into you 24hrs/day... At least AFAIK it's illegal. Maybe it's just illegal to sell the decrypter hardware to others?

I, too, am an "early adopter" of the machine. I drove to Huntington Beach and purchased it directly (I live about 50 mi away in Corona, CA)

The player has lived up to my expectations. I was looking for a networked player which would also play DIVX movies. WMV HD was an added plus (hopefully they'll get it working). Upconverting is OK, but I run everything else through scalers anyway.

The network playback is aggreably different than DVD playback. To fast-forward, etc., I needed to get accustomed to the lags (both forward and backwards) Think Laserdisc on this one, guys. The Laserdisc platform took lots of getting used to also ... no chapter jumps, etc.

I use the Momitsu server (it's audio sounds better than the AVEL's), and have had no insurmountable problems with the software or hardware.

Originally posted by drjohnc
I, too, am an "early adopter" of the machine. I drove to Huntington Beach and purchased it directly (I live about 50 mi away in Corona, CA)

The player has lived up to my expectations. I was looking for a networked player which would also play DIVX movies. WMV HD was an added plus (hopefully they'll get it working). Upconverting is OK, but I run everything else through scalers anyway.

The network playback is aggreably different than DVD playback. To fast-forward, etc., I needed to get accustomed to the lags (both forward and backwards) Think Laserdisc on this one, guys. The Laserdisc platform took lots of getting used to also ... no chapter jumps, etc.

I use the Momitsu server (it's audio sounds better than the AVEL's), and have had no insurmountable problems with the software or hardware.

Who carries this in HB? I also live in Corona (actually, closer to Norco - Eastvale area).

it seems like a great network unconvering dvd player/divx/xvid player...but the fat that its only does so on compnent and that there is no dvi or hmdi is kind of a issue!!!

Martin

Originally posted by Dolfo
Who carries this in HB? I also live in Corona (actually, closer to Norco - Eastvale area).

I live in Corona as well. Gee, didn't know we had so many Linkplayer owners in the city. Digital Connection in Huntington Beach sells the Linkplayer. They do mostly web sales. See their website. I just drove the 100 miles round trip on Monday to pick up a Fusion HDTV capture card so I can start recording some HD content to play on my linkplayer. They said the linkplayer was selling well.

As a owner of AVLP2/DVDG(with DVI), the most annoying thing to me is the audio dropout mostly when I tried to play TS files either from DVD or hard disc. This issue did not solved by latest firmware in Japanese model of AVLP2. So,I bought one buffalo LinkTheater2 weeks ago in a tour to Japan. To my surprise,LT2 played all my ts files either recorded in DVD-R or from hard discs(usb or networked) prettly well without any audio dropout(analog stereo or digital). So I think the audio issue could and should be fixed in the following FW upgrade at least in Japanese model of AVLP2.

How do they compare TUFU?

Hi TUFU,

Have you opened your Buffalo LinkTheater2 player up yet?

I'm wondering how much the board layout differes when compared to the I-O DATA player!


Cheers

are these two models like a repackaged deal of the momitsu 880???
based on what i have heard here...that seems to be the case..
does anyone lese know anything about this??
i am also contemplating getting either the I-O data or the AVLP2/DVDG(with DVI), maybe even the 880N,,which is more price wise...

Thanks
Martin

Originally posted by Prehjan
are these two models like a repackaged deal of the momitsu 880???
based on what i have heard here...that seems to be the case..
does anyone lese know anything about this??
i am also contemplating getting either the I-O data or the AVLP2/DVDG(with DVI), maybe even the 880N,,which is more price wise...

Thanks
Martin No they are not!

The Momitsu 880x players support "std-def/res" sources only. The I-O DATA and Buffalo players support "std-def/res" and "high-def/res" sources ;)


Cheers

thansk for the reply...

i see...but i thought they all have the sigma designs chip...i was talking in regards to the chip and hsould have better explained what i meant..
isnt this true???

Martin

Hi Martin,

Momitsu's V880 and V880N stand-alone players use chip-sets from Sigma's EM85xx range (http://www.sigmadesigns.com/products/em8500series.htm), not the EM86xx range.


Cheers

Buffalo and IODATA players are both based on the Sigma EM8620L chip while the Momitsu 880N is based on the EM8550 chip (as SMD mentioned above). The EM86xx series of chips adds the HD playback capability - both can upconvert to HD resolutions, but the EM86xx can actually playback video encoded at HD resolutions.

Originally posted by Dolfo
the EM86xx can actually playback video encoded at HD resolutions. And let me just add, it looks Gooooooooood!

Plus, the AVLP2 has networkability, at a $100 lower pricetag than the 880N. Makes a big difference, when you actually start obtaining a large amount of HD content.

But the V880N is the "ONLY" player out there that has DVI/VGA output!... for those with analog CRT projectors that only have VGA inputs and no component inputs.

Originally posted by A/Vspec
But the V880N is the "ONLY" player out there that has DVI/VGA output!... for those with analog CRT projectors that only have VGA inputs and no component inputs. At the moment ;)

And yes... as std-def players go, it's a very good product indeed.

By the way... I've been playing with the European version of the ADS Media-Link (MXL581). It's not an DVD player, it's a networking device. But it does offer DVI, YUV component, composite and s-video, analogue and digital audio outputs!


Cheers

How do they compare TUFU?

I 2nd that. How so they compare? Which is better for TS files as that is what I will be mainly using it for and 720P WMV titles.

Has anybody heard any updates about IODATA's plans for release of their LinkPlayer2 with DVI out here in the States?

Right now I had no chance to do a A/B test of both players because one was connected to projector with DVI in the AV room and the other was connected to CRT TV with component in my bedroom. I'd like to do a A/B test as soon as possible and maybe take a picture of the layout inside LT2.

I bought LT2 because

1. I need a second networked dvd player in my bedroom.
2. LT2 had a secret menu to change the DVD region to region free.
3. I wanted to know whether LT2 would have the same bugs that AVLP2 have especially audio dropout in playing TS files.

I agreed with the comments from Paul_PDX about AVLP2 and LT2 in the thread "I-O DATA AVEL LINKPLAYER 2 FAQ".
Basically both are same products with same sigma chip with some minor differences which sometimes may let one thinking which one is better or worse. If you read the thread about LT2 in AVS forum you can find most of the questions had been asked or discussed in this thread.
LT2 played my TS files pretty good without audio dropout or stuttering. Does this mean LT2 is better than AVLP2? I don't think so. It depends on what you need or care most. Also FW upgrade is a very important factor which sometimes sovled the problem or just made it worse.

Nevertheless,DVI is much better than component in my opinion.

That's the feature I want too...DVI or HDMI.
Apparently we're not worthy in USA to get it.

Originally posted by Tom Roper
That's the feature I want too...DVI or HDMI.
Apparently we're not worthy in USA to get it.

We could have it right now but it wouldn't be HDCP enabled which means we couldn't upscale DVD over it.

Let them get their ducks in a row and we will have the best of both worlds.

BTW check your PMs.

Has anyone tried the new firmware that was put up late last night? F/W date is 050321. It adds Rhapsody and adds/fixes a couple of other things. It mentions something about working with server v1.9b. I haven't seen any announcements.

PS. I'm leery of upgrading, given the stability of the previous version.

Note to IOData, please don't add anything new until you get the existing features stable. I will be anxiously awaiting someone's review of this latest version.

I will guinea pig this new firmware version this afternoon.

Thank you irgaac. I am particularily curious about .ts support and DivX. I think on the previous firmware I was seeing some "Encrypted file" messages when trying to play my DivX files.

Yes I had the same errors. Going to go update in about 10 minutes, should have a general good/bad impression about 10 minutes after that.

is it back to the last version you had in the player or is it to the version one before what IODATA is calling current (even if you had never tried that version)??

Paul
(still on 1/27 version and able to play most of my HD MP2 material)

Good question. We have 2 scenarios (besides the trivial case):

Have V-2 (latest version minus >=2 updates) and never tried V-1 (Paul's case): This may have a chance of letting you rollback (if you install latest V).

Same as above, but have rolled back from V-1 (my case). Don't know.

Edit: Based on what irgaac wrote below, diregard all the above.

I also wonder when server v1.9b will become available, esp. since it seems to be tied to the new firmware somehow (possibly for Rhapsody?).

Preliminary results:

Not as good as 12/27 but better than Feb 4th and much better than the March firmware.

Only sticking point with HD so far is the pause/play bug, but it seems to be less of a problem then the feb firmware

[edit]

The way is stands now, you have to upgrade the firmware in order. If you haven't updated from 12/27 you will have to do 3 firmware updates to get the current version.

Thanks for the update irgaac.

The way is stands now, you have to upgrade the firmware in order. If you haven't updated from 12/27 you will have to do 3 firmware updates to get the current version.
That's good to know, but sounds annoying nevertheless. Are you also implying that one can also rollback to any previous version, one step at a time?

Irgaac, can you be a little bit more specific in what ways the newest firmware is not as good as the 12/27, or in what ways it's better than the Feb 4? Just some observations?

Originally posted by Tom Roper
Irgaac, can you be a little bit more specific in what ways the newest firmware is not as good as the 12/27, or in what ways it's better than the Feb 4? Just some observations?

Well, the pause/play bug for one. That bug showed up in the Feb firmware update. I seem to recall it being more prevelant in the Feb firmware than it is in the latest update. I tried almost all of my HD caps and it only affected maybe 5 of them, it seemed like it happened a lot more with the Feb firmware.

I still need to test some of the problem caps I have to see if it handles those better or not. Unfortunately that is about 6 hours of content that needs to be watched all the way through

Thanks

I forgot to add that the big difference for some people would be the inclusion of the Feb receiver fix in the newest firmware.

In answer to Dolfo

Digital Connections on Adams Blvd in Huntington Beach is where I purchased the player. They are on the corner of Beach and Adams Blvd. (turn right on Adams when heading towards the ocean on Beach Blvd.

I don't know if they still have them in stock.

Does anyone know where to get the media server software for the buffalo linkstation?? just wondering because it should be compatible with iodata, and was wondering how the user interface was.

So are we saying that .ts playback seems to be usable? I certainly dont want to say fixed. I can deal with the play/pause issue for now but the last firmware as we know basically broke all .ts playback, what is the verdict now. I really dont want to be a guinea pig this time around. Im planning on watching a ts movie this afternoon and if i break it again the wife will be pissed.

Some one said all but 5 played ok 5 out of how many?

Nothing has changed for me. None of my transport streams will play correctly. Some of them start OK, but then freeze and speed up, freeze and speed up... But I am using the Mac version of the server, so that is contributing to the problem I think... The new version was promised by the end of Feb...

Originally posted by webboy10169

Some one said all but 5 played ok 5 out of how many?

5 of about 30 and they only had the pause/play bug. Everything played.

The new server software is available here

http://www.iodata.com/usa/support/downloads/avellink-19b.zip

just downloaded it so no review yet.

Can anyone confirm that the latest April firmware fixes the "ENCRYPTED MPEG FILE" error that appears when playing DivX files using the March 4 firmware? Some of my DivX files don't cause this error to appear, but most of my converted DVD's give this error.

I would get my butt kicked by my wife and 11-month-old if all our divx (Baby Einstein) files wouldn't play.

I have figured out how to load any firmware version we want i am flashing to the december version as I speak.

I will post full details as soon as i confirm it worked.

It worked flawlessly im now at the december firmware version.

Can someone post the revision number for the latest firmware so i can download it and add it to the archive.

webboy, I anxiously await your instructions. This is great news!!!

Originally posted by Steely
Can anyone confirm that the latest April firmware fixes the "ENCRYPTED MPEG FILE" error that appears when playing DivX files using the March 4 firmware? Some of my DivX files don't cause this error to appear, but most of my converted DVD's give this error.

I would get my butt kicked by my wife and 11-month-old if all our divx (Baby Einstein) files wouldn't play.


I can confirm the issue with Divx/Xvid files over 2G that caused this error has been fixed.

Kelly

Ok All looks good i just need for someone to double check my links to make sure ive got the right firmware's link properly.

Instructions for access firmware versions:

Press setup button.
navigate to frimware upgrade button and press enter.
(you should now be in the firmware upgrade page)
press url button a fill in box should pop up towards the bottom of the screen.
not comes the fun part type this address using the number buttons on the remote:
http://www.totalconfusion.org/dvdupgrade/

this will take you to the page ive created for firmware upgrades(dont laugh its ugly but does the job)

Enjoy

I will add more and all firmware versions as i get them.

Now knowing i can roll back to any firmware i want ive gone ahead and moved up to the most recent version.

All seems good on my end Im checking passion of the christ now which was my biggest problem file so far.

I still see the pause/play issue but with far less files than before. After im done checking .ts files ill look at some of my xvid and divx files but i do have alot of content to check so bare with me.

Again so far so good and i have not upgraded the software on the pc yet. Im still at version 1.8

Originally posted by irgaac
5 of about 30 and they only had the pause/play bug. Everything played.

The new server software is available here

http://www.iodata.com/usa/support/downloads/avellink-19b.zip

just downloaded it so no review yet.

This is a Microsoft version, sorry MAC/Linux fans.

webboy,

Thank you for hosting these files. I thought the process was going to be much more complicated than this. Now I feel comfortable upgrading to the latest version.

Well done Webboy.

Here's my review of 050321 firmware upgrade:

Note: I do not yet have the V1.9 Link Server installed. I'll download it tonight before bed but I only have dial-up internet, and it's a 2 hour download for me. So the observations below are based on V1.8 Link Server.

I'll get right to the point...for me the 050321 firmware seems stable and a step forward.

First the bad: When I played my 1280x720p30 m2p files, the video stutters for the first 5-7 seconds and there is no audio. Oh No! WTF?

I tried the pause-play trick. It works...Whew! But I don't remember having to do that with the Feb 04 firmware, but I could be mistaken.

On the other hand...the SAME files play fine *without* the "pause-play" trick if played from burned DVD disks. <-- Based on that I would conclude the issue is not TS playback per se, but streaming of it over the network Link Server.

Other hi-def video file types played without problem, WMV9 (still no DRM), Xvid, DViX.

I did NOT confirm that upscaling for protected DVD-Video still works...I still haven't even set the region code on the Lite-On SOHD 167T drive that I have installed. Ripped and burned DVD- Video plays fine as before with up-scaling.

Now the good:

I've never been able to get native TS from my JVC GR-HD1 720p camcorder to play. Now it does! No tricks, no mods required. The m2t filename just shows up, and it plays. Only downside, no way to FF that I can find.

Well Ive now watched a few movies of various formats albeit not all the way threw but i can also concur that most if not all files play much better then prior firmwares.

I finally decided to upgrade the server software on one server and all is well with that also. The firmware read me states something about screen saver upgrades? anyone have any clue on what changed? Also whats the purpose of the ntp server? and its also nice to be able to shut off on-line content as i personally think its a waste, and have zero intentions of ever paying for it. Time and money would be better spent developing a VOD service than internet radio.

As for all the thank you's well thanks but its not needed. Really i didn't do anything but re-read the Momitsu server info and figure out how there doing web updates. OK so I'm hosting the files too. Judging from the PM's I'm getting it looks like there will be a much better way to do this then trying to type in some long web address with a much useless remote.

On another note I'm almost done with my CCF file for you pronto users. I will post it when its polished. Too bad Avel has no known discrete codes to come by.

webboy,

you can turn off the on-line content or premium content in the main setup menu of the LP just under the NTP server option.

Kelly

Originally posted by zmatzkin
Nothing has changed for me. None of my transport streams will play correctly. Some of them start OK, but then freeze and speed up, freeze and speed up... But I am using the Mac version of the server, so that is contributing to the problem I think... The new version was promised by the end of Feb...

I must eat my words...I discovered a bad cable in my network that was limiting bandwidth and causing some of my playback problems.

Most of my transport streams are now playing very well...Some that did not play at all with the last firmware play perfectly now. And this is with the macintosh server sw. I am testing to see if I can narrow down a common trait for the ones that do not play...

I still wish IO Data would update the Mac software...

PAL dvds (region free) play perfect now. Also PAL VOBS. Time to visit amazon.co.uk...

I am also seeing the wierd new issue with HD Streams in MP2 or MPEG format suddenly forwarding and losing audio as others here have mentioned. Pause play seems to fix it but it is annoying in that it happens with files than never did it before.

All of my TP and TS files play great now -- including several streams that had tons of problems before -- I am not seeing the pause issue with them or audio issues like I did with the 1/27 version.

HD Browser and streaming internet music works now.

EDIT STRIKE THIS WORKING FINE NOW.Picture viewing with WIZD in HD browser mode seems to have changed though in that my pictures aren't expanding to fit the screen like they used to (I need to look at this more though).

All in all CONGRATULATIONS IODATA TEAM and Engineers. (also thanks to Sigma Designs for a great chipset).

Haven't tried the new server software yet.

My current wishlist.

Play WMA lossless format in the player or by transcoding with the Advanced server. (currently we can't transcode audio only files).

Add a progress bar that can show relative percent of way thru a file by pressing info (maybe title and resolution also).

Add transport controls (FF and REW at minimum) for TS and TP files. 30 second skip and 8 second back skip would be great also.

Play WMV9 HD with WMA audio by transcoding within the player to AC3 (or use advanced server to transcode the audio portion to AC3 and send the video on without transcoding). Current solution of transcoding both audio to AC3 and video to MPEG2 is too hard on most PCs to avoid some glitches,).

Get the DRM stuff working.

Add NTFS support to the UHDL at a minimum -- preferably to both the UHDL and the LP2.

Well its time to get back to checking more of this out.

Paul

Is there a feature list of the new firmware and/or server version showing fixes? Also, can anyone confirm if the zoom (aspect ratio controls) still don't work for 4x3 .vob movies from the server? That is one of my top wish list items. Also must add AAC audio support for the .m4a container (iTunes lossless codec encoded music, non-copy protected.) I wish I could play those somehow.

Why not just try it Mike? Webboy10169 a few posts back just explained how to revert back to any firmware you want if there's a problem. I tried his spoof. It works.

Originally posted by kemac
webboy,

you can turn off the on-line content or premium content in the main setup menu of the LP just under the NTP server option.

Kelly

I believe there seperate options you can turn one off with out affecting the other.

Heres an interesting note lets say your sitting with the feb or march firmware and you load the december firmware. You decide to roll back to the previous firmware it will not go backwards one firmware. It will load the previous firware instead. Leads me to believe the linkplayer always knows what firmware was loaded.

That is a waste of precious memory.

Originally posted by webboy10169
I have figured out how to load any firmware version we want i am flashing to the december version as I speak.

I will post full details as soon as i confirm it worked.

It worked flawlessly im now at the december firmware version.

Can someone post the revision number for the latest firmware so i can download it and add it to the archive.

Didn't see this put up yet.
April 1/05 firmware--- 05-80-050321-02-IOD-234-000

Also would like too offer my thanks webboy for coming up with and hosting "selective" firmware udates.

Originally posted by webboy10169
I believe there seperate options you can turn one off with out affecting the other.

Heres an interesting note lets say your sitting with the feb or march firmware and you load the december firmware. You decide to roll back to the previous firmware it will not go backwards one firmware. It will load the previous firware instead. Leads me to believe the linkplayer always knows what firmware was loaded.

That is a waste of precious memory.

The previous firmware is held in AVLP2 memory. If you made that version your intended choice, by rolling back to it you would free up that memory. (Or it would seem so.) To what benefit, if any we can only guess.

I just put up the April 1 firmware but still don't have any luck playing my Fusion 3 QAM cable recordings. Is the Linkplayer another of those decodes that expects tp files to be exactly 19.39 mbps? It plays, stops, plays, stops, etc.

I'm still running an older Avel server.

- Tom

Originally posted by trbarry
I just put up the April 1 firmware but still don't have any luck playing my Fusion 3 QAM cable recordings. Is the Linkplayer another of those decodes that expects tp files to be exactly 19.39 mbps? It plays, stops, plays, stops, etc. I wonder whether Buffalo player owners would have more luck with your "cable recordings"?

It might be worth sending Buffalo player owners some test sample files that are presenting problems on I-O DATA players?


Cheers

Does anybody have any better luck playing this internet radio station on a linkplayer than I do?

http://wxpnsc.streamguys.com/listen.pls

It *looks* likes it's working, but there's just silence.

Hi Everybody!

Anybody had any chance to fix US AVLP2 firmware making it Region Free?

The DVDROM drive itself seems to be Region Free as we all figured by now,
the only bad thing is that the firmware limitation...

Do you think that the Japanese Firmware is region free? Worth a try...

By the way, I have some more .BIN firmware files even japanese
ones with Wirless Support, but unfortunately I did not keep the description
of these builds, I will post a link with all those files tonight.

If I find the description I will post it too, would not advise you to use it
if you are not sure if it is compatible with US version.

CJ.

Originally posted by cj2003
Hi Everybody!

Anybody had any chance to fix US AVLP2 firmware making it Region Free?

CJ.

Speaking of firmware updates can anyone confirm or deny info about the WMV-HD upgrade? Is it here, will it be here, or will it ever be here? Thanks.

Originally posted by trbarry
I just put up the April 1 firmware but still don't have any luck playing my Fusion 3 QAM cable recordings. Is the Linkplayer another of those decodes that expects tp files to be exactly 19.39 mbps? It plays, stops, plays, stops, etc.

I'm still running an older Avel server.

- Tom

Ill have to double check this but i think i have some ts files that are higher bitrate than that and play fine. But i will double check to makes sure.

Are tp files the same as ts files? have you checked the files with HDTVtoMPEG2? are the PID's and AID's right? Arent they suppose to be 11 and 14?

Sorry if im way off just trying to help...

Here it is:

cyberjam.us/iodata

03-42-041101-01-IOD-231-000.bin
03-78-041130-01-IOD-234-000.bin
03-79-041130-01-IOD-235-000.bin
04-33-041227-01-IOD-234-000.bin
04-70-050110-01-IOD-233-000.bin
04-72-050110-01-IOD-235-000.bin
04-91-050127-01-IOD-234-000.bin
05-46-050308-02-IOD-233-000.bin
05-47-050302-02-IOD-234-000.bin
05-48-050302-02-IOD-235-000.bin
05-80-050321-02-IOD-234-000.bin

hi folks..

i m wondering if thsi Sigma Designs EM8620L chip could be wired for sdi...does anyone know??
also since it is not enctpted on dvi...but wait someone said it is not dvi for us market...

confused...

I've enquired before...SDI output is not accessible.

Originally posted by trbarry
I just put up the April 1 firmware but still don't have any luck playing my Fusion 3 QAM cable recordings. Is the Linkplayer another of those decodes that expects tp files to be exactly 19.39 mbps? It plays, stops, plays, stops, etc.

I'm still running an older Avel server.

- Tom

QAM datarates might be way too high for the processors in these players (64QPSK QAM is 30Mbs)

Just use HDTVtoMPEG2 to strip out the stream you want (and you can remove commercials at the same time).

The Fusion 3 QAM tp files often have 2 or more audio streams. I don't know when HDTVtoMPEG2 added the ability to select the audio stream but it is there in the Beta3 I am using. The prior version would just crash on most of those streams. Though bit rates may be high on some of these HD streams when they are 29.97 (in some cases 59.97 for 720p) the Linkplayer handles them just fine over my network though it is wired and not wireless. Many movies when converted to program streams by HDTVtoMPEG2 are 23.97 even though the tp file said 29.97. Those play particularly well.

Originally posted by Paul_PDX
All of my TP and TS files play great now -- including several streams that had tons of problems before -- I am not seeing the pause issue with them or audio issues like I did with the 1/27 version. So they've addressed the audio dropout problem? That is good news. I watched the commercial DVD 'Closer' over the weekend, and had the audio dropout problem multiple times when changing chapters. And it happens a lot on .ts files. I have been using the 27Dec firmware.

The ability to select the firmware version rocks. (Well, IMO it's the way IO Data should've handled it all along.) Great work Webboy!

Next step for IO-Data: correct FF/RW operation!

Linux server released today:

http://www.iodata.com/usa/support/downloads/avellinkx-p10.zip

thnaks tom for clarifiying that...i m doing the input juggle...so i need to figure out which for what type...
what a life...

thanks anagain for clarafying the sdi question with the elu chip...

Martin

Note: to save on the manual input of the url for the firmware selection, I have forwarded webboy's address.

Instead of:
http://www.totalconfusion.org/dvdupgrade/

You can just enter the following url and press 'enter':
*******.com/5m7yc

Although I-O-DATA hasn't told us about this there is a newer beta of the Advanced Server sitting at:

http://www.iodata.com/usa/support/downloads/advancedserver-beta3.zip

Newest files within the ZIP are dated 4/4 (today).

(I see one new menu after it is installed RSS Reader -- I will check this out tonight).

I am having difficulty upgrading using webboy's site. I am trying to move from the 27Dec firmware to the 1Apr firmware. When I select the correct firmware link (on webboy's page of 4 or so), the player pauses for a couple minutes and then the screen fills with gibberish characters. Do I have to step through each upgrade inbetween for this to work (using the normal method)? And then if I were to roll back would I then use webboy's archive? Thanks in advance.

Originally posted by catware
Note: to save on the manual input of the url for the firmware selection, I have forwarded webboy's address.

Instead of:
http://www.totalconfusion.org/dvdupgrade/

You can just enter the following url and press 'enter':
*******.com/5m7yc

******* is great, I use it all the time, but I have noticed the links go away after a while, so I would not expect that to work in a few weeks if someone is back reading and tries it then.

Originally posted by mikemav
******* is great, I use it all the time, but I have noticed the links go away after a while, so I would not expect that to work in a few weeks if someone is back reading and tries it then. Ah, I wondered how they managed to keep the list small. Well, if a future person is reading this and you find the link is dead, just go to www.*******.com and enter webboy's link. A new shortcut will be generated for you, and you can save about half the keystrokes by using that instead of the full address.

The Linux server works great with Knoppix. I guess I'll try the firmware upgrade next. Many thanks to the guinea pigs! :)

Originally posted by catware
I am having difficulty upgrading using webboy's site. I am trying to move from the 27Dec firmware to the 1Apr firmware. When I select the correct firmware link (on webboy's page of 4 or so), the player pauses for a couple minutes and then the screen fills with gibberish characters. Do I have to step through each upgrade inbetween for this to work (using the normal method)? And then if I were to roll back would I then use webboy's archive? Thanks in advance.

Interesting So you are trying to go from dec to april in one shot?

has anyone else tried that yet? Is anyone else having the same issue?

With out answers to those questions. I can only guess it may be the fact that the march or (was if feb) firmware was a double install. one for the firmware and one for the UI. Maybe the april firmware needs the UI update to be there?

Purely speculation....

I will update the FAQ later tonight. I'm still playing around with my new HT setup. I've finally moved into my new home two weeks ago.

Kermee, I knew something was wrong. You don't just leave this topic without getting permission first, comprende' ? ;)

Originally posted by webboy10169
Interesting So you are trying to go from dec to april in one shot?

has anyone else tried that yet? Is anyone else having the same issue?

With out answers to those questions. I can only guess it may be the fact that the march or (was if feb) firmware was a double install. one for the firmware and one for the UI. Maybe the april firmware needs the UI update to be there?

Purely speculation....

Same here.

Browser shows .BIN file contents instead of executing/unpacking it.

I think this is either a browser issue or there is something else in the player, some internal script that unpacks .BIN firmware files.

Has anybody had any success updating the Firmware using the link
webboy provided?

By the way, I figured that the japanese equivalent model is avlp2/dvdlj.

Here is the firmware for it:

03-79-041130-01-IOD-235-000.bin
04-72-050110-01-IOD-235-000.bin
05-48-050302-02-IOD-235-000.bin

You can find it at cyberjam.us/iodata

05-48... is equivalent of 05-47-050302-02-IOD-234-000.bin USA build.

I was hoping to verify if the japanese (05-48...) firmware is region free, but
unfortunately I am also getting binary file contents in the browser.

Everybody needs to install the Feb 05 update to get the "D" firmware that updates the operating system. Thereafter you can go skip to any version.

Webboy10169 page does work, I verified this previously.

Originally posted by Tom Roper
Everybody needs to install the Feb 05 update to get the "D" firmware that updates the operating system. Thereafter you can go skip to any version.

Webboy10169 page does work, I verified this previously.

Thats what i was leaning towards that the "D" firmware uddate the "UI" or as you said the "OS". and this is a needed update. Ive found no way to add it to the archive.

Is there a need for a japanese equivalent update page?

Originally posted by Tom Roper
Everybody needs to install the Feb 05 update to get the "D" firmware that updates the operating system. Thereafter you can go skip to any version. Ok, thanks for clarifying. I'll do this tonight.

Webboy, it sounds like you don't need to mirror the "D" update anyway, since people can just get it via normal upgrade process, and my understanding is it doesn't prevent digression to pre-Feb firmwares. Great site btw. Very easy to compare and pick different firmwares.

Originally posted by psg
I use wizd myself.

The problem is that their 1080i sync rate, and front-porch and back-porch timing parameters are just simply wrong. Slightly, but enough to cause sync problems and underscan/overscan issues for many displays. Could psg or someone elaborate somewhat on this problem? I have a lot of vertical overscan on my Toshiba 40H80 in 1080i mode and thought the set's convergence is wildly off. I never really watched much HD before the AVLP2. I intended to get out the 4' level and tape measure and manually alter the 3 color grids to better fit the image in the screen, a huge PITA.

But if it's a timing issue from the AVLP2, then I guess it's not the 40H80's fault. Is this something that could be fixed with a firmware update? I will be happy to send IO Data an e-mail regarding this if the problem is in fact on their end.

I don't think that the non-standard timing would cause convergence issues.

It DOES result in overscan in the "Fit to Screen" setting, and underscan in the "Square Pixel" zoom setting.

Originally posted by psg
I don't think that the non-standard timing would cause convergence issues. Thanks for the quick reply. I worded that confusingly. The only way to alter the overscan area on the 40H80 is to bring up the convergence mode in the service menu, and manually change the 3 color grids around to get the effect you want. This is also how to adjust the different stretch modes.

So I was going to adjust the overscan for the 1080i mode, but if you're saying it's a problem originating in the AVLP2, then I will e-mail IO Data about it. Do you have any numbers I could pass on to them? Thanks

And worst of all, my set has a hard time syncing to the signal.

No, I don't. But I find it impossible to believe that they don't have the proper test equipment in their development lab.

The very best solution would be if they were to allow the user to set the timing parameters for each video mode the way that the Momitsu player does. It essentially gives you complete control over the signals, as if you were using PowerStrip on a PC.

Originally posted by psg
...I find it impossible to believe that they don't have the proper test equipment in their development lab.True, but I'm having a hard time figuring out what sample clips they've been using to test the various filetypes. As in the March update, it's pretty obvious that something was seriously broken. I didn't know that the Momitsu allowed changing the timings; that would be very useful.

And I have noticeable overscan (as compared to 480i/p modes) though I keep the player in "square pixel" mode all the time, so maybe it's partly the 40H80's problem after all.

My $0.02 is that "Square Pixel" is broken, at least in 16x9 HD Mode Browser.

Although "Square Pixel" compensates for vertical overscan, it slightly squeezes the picture. It does come in handy for seeing hard subtitles when they're at the bottom of the screen.

While on this topic, has anyone noticed horizontal overscan when playing SD AVIs? It may be more than I would expect for my display (calibrated at ~4% overscan).

That's why it's broken. They could call it "Slight Squeeze Mode" and then it would be okay. But if the pixels were truly square, a 1280x720 frame should not be squeezed.

Hi,

I just got a US Avel Linkplayer 2. It seems rather loud when playing DVD movies (bought/rental, not home burned). Is the drive supposed to be noisy? (somewhat loud spinning sound, can be clearly heard during quiet time/music in scenes)

I also have an old JVC XV-501 and an Apex AD-600A which are both quiet when playing a movie.

I was wondering if it was a normal behavior for the Avel player (and is there a workaround?) or if my unit drive was deffective somehow.

Thanks in advance,

Janus

Originally posted by JanusMTL
Hi,

I just got a US Avel Linkplayer 2. It seems rather loud when playing DVD movies (bought/rental, not home burned). Is the drive supposed to be noisy? (somewhat loud spinning sound, can be clearly heard during quiet time/music in scenes) ...


After you update the firmware (probably several times to get to the current version) the setup menu will have an entry for drive speed (also the drive will autoslowdown on dvd plays as well). It should sound alot better after the updates.

Yeah i've been mentioning it to jack that he needs to fix the zoom modes, not only for video files, but for dvd's, especially for non anamorphic dvd's because it still stretches as if it were 4:3. i did start a thread about it on the iodata forum, but maybe nothing is being done because not many are speaking out about the zoom issues.

Originally posted by Tom Roper
Kermee, I knew something was wrong. You don't just leave this topic without getting permission first, comprende' ? ;)

I know... I know... I just couldn't resist. I've been waiting 10 years to do a true semi-HT room. This is my first home and I dropped off my apartment keys on March 31st. It took 6 months to build this house and I finally closed on St. Patty's Day last month.

My IOData AVLP2 is now happily mated to an InFocus 4805, ceiling mounted, with ALL the wires (S-Video, component, DVI/HDMI) in the wall. It's being projected to a Da-Lite 92" HCCV PermWall screen.

I know a lot of people are going to yell, "The InFocus 4805 is only 480p!" But I chose DLP over LCD (Panasonic AE700 was a *close* second) for the added contrast ratio. Also, since I don't see rainbows on the 4805 without trying REALLY hard, I went with it.

The IOData is then hooked up to a Denon AVR-3805 which is powering 7.1. My LCR's are Triad InCeiling/6 Gold Omni's. I have inceiling Polk TC610i's for my surrounds and inceiling Polk TC80i's for my rears. A Linn SIZMIK 10.25 for the subwoofer rounds up the sound-system.

I will try to have some pictures up soon. The IOData has been performing great along with all the other components and I have been using the opening act of the 2005 Grammy's CBS DD 5.1 HDTV feed to demo the system along with a couple DVD's and some MPEG-2, WMV9HD and DivxHD content I've encoded and archived over the years.

Congrats on the new house...fun!

Originally posted by Paul_PDX
After you update the firmware (probably several times to get to the current version) the setup menu will have an entry for drive speed (also the drive will autoslowdown on dvd plays as well). It should sound alot better after the updates.
I had not looked again at all the setup options after all the firmware updates. Now I have set it on very slow and it's much much more quiet indeed.

Thanks tons!

catware,

I have a 2001 Toshiba 40H80 and was using the IOData with it. I've never had timing issues with it in 1080i... But I've heavily tweaked my 40H80 in service mode however.

Just a warning about the "very slow" drive speed setting. If your data rate for the disk is higher than the read rate at the very slow setting, you'll find the video skipping ahead as it drops frames to sustain the timecode.

After the firmware updates default is even quiter than it used too since it doesn't always speed the drive up to full speed anymore -- so I just use default.

I agree.

Ok, so how do we use Rhapsody?

Hi guys!

Finally and not without your help, I was able to flash my AVLP2,
and guess what, I tested the Japanese firmware...

Here is the deal with Japanese firmware (05-48...):

I was able to play Region 2 and Region 5 DVDs, but the funny
thing about it, is that I WAS NOT able to play Region 1 DVDs!!! :) :) :)

So I just put everything back to 05-80... :)

I had to use February build in between to avoid "gibberish" as I was advised...

So you can switch between if you need to play other regions,
the only DOWNER is PAL support :( Linkplayer's PAL DECODER just sucks :(

Thanks,

Jamil.

Audio out of sync, lags video by 1 to 2 full seconds on WMV9. Does not affect TS.

Rolling back to March 04 firmware fixes it.

Sigh...

Does this firmware update fix any of the commercial DVDs that weren't playing before?

I guess I'm just about sold on this player, but for the WAF, I can't have a bunch of DVDs not working....

Thanks,
Chris

Originally posted by DouglasCleary
Ok, so how do we use Rhapsody?

JRad has a good explanation in I-O Data Forum under the v1.9b thread

Hi guys,

I wonder whether some of you guys could do me a favour and test this video only 720x576 DAR encode (http://82.2.167.237/Uploaded_Files/AVS_Forum_files/SMD_XviD_B-VOP_Test_File01.zip) in your I-O DATA players for me?

When I've tested the encode with other Sigma chip-sets, I see white flashes during scene changes.... I would like to know if this happens with the EM8620L chip-set too?


Many thanks for your help

I see white flashes during scene changesI tesed it and the Linkplayer did not have any problems with white flashes. I did not hear sound on the clip, though.

I am running the newest firmware and I used the latest version of the Avel software to test it.

Ok, so how do we use Rhapsody?If you do not already have a Rhapsody subscription, you may want to wait to see if IO Data gets a special deal from them. The last time I checked, IO Data had not made their "offical" announcement. When Prismiq added Rhapsody, I believe they extended the free period for Prismiq customers.

For those that worry about such things, the customer rep that usually monitors their forum is going on a business trip to attend IDF Japan (today). When he returns, he will be attending NAB2005 from 17th to 21st. Don't stress out too much, he will be back!

FYI: I have not seen them post it on their website, but they are working on adding "Playforsure" certification to the Microsoft DRM update.

Originally posted by cj2003
...
the only DOWNER is PAL support :( Linkplayer's PAL DECODER just sucks :(


The new April firmware fixed PAL (at least when outputting progressive) -- I have played 4 Region Free PAL DVDs so far with perfect synch.

Originally posted by Tom Roper
Audio out of sync, lags video by 1 to 2 full seconds on WMV9. Does not affect TS.

Rolling back to March 04 firmware fixes it.

Sigh...

Tom - are you using the new advanced server to transcode or the older one or is this a WMV encapsulated with Audio that the player can play native??

Originally posted by Paul_PDX
The new April firmware fixed PAL (at least when outputting progressive) -- I have played 4 Region Free PAL DVDs so far with perfect synch.

Excellent! I have this Denis Leary - No Cure For Cancer in PAL that I can finally use in my IOData instead of the Philips DVP642...

Originally posted by Paul_PDX
Tom - are you using the new advanced server to transcode or the older one or is this a WMV encapsulated with Audio that the player can play native??

I was playing the unprotected WMV straight off the DVD disk. Audio sync lags on the April 1 firmware, perfect sync on the March firmware. Happens on all the files.

The audio track is conventional WMA9, not the AVI encapsulated variety.

I'll try it again over the LinkServer.

Oh, Paul...I misunderstood your question. Now I see what you are getting at.

No, I was not using the *Advanced* Linkserver to transcode the WMV9 files. WMA9 2-channel audio has been supported all along. It's the WMA9 *Pro* audio 5.1 channel that we are waiting for I-O Data to support.

Tom - I forgot that some WMV is two channel -- I have spent so much time looking the the multichannel samples.

It looks like with a box this complex it is hard for them to fix one thing without messing up another. On the IODATA forum people are saying the new fw messes up the first few seconds of MP3s as well -- time to go back and check my MP3 music...

For me this FW is working out pretty good though.

Screen position question -- (when I mention a resolution in this post I am indicating the output res of the LinkPlayer not the res of what I am watching).

Has anyone else thought the new firmware shifted 720p even farther to the left than it used to be???

480p and 1080i looks centered (although overscanned) but 720p seems shifted left even more than I remembered.

The bigger problem I'm finding is with the newest firmware dated April 1.

The much maligned March firmware, while needing the pause-play trick when TS files are played back over the LinkServer network, so does the April 1 firmware!

I haven't found any TS file that doesn't play back properly from a burned DVD disk on either the March or April 1 firmware. Neither version seems to require the pause-play trick to properly playback TS from a DVD.

The April 1 firmware is definitely now broken on WMV9 playback. ALL files playback with audio out of sync lagging 1 to 2 seconds behind the video at all times, whether you use the pause-play trick or not.

All WMV9 with the audio sync problem above play back fine with the March firmware.

Very disappointing...

That is strange, almost all of my .ts files play pretty well now. One thing i've noticed, though - they take a few seconds to start, and they pause at the point where I have edited the ads out. The pause can last over 5 seconds, but when it starts up again it is perfect. At least I have been able to watch my edited OTA recordings for the last week...

Are you playing them over the LinkServer or from DVD media? Because like the March firmware, TS files played on the April 1 firmware start out with several seconds of stuttering video from the LinkServer. Maybe it's because I'm still on LinkServer V1.8?

Edit: I'll double check that. It was a 1280x720p30 PS file that starts out with several seconds of stutter from the LinkServer, but not the DVD disk.

And yes I'm using a hard wired CAT5 100 base T ethernet, 100mb/s

Sorry, over the network from a Mac. Version 1.3 I think!(the latest mac version) Yes, I have noticed the stuttering a couple times, but only right at the beginning and only for a few secs...

I also am having no problems with TS/TP played from WIZD and the April firmware.

However, I have also seen the mentioned delay at my cut points where I removed ads with H2M.

Okay. If I hit the pause button at the beginning where the stuttering would be, then hit play there is no stuttering. But that behavior seems confined to LinkServer, doesn't do it with same file from DVD media.

Anybody else try WMV9?

Kermee,
Have you had a chance to compare dvd at 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i (calibrated) on the linkplayer paired with the 4805. How do they compare (yeah, it seems like a lot to ask)?

Play/Pause -- Tom you might want to try Wizd to see if that fixes your streaming issues.. FlipFlop and th original Japanese Wizd team did a lot to improve streaming of both DVD and HD.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=5212867#post5212867

Paul, if you rolled back to the March firmware, would your TS play fine with Wizd?

I need to try that since I never tried March in the 1st place. I was using Jan 27 with all sorts of mixed luck before April.

I'll try that with March and WMV tonight with April.

Originally posted by Tom Roper
Anybody else try WMV9?

I've tried WMV9 HD demo stuff with the April Firmware. (1280x720 and 1440x1080). Works fine, except for the WMA Pro audio of course.

Originally posted by Ja Phule
Kermee,
Have you had a chance to compare dvd at 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i (calibrated) on the linkplayer paired with the 4805. How do they compare (yeah, it seems like a lot to ask)?

I'll check tonight. I've left the IOData outputting at 1080i but will try to see if I can spot the differences at different resolutions on different source and resolution materials.

Originally posted by Kermee
I'll check tonight. I've left the IOData outputting at 1080i but will try to see if I can spot the differences at different resolutions on different source and resolution materials.

Thanks, I look forward to your results.

Anyone else notice that the I-O Data Firmware update link (on your LinkPlayer2) is not working? Site is down...

I can still download all the bin files, I have not checked the firmware update page in my player though.

Forgive me, it's 4:04am so I'm probably too tired to think clearly. OK, the most popular topic right now seems to be what firmware fixes/breaks what thing, but I have a question, a stupid one I'm sure, but here goes . . . where exactly do I go to check the firmware version I currently have, and how can I tell which one was released when? I am having hit or miss luck getting my .TS files to play back smoothly (my divxhd files play back flawlessly so I don't want to mess that up to fix the .TS file playback) . TIA!

When you click on the setup button down at the bottom of the screen you'll see the firmware version along with the loader info and firmware version.

Anyone else notice that all the nasa clips finally play. Well i need to pause-play to start them but they finally play. New I candy for the HD setup.

Nasa clips? What nasa clips? Can you provide a link?

Thanks.

Hi guys,

If you are up for it, I have another B-VOP encode for you to try!

This one (http://82.2.167.237/Uploaded_Files/AVS_Forum_files/SMD_XviD_B-VOP_Test_File02.zip) contains video only and has a resolution of 1280x720 in .AVI?

As with the previous encode, I would like to know if you can see white flashes (at the bottom of the frame) during scene changes?


Many thanks for your help... again!

Originally posted by SeeMoreDigital
Hi guys,

If you are up for it, I have another B-VOP encode for you to try!

This one (http://82.2.167.237/Uploaded_Files/AVS_Forum_files/SMD_XviD_B-VOP_Test_File02.zip) contains video only and has a resolution of 1280x720 with DAR signalling in .AVI?

As with the previous encode, I would like to know if you can see white flashes (at the bottom of the frame) during scene changes?


Many thanks for your help... again!

No white flashes visable on my end, overall picture quality a bit fuzzy and compression heavy. 50" Panny plasma viewer.

Originally posted by potus
Nasa clips? What nasa clips? Can you provide a link?


Can of worms i knew it. Sorry I dont have or remember the url but i know i got it from this forum and quite possibly this thread. I'll poke around and see if i can find it.
<EDIT>
Ok so i did have it after all.
ftp://ftp.cmf.nrl.navy.mil/pub/iHDTV
</EDIT>

Originally posted by webboy10169
No white flashes visable on my end, overall picture quality a bit fuzzy and compression heavy. 50" Panny plasma viewer. Thanks for the confirmation :)

I've got one last 1920x1088 Mpeg4 encode for you guys to try, as soon as I've generated it.

Please don't worry about the fuzziness of the image, as this is simply a by-product of keeping the bit-rate as low as possible!

What I'm trying to determine is how well the chip-set copes with XviD encodes containing 2No B-VOP's together with AQ and VHQ!

With some of Sigma's std-def chip-sets I've been able to determine that as the pixel frame size gets bigger, the white flashes seem to get progressively worse - up to the chip-sets maximum 720x576 pixel capability!


Cheers

no problem i wasnt sure what you were looking for besides white flashes so i though i'd express what im seeing. Waiting for you next clip for white flashes only...

Originally posted by webboy10169

Can of worms i knew it. Sorry I dont have or remember the url but i know i got it from this forum and quite possibly this thread. I'll poke around and see if i can find it.
<EDIT>
Ok so i did have it after all.
ftp://ftp.cmf.nrl.navy.mil/pub/iHDTV
</EDIT>

Many thanks. These things are seriously HUGE! I've started the download, but it'll be a few hours before I can test em out...

-- Frank

Originally posted by potus
Many thanks. These things are seriously HUGE! I've started the download, but it'll be a few hours before I can test em out...

-- Frank

Flashget is a great program for accelerating downloads via ftp

I just finished watching Ben Buie's new docudrama "ON OUR WAY UP" in WMV-HD 1280x720.

The audio is out of sync with the video big time on the April 1 firmware, roll it back to any version previous and it plays in perfect sync. :(

Tom,

You've got PM.

Originally posted by Kermee
You've got PM.
phase modulation? post meridian?

Im considering buying this unit. Have the DVD-R and storbought DVD playback issues been resolved. I read about a ton of them around December.

Originally posted by lmengel
phase modulation? post meridian?

Post Menst... er. Nevermind. ;) Private Message. Old habits die hard. :)

Hi guys,

If you are up for it, I have yet another B-VOP encode for you to try!

This one (http://82.2.167.237/Uploaded_Files/AVS_Forum_files/SMD_XviD_B-VOP_Test_File03.zip) contains video only and has a resolution of 1920x1088 in .AVI?

As with the previous encode, I would like to know if you can see white flashes (at the bottom of the frame) during scene changes?


Many thanks for your help... again... and again!

Originally posted by SeeMoreDigital
Hi guys,

If you are up for it, I have yet another B-VOP encode for you to try!

This one (http://82.2.167.237/Uploaded_Files/AVS_Forum_files/SMD_XviD_B-VOP_Test_File03.zip) contains video only and has a resolution of 1920x1088 in .AVI?

As with the previous encode, I would like to know if you can see white flashes (at the bottom of the frame) during scene changes?


Many thanks for your help... again... and again!

No flashes looks good.

No white flashes, but I did notice the motion in the background was a little jerky. (those space ships wizzing left and right outside...) Not sure if this is present in the original.

Thanks very much for confirming this guys :)

And it's good to know that 1920x1088p/25fps Mpeg4 content works too.... Sigma have indeed constructed a strong chip-set.


Thanks again

So what was the final verdict as to why the April 1st update doesn't work for some of us even if we have BOTH February updates (FW and GUI)? I've tried it both with webboy's site and my own intranet with the same results of the file not being run instead being displayed as ACSII on the screen. Guess I will have to wait until it comes up on IO-Data's site.

In other news, Ulead release a new patch for MSP which provides more support for HDV. I am now able to render WMV 9 files in 1080i or 720p from my HD clips. Unfortunately on the AVeL they stutter a bit so need to work with some of the options. They have also added 24 fps support. BTW, JVC is supposed to launch the HD100 soon which is a 3-CCD HD prosumer camera with interchangeable lenses and 24 fps support. Sounds good!

Originally posted by Brian Conrad
So what was the final verdict as to why the April 1st update doesn't work for some of us even if we have BOTH February updates (FW and GUI)? I've tried it both with webboy's site and my own intranet with the same results of the file not being run instead being displayed as ACSII on the screen. Guess I will have to wait until it comes up on IO-Data's site.



Last I checked (the first day), Webboy's page did not even have the April 1 firmware on it. He had December and February. Maybe he's updated it since I checked?

Anyway, if it's being displayed on the LinkPlayer2 as ascii, then the html tag that invokes the Sya_Bas loader is not coded.

Copy the line from one of the other firmware links, and change the filename to the April 1 binary.

Or are you saying you already have the March FW installed, and can't grab the April 1 update from the I-O Data site, i.e. the FW screen on the LinkPlayer?

That I-O Data link has been up and down. Yesterday it was down for several hours. Last I checked it was up again.

I had never installed the March 1st update because I always wait to read the reviews :) I'll try adding the .bin into the label for the file on my own intranet if that is what you mean (webboy's site doesn't have that on the label either though the other links do -- not sure why that would make any difference though).

It may be that the IO-Data server gets overloaded as it appeared down earlier today but a few minutes later was back.

Well I hope Pinnacle's solustion with the Showcenter 200 is not the only way to go -- their info page says WMA Pro and Lossless are not supported native and will be transcoded into 2 channel MP3 at 192Kbit.

The showcenter is also promising streaming live tv from Pinnacle TV cards -- should be intersting to get ahold of that version of the server software...

{} to be replaced by <>

{A href="http://Site_url.com/05-80-050321-02-IOD-234-000.bin" update=""}

See where it says... update=""

That's what invokes the Sya-Bas loader to parse the data in hex instead of ascii.

Thanks Tom, that did the trick. Now the Ulead generated WMV HD files work better. The 1080i one stutters a little but the 720p plays fine. I think the 1080i may need to be encoded with CBR audio rather than VBR because it seems to be pausing the video to catch up.

Originally posted by Brian Conrad
I think the 1080i may need to be encoded with CBR audio rather than VBR because it seems to be pausing the video to catch up.

Brian, WMV-HD playback is broken on the April firmware update. The audio and video are out of sync. The video looks fine, but lip-sync'd.

For playing back WMV-HD, roll back to March or Feb.

The March firmware is broken on some TS and high-def m2p when played back from the LinkServer.

The February firmware plays TS, m2p and WMV-HD pretty well overall, but the video signal stays "on" whenever the power switch is on, even if turned off by the remote.

Choose your poison.

Forgot who wanted to see my IOData hooked up to the SP4805 (actually, I think it was that large SP4805 thread in a different forum), but I will have pictures in about an hour.

Originally posted by Kermee
Forgot who wanted to see my IOData hooked up to the SP4805 (actually, I think it was that large SP4805 thread in a different forum), but I will have pictures in about an hour.

I'm sure both forums would like to know :)

Originally posted by Kermee
Forgot who wanted to see my IOData hooked up to the SP4805 (actually, I think it was that large SP4805 thread in a different forum), but I will have pictures in about an hour.

I'd like to see as well, I have the same projector and am planing on ordering an avel player on Sunday.

I think I asked this question before but for the life of me I can't find it. Is it possible to stream mlb.tv to my TV through the player?

FYI -- The Buffalo discussion has a backdoor for region free and region change:
Slow 2 9 6 0 and set region number
Has anyone tried this on the LinkPlayer2 yet??

At the same time the guy posted the code, he mentioned that he'd also picked up a AVLP2 but "The IOData Linkplayer2 did not let me do anything with region free."

Originally posted by Tom Roper
Last I checked (the first day), Webboy's page did not even have the April 1 firmware on it. He had December and February. Maybe he's updated it since I checked?

Anyway, if it's being displayed on the LinkPlayer2 as ascii, then the html tag that invokes the Sya_Bas loader is not coded.

Copy the line from one of the other firmware links, and change the filename to the April 1 binary.

Fixed

so is the update="" issue

Originally posted by Tom Roper
Brian, WMV-HD playback is broken on the April firmware update. The audio and video are out of sync. The video looks fine, but lip-sync'd.

For playing back WMV-HD, roll back to March or Feb.

The March firmware is broken on some TS and high-def m2p when played back from the LinkServer.

The February firmware plays TS, m2p and WMV-HD pretty well overall, but the video signal stays "on" whenever the power switch is on, even if turned off by the remote.

Choose your poison.
I would say the WMV-HD playback is buggy not necessarily broken as the 720p file worked okay. But I use DivX anyway which is very reliable. It looks like they are taking a development snapshot for a release so if stuff is being remodeled we get that too.
:(

Originally posted by Paul_PDX
FYI -- The Buffalo discussion has a backdoor for region free and region change:
Slow 2 9 6 0 and set region number
Has anyone tried this on the LinkPlayer2 yet??

I had tried this method months ago with various combinations of "2 9 6 0" without success.Lundman had first posted this method in this thread
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=486580&highlight=buffalo
Buffalo and V880N used similar method to access secret menu for changing DVD-ROM to region free. So I think AVLP2 probably used similar method with different 4 digits. I had randomly tried differnet numbers. Of course,I failed.

All this talk about wmv-hd has me confused, because it seems that even if it could play wmv-hd you would only have 2 channels (or 5.1 downmixed to 2) of sound thru the stereo plugs, unless the unit could convert the channels to ac3 on the fly. This would allow it to send it out the ac3 spdif digitally.

I am I missing something here. It would be great to have the hd, but with stereo sound kind of stinks, since sound is also important. I guess is there a wmv player with 5.1 coax outputs also?

Unless you are Microsoft there is little reason to use WM Audio. But I have occasionally made WMV HD encodings with AC3 audio and those seem to play okay.

- Tom

Originally posted by feliz
...I am I missing something here. ... I guess is there a wmv player with 5.1 coax outputs also? No you are not missing anything!

Both this player and Buffalo's LinkTheater are only able to output WMA audio via 2 channels, which sadly really cocks up playback of WMA9 Pro.

Technically this could have been avoided if both manufacturers had installed 6No analogue RCA/phono output, as this would have made it possible for individual audio signals to have been passed via the players analogue output stage, using any codec offering 6 channel audio (just like you can do with a PC's sound card).


Cheers

Thanks SMD,

It appears that the zensonic z500 will have 5.1 coax output, so I guess I'm just going to have to continue my wait

Not so fast. trbarry made a WMV-HD video with 5.1 channel AC3 that plays on the LinkPlayer2 inside the AVI container, and outputs via the SPDIF.

If that can happen, why not WMA9 Pro with a future firmware update? It's been promised.

For now, the point about WMA9 Pro is moot until I-O Data unlocks DRM. The same goes for Zensonic which isn't even shipping, and the Buffalo LinkTheater which seems behind I-O Data on firmwares. I bet we'll have 5.1 audio with it then. Until then, WMV-HD with AC3 inside the AVI container seems satisfactory.

Originally posted by Tom Roper
...why not WMA9 Pro with a future firmware update? It's been promised. Personally speaking I don't think I-O DATA (or Buffalo) will be able to offer WMA9 Pro to AC3 audio transcoding on the fly.... So yes, the only other option is to mux 6Ch AC3 along with WMV video within the .AVI container.

Having to use AC3 is a bit sad as WMA9 Pro and AAC both sound rather good ;)


Cheers

Not that I have a love of wmv/asf media, but I do have some unprotected media files in a asf/wmv file format. It would be nice to be just be able to play them in the full 5.1 sound. I don't think the sigma has the power to recode on the fly like a nforce chipset on a powerful pc.

Demuxing the asf, then recoding the wma pro to ac3 which I don't know even if possible with out horrendious effort and loss of quality, then muxing into a avi sound horrible.

Here is a link for the server software for the Pinnacle showcenter 200. It says it updates the firmware on the showcenter to enable PCTV playback so that you can use the DVR funtions. Will be interesting to see if this software could be used with other 8620L solutions.

http://www.pinnaclesys.com/docsupport1.asp?division_id=1&langue_id=7&product_id=1481&page_id=940

I wanted to save this until we could get the normal link server to support firmware updates but it is taking longer than I wanted to decompile all of the different class files that create the pages you see on your player.

To get the firmware updates working exactly the same way as the normal firmware updates work we have to use a seperate web server for the moment. If you don't have one installed already, I can highly recommend the Abyss X1 server available from here: http://www.aprelium.com/abyssws/download.php Grab the appropriate version of the web server. You will see it is very small.

Install the Abyss webserver, at the end of the install it will ask you how you want the server to start up. The default is to start automatically, I have set mine to start manually since I don't need it running all of the time just when I want to change my firmware version. The installer will then ask if you want to start the web server, choose yes and you will see a small window flash up for a second and then a popup box saying that the configuration file has been created. Click OK. A web browser should open and it will ask you to select your language. After seleting your language you will be asked to supply a user name and password for the administration of the server. Set the username and password and then click OK, a login box will come up and you will need to login with your username and password. Once logged in you will see the server configuration page. Next to Default Host On Port 80 you will see the configure button, you will probably want to change the port number so click on configure and then general. You can change the port number here, I used 8001 so it would not conflict with the linkplayer server. Click OK and then you will be asked to restart the server, click restart and you should be good to go.


I have made 2 different sets of web pages for the firmware updates, Local uses local copies of the bin files for updates and Remote uses the myibox web server to download the updates just like the official firmware updates do. If you want to have local copies of the firmware files you will need to download them seperately from the following links:

http://myibox.net/update/local-bus/04-33-041227-01-IOD-234-000.bin Dec 27th
http://myibox.net/update/local-bus/04-91-050127-01-IOD-234-000.bin Jan 27th
http://myibox.net/update/local-bus/05-47-050302-02-IOD-234-000.bin March 4th
http://myibox.net/update/local-bus/05-80-050321-02-IOD-234-000.bin April 1st

and save them to the htdocs folder in the Abyss Web Server directory.

Download the attached zip file, inside are 2 more zip files. Local.zip for use with local copies of the bin files and Remote.zip if you don't want to be bothered with keeping up the bin files. Exctract whichever one you prefer to the Abyss Web Server/htdocs directory making sure use folder names is checked.

On your linkplayers main screen add another server called firmware updates and set the IP address to your new server, remember to add :portnumber if you used anything other than the default port 80.

Click on the new server and you will have all firmware updates available from Dec 27 onward.

Thank you irgaac - I'll give it a try!

I have been beta testing the updater pages for the past week for irgaac, and I'm hooked. Awesome job! Choosing among updates is as simple as browsing media files on the LinkPlayer2.

Thanks to Webboy10169 first, and now irgaac, LinkPlayer owners now have two ways to have all the firmware versions, and no more need to be concerned about holding off on applying a new update, because you can fall back to any version you want.

The only downside, is that the new updater gets far too much use due to I-O Data not having one firmware version that does everything right.

Dec 27th has no SPDIF audio on some receivers.
Jan 27th video signal stays on even when LinkPlayer off.
Mar 4th has broken TS playback.
Apr 1st has out of sync audio playback for WMV9.

Nice work irgaac. I might add if you are running the momitsu software you can just download the pages to your computer and bookmark them, as pc bookmarks show up with the momitsu software.

I really want one of these things but am a little apprehensive, are they that buggy?

After skimming through the 150 pages, this thread makes you almost more confused than before. :-)

I have 1 basic question: I'm looking for an HDTV solution that I can use the Linkplayer to access. In a perfect world, I would like to use my 2.8Ghz p4 to automatically encode HDTV content, a la tivo onto its 300GB media drive. I would like to be able to view those files without re-encoding directly in the Linkplayer. I'm sure it's asking too much to view them while they're recording, but man, wouldn't that be great? So, is there an HD card like the MYHD that will allow me to do this, and use the linkplayer without using any programs to convert the finished files? Just be able to access them as soon as they're recorded? A kind of fire-and-forget solution?

Cheap would be nice, too, otherwise, I'll just suck it up and finally get that stupid overpriced underfeatured HDTivo.

Cory.

Originally posted by webboy10169
Nice work irgaac. I might add if you are running the momitsu software you can just download the pages to your computer and bookmark them, as pc bookmarks show up with the momitsu software.


Yes that will work if you are using the Remote pages, the Local pages have some SSI processing in them so you don't have to edit the pages to change them for your IP address and port number.

<<In a perfect world, I would like to use my 2.8Ghz p4 to automatically encode HDTV content, a la tivo onto its 300GB media drive>>
Keep in mind here that the Uhdl unit is only 5600 rpm.
West digital,Seagate ect offer faster drives but I don't know of anyone whos set up server software on these non iodata drives.I'dd like ta see a much faster drive before I buy another.The tivo unit you talked about is probably the same, a 5600 rpm.I don't use mine for hd but mostly to view divx and it sure seems to look a lot better when I reincode em with DRdivx
(cause most of em won't even play unless they are reencoded)and then burn them to disk.I find the disk reader can read and play the files much better than the uhdl.Does anyone else notice the perfomance drop when using the uhdl? I notice the same when I play files on my pc's they just play better,get read faster when burned to disk. Something to think about here when you go looking at these new devices,Maybe they are just not good enough yet to do what ya want. If anyones used the faster drives from Seagate,West Digital ect. I'dd like to hear.

Wizd user fear no more the Firmware upgrade.

Simply create a folder called something like "firmware" in your "docroot" folder and put all the firmware binary in it.

Create an index.html file containing the following in the "firmware" directory. REMEMBER to replace the { with < and } with > in the html file ;-):

{html}
{head}
{/head}

{p}Firmware Up/Downgrade{/p}

{p}{/p}

{p}{a href="04-33-041227-01-IOD-234-000.bin" update=""}Dec 27{/a}{/p}

{p}{a href="04-91-050127-01-IOD-234-000.bin" update=""}Jan 27{/a}{/p}

{p}{a href="05-47-050302-02-IOD-234-000.bin" update=""}Mar 03{/a}{/p}

{p}{a href="05-80-050321-02-IOD-234-000.bin" update=""}Avr 1{/a} {/p}

{/body}

{/html}

Point your linkplayer2 player to the wizd server, navigate to "firmware" and select index.html. Select your prefered firmware and up/downgrade away!

Originally posted by pestario
I really want one of these things but am a little apprehensive, are they that buggy?

Well, you know it would be a boring thread if everyone posted only positive comments about the player. It's natural that people come here to compare notes on whatever issues they've encountered. Since most people in this thread use terms I barely understand :) I've always assumed the folks here are upper-end techno-consumers who love to push everything they get their hands until it begs for mercy. I'm grateful for them because they're the people who keep the IODATA's of the world honest!

I was a pretty early adopter, and am sitting here in my living room tonight typing this answer while listening to an old Quicksilver Messenger Service album via Rhapsody via the Linkplayer and generally feeling pretty spiffy about the whole thing.

My general takeaway from the time I've had the unit is the company is sincere and driven and I have faith they will continue to improve the product. I will probably buy the DVI version for my home theatre TV as soon as it comes out.

I suspect they are short-staffed and their programmers' skills are messy. It is the only explanation for firmware updates that sometimes fix one problem while breaking something else that formerly worked. Still, I believe that's an early-adopter price we pay and that, in general, things are getting better.

I find little niggling problems here and there that are annoying (no subtitle support in divx, nearly useless FF/REW in divx, MPEG4 v2 files aren't supported, etc.)

Yet, despite all that, the things I specifically bought it and expected it to do--especially play divx files over a wireless network--it does wonderfully well and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it (or, as I mentioned above, buy the next generation). Because of the company's past behavior, I don't have any reason to believe most of the annoyances won't be fixed in future firmware updates.

I have absolutely no way of verifying this, but based on the impression I get from the posts in this thread, despite the complaints (some of which can be quite emotional), I'd bet the majority of folks here feel more or less as positively as I do about the unit and the company.

Hope that's helpful!

I'm looking for an HDTV solution that I can use the Linkplayer to access. In a perfect world, I would like to use my 2.8Ghz p4 to automatically encode HDTV content, a la tivo onto its 300GB media drive The ATI HDTV Wonder can record OTA to your hard drive in mpeg format that works perfectly with the Linkplayer.

The major problem is using the UHLD with files larger than 2GB. Without your computer it is impossible (unless there is a hack I am unaware of). However, you can create a shortcut to the UHLD in a computer drive's directory and play back the file from the uhld using the computer's Linkplayer software. You can also use the WIZD software and use the UHLD drive instead of your computer's drive in the setup of the wizd.conf video directory default. You can see my review of the UHLD here (http://uofmtiger.blogspot.com/2005_03_25_uofmtiger_archive.html#111177512722412745).
Does anyone else notice the perfomance drop when using the uhdl? I have seen no performance drop using the UHLD. This is including using a shortcut to play back a HD file over 20GB in size. If there is a downfall to recording in HD, it is the fact that it will take no time to fill up a 300GB hard drive.
I really want one of these things but am a little apprehensive, are they that buggy I would agree with everything Ken said above. It would also depend on what you want it to do. I am happy with mine, but I do not use a mac, use TS or TY files, etc... If your needs are specific to an area that does have a problem, you may be less than happy with the product.

A while back someone posted a link to momitsu Mac server software. I believe the post was deleted. Please pm me the link or post it again.

Originally posted by lmengel
A while back someone posted a link to momitsu Mac server software. I believe the post was deleted. Please pm me the link or post it again.

Go to the Momitsu website. I saw it there.

momitsu.com/dvd_880n_mac.html

I'll just second what irgaac said about the Abyss server. It is *very* small, and quite flexible. I like it.

Originally posted by cyburn
Wizd user fear no more the Firmware upgrade.

Simply create a folder called something like "firmware" in your "docroot" folder and put all the firmware binary in it.

Create an index.html file containing the following in the "firmware" directory. REMEMBER to replace the { with < and } with > in the html file ;-):

{html}
{head}
{/head}

{p}Firmware Up/Downgrade{/p}

{p}{/p}

{p}{a href="04-33-041227-01-IOD-234-000.bin" update=""}Dec 27{/a}{/p}

{p}{a href="04-91-050127-01-IOD-234-000.bin" update=""}Jan 27{/a}{/p}

{p}{a href="05-47-050302-02-IOD-234-000.bin" update=""}Mar 03{/a}{/p}

{p}{a href="05-80-050321-02-IOD-234-000.bin" update=""}Avr 1{/a} {/p}

{/body}

{/html}

Point your linkplayer2 player to the wizd server, navigate to "firmware" and select index.html. Select your prefered firmware and up/downgrade away!

Finally, I bought a japanese AVLP2-DVDG, the one with wi-fi support. I downloaded online the last firmware, but basically I have the same problems that everybody have with the US version.
Can I download the firmwares with this method that you are publishing here ?

Best regards.

Originally posted by gpotech
Go to the Momitsu website.
Nope, that one requests a serial number to download, I need the download link itself. Thanks though.

Sure, as long as you know what is the firmware filename you want to go back to.

Simply download the firmware file to your firmware wizd folder and change the html code to point to it.

Folks, do it your own way, but irgaac has already created the web pages for you, and better because in it he maintains the I-O Data theme, the icons, background images.

I'll post a new link with the complete firmware list tonight, including japanese...

Originally posted by miyoshi
Finally, I bought a japanese AVLP2-DVDG, the one with wi-fi support. I downloaded online the last firmware, but basically I have the same problems that everybody have with the US version.
Can I download the firmwares with this method that you are publishing here ?

Best regards.

I have compiled all the firmware images I had previously downloaded, and published them at:

http://cyberjam.us/iodata/

Feel free to use it...

Thanks to all who had worked on creating and discussing HTML code for this page!

Let me know if everything works fine...

Sincerely,

CJ.

Well done CJ.

gpotech

http://www.momitsu.com/products/v880n/momitsux-p10.tar.tar

Originally posted by cj2003
I have compiled all the firmware images I had previously downloaded, and published them at:

http://cyberjam.us/iodata/

Feel free to use it...

Thanks to all who had worked on creating and discussing HTML code for this page!

Let me know if everything works fine...

Sincerely,

CJ.
A tip, if you are using wizd in Windows: Use Windows Explorer on your PC to create a "shortcut" in the docroot directory to the above URL, and label it "Firmware update". Then you will have a link listed in the main directory listing on the LinkPlayer that brings you to CJ's site.

So now that everyone can switch firmware versions at will, can some of you who have played around with them post some pro/con comparisons? Thanks.

Originally posted by FlipFlop
A tip, if you are using wizd in Windows: Use Windows Explorer on your PC to create a "shortcut" in the docroot directory to the above URL, and label it "Firmware update". Then you will have a link listed in the main directory listing on the LinkPlayer that brings you to CJ's site.

Is Wizard the only way to get access to the various firmware updates or are there other options? I have not yet tried this nor have I loaded Wizard, but was wondering what I need to do to be able to see the firmware update choices.

Thanks.

Originally posted by potus
So now that everyone can switch firmware versions at will, can some of you who have played around with them post some pro/con comparisons? Thanks.

The latest April 1 firmware would have been the best, except it breaks the audio sync on WMV9 playback. But it fixes TS and improves PAL.

The March firmware has very little to recommend, but it fixes the output "always on" problem.

The Feb firmware fixes the no AC3 audio problem with certain receivers.

So, use March for WMV9, April for everything else? I was hoping it would boil down to something this simple.

Originally posted by potus
So, use March for WMV9, April for everything else? I was hoping it would boil down to something this simple.

Yep!

What happened to Kermee? If you're still there, any updates on 4805 and the link player? I might be getting swayed towards the buffalo linktheater, but I still want to see how both these players fare as both seem very similar. No rush though buddy :)

One difference, and I've asked BrianV about it, is the D/A converter is only 10 bit 54mhz on the LinkTheater, versus 12 bit 148.5 mhz on the LinkPlayer2.

Originally posted by Tom Roper
One difference, and I've asked BrianV about it, is the D/A converter is only 10 bit 54mhz on the LinkTheater, versus 12 bit 148.5 mhz on the LinkPlayer2.

I noticed that post, though he didn't seem to confirm this (though it is listed in spec). I'm not too sure what this means either, could you elaborate for me? Always learning.... :)

Originally posted by Ja Phule
What happened to Kermee? If you're still there, any updates on 4805 and the link player? I might be getting swayed towards the buffalo linktheater, but I still want to see how both these players fare as both seem very similar. No rush though buddy :)

I'm alive! I'll take pictures and try my best to see if there are any differences at each resolution between the AVLP2 and SP4805. I've been extremely busy at work... Rat race it is... ;)

One other thing about the LinkTheater -- they are behind on the fix curve quite a way. -- they just release the firmware with broken TS playback last night. Read the whole LT thread before deciding which player is being better supported....

Yeah, I've got a close eye on it.

Originally posted by cj2003
I'll post a new link with the complete firmware list tonight, including japanese...

Last night I enter to the site and works perfect. But after the firmware downgrade, I couldn't ever turn it on again.

I am realy sure that I choose the right firmware for the right model.
I don't know if it has to be related with it, but the digital audio line got disconnected (Oops I disconnected, in order to change the cable) during the firmware downgrade.

So now, I am sending it back to the shop where I bought it.
I am seriuosly thinking about to change to the V880N, despite I have to import it from Hong Kong or Taiwan, because is not sold locally in Japan. It accepts subtitles, supports 1080i, and it's networked.
Do you know any cons about it ? Otherwise I will keep my Avelink 2.

Originally posted by miyoshi
Do you know any cons about it ? Doesn't play HD content. The Sigma chipset it uses is a generation earlier than the one in the AVLP2 and can't handle HD. It does upconvert to 1080i, but without the ability to play actual HD content.

Costs $100 more than AVLP2 (at least over here in the US).

Doesn't upconvert over component (might only be commercial DVDs this applies to).

Advantages over AVLP2: IIRC, it has DVI out and also the option to buy a module that can be fed an external video signal that it will upconvert to 1080i. (think it's around $80-$100 for the module).

You didn't really state why you wanted to change, other than the unsupported firmware update problem. You're lucky the store will take it back. Obviously you voided the warranty by changing the firmware through an unauthorized channel. But you probably won't mention that when you are there to return it.

Any hope yet of playing lossless audio?

It's the only thing holding me back from buying the linkplayer...

Originally posted by Robert Clark
Any hope yet of playing lossless audio?

It's the only thing holding me back from buying the linkplayer...

Pinnacle is saying their player will transcode WMA Lossless to MP3 on their server software before sending it to the Showcenter 200 -- it makes me think the 8620L won't do WMA lossless anytime soon... :(

Originally posted by catware
Doesn't play HD content. The Sigma chipset it uses is a generation earlier than the one in the AVLP2 and can't handle HD. It does upconvert to 1080i, but without the ability to play actual HD content.

Costs $100 more than AVLP2 (at least over here in the US).

Doesn't upconvert over component (might only be commercial DVDs this applies to).

Advantages over AVLP2: IIRC, it has DVI out and also the option to buy a module that can be fed an external video signal that it will upconvert to 1080i. (think it's around $80-$100 for the module).

You didn't really state why you wanted to change, other than the unsupported firmware update problem. You're lucky the store will take it back. Obviously you voided the warranty by changing the firmware through an unauthorized channel. But you probably won't mention that when you are there to return it.

Oops, I already returned back and they accepted it. I think I will keep using my AVLP1 until further firmware supports subtitles in AVLP2.
Thanks Mr Catware for undesirable the features of the V880N, I didn't know about them.
At least finally I could get some technical differences between AVLP1 and AVLP2, if someone wants to know:
AVLP1 was built by a third party company and just has the IO Data seal on it.
AVLP2 is fully constructed by IO Data engineers.
Some additional audio and video Codecs support on AVLP2.
USB connector on AVLP2
AVLP2 DVDG has a built in wifi 802.11g 54Mbps networking
AVLP1 have one pcmcia bay for wireless networking at 802.11b 11Mbps (I think it is enough for divx streaming from the server).
AVLP1 remote control runs acceptable
AVLP2 remote control... better not to mention (first point for AVLP1)
Both support DVI 1080 resolution and upconversion.

Thank you very much to everyone, I will keep online to look forward for more of this unmeasurable information that you are bringing.

I doubt WMA Lossless will ever be natively supported by the EM8620L nor the upcoming SMP8630 series chipsets from Sigma Designs. IIRC, WMA Lossless is an entirely different beast than WMA or WMA Pro. What's stopping them from natively supporting WMA Lossless? I'm not entirely sure...

Originally posted by miyoshi
Thanks Mr Catware for undesirable the features of the V880N That's Ms. Catware. :p

Michelle

Originally posted by Tom Roper
The latest April 1 firmware would have been the best, except it breaks the audio sync on WMV9 playback. But it fixes TS and improves PAL.

The March firmware has very little to recommend, but it fixes the output "always on" problem.

The Feb firmware fixes the no AC3 audio problem with certain receivers.


I've found another very serious problem with the April 1 release. Others have mentioned it here and on iodata's site that they have severe DVD drive failures using this latest firmware. The DVD player will sometime just stop working when playing commercial DVDs.

In my case, the LP make a horrendous noise, much worse than a scratched disc noise or seeking noise. At points it sound like hardrive that is failing and it slams the head against the stop or platter. Sometimes it is preceded by a problem where the video will get stuck in FFW mode. It can sometime be corrected by pausing and playing the video again. I can play over the same spot without any issues.

However, if I let the drive try to sort itself out, by letting it try to resync to the video, the drive will eventually stop working. The software has not died, since I can return to the server, but the drive has. I have to completely power down the unit in order for it to recover.

When this happens it sounds bad enough that I can believe, as others have mentioned, that their DVD drive completely failed.

So I would suggest using one of the earlier FW to play DVDs. I tried the Feb 4 release using the same DVD and I could not get this issue to occur. So I have to believe it is the firmware that is causing this issue.

That's very interesting. I've watched several DVDs on the AVLP2 since upgrading the firmware to 1Apr last week and have not experienced any problem with the DVD loader.

New Apr 14 firmware is available.

1. Rhapsody with Advanced Server 1.9b.
2. Subtitle support (SRT).
3. 2 GB file issue.
4. Screen Saver.