What's the media sevrer inside it? Can you try MPEG?

(from the manual)
Linksys Wireless-G Media Storage Link Router with SpeedBooster
The Router has a built-in media server, so it can stream music, pictures, or video from the USB hard disk to a UPnP-compatible media adapter.

I will try an MPG video.

What's the media sevrer inside it? Can you try MPEG?

MPG's work great! AVI's (xvid) stutter terribly! (unwatchable)

Looks like I have a lot of transcoding to do...

Anyway, we may not be able to find the router for testing. However, we will keep it in the bug database for record. Thanks for your report.

Photoshop will save image for progressive mode by default. DSM520 can not support big progress image since it need up to 3x2xnumber of pixels to decode an progressive image. For 8Mpixels, we need may 48Mpixels of memory, which we don't have in DSM520. For PC, it is OK to view it. In the D-link media server,it will scale it down so that DSM520 can handle it. Different media server has different capability of transcoding.

When we skip the file, we still respect the "interval", it means that the previous picture will be shown for twice time. We once show an loading icon when we see problem file. However, some users think that it is too annoying to see that icon from time to time. We agree and cancel it. We may consider to show a much smaller icon in the corner instead,

Thanks for the suggestion.

Hi att1234. Thank you for all your time and input. You must work for DLink maybe? So a few more questions, if you can help:

1. I don't want to have to stop using photoshop to fix my scanned jpgs. Do you know if there is a way to save the jpg in photoshop so that it will be recognized by the DSM-520?

2. Is the DSM-520 memory upgradeable? If not, will the DSM-720 model have more power and memory so that this transcoding weakness is solved?

3. Will there be more firmware updates for the 520 even though eventually the 720 will be replacing it?

4. I try to use Nero to recode my decrypted movie files, disable the menu and the extras so that there is onlyt he movie file, only select dolby 2 channel and 5.1 surround, but the 520 still does not play the movie. I see the blank colored screens nero inserted in place of the menu and extras, but no movie. What is the trick?

Therefore, it must has something to do with the media server. The bitrate of MPEG is usually much higher than AVI. Can you see the same AVI file well by using WMP11 or D-link media server?

MPG's work great! AVI's (xvid) stutter terribly! (unwatchable)

Looks like I have a lot of transcoding to do...

Does it work if you reboote the DSM520? If yes, it might be the DSM520 issue.

The story is that. MSDRM will ask devices to revalidate itself periodically. If the DSM520 does not response to this request, the WMP11 will reject any access to the DRM-protected contents. This will happen once per day.

We will look into it.
Correct. The only thing I have to do is Reboot the DSM520 which results in a protected content registration in the Windows event log and I'm good. I would think this registraion would happen each time the DSM520 is powered up for the first time, but it seems that it only successfully registers following an error to renew the client and then the power-cycle?

Hi att1234. Thank you for all your time and input. You must work for DLink maybe? So a few more questions, if you can help:


First of all, I am not related to D-link at all. I work for company who provide DSM520 for D-link. Actually, I speak here personally as well. I can not stand for my company officially. My intention is to help DSM520 users enjoy this device as much as possible. I will do my best to deliver the feedback and information here back to D-link and my company. However, please don;t expect that I will play any magic :)



1. I don't want to have to stop using photoshop to fix my scanned jpgs. Do you know if there is a way to save the jpg in photoshop so that it will be recognized by the DSM-520?


Unfourtunely, I don't have photoshop. Is there any peson here can provide advise? In principle, you need to convert your JPEG file to be the baseline JPEG file. In order to put it in the NAS, you need to change its size as well. I believe that you can see the option when you save the file as JPEG. I suggest that you can ask this question to the photoshop-related forum. Just ask "how to save file as baseline JPEG?"



2. Is the DSM-520 memory upgradeable? If not, will the DSM-720 model have more power and memory so that this transcoding weakness is solved?


No, DSM520 hardwrae is fixed. DSM-750 will has double memory and flash. It has potential to solve this problem in the future. However, its decoding speed will be very slow for big progressive JPEG file. I still suggest to transcode it into baseline JPEG in appropriate size. This will work best for any mediaplayer.



3. Will there be more firmware updates for the 520 even though eventually the 720 will be replacing it?


The updates for DSM520 will be endded sooner or latter even without DSM750. They will co-exist for a while and DSM520 will be gone. However, since they have big price gap, D-link may maintain it for sometime until the price gap disappear.

I will suggest D-link to open the source of DSM520 after EOL so that the DSM520 owner can continue to improve it by their own effort. However, this is just my personal throughts. You need to seek for D-link for the real answers.



4. I try to use Nero to recode my decrypted movie files, disable the menu and the extras so that there is onlyt he movie file, only select dolby 2 channel and 5.1 surround, but the 520 still does not play the movie. I see the blank colored screens nero inserted in place of the menu and extras, but no movie. What is the trick?

You check D-link tech support. They have more experience than me for Nero recode. I don't use it personally. Actually, I don't use Windows except the outlook. Does anybody here use it?

Sorry, I don't notice that you are using DSM320 in the previous post. Now, I understand your issue now.

This is compatibility issue. In the time DSM320 is designed, there is no standard, such as DLNA, which define the behaviour of media server. The AVI is not a streaming format. We need to send a lot of seek to the media server. Without DLNA, each seek is a new HTTP request so that the performance will be terrible unless it is a very low bitrate xvid file.

For the DSM520, it will follow the DLNA rule and its AVI player is better for streaming. I believe that it will solve your issue. Why don't you get one and return it if it does not work for you? I believe that it will solve your issue in DSM320.

MPG's work great! AVI's (xvid) stutter terribly! (unwatchable)

Looks like I have a lot of transcoding to do...

First of all, I am not related to D-link at all. I work for company who provide DSM520 for D-link.Is that Sigma Designs? REDsonic? Syabas?

I'd heard that REDsonic was the original firmware developer, but they seem to have fallen off the map. What company can we credit for the resurgance of customer support you seem to be spearheading?

REDSonic is gone. It is acquired by Alphanetworks, which provide DMA for D-link now.

However, I need to emphasis again. I am here by myself. I do not represent either D-link or Alphanetworks. I am an user of DSM520 as everybody here as well although I obviously has more insight of it. The official support is still provided by D-link. I have nothing to do with them.

What I can do is to reflect the situation here to the test lab so that they can response issues to RD more quickly. However, I can not guarantee to give everybody any "support" since I have no resources and time to cover it. Of course, I will do my best if I have time.

Hope that this is clear enough for my position.

Is that Sigma Designs? REDsonic? Syabas?

I'd heard that REDsonic was the original firmware developer, but they seem to have fallen off the map. What company can we credit for the resurgance of customer support you seem to be spearheading?

Hi att1234. Thank you for all your time and input. You must work for DLink maybe? So a few more questions, if you can help:

1. I don't want to have to stop using photoshop to fix my scanned jpgs. Do you know if there is a way to save the jpg in photoshop so that it will be recognized by the DSM-520?

2. Is the DSM-520 memory upgradeable? If not, will the DSM-720 model have more power and memory so that this transcoding weakness is solved?

3. Will there be more firmware updates for the 520 even though eventually the 720 will be replacing it?

4. I try to use Nero to recode my decrypted movie files, disable the menu and the extras so that there is onlyt he movie file, only select dolby 2 channel and 5.1 surround, but the 520 still does not play the movie. I see the blank colored screens nero inserted in place of the menu and extras, but no movie. What is the trick?

4. I use DVDFab to rip my dvds then nero recode to compile the mpeg4.
The settings on nero:
click: recode main movie to nero digital
check the fit to target box and from the drop down select" 8cmDVD{1.4GB} "
now click the more button and under the nero digital profile drop down select" Cinema ".
DVDFab has a 30 day trail then it turns into a freeware version, I liked it so much I bought it, lifetime free upgrades. Cool

Sorry, I don't notice that you are using DSM320 in the previous post. Now, I understand your issue now.

This is compatibility issue. In the time DSM320 is designed, there is no standard, such as DLNA, which define the behaviour of media server. The AVI is not a streaming format. We need to send a lot of seek to the media server. Without DLNA, each seek is a new HTTP request so that the performance will be terrible unless it is a very low bitrate xvid file.

For the DSM520, it will follow the DLNA rule and its AVI player is better for streaming. I believe that it will solve your issue. Why don't you get one and return it if it does not work for you? I believe that it will solve your issue in DSM320.

I was looking to upgrade to a DSM-520. You just answered my original question about the 520 being able to handle these types of files. Thanks:)

First of all, I am not related to D-link at all. I work for company who provide DSM520 for D-link. Actually, I speak here personally as well. I can not stand for my company officially. My intention is to help DSM520 users enjoy this device as much as possible. I will do my best to deliver the feedback and information here back to D-link and my company. However, please don;t expect that I will play any magic :)

Oh I see. Well you certainly have provided a GREAT amount of very useful feedback to this forum and we thank you very much.


No, DSM520 hardwrae is fixed. DSM-750 will has double memory and flash. It has potential to solve this problem in the future. However, its decoding speed will be very slow for big progressive JPEG file. I still suggest to transcode it into baseline JPEG in appropriate size. This will work best for any mediaplayer.

Because one of the most important reasons, to me personally, is for the media gateway to be able to slideshow ALL my family photo collection, I decided yesterday to return my DSM520. More than half my collection consists of scanned photos. They are not large at all. Under 500kb in most cases since I only scan at 300dpi (the quality of the original pictures do not warrant a higher scan since it won't make an improvement). I will remain hopeful that, in time, newer models will decrease in price and increase in functionality. Now that I have had a small taste of this technology, it's going to be hard for me to wait. So, as a recap for future readers, here is what I didn't like about my DSM520 experience (realizing some of these things may or may not matter to other consumers):

1. The remote only worked within 8 feet of the unit, even with fresh batteries. I expect the remote to work just like my TV remote, which works at 20 feet away.

2. Not all my jpg files would play. Only the ones sourced from my digital camera would play. My very large collection of old family photos that I scanned, touched up with photoshop, and saved in jpg progressive mode will not play due to memory and processor limitations with the DSM520. When they don't play, it just has a blank screen (by design), but that leaves the user wondering where the problem lies (with the unit or with the files?).

3. The product advertises that it will run over 11b wireless. It sucks at 11b, so they should probably not allow it, or put in a quantifier saying that it has limited functionality at 11b.

4. The forums pretty much advise against using the mediagate software that ships with the DSM520. So, I downloaded and used Tversity. Even though Dlink has nothing to do with Tversity, and even though I paid nothing for Tversity, it crashed alot and took a long time to refresh the library, even on a fairly fast computer with a gig of memory. Tversity (or Twonky) seemed to be the choice options by the forum users.

5. After monkeying and monkeying and monkeying (get the point?) with decrypting vob files and trying to stream HD movies through the DSM520, it just wouldn't work perfectly. Either no audio or video, or sometimes no audio. Although I never got that far, I read on the forums that many users were dissatisfied with the RW/FF functionality. That makes sense, since we now know the DSM520 has less memory and processor power than its upcoming cousin the DSM720. Must be a reason they determined a need to pack in more power.

6. Some youtube videos played fine. But after playing one video, I couldn't seem to get a second or third video to play. Other forums users complained of this also. After an hour of trying, I gave up because it wasn't that important to me. It sure wasn't as seamless and I had hoped.

So I returned the unit because, even though it does a decent enough job with mp3 streaming, it's just not ready for prime time and *to me* is not worth $150. Thanks again to everyone on the forum who pitched in to provide such helpful information.

Thanks for all of your good points here. You point out some limitation of DSM520.
1. Remote control. Actually, the reason is quite stupid. If you remove the front panel, the remote will become very good. In out testing, it will be more than 20 meters. We will use a better remote control for DSM750. (Of course, more expensive...) However, it should not as short as 8 feets. In our testing, 10M within 30 degree angles are OK. It has 5 meters even at 45 degree.
2. Baseline JPEG support only. This is common limitation of most media players in the market. It may not change event at the next generation products. If you have digital photo frame, you can try to load the progresive photos into it. It will simplily reject to work like DSM520. However, if you use D-link media server, the progressive JPEG should work well unless you scan them in non RGB color space.
3. The 11b issue is still a myth for me. At least, it works with all 11b router in our hand. Keep tracing.
4. Our media server is a big mistake. It has too many features initially without basic stability. Even it has been OK now. Kind of too late because the general impression has been bad.
5. VOB support. This might be our mistake to support VOB because it will never be perfect. It will confuse a lot of users since some limitation. We hope to address this limitation by a real DVD filesystem player in the future products.



Oh I see. Well you certainly have provided a GREAT amount of very useful feedback to this forum and we thank you very much.




Because one of the most important reasons, to me personally, is for the media gateway to be able to slideshow ALL my family photo collection, I decided yesterday to return my DSM520. More than half my collection consists of scanned photos. They are not large at all. Under 500kb in most cases since I only scan at 300dpi (the quality of the original pictures do not warrant a higher scan since it won't make an improvement). I will remain hopeful that, in time, newer models will decrease in price and increase in functionality. Now that I have had a small taste of this technology, it's going to be hard for me to wait. So, as a recap for future readers, here is what I didn't like about my DSM520 experience (realizing some of these things may or may not matter to other consumers):

1. The remote only worked within 8 feet of the unit, even with fresh batteries. I expect the remote to work just like my TV remote, which works at 20 feet away.

2. Not all my jpg files would play. Only the ones sourced from my digital camera would play. My very large collection of old family photos that I scanned, touched up with photoshop, and saved in jpg progressive mode will not play due to memory and processor limitations with the DSM520. When they don't play, it just has a blank screen (by design), but that leaves the user wondering where the problem lies (with the unit or with the files?).

3. The product advertises that it will run over 11b wireless. It sucks at 11b, so they should probably not allow it, or put in a quantifier saying that it has limited functionality at 11b.

4. The forums pretty much advise against using the mediagate software that ships with the DSM520. So, I downloaded and used Tversity. Even though Dlink has nothing to do with Tversity, and even though I paid nothing for Tversity, it crashed alot and took a long time to refresh the library, even on a fairly fast computer with a gig of memory. Tversity (or Twonky) seemed to be the choice options by the forum users.

5. After monkeying and monkeying and monkeying (get the point?) with decrypting vob files and trying to stream HD movies through the DSM520, it just wouldn't work perfectly. Either no audio or video, or sometimes no audio. Although I never got that far, I read on the forums that many users were dissatisfied with the RW/FF functionality. That makes sense, since we now know the DSM520 has less memory and processor power than its upcoming cousin the DSM720. Must be a reason they determined a need to pack in more power.

6. Some youtube videos played fine. But after playing one video, I couldn't seem to get a second or third video to play. Other forums users complained of this also. After an hour of trying, I gave up because it wasn't that important to me. It sure wasn't as seamless and I had hoped.

So I returned the unit because, even though it does a decent enough job with mp3 streaming, it's just not ready for prime time and *to me* is not worth $150. Thanks again to everyone on the forum who pitched in to provide such helpful information.

Hi all,

I just got the DSM-520 to go with my new Panasonic 42PX75U plasma TV, and have it hooked up via HDMI. I upgraded to firmware 1.05, and Media Server 1.08 (I heard rumors that 1.09 has some bugs/kinks; if those are incorrect, let me know).

So far, I'm really impressed. I may connect the unit via wired Ethernet, but right now I'm connected wirelessly through my D-Link DGL-4300 router (using WPA-PSK security), and DivX/Xvid playback is stellar. This is what I purchased the unit for, and I have not been disappointed.

My only comment so far is that I think rewind could be improved. Fast forward seems fine, but rewind seems rather choppy. The remote control feels a little cheesy as well, but it does work properly.

I'll need to try Acitve TV next, but I may wait until I'm done with the server I'm building for my home network, which will eventually be storing my video files instead of my main PC. I think this is a really neat product, and I'm a happy camper. :)

Well you certainly have provided a GREAT amount of very useful feedback to this forum and we thank you very much.
I would definitely echo this sentiment. Despite the fact that you're participating in no official capacity, your efforts here have done more to boost my confidence in D-Link's products than their entire professional technical support program.

I'm glad to see that companies are now tolerating (if not actively encouraging) employee participation in these kind of grassroots technical discussions through forums or blogs. Official responses are usually so devoid useful information, and your insider's perspective is quite refreshing by comparison. We customers value honesty, even if it occasionally makes the PR guys uncomfortable.

I second Megandez's comments and in fact would go farther. If you had been supporting the product and DLink and your employeer had put out earlier firmware updates you would have sold a lot more of these boxes. A model for this business is Infrants ReadyNas box. I believe they got a lot of help from their forums. Their users spent a lot of hours helping to debug their software. I think we got a much better NAS because of it. Infrant also got an awful lot of suggestions about what users really wanted.

That said, I am pleased with the DLink at this point. It does what it originally claimed it could do pretty well now. I would like to see a second generation box with more horsepower though. Hardware based transcoding of video and photos and support for Movies would make this a killer at around it's current price.

By the way, I don't see your remote as much of an issue. Anyone putting this box, a DVD, and TV together should really get a Harmony remote. All remote problems go away.

Alan

I second Megandez's comments and in fact would go farther. If you had been supporting the product and DLink and your employeer had put out earlier firmware updates you would have sold a lot more of these boxes. A model for this business is Infrants ReadyNas box. I believe they got a lot of help from their forums. Their users spent a lot of hours helping to debug their software. I think we got a much better NAS because of it. Infrant also got an awful lot of suggestions about what users really wanted.

This is exactly what we learn in the past five years from the debut of DSM320 and why I appear here to be an experiment to improve the product in the help of power users here.


That said, I am pleased with the DLink at this point. It does what it originally claimed it could do pretty well now. I would like to see a second generation box with more horsepower though. Hardware based transcoding of video and photos and support for Movies would make this a killer at around it's current price.

By the way, I don't see your remote as much of an issue. Anyone putting this box, a DVD, and TV together should really get a Harmony remote. All remote problems go away.

Alan

For the remote issue, I agree your point. Think about this. Harmony sell as 200-400USD which is much more than the whole DSM520. The price of remote in DSM520 is in low single digit. What we can expect is a fair performance and quality only. You can not expect a great remote in this price. The quality of the DSM750 remote will be much better since its price is almost tripple. However, you still can not compare it with those professional remote control.

att1234, I'd like to echo everyone else's gratitude for your input into these forums. I have a couple of questions...

1. Album Art... will the maximum size be relaxed to 400x400 in the next update?

It's currently 200x200, and 300x300 is also too small in my opinion. Most amazon album art (which is where more people get theirs from) is 400x400 and for people like me who have carefully ripped thousands of CDs in their collection, resizing each image is impractical. So yes, 400x400 please. :)

2. ISO image support for DVD : is this going to be added for the DSM-520?

Thanks.

Kevin -- Can you please elaborate on what you mean by the following: "just jump to the same point of time in the avi"?

I had this problem again last night with an .AVI. I was watching the file without any sync issues last week, but stopped it, and when I tried to watch where I left off last week, the audio trailed the video by about 1.5 seconds.

For the ones I have had sync issues with, if I just jump to the same point of time in the avi, it will fix the sync back to normal. I have not had issues with many, so for me 1.05 is a step up from 1.04 in the sync department.

I will not only keep my 520, but buy another one, after the skip forward issue is resolved.
1. remote: Guess I've been lucky. Mine works just fine from across a rather large living room.
2. JPGs: Typically store mine at 150 DPI, which is fine for TV viewing. 300 DPI is for printing.
3. 11b. Really, 11b? Worked fine for images. The cost to go to 11g is really, really down now, with so much 11n going on. I dont think at this point its fair to return the product because it can't display progressive 300DPI images quick enough over 11b.
4. I have BOTH 520server and TVersity server. I have gotton reliable stable serving t 520with those, as well as WMP11, BeyondTV upnp, and even served my TV to a different room with NERO's media server. correct! Live TV to the dsm520 using nero. 520 saw tv as a folder, when I opened the folder it played TV!
5. vob files: I couldnt get these to work very well, true. But if thats the reason for buying the 520, i dont know ....
6. YouTube is not an original feature set of the product. The fact it can do it now is a PLUS!
7. The actual support we are getting right here!

I just want to skip past commercials. ;) PS, not trying to argue, just giving my experiences for folks considering a 520, so they know that some folks are doing just fine with it. EDITED: Originally said 320 meant 520

att1234, I'd like to echo everyone else's gratitude for your input into these forums. I have a couple of questions...

1. Album Art... will the maximum size be relaxed to 400x400 in the next update?

It's currently 200x200, and 300x300 is also too small in my opinion. Most amazon album art (which is where more people get theirs from) is 400x400 and for people like me who have carefully ripped thousands of CDs in their collection, resizing each image is impractical. So yes, 400x400 please. :)


Thanks for your information. We will try 400x400. However, the memory is very critical now. I am not sure that we can get through it finally.


2. ISO image support for DVD : is this going to be added for the DSM-520?

Thanks.

As I saif, it's in the roadmap. However, it will not be in the next release. THis will be the next major feature. However, it is still 3-5 months away for this feature.

Are you talking about DSM320 or DSM520?

I will not only keep my 320, but buy another one, after the skip forward issue is resolved.
1. remote: Guess I've been lucky. Mine works just fine from across a rather large living room.
2. JPGs: Typically store mine at 150 DPI, which is fine for TV viewing. 300 DPI is for printing.
3. 11b. Really, 11b? Worked fine for images. The cost to go to 11g is really, really down now, with so much 11n going on. I dont think at this point its fair to return the product because it can't display progressive 300DPI images quick enough over 11b.
4. I have BOTH 320 server and TVersity server. I have gotton reliable stable serving t 320 with those, as well as WMP11, BeyondTV upnp, and even served my TV to a different room with NERO's media server. correct! Live TV to the dsm320 using nero. 320 saw tv as a folder, when I opened the folder it played TV!
5. vob files: I couldnt get these to work very well, true. But if thats the reason for buying the 320, i dont know ....
6. YouTube is not an original feature set of the product. The fact it can do it now is a PLUS!
7. The actual support we are getting right here!

I just want to skip past commercials. ;) PS, not trying to argue, just giving my experiences for folks considering a 320, so they know that some folks are doing just fine with it.

520. Edited. SORRY!

By the way, I don't see your remote as much of an issue. Anyone putting this box, a DVD, and TV together should really get a Harmony remote. All remote problems go away.

Alan

My Harmony remote was hands down the best gadget purchase I made this year. Yeah, on the surface it is a REALLY expensive universal remote. But it so much more.
It is really easy to set up. Then you use it for a while and go back and really get it dialed in so buttons are where you want them and access to deep menus is a click away. The thing rocks. And one of my favorite features...OFF means OFF...everything! No waking up in the morning to find the tv off and and amp still running and stuff like that.

Sorry to go off topic but I really like this thing!

Yes, the macro key is the best thing of the universal remote control. Especially, when your devices are all covered very well by the universal remote. I have a harmony as well. Unfortunely, it spend me more than half day to setup since it has compatibility issue with my ISP. However, once it is setup, it works very well. All of my devices are covered except one thing. It has wrong number of the TV input sources of my TV. Therefore, when I press "Watch my DVD", it always switch to the wrong TV input so that I need to fix it manually everytime.

My Harmony remote was hands down the best gadget purchase I made this year. Yeah, on the surface it is a REALLY expensive universal remote. But it so much more.
It is really easy to set up. Then you use it for a while and go back and really get it dialed in so buttons are where you want them and access to deep menus is a click away. The thing rocks. And one of my favorite features...OFF means OFF...everything! No waking up in the morning to find the tv off and and amp still running and stuff like that.

Sorry to go off topic but I really like this thing!

Hi all

this my first post :)
i read through this thread before i got my dsm520 , a lot of valuble info going here
now i have mine , updated firmware to 1.05 , it was up to my needs .. glad with it , exept one problem .... subtitles .

i watch movies with arabic subs ... can this devise display arabic srt ??
please need help mates
thanks

DSM520 should be able to display arabic glyphs. However, it does not implement right to text and hyphenation at all. It may looks wired for you.

Hi all

this my first post :)
i read through this thread before i got my dsm520 , a lot of valuble info going here
now i have mine , updated firmware to 1.05 , it was up to my needs .. glad with it , exept one problem .... subtitles .

i watch movies with arabic subs ... can this devise display arabic srt ??
please need help mates
thanks

Just reminder. The SRT file must be saved in unicode format. If you see a lot of wired characters in the screen, you must save it in non-unicode format.


DSM520 should be able to display arabic glyphs. However, it does not implement right to text and hyphenation at all. It may looks wired for you.

@att1234 thx for your reply ....
but this means that i'll never be able to watch arabic subtitles ... as you said it can't deal with right to left text also it did not know how to concatinate arabic letters :(

plz , is there any hope that this issue will be solved in upcoming firmware ?

for the time being , i'll have to re encode the movies with subs overlayed , or there is any other soloution ?

thx

Unfortunely, embeeded subtitle is the only solution. We have no knowledge and plan to support Arabic and Hebrew now.

@att1234 thx for your reply ....
but this means that i'll never be able to watch arabic subtitles ... as you said it can't deal with right to left text also it did not know how to concatinate arabic letters :(

plz , is there any hope that this issue will be solved in upcoming firmware ?

for the time being , i'll have to re encode the movies with subs overlayed , or there is any other soloution ?

thx

att1234, it sounds like you answered one of the questions wrong in the original setup. If you can't fix it, give Harmony a call. Their help desk fixed a couple of problems for me when I had an old prismiq ( a very early media server) which had a very nonstandard remote.

Alan

Yes, the macro key is the best thing of the universal remote control. Especially, when your devices are all covered very well by the universal remote. I have a harmony as well. Unfortunely, it spend me more than half day to setup since it has compatibility issue with my ISP. However, once it is setup, it works very well. All of my devices are covered except one thing. It has wrong number of the TV input sources of my TV. Therefore, when I press "Watch my DVD", it always switch to the wrong TV input so that I need to fix it manually everytime.

I would definitely echo this sentiment. Despite the fact that you're participating in no official capacity, your efforts here have done more to boost my confidence in D-Link's products than their entire professional technical support program.

I'm glad to see that companies are now tolerating (if not actively encouraging) employee participation in these kind of grassroots technical discussions through forums or blogs. Official responses are usually so devoid useful information, and your insider's perspective is quite refreshing by comparison. We customers value honesty, even if it occasionally makes the PR guys uncomfortable.

This exactly expresses my feelings as well. Thank you Att1234 and DLINK should
give you a big amount of money for Christmas...

I recently purchased a DSM-520 to replace my 3-year old DSM-320, and it seems to be working well (music and videos), but I am having a problem displaying pictures (JPEG format) in full screen.

This is my setup:
DSM-520 client connected using Ethernet to my router;
TwonkyMedia server v4.4 installed in Buffalo Linkstation II also connected using Ethernet to my router;
DSM-520 video connected to 42" Mitsubishi HD TV using component video, configured to 1080i format;
DSM-520 audio connected to Sony receiver using optical digital connection.

Most of my picture collection is JPEG from my 5 Mpixel digital camera, yielding 2592 horizontal x 1944 vertical pixels, that are displayed in a reduced mode (about 50-60%) in the screen by the DSM-520. It also stretches the displayed image horizontally a bit.

After reading some postings in this thread recommending that the DSM-520 would do a better job (faster) if it didn't have to convert the picture to its native resolution, I used IrfanView (great free utility!) to convert one of my folders to set a vertical resolution of 1080 pixels while maintaining the aspect ratio of the original pictures (1.33:1).

The end result was an improvement, but still not what I would expect. The displayed picture in the TV now uses about 80% of the vertical scan, but it still is a bit stretched. I tried with the 3 different picture modes available in the DSM-520 menu, resulting in different displays, to no avail.

Has anyone been successful in displaying JPEG pictures full-screen while maintaining the aspect ratio in the DSM-520?

Any help is appreciated.

I have one workaround but it is painful. I use photoshop elements which has the capability of making a slide show in wmv format. I can then serve a slide show from my infrant that is scaled properly. The downside is that making the wmv file is slow on my PC and it takes a couple of hours for a large slide show.

I've been meaning to try IrfanView also but haven't gotten around to it. It sounds to me though that you haven't converted the picture to the correct aspect ratio. For example a 1080i TV is 1920X 1080. If you want to fill the screen you need to convert it to an aspect ratio of 1.77. That means you have to have a pretty good scaler which most servers don't have because of the load it puts on the cpu.

Alan

Thanks for your input.

However, I don't want to fill the screen entirely, because that will cause the pictures to be distorted. I only want the pictures to fill in vertically (up to 1080 pixels) while keeping the aspect ratio (1.33:1). In this case, if done properly, most pictures in panoramic mode will fill the screen vertically but will have vertical bars on either side because of the 1.33 aspect ratio. It should be identical to a TV transmission (480i or 480p) in 4:3 aspect ratio that has been upconverted to 1080i.

Has anyone been successful in displaying subtitles?

subtitles never worked on my DSM520 and I thought that they are just not supported, but now it appears they are!

What can be wrong with my DSM520? I use D-Link media server 1.09 and the recent firmware, the name of the .SRT file is identical to the name of the AVI file, may be I'm just missing something?

While my experience with the DSM-520 has been decent so far, I have run into a snag.

I have been building a media server separate from my main system to hold all my media files. I have a licensed copy of Server 2003 (32-bit) that I was planning on using.

Snag 1 - I'd love to run D-Link's Media Server as a service, but D-Link currently says there is no way to use this without using FireDaemon. This does not seem like it ought to be so difficult for D-Link to do on its own, as any application defined as a server ought to be able to run whether you're logged into a system or not. I really think this needs to change; TVersity (which I would run if the service would actually start) does it this way.

Snag 2 - Active TV won't run on Server 2003. I understand it not running on 64-bit OSes, but come on! Server 2003 is NOT all that different than Windows XP in 32-bit form when it comes to running basic applications.

I don't have a spare license for Windows XP, and I really want to use Server 2003 for this, as my server will also be handling a few other minor tasks.

att1234: I know you cannot make any official statements, but can you give me some advice here? You've been so helpful on this forum, and I'd appreciate any you can offer. Thanks for the time. :)

Has anyone been successful in displaying subtitles?

subtitles never worked on my DSM520 and I thought that they are just not supported, but now it appears they are!

What can be wrong with my DSM520? I use D-Link media server 1.09 and the recent firmware, the name of the .SRT file is identical to the name of the AVI file, may be I'm just missing something?


That should do it, Subtitles play fine for me so long as they are english. My wife needs chinese and those just come up as garbage so I embed those into the video for her.

But for all others just having the two with the same name should do it.

That should do it, Subtitles play fine for me so long as they are english. My wife needs chinese and those just come up as garbage so I embed those into the video for her.

But for all others just having the two with the same name should do it.

misfit410,

Thank you for your reply, still looks like a mystery to me, may be it somehow depends on the video mode, i.e. works only in 480p mode or only on component output?

While my experience with the DSM-520 has been decent so far, I have run into a snag.

I have been building a media server separate from my main system to hold all my media files. I have a licensed copy of Server 2003 (32-bit) that I was planning on using.

Snag 1 - I'd love to run D-Link's Media Server as a service, but D-Link currently says there is no way to use this without using FireDaemon. This does not seem like it ought to be so difficult for D-Link to do on its own, as any application defined as a server ought to be able to run whether you're logged into a system or not. I really think this needs to change; TVersity (which I would run if the service would actually start) does it this way.
</QUOTE>

It should be a service. Unfortunely, this is not even in the TODO list yet. I will keep it in the issue list. However, no guarantee. In the short time, fire daemon is still the only way to do it.

[QUOTE=LoneWolf15;12438308]
Snag 2 - Active TV won't run on Server 2003. I understand it not running on 64-bit OSes, but come on! Server 2003 is NOT all that different than Windows XP in 32-bit form when it comes to running basic applications.

Unfortunely, 64 bits support is market issue. The Active-TV contains a couple of third party components from different companies. We can not support it until all of them be ported and validated in the 64bit system.

Unfortunely, from the priority issue, Vista 64 will be the first target if they decide to support 64bit system. I don't know if they want to spend time on Server 2003 or not.



I don't have a spare license for Windows XP, and I really want to use Server 2003 for this, as my server will also be handling a few other minor tasks.

att1234: I know you cannot make any official statements, but can you give me some advice here? You've been so helpful on this forum, and I'd appreciate any you can offer. Thanks for the time. :)

misfit410,

Thank you for your reply, still looks like a mystery to me, may be it somehow depends on the video mode, i.e. works only in 480p mode or only on component output?

It should work for any mode. If your avi is a.avi, the subtitle should be a.srt instead of a.avi.srt.

It should work for any mode. If your avi is a.avi, the subtitle should be a.srt instead of a.avi.srt.

No, both file names are identical, for example:

movie.avi

movie.srt

When I use media player classic on my HTPC, everything is OK, subtitles work.

It should be a service. Unfortunely, this is not even in the TODO list yet. I will keep it in the issue list. However, no guarantee. In the short time, fire daemon is still the only way to do it.


Unfortunely, 64 bits support is market issue. The Active-TV contains a couple of third party components from different companies. We can not support it until all of them be ported and validated in the 64bit system.

Unfortunely, from the priority issue, Vista 64 will be the first target if they decide to support 64bit system. I don't know if they want to spend time on Server 2003 or not.

Actually, I don't need it to run on a 64-bit OS; I need it to run on the 32-bit version of Server 2003. I'm guessing there's a detection routine that detects that the machine is running Server 2003 and so the install fails, even though it is likely that Active TV would run on the 32-bit Server 2003.

I'd even be okay if it ran but was unsupported at this time; I'd just love to be able to run it on 32-bit Server 2003. I just don't want to run Active TV or Media Server on my everyday machine; I'd rather let it be hosted from a machine that has no other duties.

Thanks for your information on running as a service. I'll be using FireDaemon for now, but it is good to know. And like everyone here, I appreciate the time you take in this forum even though you have no obligation to do so. It's really helpful to us all, and I'd gladly let D-Link know that it's people like you who are the heart and soul of their company. :)

I have been struggling with DLink support on dvr-ms files since July. I bought the DSM520 to replace the annoying DSM320. I record a lot of TV on the PC to MPEG files. The DSM320 would lock up and die on AVIs, and for other file types (mpeg1, mpeg2, etc) ff/rew didn't work, etc. It was fine to just PLAY an mpeg if I didn't try to pause, ff/rew, etc. Kinda defeats the purpose if you can't FF thru a commercial...

I bought the DSM520 for two reasons - hoping they fixed all the annoyances in the 320 and for the (alleged) DVR-MS support.

I have moved to Media Center and now have all my TV recorded in DVR-MS files. THe 520 has NEVER played these files correctly. Picture is great, audio is all chopped up and gets progressively farther behind the picture.

When I contacted Dlink support in July, they told me they were aware of the problem. I had send them some sample files and they were able to recreate what I was seeing. I had determined that it was a hardware or firmware issue, since I could recreate the problem with any server software. The only way I could watch DVR-MS files was to either transcode with DVRMS Toolbox (but this then loses all the file properties, like episode names, etc) or use something that transcodes on-the-fly, like TVersity. But transcoding on the fly is a CPU pig on the host PC.

Back in October I got all excited when the new firmware came out. Unfortunately, no change for DVR-MS.

I just got off the phone with Dlink support. I was told that they are working on this and hope to have this fixed in their next update. 'Maybe in a couple weeks' I was told, but I think that the person I spoke with is guessing at best.

After reading this forum I know that there are some folks that are deep-in-the-guts of this gizmo and are close to the real developers of the gadget (not necessarily Dlink).

I hope you are tuned into this message, and would hope that you can emphasize to your colleagues the importance of supporting DVR-MS files.

The DSM-520 fixed all the annoyances (that I had, anyway) with the DSM320. If you could just get it to render DVR-MS files properly you'd really have a home run.

The kids will be getting an Xbox 360 for Xmas, so I'll have the opportunity to play with it's Media Center Extender functionality. Getting WMP11 to share DVR-MS files is a pain to get working (need hotfixes from Micro$oft) but it can be done...

THAnks in advance to the folks on this list.

Unfortunely, we may not get enough information from tech support. We do get some problem files from them and all of them works for us now. The support for DVR-MS in 1.05 is definitely better than 1.04. However, we do believe that there is still some issues for the DVR-MS support.

The real problem is that DVR-MS is a Microsoft propriatary format, which has no document published. A lot of fields is still a myth for everybody. Our capability is roughly (or slightly better) close to the VLC.

What's your problem for the DVR-MS playback? Is that AV sync issue or others?

I have been struggling with DLink support on dvr-ms files since July. I bought the DSM520 to replace the annoying DSM320. I record a lot of TV on the PC to MPEG files. The DSM320 would lock up and die on AVIs, and for other file types (mpeg1, mpeg2, etc) ff/rew didn't work, etc. It was fine to just PLAY an mpeg if I didn't try to pause, ff/rew, etc. Kinda defeats the purpose if you can't FF thru a commercial...

I bought the DSM520 for two reasons - hoping they fixed all the annoyances in the 320 and for the (alleged) DVR-MS support.

I have moved to Media Center and now have all my TV recorded in DVR-MS files. THe 520 has NEVER played these files correctly. Picture is great, audio is all chopped up and gets progressively farther behind the picture.

When I contacted Dlink support in July, they told me they were aware of the problem. I had send them some sample files and they were able to recreate what I was seeing. I had determined that it was a hardware or firmware issue, since I could recreate the problem with any server software. The only way I could watch DVR-MS files was to either transcode with DVRMS Toolbox (but this then loses all the file properties, like episode names, etc) or use something that transcodes on-the-fly, like TVersity. But transcoding on the fly is a CPU pig on the host PC.

Back in October I got all excited when the new firmware came out. Unfortunately, no change for DVR-MS.

I just got off the phone with Dlink support. I was told that they are working on this and hope to have this fixed in their next update. 'Maybe in a couple weeks' I was told, but I think that the person I spoke with is guessing at best.

After reading this forum I know that there are some folks that are deep-in-the-guts of this gizmo and are close to the real developers of the gadget (not necessarily Dlink).

I hope you are tuned into this message, and would hope that you can emphasize to your colleagues the importance of supporting DVR-MS files.

The DSM-520 fixed all the annoyances (that I had, anyway) with the DSM320. If you could just get it to render DVR-MS files properly you'd really have a home run.

The kids will be getting an Xbox 360 for Xmas, so I'll have the opportunity to play with it's Media Center Extender functionality. Getting WMP11 to share DVR-MS files is a pain to get working (need hotfixes from Micro$oft) but it can be done...

THAnks in advance to the folks on this list.

DSM520 will select the suggested resolution requested bythe LCD TV. Please check what's the resolution of your TV when the DSM520 attach to it. If you are not sure, please play a 1280x1080 picture on the screen. If it is full screen, your resolution is 1080i. Otherwise, it is 720P.
att1234,

Do you have an answer for my question that I posted s few days ago? (see below):

Displaying pictures full-screen

I recently purchased a DSM-520 to replace my 3-year old DSM-320, and it seems to be working well (music and videos), but I am having a problem displaying pictures (JPEG format) in full screen.

This is my setup:
DSM-520 client connected using Ethernet to my router;
TwonkyMedia server v4.4 installed in Buffalo Linkstation II also connected using Ethernet to my router;
DSM-520 video connected to 42" Mitsubishi HD TV using component video, configured to 1080i format;
DSM-520 audio connected to Sony receiver using optical digital connection.

Most of my picture collection is JPEG from my 5 Mpixel digital camera, yielding 2592 horizontal x 1944 vertical pixels, that are displayed in a reduced mode (about 50-60%) in the screen by the DSM-520. It also stretches the displayed image horizontally a bit.

After reading some postings in this thread recommending that the DSM-520 would do a better job (faster) if it didn't have to convert the picture to its native resolution, I used IrfanView (great free utility!) to convert one of my folders to set a vertical resolution of 1080 pixels while maintaining the aspect ratio of the original pictures (1.33:1).

The end result was an improvement, but still not what I would expect. The displayed picture in the TV now uses about 80% of the vertical scan, but it still is a bit stretched. I tried with the 3 different picture modes available in the DSM-520 menu, resulting in different displays, to no avail.

Has anyone been successful in displaying JPEG pictures full-screen while maintaining the aspect ratio in the DSM-520?

Any help is appreciated.

Well, while working on another issue (Media server database became too big and fragmented) I eventually found that subtitles do work on DSM520, but only if you run the most resent server version – 1.09.

Happy end? Not so fast! Version 1.09 immediately crashers after launching media server. Well, I can roll it back to the 1.08 but guess what, bye-bye my subtitles…

So, did somebody have the same issue with 1.09 and is there any way out of this dead loop?

Well, while working on another issue (Media server database became too big and fragmented) I eventually found that subtitles do work on DSM520, but only if you run the most resent server version – 1.09.

Happy end? Not so fast! Version 1.09 immediately crashers after launching media server. Well, I can roll it back to the 1.08 but guess what, bye-bye my subtitles…

So, did somebody have the same issue with 1.09 and is there any way out of this dead loop?

Did you do your 1.09 install over the 1.08, or did you uninstall 1.08 first?

I'd try a clean install if you have not.

In my case, I'm running 1.09, so far without major issues, but my system could have differences from yours.

Did you do your 1.09 install over the 1.08, or did you uninstall 1.08 first?

I'd try a clean install if you have not.

In my case, I'm running 1.09, so far without major issues, but my system could have differences from yours.

I did a clean install, tried on two computers, still no luck.

The HD photo display is quite confusing now. Let me try to explain the whole story.

The most straitforward solution for the users is to download the original photo to the DSM-520 and then have the DSM-520 decode it and display on the TV. The DSM-520 will scale the image to fit the resolution of the TV.

However, since the CPU in DSM-520 is slow(166Mhz), scale a big image will spend for a long time. Therefore, we usually implement the transcoding in the media server. The media server will transcode the high resolution image to the lower resolution so that DSM-520 will decode a smaller image and get better performance.

This sounds perfect. However, there are two issues.
(1) Different media server provide different transcoded resolution. Some media server may not provide the transcoding at all.
(2) Most media server provide resolution which is much lower than 720p or 1080i. In this case, DSM-520 will choice the highest resolution available and scale it to fit to screen or keep original according to the setting.

Therefore, the "keep original" here is to keep the transcoded resolution and the "fit to screen" is to fit into the resolution of the screen.

With the above understanding, let me try to explain the current implementation. If you use twonkey media server, it will provide a 480p transcoded image and the original image. We will choice the 480p if the TV output is in 480i/p. We will choice the original if the TV output is 720p or 1080i.

In addition, in order to reduce the decoding time, we will scale the image in the factory of 2 until it can not put into the 720p or 1080i screen. For example, if the photo is 2592x1944, we will scale it to 1296x972 so that you will see the photo is small and in the center of the TV output.

The best solution is to transcode the image to be 1440x1080 by a factor of 1.8. Unfortunely, this will spend for a long time to implement this in DSM-520. The best way is to ask the media server to do this job.

For D-link media server, you can modify the consumer.ini to change the resolution to be 1080i or 720p for yor screen. Please change the HTDIW_OTOHP_EZISER and THGIEH_OTOHP_EZISER from 720x480 to be 1920x1080 or 1280x720. In addition, you can change the YTILAUQ_OTOHP_EZISER to be any value between 0 and 100 to change the encoding quality. This setup is for the new items only. It will not delete the existing cache file automatically. You need to delete all cache files under \windows\system32\MediaServerDump.

This capability is not available in all other servers. Let me know if any servers provide the same capability.

The simple photo become much complex than it should be. The root cause is that DSM-520 does not have HW decoder which can decode and scale high resolution JPEG file.

att1234,

Do you have an answer for my question that I posted s few days ago? (see below):

Displaying pictures full-screen

I recently purchased a DSM-520 to replace my 3-year old DSM-320, and it seems to be working well (music and videos), but I am having a problem displaying pictures (JPEG format) in full screen.

This is my setup:
DSM-520 client connected using Ethernet to my router;
TwonkyMedia server v4.4 installed in Buffalo Linkstation II also connected using Ethernet to my router;
DSM-520 video connected to 42" Mitsubishi HD TV using component video, configured to 1080i format;
DSM-520 audio connected to Sony receiver using optical digital connection.

Most of my picture collection is JPEG from my 5 Mpixel digital camera, yielding 2592 horizontal x 1944 vertical pixels, that are displayed in a reduced mode (about 50-60%) in the screen by the DSM-520. It also stretches the displayed image horizontally a bit.

After reading some postings in this thread recommending that the DSM-520 would do a better job (faster) if it didn't have to convert the picture to its native resolution, I used IrfanView (great free utility!) to convert one of my folders to set a vertical resolution of 1080 pixels while maintaining the aspect ratio of the original pictures (1.33:1).

The end result was an improvement, but still not what I would expect. The displayed picture in the TV now uses about 80% of the vertical scan, but it still is a bit stretched. I tried with the 3 different picture modes available in the DSM-520 menu, resulting in different displays, to no avail.

Has anyone been successful in displaying JPEG pictures full-screen while maintaining the aspect ratio in the DSM-520?

Any help is appreciated.

att1234 -

To add complexity to this subject :-) How about the DSM-520's support for photo zooming?

Given that my MediaServer (TwonkyMedia) provides photos in original size and a display-optimized size (e.g. PAL: 768 × 576 ?) -
Now when I zoom into the photo - will DSM-520 do that based on the original size or will it zoom into the display-optimized one?

This is to help me decide if I should rescale my photos to optimize for the DSM - or if I am losing something.

TIA
Mike

The DSM520 do support photo zooming. However, it scale in the factor of two only. This is the source of the confusion here.

The D-link media server support photo scaling like twonkey as well. In addition, it allows you to select the transcoded resolution via consumer.ini file. Please refer to the previous post fo r the details.

att1234 -

To add complexity to this subject :-) How about the DSM-520's support for photo zooming?

Given that my MediaServer (TwonkyMedia) provides photos in original size and a display-optimized size (e.g. PAL: 768 × 576 ?) -
Now when I zoom into the photo - will DSM-520 do that based on the original size or will it zoom into the display-optimized one?

This is to help me decide if I should rescale my photos to optimize for the DSM - or if I am losing something.

TIA
Mike

I'm considering buying a DSM-520. I'll connect it to my computer via ethernet, not wirelessly. Is it worth waiting (and paying twice as much) for the DSM-750, given that the -11n upgrade isn't important? What factors should I consider in this decision? Thanks for any help.

Duane

att1234:

Thanks for your detailed response. I can understand most of what you described, however I am still puzzled why if I am using the TwonkyVision server with the option to resize the picture disabled, and having resized my photos to 1440 horizontal pixels x 1080 vertical pixels which match the vertical resolution of my HDTV (1080i), why doesn't the DSM-520 display the picture in irs original size filling the TV screen vertically while keeping the original aspect ratio (1.33:1). Based on your explanation, this is what the DLink server is doing.

Can you explain this behavior?
Thank you.

Has anyone been successful in displaying JPEG pictures full-screen while maintaining the aspect ratio in the DSM-520?

May have gotten it to work with twonky had I seen att1234's detailed replies before giving up, but I spent hours mucking with twonky's DSM520 settings on my own, and just couldn't get the DSM520 to display JPG's full screen at HD resolutions with the right aspect ratio. Only had the DSM520 for a week, and saw an earlier message re this being fixed with the DSM510, so I returned the DSM520 and gave the DSM510 a try. Fixed. Photos via twonky to the DSM510 at HD resolutions look wonderful. As close to full screen on a 16:9 display as possible while preserving the aspect ratio. Plus, the DSM510 was cheaper.

Shied away from the DSM510 to begin with because I wanted the component output on the DMS520, and I was worried the heavy Viiv marketing associated with the DMS510 implied major issues with non Viiv enabled upnp av servers like twonky. But so far, the DSM-510 has played everything I've needed it to. mp3's, VOB's, and AVI's. Guessing there must be some files the DSM520 plays the DSM510 wont, but for me, due to the photo display issues at HD resolutions with the DSM520, the DSM510 has been much better. Though I do need to add a bigger HDMI switch to my setup now.

I have a DSM 520 with a Seagate 250GB USB drive connected and use it to play music files without a computer. It works fine, the menu allows you to scroll through your folders (my are arranged by artist/album/songs). The rub is that you can only play one album at a time, therefore you have to keep going back a selecting a new album at the end of each one.

My question...Is there anyway to execute a playlist file (.m3U or .pls) directly from the USB drive. I have tried putting a playlist file in a folder but when I open the folder I get the message "No content".

Thanks
vss4

The focus of DSM750 is the Media Center Extender function. The DMA itself is very similiar to the DSM-750. The UI is better. CPU is faster(200 vs 166). I can play H.264 HD. The street price is 50-100 USD higher.

I'm considering buying a DSM-520. I'll connect it to my computer via ethernet, not wirelessly. Is it worth waiting (and paying twice as much) for the DSM-750, given that the -11n upgrade isn't important? What factors should I consider in this decision? Thanks for any help.

Duane

DSM-520 does bnot support 1440x1080. It supports only 1920x1080. This is why it won't fill your screen.

Why does your HDTV 1440x1080 instead of 1920x1080? Is it a 4:3 HDTV?

att1234:

Thanks for your detailed response. I can understand most of what you described, however I am still puzzled why if I am using the TwonkyVision server with the option to resize the picture disabled, and having resized my photos to 1440 horizontal pixels x 1080 vertical pixels which match the vertical resolution of my HDTV (1080i), why doesn't the DSM-520 display the picture in irs original size filling the TV screen vertically while keeping the original aspect ratio (1.33:1). Based on your explanation, this is what the DLink server is doing.

Can you explain this behavior?
Thank you.

Unfortunely, DSM-520 does not support playlist in USB.

I have a DSM 520 with a Seagate 250GB USB drive connected and use it to play music files without a computer. It works fine, the menu allows you to scroll through your folders (my are arranged by artist/album/songs). The rub is that you can only play one album at a time, therefore you have to keep going back a selecting a new album at the end of each one.

My question...Is there anyway to execute a playlist file (.m3U or .pls) directly from the USB drive. I have tried putting a playlist file in a folder but when I open the folder I get the message "No content".

Thanks
vss4

I have played around a lot with VOB files and have found that the DSM-520 does a good job playing them using the latest firmware and server software.

Like others posting here, I have found that a couple of VOBs don't play sound -- even when ripped properly with DVD Shrink taking out the extra audio streams, ect. These VOBs play sound correctly on the computer, but don't using the 520. To deal with the soundless VOBs, I just re-rip using DVD Shrink set to crop the first couple fraction of seconds at the beginning. This has worked like a charm. (Purist may be aghast, but I really don't care if I miss the first milliseconds of the leader. I do care if I don't have sound!)

I use VOBs mainly for DVDs containing TV shows (and certain other "difficult" hybrids). These hybrids always end up having jerky sections if compressed with AGK to DIVX -- even at 100% quality and even with mucking around with advanced force film/deinterlace settings. VOBs in this case always look *significantly* better in scenes that pan horizontally.

...hybrids always end up having jerky sections if compressed with AGK to DIVX -- even at 100% quality and even with mucking around with advanced force film/deinterlace settings. VOBs in this case always look *significantly* better in scenes that pan horizontally.I don't disagree with your approach; de-interlacing hybids can be a real PIA.

But just a note re: "jerky sections" I have found that Sigma Designs players seem to do best if Packed Bitstream is On when encoding to Xvid. Also, any audio conversions to MP3 MUST be CBR not VBR, which btw is what at least AutoGK defaults to (VBR that is, "not good").

I guess that in the first few seconds of VOB. There is another sound track definition. However, there is no data after that. The DSM-520 will search for the sound track in the first Mega of the file for the possible sound track and use the first one to play. If a VOB define a sound track and never use that. The sound will be gone. Unfortunely, DSM-520 can not select sound track now.



I have played around a lot with VOB files and have found that the DSM-520 does a good job playing them using the latest firmware and server software.

Like others posting here, I have found that a couple of VOBs don't play sound -- even when ripped properly with DVD Shrink taking out the extra audio streams, ect. These VOBs play sound correctly on the computer, but don't using the 520. To deal with the soundless VOBs, I just re-rip using DVD Shrink set to crop the first couple fraction of seconds at the beginning. This has worked like a charm. (Purist may be aghast, but I really don't care if I miss the first milliseconds of the leader. I do care if I don't have sound!)

I use VOBs mainly for DVDs containing TV shows (and certain other "difficult" hybrids). These hybrids always end up having jerky sections if compressed with AGK to DIVX -- even at 100% quality and even with mucking around with advanced force film/deinterlace settings. VOBs in this case always look *significantly* better in scenes that pan horizontally.

att1234:
Thanks again for pointing to me that I needed to rescale my picture to 1920x1080 pixels to match my HDTV (16:9, 1080i).
I went ahead and rescaled a few pictures to exactly 1920x1080 pixels and attempted to display them in the DSM-520 using Twonky Media server. I disabled the photo rescaling option. To my surprise, it didn't work! The picture displayed horizontally as I expected (filled completeley from left to right on the screen), but vertically it didn't fill top to bottom; it had two horizontal stripes above and below the pciture. I checked that the picture display mode set to "original". I also tried the mode that fills the screen, but I had the same results.
What am I doing wrong?

This is the picture information from its file:
Name: NewPic.jpg
Resolution 120x120 dpi
Current Size and Original Size: 1920 x 1080 Pixels (2.07 MPixels) (16:9)
Current Colors: 16,7 Millions (24 BitsPerPixel)

Your help here is greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

I just set up TVersity to transcode to 1920 X 1080 and they fill the screen very well. You might want to try TVersity and see what happens.

Alan

Please check the following items.

(1) If the TV is set to 16:9 mode, most TVs allows you to switch between 4:3 and 16:9 for your movie.
(2) Open the information box in the DSM520 (info key) to make sure the image is 1920x1080.
(3) Check the setup->general->Audio/Video->Aspect Radio is 16:9 if you use component.

ALl of the above three must be correct so that you can see the correct picture.

att1234:
Thanks again for pointing to me that I needed to rescale my picture to 1920x1080 pixels to match my HDTV (16:9, 1080i).
I went ahead and rescaled a few pictures to exactly 1920x1080 pixels and attempted to display them in the DSM-520 using Twonky Media server. I disabled the photo rescaling option. To my surprise, it didn't work! The picture displayed horizontally as I expected (filled completeley from left to right on the screen), but vertically it didn't fill top to bottom; it had two horizontal stripes above and below the pciture. I checked that the picture display mode set to "original". I also tried the mode that fills the screen, but I had the same results.
What am I doing wrong?

This is the picture information from its file:
Name: NewPic.jpg
Resolution 120x120 dpi
Current Size and Original Size: 1920 x 1080 Pixels (2.07 MPixels) (16:9)
Current Colors: 16,7 Millions (24 BitsPerPixel)

Your help here is greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

I will ask some stupid question, too :-(

How do you play the shoutcast? Can you explain in detail?

The link you provide is a video file. Do you share it in twonkey media server?

I try the link. It does not work.

YC
Remove the space character between 'the https:' and the rest of the URL. This message forum will not let me post a properly formatted URL. I had to insert the space to make the post. ;-)

As for ShoutCast streams, yes. I use TwonkyMedia to serve the URL's. The TwonkyMedia server uses the ShoutCast web services to obtain a complete listing of available streams. It then dynamically creates a folder structure from this metadata. The DSM-520 de-references the ShoutCast URL's from there. For a detailed description, take a look at the TwonkyMedia web pages. It does all the work.

I share all my video with TwonkyMedia. When I purchase a DVD, the first thing I do is rip it then encode it to XVID at a bitrate > 5000 bps to maintain video quality. I leave the Dolby 5.1 stream untouched - copied directly from the DVD. The result is about a 2 to 3 gig file with exceptional playback quality. (At least with the 1.03 firmware.) D-Link has accessed the sample file and they are currently investigating the problems I have reported. I do hope they get them resolved.

att1234, you wrote:
Please check the following items.

(1) If the TV is set to 16:9 mode, most TVs allows you to switch between 4:3 and 16:9 for your movie.
(2) Open the information box in the DSM520 (info key) to make sure the image is 1920x1080.
(3) Check the setup->general->Audio/Video->Aspect Radio is 16:9 if you use component.

Here's my response:
1) My TV automatically adjusts for 16:9 in 1080i mode. The DSM-520 is set to output vide in 108oi mode.
2) Using the Info key, it displays 1920x1080, which is exactly the size of my picture.
3) The TV configuration in the DSM-520 is set to 16:9 format.
Also, my DSM-520 is running firmware version 1.05 (latest).

I verified that I get the same results with either TwonkyVision or with Tversity media servers. I double-checked all configuration options and they seem to be all correct.

This DSM-520 is a replacement unit for one that I had purchased and did not even power up. The box was nicely packed inside, but when I powred in on the first time, it seemed that it might have been powered on. The installed firmware was 1.04 (the first one had 1.02 installed), and after I completed my configuration, it downloaded and installed 1.05. Aside from this problem displaying the pitures in full screen while maintainig the origibal aspect ratio, it is working very well (music and MPG videos play flawlessly.

Any suggestions? Should I perform a complete reset of the unit using the button on the back? Any other suggestions?
Is there any point in Telnet'ing to the unit to check what may be wrong?

Thanks.

Quick Question. I have about 100 movies stored on my Iomega 1tb (dual 500gig) Storcenter. I use its media server for my pictures, videos, etc. Now is the ability to play VOB and DVR-MS a function of the DSM-520 or the media server. I can play my pics, avi, and mpg with no problem. the VOB's and DVR-MS just do not play either the "Spinning Circle" will spin for a while and tell me it is not a good format or if I select the file with "enter" it spins about 3/4 around and just stops.

I am running wireless.

thanks

att1234,

I ordered a DSM-520 a few days ago and am awaiting for it to arrive. I found this mailing list and have a few questions.

Regarding 5.1 audio in movies. As I understand it, my options are:
1. Read Directly from the VIDEO_TS directory containing multiple VOBs. This has a downside in that there will be a delay as the DSM-520 switching between VOBs. With a wired 100Mb link, and using a fast Media Server, how long is this delay? How noticable is it.
2. Transcode the DVD into MP4 (xvid or mpeg4) and do a passthrough on the AC-3 portion. This seems reasonable I guess.

3. Is lack of AAC decoding a licensing issue, HW issue or lack of marketing interest?

4. In addition to the AAC support plans, what are the plans for H.264/AVC? Is it a licensing issue,HW limitation, or lack of marketing interest?

5. One last one.. ;-) Any plans to use this as a MythTV frontend? If this unit doesn't work out, that is my other course of action. I just need to find a unit which is quiet. That is why I was drawn to the DSM-520.

I found this link very intersting:
http://handbrake.m0k.org/trac/wiki/SurroundSoundGuide

att1234,

I ordered a DSM-520 a few days ago and am awaiting for it to arrive. I found this mailing list and have a few questions.

Regarding 5.1 audio in movies. As I understand it, my options are:
1. Read Directly from the VIDEO_TS directory containing multiple VOBs. This has a downside in that there will be a delay as the DSM-520 switching between VOBs. With a wired 100Mb link, and using a fast Media Server, how long is this delay? How noticable is it.

I guess that you have some misunderstanding about the discussion before. DSM-520 can handle the VOB with single audio/video/progra chain only. The behavious of others are undefined. Therefore, it's better to rip it off the DVD and select one video, one audio and one program chain only. Please don't concat multiple program chain into a big one with re-generate the timestamp because it won't work well.




2. Transcode the DVD into MP4 (xvid or mpeg4) and do a passthrough on the AC-3 portion. This seems reasonable I guess.

You can convert it into MP4 or AVI or WMV as you need. You can rip it as MPEG or VOB only as well.




3. Is lack of AAC decoding a licensing issue, HW issue or lack of marketing interest?

The HW can support AAC. However, we have no "official" plan to support. But,....



4. In addition to the AAC support plans, what are the plans for H.264/AVC? Is it a licensing issue,HW limitation, or lack of marketing interest?

The H.264 can not be supported by DSM-520 because of HW limitation. However, it will be supported in the coming DSM-750.



5. One last one.. ;-) Any plans to use this as a MythTV frontend? If this unit doesn't work out, that is my other course of action. I just need to find a unit which is quiet. That is why I was drawn to the DSM-520.


I don't use Myth TV by myself. However, DSM-520 should be able to support the MediaServer in the MythTV. Please check http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/index.php/DLinkDSM520-UPnP.

Most issues in the Cons has been addressed in the 1.05. The commerical skip has been added into the firmware which will be released within 1-2 months.




I found this link very intersting:
http://handbrake.m0k.org/trac/wiki/SurroundSoundGuide

VOB and DVR-MS is not standard part of the DLNA. Therefore, it's support is only available via D-link media server or USB. Some media server do mimic the D-link media server so that we can support it. Others may export it in unknown MIME so that DSM-520 may reject to work with it and show "bad format" since it can not understand the MIME of it.

Quick Question. I have about 100 movies stored on my Iomega 1tb (dual 500gig) Storcenter. I use its media server for my pictures, videos, etc. Now is the ability to play VOB and DVR-MS a function of the DSM-520 or the media server. I can play my pics, avi, and mpg with no problem. the VOB's and DVR-MS just do not play either the "Spinning Circle" will spin for a while and tell me it is not a good format or if I select the file with "enter" it spins about 3/4 around and just stops.

I am running wireless.

thanks

It looks like the setting in DSM-520 is good. Can you try to find if there is any screen mode in your TV? You may use it to fix your issue. Unfortunely, I am in a long travel in th enext three weeks and the internet access will be on/off. Is there anyone who can share your setting so that segioe can check if there is any missing part here.



att1234, you wrote:
Please check the following items.

(1) If the TV is set to 16:9 mode, most TVs allows you to switch between 4:3 and 16:9 for your movie.
(2) Open the information box in the DSM520 (info key) to make sure the image is 1920x1080.
(3) Check the setup->general->Audio/Video->Aspect Radio is 16:9 if you use component.

Here's my response:
1) My TV automatically adjusts for 16:9 in 1080i mode. The DSM-520 is set to output vide in 108oi mode.
2) Using the Info key, it displays 1920x1080, which is exactly the size of my picture.
3) The TV configuration in the DSM-520 is set to 16:9 format.
Also, my DSM-520 is running firmware version 1.05 (latest).

I verified that I get the same results with either TwonkyVision or with Tversity media servers. I double-checked all configuration options and they seem to be all correct.

This DSM-520 is a replacement unit for one that I had purchased and did not even power up. The box was nicely packed inside, but when I powred in on the first time, it seemed that it might have been powered on. The installed firmware was 1.04 (the first one had 1.02 installed), and after I completed my configuration, it downloaded and installed 1.05. Aside from this problem displaying the pitures in full screen while maintainig the origibal aspect ratio, it is working very well (music and MPG videos play flawlessly.

Any suggestions? Should I perform a complete reset of the unit using the button on the back? Any other suggestions?
Is there any point in Telnet'ing to the unit to check what may be wrong?

Thanks.

I have forgot your original question. We can handle xvid in very high bitrate. Can you try if 1.05 solve your issue yet?

Remove the space character between 'the https:' and the rest of the URL. This message forum will not let me post a properly formatted URL. I had to insert the space to make the post. ;-)

As for ShoutCast streams, yes. I use TwonkyMedia to serve the URL's. The TwonkyMedia server uses the ShoutCast web services to obtain a complete listing of available streams. It then dynamically creates a folder structure from this metadata. The DSM-520 de-references the ShoutCast URL's from there. For a detailed description, take a look at the TwonkyMedia web pages. It does all the work.

I share all my video with TwonkyMedia. When I purchase a DVD, the first thing I do is rip it then encode it to XVID at a bitrate > 5000 bps to maintain video quality. I leave the Dolby 5.1 stream untouched - copied directly from the DVD. The result is about a 2 to 3 gig file with exceptional playback quality. (At least with the 1.03 firmware.) D-Link has accessed the sample file and they are currently investigating the problems I have reported. I do hope they get them resolved.

Has any work been done to make the DSM-520 find the network connection/media server faster? We use an SMC EZ Stream SMCWAA-G in our bedroom and it finds TVersity immediately. There is no delay at all. We turn it on and go directly to the file hierarchy. The DSM-520 takes several seconds just to find TVersity on the network. Through several firmwares, this has never been improved.

We have started to check the HDMI 1.3 devices issue. Once we have progress, we will contact you guys and make sure your TV can be supported in the next firmware.

However, we have no clue what's going on for now. We should be more clear about this issue in the next few weeks. Please stay tuned.

Any word on whether or not the HDMI issues will be resolved, in next firmware revision or never?

I haven't been able to find this subject in the forum, but that may indicate I am a bit lost! :-) At any rate, I would like to use vTuner with my 520. vTuner says that the 520 doesn't work correctly with the 520 - although I'm not sure they are aware of the latest upgrades. My "trial" period has run out, even tho it isn't supposed to, and the information contained in the 520 mentioning upgrading from vTuner plus (the PC program) apparently doesn't apply. I know TVersity supports vTuner, but getting TVersity to work relaibly with my 520 is problematic at best. Twonky also supports vTuner -- does that add-in work on the 520?

Is the issue with vTuner going to get resolved?

Thanks

albevy:
You mentioned that you have been able to display a picture full-screen with 1080i resolution using Tversity. I have been unable to do so.
Can you describe your setup?
1) Video connection to TV: component or HDMI, and resolution; mine is component, with DSM-520 configured to 1080i resolution. Also if the DSM-520 configuration option to display pictures is 'keep as original' or something else; mine is to keep as original, as I have converted my pictures to 1920x1080 pixels.
2) Did you verify that the resolution of the picture deisplayed is actually 1920x1080; you can use the 'Info' button on the remote to display it on-screen.
3) Did you verify that the image that displays full-screen is not distorted (stretched horizontally)?

Any help is appreciated.
Thanks,
Sergio

Anyone using active-TV? How is your experience going? If you aren't using it, why not?

Sergioe, it's interesting you should ask. I am using component with the DLink DSM-520 set ot 1080i. I have TVersity set to 1920X1080. However when I look at the info on the DLink it says I am running 1440X1080? Not sure what is going on. In any case the pictures look excellent with no discernable distortion. I will be off next week with more time to play.

Hope this helps.

Alan

Anyone using active-TV? How is your experience going? If you aren't using it, why not?

I am using Active-TV on my DSM-520. I am using it in wireless mode so
when it was first available, it was not usable due to the "network error"
problem. I have installed a test version I got from mediamall and now
it is quite functional (I still get the "network error" problem sometimes
but not often).

I must say that I like active TV very much. Switching between web channels
is too slow (maybe it's because both my computer and my network are not
very fast) but once a channel is loaded, the browsing speed is quite acceptable.

I like the idea that you can watch a video, read the info and prepare another
video. I also appreciate the idea that each channel provider can propose its
own interface.

A suggestion would be to have a way to customize the home page. Right now, all you can do is to add channel in the More programs section. I would like to be able to add sections, choose the name of the sections and even,
add sub-sections.

I would also like to see more contents of course....

Just a quote from the Twonky forum, but I would suggest the same for DSM520

---------------------------------------------------------------


malaki86

Joined: 26 Nov 2007
Posts: 6

Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2007 3:21 pm Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'd love to see the "ALL" feature gone as well. This could be a user selectable item. Then, if the "ALL" is gone and there is only one item in the tree, say "Folders" then allow Twonky to go directly to that item.

I would LOVE to see this ability!!! Besides, with 2,000+ video files, I'll NEVER use the "ALL" as it would be pointless.

VOB and DVR-MS is not standard part of the DLNA. Therefore, it's support is only available via D-link media server or USB. Some media server do mimic the D-link media server so that we can support it. Others may export it in unknown MIME so that DSM-520 may reject to work with it and show "bad format" since it can not understand the MIME of it.



I found if i rename the vob to mpg it works fine?????

hi all , @att1234

i recall that someone talks here in this thread about very low volume through optical output of the dsm , i'm facing the same problem , any soloution ?
i'm connecting the dsm to my pioneer audio reciever through the optical output , even at max vol , the signal in my pioneer apear to be very low ??
any fix ??

Was solution ever found for "You have become disconnected from the media server" after ~30min when using DSM-G600 as a media server??

tia!

I picked up one of those little 2.5" based external drives for backing up data files and got to thinking this little 120GB Memorex Ultra Traveldrive (UTD) might work to playback captured HDTV files on the 520 through the USB connection. Its a USB2 connected drive and it does show up on the 520 when I go to the USB device. The file captured is a ts file which appears to be just a data capture of whats being transmitted OTA. It starts to playback from the drive and then freezes a few seconds and then plays a while and then freezes again. USB2 is supposed to be a 480Mb/s data rate. Surely that can be done on a file that is 14-18Mb/s. Does the UTD only support USB2 as far as connecting the device and have it recognized but not support the speed? I know that 480Mb/s is the peak and the sustained speed is way less than that but even if it is only 240Mb/s that should still be able to sustain a 14-18Mb/s HDTV file. Since the 520 doesn't recognize ts files I had to change the extension to mpg. Is there more in the file that the 520 can't handle? I have played back HD WMV files from a USB2 thumbdrive and it played fine. Is it just that the 520 can't handle the 14-18Mb/s data rate? I thought I read the latest firmware release kicked it up to 20-25Mb/s.

Thanks
Mike

We have located and reproduce the issues. The good news is that we should be able to fix it in firmware only. It will be in the next release.

Any word on whether or not the HDMI issues will be resolved, in next firmware revision or never?

Can you explain in more details about the vTuner issue? I can use vTuner without issue. The trial period will run out in exactly 30 days after the first use of it. The vTuner plus is a vTuner side only thing. You can acquire an vTuner plus account which never expires.

In the next firmware refresh, we will support WMA stations in addition to the current MP3 stations.

I haven't been able to find this subject in the forum, but that may indicate I am a bit lost! :-) At any rate, I would like to use vTuner with my 520. vTuner says that the 520 doesn't work correctly with the 520 - although I'm not sure they are aware of the latest upgrades. My "trial" period has run out, even tho it isn't supposed to, and the information contained in the 520 mentioning upgrading from vTuner plus (the PC program) apparently doesn't apply. I know TVersity supports vTuner, but getting TVersity to work relaibly with my 520 is problematic at best. Twonky also supports vTuner -- does that add-in work on the 520?

Is the issue with vTuner going to get resolved?

Thanks

This is normal since the photo is usually 4:3. It will be scaled into 1440x1080 from higher resolution.

Sergioe, it's interesting you should ask. I am using component with the DLink DSM-520 set ot 1080i. I have TVersity set to 1920X1080. However when I look at the info on the DLink it says I am running 1440X1080? Not sure what is going on. In any case the pictures look excellent with no discernable distortion. I will be off next week with more time to play.

Hope this helps.

Alan

Yes, if your video does not use AC3 or DTS, it will work by renaming vob to MPEG. Otherwise, it will play without sound.

I found if i rename the vob to mpg it works fine?????

We don't know this issue. I will file an issue. Do you set the audio output as digital? What's your content? MP3 or video with AC3 or DTS?

hi all , @att1234

i recall that someone talks here in this thread about very low volume through optical output of the dsm , i'm facing the same problem , any soloution ?
i'm connecting the dsm to my pioneer audio reciever through the optical output , even at max vol , the signal in my pioneer apear to be very low ??
any fix ??

This is usually because the media server discovery issue. If the server does not identify itself within 30 minutes, we will delete it from the server list and close all session which use it.

Was solution ever found for "You have become disconnected from the media server" after ~30min when using DSM-G600 as a media server??

tia!

In our testing, DSM-520 can work with files about 20-25 Mbps. However, the number will vary due to the USB controller and IDE disk. 480Mbps is just aphysical limit. The capability of DSM-520 is far below that. It just like you can not expect 132 MB/s in a PCI interface.

You may try another controller to see if it helps.

I picked up one of those little 2.5" based external drives for backing up data files and got to thinking this little 120GB Memorex Ultra Traveldrive (UTD) might work to playback captured HDTV files on the 520 through the USB connection. Its a USB2 connected drive and it does show up on the 520 when I go to the USB device. The file captured is a ts file which appears to be just a data capture of whats being transmitted OTA. It starts to playback from the drive and then freezes a few seconds and then plays a while and then freezes again. USB2 is supposed to be a 480Mb/s data rate. Surely that can be done on a file that is 14-18Mb/s. Does the UTD only support USB2 as far as connecting the device and have it recognized but not support the speed? I know that 480Mb/s is the peak and the sustained speed is way less than that but even if it is only 240Mb/s that should still be able to sustain a 14-18Mb/s HDTV file. Since the 520 doesn't recognize ts files I had to change the extension to mpg. Is there more in the file that the 520 can't handle? I have played back HD WMV files from a USB2 thumbdrive and it played fine. Is it just that the 520 can't handle the 14-18Mb/s data rate? I thought I read the latest firmware release kicked it up to 20-25Mb/s.

Thanks
Mike

We have located and reproduce the issues. The good news is that we should be able to fix it in firmware only. It will be in the next release.

att1234,

Thanks for the responce and that's good news for dsm-520 users I don't want to sound impatent (I am) but could you throw us a bone as to when the next firmware revision will be? At least an idea? Thanks :)

Anyone using active-TV? How is your experience going? If you aren't using it, why not?
I'm not. Not because I don't want to, but because when I've tried to use it, my DSM-520 doesn't show up in the System Tray of my media server so that I can authorize it.

It does show up in my list of UPnP devices in my Network settings, so I don't know what is up. However, until I can authorize my DSM-520, I cannot make Active TV work. Quite a bummer.

One other suggested feature, att1234 --It would be really awesome to use NBC's Hulu.com service on the DSM-520 at a later date. It's in beta right now, but I have a trial account, and it's one of the coolest things I've seen.

att1234:
I still have been unable to display a picture rescaled to 1920x1080 using my DSM-520, regardless of the media server. I tried TwonkyVision, DLink and Tversity servers. I have since reset the unit's configuration, and reconfigured it again - same results. I am using the latest firmware version (1.05). The picture's info displayed on the TV screen using the Info button is correct: 1920x1080, but it displays streched horizontally to fit the screen with two black bars on top and on the bottom. Is this a firmware bug?

Sergio

We don't know this issue. I will file an issue. Do you set the audio output as digital? What's your content? MP3 or video with AC3 or DTS?
Yes .. i set audio output to digital ... no difference
i noticed that spdif is very low no matter mp3 , movies or anything else .
going to try another spdif cable ... maybe i have a defective one . thx

btw , i have some problems with aspect ratio with the HDMI output ... can't fix that ... i hope for the new firmware to come out soon .

Not to go off topic here......just wanted to know if there are any similar products out there like the 520 with less issues, but similar in price and features.

I have about 10,000 mp3's I would love to stream to my home theater.

Thanks Warrior

Yes .. i set audio output to digital ... no difference
i noticed that spdif is very low no matter mp3 , movies or anything else .
going to try another spdif cable ... maybe i have a defective one . thx

btw , i have some problems with aspect ratio with the HDMI output ... can't fix that ... i hope for the new firmware to come out soon .

I have seen the same issue when using either digital output (optical or coax). I compensated for it by turning up the volume on the DSM-520. Less than ideal, but it works well enough for me.

I have experienced the same problem with low audio output using optical. I don't recall this being an issue with earlier firmwares. I have to turn my receiver way way up to get to a usable volume - then I'm blasted if I forget and switch to another source.

I experience this behavior on all my xvid files (w/cbr .mp3 audio). I have not tried other file types.

It seem that for some reason, I've lost DIVX support.

I first noticed that some of my .divx files weren't showing up through the DSM-520 interface. I then went to the "Media Files" tab of the Media Server software on my PC and realized that the .divx files don't show up in the file list.

I also played the .divx file on my PC without issue--I have the codec.

I'm running firmware 1.05 and Meda Server 1.09.

Can anyone else please confirm if they a) are getting .divx files to show up in the Media Server "Media Files" tab and b) able to stream to the 520?

This issue is confimed. The playlist doe snot work well in HP MediaVault because its media server does not send correct information of the number of files inside a folder. It always tell us '1' no matter how many files in the folder.

Althrough this is a bug of the mediabolic media server inside HP MediaVault, we are considering a workaround since this is a very typical error of many media server.

I have SMCWAA-G and it has no problems playing off entire folder of MediaVault, while DSM-520 plays only one.

att1234,

I am still struggling with the subtitles. I tested both media servers, 1.08 & 1.09 with the different coding, Unicode, CP1251 etc.

Well, the result is quite disappointing, DSM520 simply blocks subtitles with cyrillic characters! Subtitles with the western code page are OK. The whole concept is quite unusual because normally devices without Unicode or Cyrillic support just show some extra characters from the western code page, but don’t use any blocking logic.

Any clues?

Can you explain in more details about the vTuner issue? I can use vTuner without issue. The trial period will run out in exactly 30 days after the first use of it. The vTuner plus is a vTuner side only thing. You can acquire an vTuner plus account which never expires.

In the next firmware refresh, we will support WMA stations in addition to the current MP3 stations.

Thanks for the reply. vTuner will not let me subscribe to a version that will work with the 520. They maintain that the "trial" should not expire on the 520, however mine has expired. vTuner says they do not support the 520 because it doesn't work properly. I can subscribe to the PC based version of vTuner, but that is a separate product and doesn't work with the D-Link. Is anyone here (besides you) able to use vTuner with the 520?

To follow up -- vTuner now feels that the 520 will work properly and you should be able to sign up using your MAC address (I say "should" as that doesn't seem to be working properly yet.

OK, I am totally new to this media center game and am feeling really stupid:(

My wife got me the DSM-520 for Christmas, so far so good but i have some questions hopefully someone can help me with:

1) Pictures only display in 640x480 is there a way to get them to display in a higher resolution? I have both component and HDMI connected to my TV.

2) What is the best format to rip movies to my hard drive for viewing and what tools are available to help a Novice with this process? These are movies I own- mostly kid movies, I have found rebuying DVD's really stinks because your young kids don;t understand how to take care of dvd's and scratch them. It would be nice to just RIP the movies to hard drive and play from there. I did find a tool that helped rip one movie to MPEG2 but when it displays on tv- 480P and looks very grainy.

3) I am unable to get active-TV working at all. I downloaded and installed it on my Vista Home Premium pc but when I try to connect to it I get the error: Unable to connect to Active-TV PC. I did some searching online and found that there were 5 services that needed to be running but I only found 1 of them to be running, I tried re-installing the aplication but that didn't help.

Thanks for anyone who can help a newbie to this whole new world.

FYI.....

Media Center server is 1.9
DSM firmware is 1.05

Windows Vista Home Premium
Intel 6750 Duo Core Processor
2 GB high performance RAM
TV is a Samsung DLP 46", 4676 i think is the model#

Not to go off topic here......just wanted to know if there are any similar products out there like the 520 with less issues, but similar in price and features.

I have about 10,000 mp3's I would love to stream to my home theater.

Thanks Warrior

Honestly, the DSM-520 doesn't have that many issues IMO. Of course, you hear about any it does have here since this is a forum for users to talk about it. And one of the great things I've found with D-Link is that they have a good track record of software support for their products; I've had consistent updates for my DGL-4300 router, and their wireless cards have worked well for me too.

If you really do want something else, I'd suggest creating your own thread to ask for advice. But after having the DSM-520 for a month, I can say it does what I need it to do (stream high-quality DivX and XVid videos over wireless through HDMI to my TV). If you only want audio, there are other devices that are audio only that might cost you less, but they won't be as flexible.

It seem that for some reason, I've lost DIVX support.

I first noticed that some of my .divx files weren't showing up through the DSM-520 interface. I then went to the "Media Files" tab of the Media Server software on my PC and realized that the .divx files don't show up in the file list.

I also played the .divx file on my PC without issue--I have the codec.

I'm running firmware 1.05 and Meda Server 1.09.

Can anyone else please confirm if they a) are getting .divx files to show up in the Media Server "Media Files" tab and b) able to stream to the 520?

Just FYI, I've gotten around this problem by replacing the use of the MediaMall server on my PC with TVersity:

http://tversity.com/home

It seems a lot more flexible though, admittedly, is still a pre-1.0 release.

Well, the result is quite disappointing, DSM520 simply blocks subtitles with cyrillic characters! Subtitles with the western code page are OK. The whole concept is quite unusual because normally devices without Unicode or Cyrillic support just show some extra characters from the western code page, but don’t use any blocking logic.

Virginian, are the files the cyrillic subtitles are in .srt files as well? Can you view the file in a normal text viewer such as notepad?

OK, I am totally new to this media center game and am feeling really stupid:(

You're not alone. This is a super-long thread, and since I've ad my DSM-520 (about 6 months now, I think I've read the whole thing to get from it what I need). Hang in there.

1) Pictures only display in 640x480 is there a way to get them to display in a higher resolution? I have both component and HDMI connected to my TV.

I think there's two answers to this. One is that the vide will display based on the resolution of the source vide file. If you have a low-res vid file, it'll display in the same resolution. This 2nd one I'm not too sure about since I'm at work and don't have my DSM-520 in front of me: Check in the "setup" menu to see if there's a resolution adjustment under video or one of the other menu options.

2) What is the best format to rip movies to my hard drive for viewing and what tools are available to help a Novice with this process? These are movies I own- mostly kid movies, I have found rebuying DVD's really stinks because your young kids don;t understand how to take care of dvd's and scratch them. It would be nice to just RIP the movies to hard drive and play from there. I did find a tool that helped rip one movie to MPEG2 but when it displays on tv- 480P and looks very grainy.

I've not tried any of these yet, but I've heard people use Nero. Try looking for free alternatives. Search Google for:

rip dvd -linux windows

Also, check out DVDx: http://www.wikihow.com/Rip-a-DVD-to-an-AVI-or-MPG-File-Using-DVDx

3) I am unable to get active-TV working at all. I downloaded and installed it on my Vista Home Premium pc but when I try to connect to it I get the error: Unable to connect to Active-TV PC. I did some searching online and found that there were 5 services that needed to be running but I only found 1 of them to be running, I tried re-installing the aplication but that didn't help.


This has been an issue for a lot of people. I'd recommend going back in the forums to start looking from page 27 (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=593973&page=27) (forward). Different people posted issues there and you might find some resolution there as well.

Good luck!

re the Active-TV --- You must install the latest version of the d-Link software as well as the active-tv program. As far as I can tell, the active-tv program on the d-link website is really only a way to get active-tv working on your computer. When I first upgraded to the latest version of the software (firmware) I was able to get active-tv without problem -- before I installed the active-tv program. I am using Visat Home Premium as well, so that shouldn't be the problem. Also, I am using ethernet , not wireless (which may make a difference).

att1234,

I am still struggling with the subtitles. I tested both media servers, 1.08 & 1.09 with the different coding, Unicode, CP1251 etc.

Well, the result is quite disappointing, DSM520 simply blocks subtitles with cyrillic characters! Subtitles with the western code page are OK. The whole concept is quite unusual because normally devices without Unicode or Cyrillic support just show some extra characters from the western code page, but don’t use any blocking logic.

Any clues?


My wife is chinese and the DSM-520 can not display the subtitles correctly to my knowledge, I gave up trying and what I do is embed the subs into the video.

to do this there is a fantastic tool divxland media subtitler, it will do all the work. I do find on some movies the audio gets out of sync so I will tell you how I do it flawlessly

have

Divxland media subtitler
VirtualDub
Subtitler plugin for virtual dub

setup subtitler to output chinese language, open the subtitle, hit ok to the changes it wants to make, then save the subtitle as a Substation Alpha (.SSA)

open the video in virtualdub, under video do full processing, select Xvid or Divx in compression type, go back to video/filters, add, subtitler and load the SSA you created. file/ save as wav (save wav audio, then go to audio and select wav audio, load the wav you made.. file save as avi

it will output the movie with subtitles built in, you can do this with any language.

if anyone knows of a way to make the DSM-520 read Eastern languages correctly please clue me in.

re the Active-TV --- You must install the latest version of the d-Link software as well as the active-tv program. As far as I can tell, the active-tv program on the d-link website is really only a way to get active-tv working on your computer. When I first upgraded to the latest version of the software (firmware) I was able to get active-tv without problem -- before I installed the active-tv program. I am using Visat Home Premium as well, so that shouldn't be the problem. Also, I am using ethernet , not wireless (which may make a difference).

I have vista and use WMP 11 as the server instead of D-Links or any other. Then I installed Active TV and it all worked fine.
That said, I uninstalled Active TV and then did a system restore back to the point before I installed it. I still think it hooks into things that start to make other things not work right. Can't prove it for fact though. Also, there isn't anything compelling enough on Active-TV to get me to use it. Slow and clunky interface in my opinion and the content isn't that interesting to me. If I want to see clips I'll just open my laptop.

I can not promise anything here. The firmware itself is pretty much ready. However, it must go through a long approved procedure before it can be sent to the public. You may expect 1-2 months for it.


att1234,

Thanks for the responce and that's good news for dsm-520 users I don't want to sound impatent (I am) but could you throw us a bone as to when the next firmware revision will be? At least an idea? Thanks :)

It is possible via MediaMall. Once the hulu is available through MCE we can use it. Unfortunely, as I know so far, no such plugin is available yet.

The most important goal of the next firmware is to solve the firewall issue of the MediaMall, which make some users can not use this service.

I'm not. Not because I don't want to, but because when I've tried to use it, my DSM-520 doesn't show up in the System Tray of my media server so that I can authorize it.

It does show up in my list of UPnP devices in my Network settings, so I don't know what is up. However, until I can authorize my DSM-520, I cannot make Active TV work. Quite a bummer.

One other suggested feature, att1234 --It would be really awesome to use NBC's Hulu.com service on the DSM-520 at a later date. It's in beta right now, but I have a trial account, and it's one of the coolest things I've seen.

Can you take a picture of your TV screen with picture and another screen of the setup-->general--->AUdio/Video screen to me. IN addition, please send me one sample 1920x1080 picture as well. I will try it on by myself.

att1234:
I still have been unable to display a picture rescaled to 1920x1080 using my DSM-520, regardless of the media server. I tried TwonkyVision, DLink and Tversity servers. I have since reset the unit's configuration, and reconfigured it again - same results. I am using the latest firmware version (1.05). The picture's info displayed on the TV screen using the Info button is correct: 1920x1080, but it displays streched horizontally to fit the screen with two black bars on top and on the bottom. Is this a firmware bug?

Sergio

What's the aspect ratio problem?


Yes .. i set audio output to digital ... no difference
i noticed that spdif is very low no matter mp3 , movies or anything else .
going to try another spdif cable ... maybe i have a defective one . thx

btw , i have some problems with aspect ratio with the HDMI output ... can't fix that ... i hope for the new firmware to come out soon .

We will not recognize *.divx as DIVX file. The DIVX should be in the extention of avi.

It seem that for some reason, I've lost DIVX support.

I first noticed that some of my .divx files weren't showing up through the DSM-520 interface. I then went to the "Media Files" tab of the Media Server software on my PC and realized that the .divx files don't show up in the file list.

I also played the .divx file on my PC without issue--I have the codec.

I'm running firmware 1.05 and Meda Server 1.09.

Can anyone else please confirm if they a) are getting .divx files to show up in the Media Server "Media Files" tab and b) able to stream to the 520?

Yes, we have done that as well. However, this is really an media server bug. Different players will have different behaviour for the incorrect data. We have fixed it in the internal version.

I have SMCWAA-G and it has no problems playing off entire folder of MediaVault, while DSM-520 plays only one.

You must save your subtitle file as unicode instead of CP1251 or any other locales. We have no way to tell a file is in unicode or code page. Therefore, we treat it as unicode for now. If it is not unicode, it may not be able to show anything on the screen.

I remember that there is another people who has success experience about cyrillic support.

att1234,

I am still struggling with the subtitles. I tested both media servers, 1.08 & 1.09 with the different coding, Unicode, CP1251 etc.

Well, the result is quite disappointing, DSM520 simply blocks subtitles with cyrillic characters! Subtitles with the western code page are OK. The whole concept is quite unusual because normally devices without Unicode or Cyrillic support just show some extra characters from the western code page, but don’t use any blocking logic.

Any clues?

I just try. It works. What make you think it does not work?

If you are trapped in the tetx screen with vTuner notice, you press page down to go through the whole text and select 'OK' to enable the service.

Thanks for the reply. vTuner will not let me subscribe to a version that will work with the 520. They maintain that the "trial" should not expire on the 520, however mine has expired. vTuner says they do not support the 520 because it doesn't work properly. I can subscribe to the PC based version of vTuner, but that is a separate product and doesn't work with the D-Link. Is anyone here (besides you) able to use vTuner with the 520?

To follow up -- vTuner now feels that the 520 will work properly and you should be able to sign up using your MAC address (I say "should" as that doesn't seem to be working properly yet.

(1) For pictures, you must setup your media server to transcode the pictures into 1920x1080 resolutions. I am writing a guide for D-link media server users to do that. You can search the procedure in the previous posts.

(2) WMV9 has less issues than DIVX since there is too many "divx" codecs. You can search the previous posts about appropriate encoder parameters for different encoder.

(3) This is a known issue which will be addressed in the next firmware. Disable the firmwall of WIndows will help. However, it may not a good idea. We have fixed it in the next firmeware.

OK, I am totally new to this media center game and am feeling really stupid:(

My wife got me the DSM-520 for Christmas, so far so good but i have some questions hopefully someone can help me with:

1) Pictures only display in 640x480 is there a way to get them to display in a higher resolution? I have both component and HDMI connected to my TV.

2) What is the best format to rip movies to my hard drive for viewing and what tools are available to help a Novice with this process? These are movies I own- mostly kid movies, I have found rebuying DVD's really stinks because your young kids don;t understand how to take care of dvd's and scratch them. It would be nice to just RIP the movies to hard drive and play from there. I did find a tool that helped rip one movie to MPEG2 but when it displays on tv- 480P and looks very grainy.

3) I am unable to get active-TV working at all. I downloaded and installed it on my Vista Home Premium pc but when I try to connect to it I get the error: Unable to connect to Active-TV PC. I did some searching online and found that there were 5 services that needed to be running but I only found 1 of them to be running, I tried re-installing the aplication but that didn't help.

Thanks for anyone who can help a newbie to this whole new world.

FYI.....

Media Center server is 1.9
DSM firmware is 1.05

Windows Vista Home Premium
Intel 6750 Duo Core Processor
2 GB high performance RAM
TV is a Samsung DLP 46", 4676 i think is the model#

The DSM-520 can not support subttile for asia languages since there is not fonts inside it. It may never support it forever since the space inside the DSM-520 can not hold these fonts. (it requires about 3-5 extra Mega bytes to hold all fonts. DSM-520 has less than 1M now.)

My wife is chinese and the DSM-520 can not display the subtitles correctly to my knowledge, I gave up trying and what I do is embed the subs into the video.

to do this there is a fantastic tool divxland media subtitler, it will do all the work. I do find on some movies the audio gets out of sync so I will tell you how I do it flawlessly

have

Divxland media subtitler
VirtualDub
Subtitler plugin for virtual dub

setup subtitler to output chinese language, open the subtitle, hit ok to the changes it wants to make, then save the subtitle as a Substation Alpha (.SSA)

open the video in virtualdub, under video do full processing, select Xvid or Divx in compression type, go back to video/filters, add, subtitler and load the SSA you created. file/ save as wav (save wav audio, then go to audio and select wav audio, load the wav you made.. file save as avi

it will output the movie with subtitles built in, you can do this with any language.

if anyone knows of a way to make the DSM-520 read Eastern languages correctly please clue me in.

We will not recognize *.divx as DIVX file. The DIVX should be in the extention of avi.

Do you mean take my file that ends in .divx and just change it to .avi and that will be sufficient?

I can not promise anything here. The firmware itself is pretty much ready. However, it must go through a long approved procedure before it can be sent to the public. You may expect 1-2 months for it.

Any way to see a changelog of what's coming in the new firmware: features and bug fixes?

I just try. It works. What make you think it does not work?

If you are trapped in the tetx screen with vTuner notice, you press page down to go through the whole text and select 'OK' to enable the service.


Thanks very much. vTuner reset my account and the program now works.

Is there any possibility that we may be able to get Pandora in the future? -- I love Rhapsody, but the selection of classical music there is rather limited.

Yes.

Do you mean take my file that ends in .divx and just change it to .avi and that will be sufficient?

We will release the changelog in D-link's website when we release the new firmware. There is no any official information for now.

However, I postsed a list of items in this thread before. All of them SHOULD be in the next release.

Any way to see a changelog of what's coming in the new firmware: features and bug fixes?

WHat's the benefit fo Pandora comparing to Live365 or vTuner? We have supported Rhapsody, Live365 and vTuner in the DSM-520. We need a good reason to support one more internet radio. There are a lot of other online radios. Our current policy is that we don't support more in the future unless there is some good reason.

However, some media server, such as Tversity can allow you to import radios. You can use it to build your own radio channels if they are free.

Thanks very much. vTuner reset my account and the program now works.

Is there any possibility that we may be able to get Pandora in the future? -- I love Rhapsody, but the selection of classical music there is rather limited.

What's the aspect ratio problem?

thx for reply ,

i have samsung 42' plasma TV , i connected the dsm520 to it via HDMI .. some movies don't display the correct aspect ratio and seems to be stretched vertically .. while there are some other movies that display well ????
is there a prefered reseloution for the dsm? cause i'm now re-encode my movies to embed arabic subtitels :( - and i could specify the res. i want if that would help .

thx

att1234:
>>>>
Can you take a picture of your TV screen with picture and another screen of the setup-->general--->AUdio/Video screen to me. IN addition, please send me one sample 1920x1080 picture as well. I will try it on by myself.
<<<<<

The info you have requested (3 TV screen pictures and the 1920x1080 sample picture can be retrieved from http://home.san.rr.com/sergioe/

Hopefully you'll be able to figure out what's happening.
Thanks,
Sergio

att1234:
I still have been unable to display a picture rescaled to 1920x1080 using my DSM-520, regardless of the media server. I tried TwonkyVision, DLink and Tversity servers. I have since reset the unit's configuration, and reconfigured it again - same results. I am using the latest firmware version (1.05). The picture's info displayed on the TV screen using the Info button is correct: 1920x1080, but it displays streched horizontally to fit the screen with two black bars on top and on the bottom. Is this a firmware bug?

Sergio

I've had the same problem with my DSM-520 for over a year. I cannot resolve it. I'm hooked up via network cable to the dlink then HDMI to a Pioneer vsx-80txv receiver then to a Panasonic 58" plasma. I did notice pictures in the correct aspect ratio when viewed on active-TV - "other programs" -Adobe picture viewer. Unfortunately WMP11 crashed explorer in my windows XP when certain preview movie panes are displayed! I really need the d-link media server to do it properly. Everything else, music, video works GREAT.

WHat's the benefit fo Pandora comparing to Live365 or vTuner? We have supported Rhapsody, Live365 and vTuner in the DSM-520. We need a good reason to support one more internet radio. There are a lot of other online radios. Our current policy is that we don't support more in the future unless there is some good reason.

However, some media server, such as Tversity can allow you to import radios. You can use it to build your own radio channels if they are free.

Again -- I (and I think we all) very much appreciate having contact with you.

Pandora is a unique service, and one of the reasons the Squeezebox has such a devoted following. Rhapsody is wonderful ( and I find I can get album art with it!!!). I am still evaluating vTuner, and don't find Live365 meets my needs. My problem is a love of classical music - Pandora has unique features as a result of its development process - such features making at least some preferences work very well. TVersity doesn't work with Pandora at this point, and the DSM-520 doesn't work with Slimserver (tho it would be a good idea!)

I suggest you take a few minutes and try out Pandora (it is free) and see if it appeals to you - it may be that I'm the only one who likes it, but I doubt that is the case.

Thank you very much.

Guys,
I have few hd movies in MKV format and I want to convert them to the format which would be unrecognized by dsm-520 and can play without loosing the quality of audio or video. Can you guys help me. I will be playing from an external hard drive and I don't want to stream.

Thanks

Honestly, the DSM-520 doesn't have that many issues IMO. Of course, you hear about any it does have here since this is a forum for users to talk about it. And one of the great things I've found with D-Link is that they have a good track record of software support for their products; I've had consistent updates for my DGL-4300 router, and their wireless cards have worked well for me too.

If you really do want something else, I'd suggest creating your own thread to ask for advice. But after having the DSM-520 for a month, I can say it does what I need it to do (stream high-quality DivX and XVid videos over wireless through HDMI to my TV). If you only want audio, there are other devices that are audio only that might cost you less, but they won't be as flexible.

Thanks for the reply............
Well It would mostly be audio, I recently learned about this media server software called TVersity I installed it, done some reading, even thou I haven't fully and totally understand it yet I was able to get it to work with both my XBOX360 via wired network and my 80gig PS3 via wireless.
I was quite surprised how easy it was to stream all my audio in addition to all my pictures and videos to my home theater.

So far I am happy with the results form the PS3 and 360.
The problem know is that I was browsing BB a couple weeks back and back ordered the 520
but not sure if should cancel it and go with what I currently have.

Thanks Warrior.........

I've had the same problem with my DSM-520 for over a year. I cannot resolve it. I'm hooked up via network cable to the dlink then HDMI to a Pioneer vsx-80txv receiver then to a Panasonic 58" plasma. I did notice pictures in the correct aspect ratio when viewed on active-TV - "other programs" -Adobe picture viewer. Unfortunately WMP11 crashed explorer in my windows XP when certain preview movie panes are displayed! I really need the d-link media server to do it properly. Everything else, music, video works GREAT.

Me too - just bought the DSM-520 this holiday season and love the video & music capabilities, but am disappointed in the photo aspect ratio issue. It's a bummer because photo slideshow was the primary feature for which I purchased the unit. Fingers crossed that this issue can be resoved in a future FW release.

In the meantime I find that if I set my TV display to 4:3 the photo aspect ratio is closer to correct, although still not perfect. And in this mode of course you wind up with letterboxing above/below and left/right of the photo if it's a 4:6 or 16:9 photo.

Kevin.

Need a little help here.

Hi,
Yesterday I installed the Active-Tv product.

I downloaded, and ran the latest Active-Tv installation on my Vista Home Premium PC. The install ran fine.

I then upgraded my firmware on my DSM-520 to the latest version. (not sure if this is 1.05 or not - just followed the prompts saying an update was available).

All went well there also. I was able to connect to my Dell XPS410 PC, and play the "Active-TV" channels. (this is really cool!!!)

Now I wanted to try taking a store bought CD and add it to my Microsoft Media Player Library so I could play it on my TV. This is where things went wrong.

As soon as I inserted the CD in the CD drive and opened up Windows Media Player, my sound card crashed, and the CD wouldn't play. I closed Windows Media, and my sound card would come back. (the little 'x' on the volume would go away, and if i moved the volume up and down, would here the windows 'ding.wav".

I next tried opening iTunes. same result.
I next tried opening Window Media Center. same result

So...to get back to where I was before, I uninstalled Active-TV, rebooted and had the same problem.

I then looked at running tasks and notice there was still a program called MediaMallServer.exe Service running. After searching AVS forums, I saw this was part of the Active-TV install.

To remove it, I went into add/remove programs and removed it, rebooted and then all 3 of my applications would play my CD.

Is there something I am missing in the install?

Please help if you can.

thanks in advance.

Steve

Need a little help here.
Please help if you can.
Steve

Take a look at this thread it explains Active-TV/MediaMall and how they work.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=926095

Can't answer about vista but I might suggest searching the forum.
FYI, MediaMall is it's own server, so it "Should not" effect anything
else, but you never know... ;)

This is usually because the media server discovery issue. If the server does not identify itself within 30 minutes, we will delete it from the server list and close all session which use it.
Yeah, I'm still having this problem. Does this mean that a firmware upgrade will be required for the g600? I've pestered D-Link support on the issue, but they were pretty unhelpful. I've had to resort to Twonkyvision via my laptop to access the G600 without interuption, but I've lost the search facility now. Any advice is welcome.

TIA.

Ian W

Can I hook up two TVs to the 520? One via HDMI and another with the components? I have my living room TV currently running with the 520 and HDMI and optical for sound. On the opposite side of that wall is a room I would like to put a TV in. Instead of buying another 520 I thought about running component cables through the wall to that TV for audio and sound.

I know I won't be able to watch two different things but can the 520 display the same image and sound on both TVs at the same time or one at a time without a lot of menu setting switching?

Or should I just get another 520?

I don't see this elsewhere, so I thought I'd stick it in. You can get the album art in Rhapsody -- just as tho you had a Sonus.

In Rhapsody, after you have selected the song you want to listen to, back out one level to the list of songs in the album. Hit the "info" button twice (slowly) - the first press gets the track info on the bottom of the screen, the second opens the D-Link screen with the large square for art. Wait a few seconds, and you will get the album cover (if there is one). The art comes and goes as songs change in the album, so I suspect a playlist will provide similar results.

Sorry if this is already well known -- I hadn't seen it before.

AV Sync question:

I have DVDs that I've encoded using the Xvid codec. They play just fine on my computer. However, when I play them through my DSM-520 (fw1.05), the audio/video sync is off. It begins the video normally, but gradually the audio lags the video and gets worse as the video progresses... it's like the video is playing faster than the audio or something...

I have other Xvid videos that play without any problem, but all of them that I've tried to encode come out with AV sync issues when played on the DSM-520.

I want to backup my DVDs to my server so they're always available... sort of like 'on-demand' if you will.

What are the encoding settings that work best on the 520?

I'm using dvd::rip by the way for Ubuntu (Linux) and was planning to compress to 700MB using the Xvid codec.

As soon as I inserted the CD in the CD drive and opened up Windows Media Player, my sound card crashed, and the CD wouldn't play. I closed Windows Media, and my sound card would come back. (the little 'x' on the volume would go away, and if i moved the volume up and down, would here the windows 'ding.wav".



Click on:

Start>Run

Type in: services.msc and press OK

Scroll down the list until you see "Windows Audio"

Right click and press "Restart"

Wait a few seconds...and it should work. You may have to repeat this process everytime you get the ding.wav error.

Now for my problem:

Most of my DVD's (VOB format) are 720x480 resolution, and I have a 720p capable TV. How do I get the video to fill the whole screen? I understand that 720x480 is not 720p...this is what my DVD rips are ripped so I'd rather not re-rip the whole collection...

Any help would be amazing! It's probably either really simple or impossible.

Also: I just tried to play files from my NAS (Buffalo LinkStation 500gb) and I'm not able to play any files from there.

My DSM-520 is running wireless, and the Buffalo is wired into my router.

Edit: Enabling UPnP allowed me to watch VOB's on the LinkStation. Now if I can only get that fullscreen...

I can successfully stream BBC iPlayer WMV Video content from a laptop running Windows Media Player 11 as the server.
The DSM 520 show it has registered to receive protected content etc and will display the WMV file.

However when showing the video the image stutters. It looks like it is missing every other frame so images 'jump' across the screen rather than move smoothly. Like it old computers. The sound is perfect and the laptop is not hitting memory or processor limits.

I then removed the DRM and played it again with the laptop as the server and through and NSLU2 running Twonky (which otherwise can't show DRM'd content) and it had the same problem.
Using DIVX Converter and playing the DIVX makes it work fine. It also works fine if I run the WMV (with our without DRM) direct on the laptop.
This all leads me to think it is something to do with the way the DSM-520 is decoding the WMV stream.

Post processing the files to remove DRM & convert to DIVX is a hassle I could do with out. And I suspect lots of UK users would want to play BBC iPlayer content.

Any Idea, Many Thanks Nathan

Click on:

Start>Run

Type in: services.msc and press OK

Scroll down the list until you see "Windows Audio"

Right click and press "Restart"

Wait a few seconds...and it should work. You may have to repeat this process everytime you get the ding.wav error.

Thanks for your response..

Are you saying the Active-TV and Windows Vista don't play nice together?

I have uninstalled everything at this point, but will re-install and try again.

Thanks again. I will let you know my results.

Hi I am a huge fan of the DSM-520. No issues with any of the run of the mill streaming. But I have a few issues I am trying to resolve.

1. Why can I only use Active TV and TV-Versity (for HD WMV) with my router in DMZ? I never had that issue with Linksys.

2. I have a lot of MKV files. I was told that you can play VOB files that are under 4 GB on the DSM-520. I use MKV2VOB and encode the HD files to 4GB or under. I stream them wirelessly and have sound but no pic. Any fixes I can try to get my 4 GB HD files to be more DSM-520 friendly? Before I streamed MKV files to the DSM-520 via tversity and the picture was flawless.....but sound was distorted and slow motion sounding.

3. What is the maximum file size playing from USB? I have seen a few contradicting pieces of information.

Once again I love the ease of use on this system. Active TV works pretty good now and has HUGE potential once the "connection issues" are corrected. Right now you can't go wrong with Tveristy right now for the most options of use.

Thanks for any help I can get.

Note that at this point you must be running TVersity on a different computer from the one running ActiveTV for them to work together. Not sure if the is any help??

Note that at this point you must be running TVersity on a different computer from the one running ActiveTV for them to work together. Not sure if the is any help??

Active-TV or MediaMall(real name), it totally separate from any other
media server and runs in parallel with other media servers, like MS, Twonky,
D-Link's server. I can not speak to TVersity, but I am better sure they
can run on the same box.

The TVersity folks disagree. Yes, they can run on the same box - but you cannot access TVersity from ActiveTV if they are on the same computer, which is what I meant -- sorry if I was not clear. Hopefully this is a temporary problem.

OK I have now lost my connection to Tversity because it no longer is showing in the found servers of my DSM520. Also I forgot to mention that everytime I try to connect to Windows Media Server on my computer it says that "device needs to be authorized". WHERE DO I AUTHORIZE IT?? I don't see an option and I don't get the pop up balloon on the task bar like other authorizations.

Everything in the Sharing menu is set to allow.

I am getting really frustrated it seems that less and less is working with my DSM-520. I have 8 days left to decide if I am going to return this unit. Please give me the ability to keep this server instead of throwing down on something else.

Dlink server works like a charm.....but no WMV9 or internet video.

OH and as far as my first post......TODAY MY ACTIVE TV WORKS LIKE A CHARM! I made NO changes.

HELP! Please.

I can successfully stream BBC iPlayer WMV Video content from a laptop running Windows Media Player 11 as the server.
The DSM 520 show it has registered to receive protected content etc and will display the WMV file.

However when showing the video the image stutters. It looks like it is missing every other frame so images 'jump' across the screen rather than move smoothly. Like it old computers. The sound is perfect and the laptop is not hitting memory or processor limits.

I then removed the DRM and played it again with the laptop as the server and through and NSLU2 running Twonky (which otherwise can't show DRM'd content) and it had the same problem.
Using DIVX Converter and playing the DIVX makes it work fine. It also works fine if I run the WMV (with our without DRM) direct on the laptop.
This all leads me to think it is something to do with the way the DSM-520 is decoding the WMV stream.

Post processing the files to remove DRM & convert to DIVX is a hassle I could do with out. And I suspect lots of UK users would want to play BBC iPlayer content.

Any Idea, Many Thanks Nathan

I have a similar problem with my Buffalo Linktheater. I haven't managed to remove the DRM though, it seems quite complicated if you have the latest version of WM codecs.

See http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=12762914&posted=1#post12762914

Any ideas would be very welcome.

I have a similar problem with my Buffalo Linktheater. I haven't managed to remove the DRM though, it seems quite complicated if you have the latest version of WM codecs.

Any ideas would be very welcome.

Removing the DRM is doesn't help solve the problem - I only tried that to see if it was the source of the issue. I am pretty sure it is the DSM's handling of the WMV files and the encoding the BBC iPlayer uses. Using 4oD content which uses a lower res and different DRM works fine.

I think this is one for att1234 to try out and see if it exhibits the same behaviour in the lab.
It's easy to test. Have some content from bbc/iplayer that is still current. Set up Windows Media Player 11 to share it's library and include the content in the library. Connect up the DSM to this windows server and play the video.
The problem is that the video stutters in the DSM, but plays fine direct from WMP11 on the local machine.

DSM520 can not output two interfaces reliably. You need a video distributor or another DSM520. I bet that another DSM520 will be cheaper for you.


Can I hook up two TVs to the 520? One via HDMI and another with the components? I have my living room TV currently running with the 520 and HDMI and optical for sound. On the opposite side of that wall is a room I would like to put a TV in. Instead of buying another 520 I thought about running component cables through the wall to that TV for audio and sound.

I know I won't be able to watch two different things but can the 520 display the same image and sound on both TVs at the same time or one at a time without a lot of menu setting switching?

Or should I just get another 520?

This is not implemented in DSM-520. DSM-520 treat the Rhapsody server as a regular media server so that it won't get the album art from it.


I don't see this elsewhere, so I thought I'd stick it in. You can get the album art in Rhapsody -- just as tho you had a Sonus.

In Rhapsody, after you have selected the song you want to listen to, back out one level to the list of songs in the album. Hit the "info" button twice (slowly) - the first press gets the track info on the bottom of the screen, the second opens the D-Link screen with the large square for art. Wait a few seconds, and you will get the album cover (if there is one). The art comes and goes as songs change in the album, so I suspect a playlist will provide similar results.

Sorry if this is already well known -- I hadn't seen it before.

This is the number 1 question for DSM-520. Please review the previous posts to get some setting used by others.

AV Sync question:

I have DVDs that I've encoded using the Xvid codec. They play just fine on my computer. However, when I play them through my DSM-520 (fw1.05), the audio/video sync is off. It begins the video normally, but gradually the audio lags the video and gets worse as the video progresses... it's like the video is playing faster than the audio or something...

I have other Xvid videos that play without any problem, but all of them that I've tried to encode come out with AV sync issues when played on the DSM-520.

I want to backup my DVDs to my server so they're always available... sort of like 'on-demand' if you will.

What are the encoding settings that work best on the 520?

I'm using dvd::rip by the way for Ubuntu (Linux) and was planning to compress to 700MB using the Xvid codec.

is the WMV is WMV HD? DSM-520 may not be handle the WMV HD with DRM very well.

I can successfully stream BBC iPlayer WMV Video content from a laptop running Windows Media Player 11 as the server.
The DSM 520 show it has registered to receive protected content etc and will display the WMV file.

However when showing the video the image stutters. It looks like it is missing every other frame so images 'jump' across the screen rather than move smoothly. Like it old computers. The sound is perfect and the laptop is not hitting memory or processor limits.

I then removed the DRM and played it again with the laptop as the server and through and NSLU2 running Twonky (which otherwise can't show DRM'd content) and it had the same problem.
Using DIVX Converter and playing the DIVX makes it work fine. It also works fine if I run the WMV (with our without DRM) direct on the laptop.
This all leads me to think it is something to do with the way the DSM-520 is decoding the WMV stream.

Post processing the files to remove DRM & convert to DIVX is a hassle I could do with out. And I suspect lots of UK users would want to play BBC iPlayer content.

Any Idea, Many Thanks Nathan

(1) Please provide more details of your setup. This looks like the issue of your router. The DMZ do nothing but forward all unmatched packets to a fixed private IP address,

(2) Please use mediainfo to generate the report. I guess that there is more than one video streams inside the transcoded file and then the first video stream has no any data at all.

(3) This is filesystem limitation. If it is VFAT, it's 2G. If it is NTFS, it can be much bigger.

Hi I am a huge fan of the DSM-520. No issues with any of the run of the mill streaming. But I have a few issues I am trying to resolve.

1. Why can I only use Active TV and TV-Versity (for HD WMV) with my router in DMZ? I never had that issue with Linksys.

2. I have a lot of MKV files. I was told that you can play VOB files that are under 4 GB on the DSM-520. I use MKV2VOB and encode the HD files to 4GB or under. I stream them wirelessly and have sound but no pic. Any fixes I can try to get my 4 GB HD files to be more DSM-520 friendly? Before I streamed MKV files to the DSM-520 via tversity and the picture was flawless.....but sound was distorted and slow motion sounding.

3. What is the maximum file size playing from USB? I have seen a few contradicting pieces of information.

Once again I love the ease of use on this system. Active TV works pretty good now and has HUGE potential once the "connection issues" are corrected. Right now you can't go wrong with Tveristy right now for the most options of use.

Thanks for any help I can get.

You may try not using Active-TV at all to see if it is the sources of all issues.



OK I have now lost my connection to Tversity because it no longer is showing in the found servers of my DSM520. Also I forgot to mention that everytime I try to connect to Windows Media Server on my computer it says that "device needs to be authorized". WHERE DO I AUTHORIZE IT?? I don't see an option and I don't get the pop up balloon on the task bar like other authorizations.

Everything in the Sharing menu is set to allow.

I am getting really frustrated it seems that less and less is working with my DSM-520. I have 8 days left to decide if I am going to return this unit. Please give me the ability to keep this server instead of throwing down on something else.

Dlink server works like a charm.....but no WMV9 or internet video.

OH and as far as my first post......TODAY MY ACTIVE TV WORKS LIKE A CHARM! I made NO changes.

HELP! Please.

Newbie q's here...

1. I ended up hardwiring my 520 as I was unable to connect to my wireless router. Router is far away, but have no trouble throughout the house with my laptop and other devices with "excellent" connections. Just curious for future use. I could see the router in the found networks list, but never could connect.

2. As a newbie, what should I use for my media server? D-links software seems solid, tVersity seems to be cool too. (although I just posted regarding the slowdown issue, I think that's resolved). tVersity is very confusing to me as far as setup and getting the internet TV working. Any tutorials out there? The main reason I wanted this box was to serve music & photos..everything else was secondary. UNTIL...I saw what it was capable of!!! Just figured if I'm starting fresh, before I put a lot of effort into setting up one I might as well start on the right foot.

3. Am I correct in assuming that you can NOT plug a standalone HD into the USB port? Size limit?

4. I just noticed after adding more music to my d-link media server that I show a bunch of doubled up names in the "Artist" list...some have 3 entries for one artist name...all spelled exactly the same?? UPDATE: I figured out after looking at some of the "properties" of the the mp3's that anything with information on the "summary" tab was placed under it's own heading. So my media server shows 2 entries Janes Addiction under Artist...some with summary info under one, one without summary under another. Since this is true for just about every artist I have it's a BIG F-ing mess!

5. Thought I would update to the latest version of media server and now I'm getting a GUI error message when I try to add new media. If I just leave the "send error message" up while the media is added it will take the media but will shut down upon clicking "don't send error report". Then I have to restart media center.

This is not implemented in DSM-520. DSM-520 treat the Rhapsody server as a regular media server so that it won't get the album art from it.

I hear you, but I suggest you try to follow the steps I outlined (very easy) - the 520 DOES get the Rhapsody album art. True, not on every album - but I get it on most of the albums that are part of my Rhapsody playlists. Would someone else here try to confirm my findings?

Select the album. Then you will have a list of songs. Select the song and the 520 will move on to the usual Rhapsody screen and begin playing the song. Now return to the list of songs. Press the information button. A blackbox will appear at the bottom of the screen with some song information. Press the information ("I") button a second time, and the 520 screen with the rectangular box for album art will come up. A few seconds later the Rhapsody album art will appear in that box. Try it on several albums.

It may not be implemented, which is why it is not mentioned anywhere, but it works relaibly and consistently. Enjoy!

att1234:
Have you been abble to get the files I've posted?

>>>>
Can you take a picture of your TV screen with picture and another screen of the setup-->general--->AUdio/Video screen to me. IN addition, please send me one sample 1920x1080 picture as well. I will try it on by myself.
<<<<<

The info you have requested (3 TV screen pictures and the 1920x1080 sample picture can be retrieved from http://home.san.rr.com/sergioe/

Hopefully you'll be able to figure out what's happening.
Thanks,
Sergio

Hi all,

Here's a question I haven't seen (maybe I haven't researched hard enough)...It's not a flaw, just a minor annoyance, but probably fixable, if not by changing settings now, by a firmware update in the future.

My video titles are getting truncated on the screen after so many characters. And yet, I have tons of screen space left on the left and right of the filename.

My logical guess is that the menus are being displayed in 720p (evidenced by displaying the info my TV provides), but that at 1080i, I might be able to see more. Is it possible to change the menu resolution to 1080i, or, if not, is there a way the DSM-520 could be set to display more characters horizontally?

This really impacts seasons of television the most, where each episode has a title name. I probably won't be able to see the whole title even at higher resolution, but I'd definitely be able to see a lot more. Thanks for any help you guys can provide.

EDIT: I've navigated to the A/V settings of the DSM-520, and while there is a Display resolution setting, it is set to auto, without the ability to override. This probably is normal; I'm connected via HDMI to my television (Panasonic TH-42PX75U). Aspect is 16:9. Still wondering if there is a way I can get more characters for a filename on the screen.

Is the pink screen with HDMI bug something that is being addressed in the upcoming firmware? or is it something I'm just stuck with?

Here's a question I haven't seen (maybe I haven't researched hard enough)...It's not a flaw, just a minor annoyance, but probably fixable, if not by changing settings now, by a firmware update in the future.

My video titles are getting truncated on the screen after so many characters. And yet, I have tons of screen space left on the left and right of the filename.

My logical guess is that the menus are being displayed in 720p (evidenced by displaying the info my TV provides), but that at 1080i, I might be able to see more. Is it possible to change the menu resolution to 1080i, or, if not, is there a way the DSM-520 could be set to display more characters horizontally?

This really impacts seasons of television the most, where each episode has a title name. I probably won't be able to see the whole title even at higher resolution, but I'd definitely be able to see a lot more. Thanks for any help you guys can provide.


Hi -- This has been discussed in this thread. This was aparently doen for people with non-wide screens. A request to have the font size either scroll back and forth or be adjustable has been put out there.

Is the pink screen with HDMI bug something that is being addressed in the upcoming firmware? or is it something I'm just stuck with?

Check this thread (40+ pages of it--use search), but I think this problem may be you. I believe others have gotten HDMI to work with their DSM-520.

Newbie q's here...
2. As a newbie, what should I use for my media server? D-links software seems solid, tVersity seems to be cool too. (although I just posted regarding the slowdown issue, I think that's resolved). tVersity is very confusing to me as far as setup and getting the internet TV working. Any tutorials out there? The main reason I wanted this box was to serve music & photos..everything else was secondary. UNTIL...I saw what it was capable of!!! Just figured if I'm starting fresh, before I put a lot of effort into setting up one I might as well start on the right foot.


I'm a fan of TVersity. I think it does a better job of handling different formats (assuming you installed all the codecs) and is less of a memory hog.


3. Am I correct in assuming that you can NOT plug a standalone HD into the USB port? Size limit?

Great question! I've not thought of trying this!


4. I just noticed after adding more music to my d-link media server that I show a bunch of doubled up names in the "Artist" list...some have 3 entries for one artist name...all spelled exactly the same?? UPDATE: I figured out after looking at some of the "properties" of the the mp3's that anything with information on the "summary" tab was placed under it's own heading. So my media server shows 2 entries Janes Addiction under Artist...some with summary info under one, one without summary under another. Since this is true for just about every artist I have it's a BIG F-ing mess!

I had the same problem. I think TVersit handles this better. IT has a lot to do with the ID tag on your mp3's. TVersity is more forgiving.


5. Thought I would update to the latest version of media server and now I'm getting a GUI error message when I try to add new media. If I just leave the "send error message" up while the media is added it will take the media but will shut down upon clicking "don't send error report". Then I have to restart media center.

Can't help you here. This might be another push for you to go to TVersity.

is the WMV is WMV HD? DSM-520 may not be handle the WMV HD with DRM very well.

I don't think it is WMV HD ... I'm not sure how to tell. It has WMV extension.
It is encoded to 672 x 544 with a bit rate of ~1500kbps.

Check this thread (40+ pages of it--use search), but I think this problem may be you. I believe others have gotten HDMI to work with their DSM-520.

I have this problem with my Toshiba TV. I can fix it two ways
* either select HDMI input source on the TV before switching on the DSM
* When showing pink cycle through the video out options using the remote (button at the bottom) until back to HDMI which shows correctly.

If there is a better answer in the 40+ pages that I have read through and missed the better answer a quote would be appreciated ;)

I'm a fan of TVersity. I think it does a better job of handling different formats (assuming you installed all the codecs) and is less of a memory hog.



Great question! I've not thought of trying this!



I had the same problem. I think TVersit handles this better. IT has a lot to do with the ID tag on your mp3's. TVersity is more forgiving.



Can't help you here. This might be another push for you to go to TVersity.

I agree with all say, but have one problem with TVersity and 520, can't get album art to display. Works on Twonky and wmp11, but not TVersity!

Any ideas?

Thanks

I have this problem with my Toshiba TV. I can fix it two ways
* either select HDMI input source on the TV before switching on the DSM
* When showing pink cycle through the video out options using the remote (button at the bottom) until back to HDMI which shows correctly.

If there is a better answer in the 40+ pages that I have read through and missed the better answer a quote would be appreciated ;)

This is a handshake issue w/ HDMI 1.3 capable TV's. The next firmware is suppose to fix this. On the Toshiba TV's, if you turn off the HDMI 1.3 features (DeepColor, xvYCC and LipSync) there isn't any issues. Apparently this shows up on some Sony TV's (posted by someone else), but Sony doesn't have a way to disable it, so until the new firmware is released, using component will get you the best reliable results if you can't disable the extra features.

I'm a fan of TVersity. I think it does a better job of handling different formats (assuming you installed all the codecs) and is less of a memory hog.



Great question! I've not thought of trying this!



I had the same problem. I think TVersit handles this better. IT has a lot to do with the ID tag on your mp3's. TVersity is more forgiving.



Can't help you here. This might be another push for you to go to TVersity.



Well, I unloaded the dlink software completely and am soley using TVersity. Having some internet video issues. You Tube vids stream nice and smooth, the included G4 podcasts are VERY jerky on playback. Once they play through once they run smooth (cached). From the little I've read and tried it seems internet video is pretty hit and miss?? Even the podcasts when watched on the TVersity software window are just as jerky, so it's not a streaming issue. Ya, all my music is pretty well squared away on there now. I like that fact that once everything is in there that I can access the same media on all my devices!! So once I get the Wii and xbox or whatever hooked into the network most of that content should be good for all. VERY cool and yet another reason to just keep the 520 regardless of whether I get a HTPC, XBOX 360, etc. It can always go to another TV somewhere in the house.

Thanks for taking the time to address my questions, greatly appreciated!

Man, TVersity is still zapping the resources on my main PC box. Even after all the initial downloads. It is only a 1.2 GHz AMD with a 1gb RAM. Seems like if I take off ALL the video URL & RSS feeds it will stay at a tolerable level. But if just one video is streamed it is off to the resource races and stays there!! Windows media server and TVersity both pegging the meter to where my cpu is running at 100% continually. Sucks. I mean I do video editing, real time render of video, etc. and I have never had this thing bod down like it is. But my god, it pulls in literally 650mb of content with just a few URL's worth of content. I thought "streaming" meant it would stream it off the internet...not download the entire internet for playback at a later time.

I love the program, but this is killing me. Am I missing something here? Some settings need tweeking? Of do I just need to get into 2008 with a Core Duo machine?

Is it possible to watch Active-TV video, e.g. Youtube, fullscreen?

Is it possible to watch Active-TV video, e.g. Youtube, fullscreen?
Yes it is! Just press the pip button on the DSM-520 remote to switch between fullscreen and picture in picture mode

Of do I just need to get into 2008 with a Core Duo machine?

That would solve your problems permanently. You're asking a lot from a CPU that came out in 2000.

Man, TVersity is still zapping the resources on my main PC box. Even after all the initial downloads. It is only a 1.2 GHz AMD with a 1gb RAM. Seems like if I take off ALL the video URL & RSS feeds it will stay at a tolerable level. But if just one video is streamed it is off to the resource races and stays there!! Windows media server and TVersity both pegging the meter to where my cpu is running at 100% continually. Sucks. I mean I do video editing, real time render of video, etc. and I have never had this thing bod down like it is. But my god, it pulls in literally 650mb of content with just a few URL's worth of content. I thought "streaming" meant it would stream it off the internet...not download the entire internet for playback at a later time.

I love the program, but this is killing me. Am I missing something here? Some settings need tweeking? Of do I just need to get into 2008 with a Core Duo machine?

Wow! I think there's something way wrong! I'm running TVersity on 600MHz laptop (from the year 2000 - IBM Thinkpad A20p) and have TVersity on and running non-stop for the last week, and my CPU is totaly normal--20%-ish, even when streaming video. Running W2K, BTW.

What release are you running? I run 0.9.11.4--the latest.

Also, you might get more bang for your buck by asking here, on the TVersity forums (http://forums.tversity.com/).

I have the latest firmware on my DSM520 and installed active tv online . Everything look good , but noticed that i can't type any using the remote on the search tab of YouTube. Does this work for any one ?

Wow! I think there's something way wrong! I'm running TVersity on 600MHz laptop (from the year 2000 - IBM Thinkpad A20p) and have TVersity on and running non-stop for the last week, and my CPU is totaly normal--20%-ish, even when streaming video. Running W2K, BTW.


I'm glad you're happy but my experiment using TVersity and a 700 MHz Athlon was very short-lived. Transcoding is very limited or impossible with such an old CPU.

Wow! I think there's something way wrong! I'm running TVersity on 600MHz laptop (from the year 2000 - IBM Thinkpad A20p) and have TVersity on and running non-stop for the last week, and my CPU is totaly normal--20%-ish, even when streaming video. Running W2K, BTW.

What release are you running? I run 0.9.11.4--the latest.

Also, you might get more bang for your buck by asking here, on the TVersity forums (http://forums.tversity.com/).

Ya, it seems odd to me too. It's obviously the transcoding thing. If I take all the video out it seems to help. But Windows Media Server can still ramp up pretty good once I start streaming some audio or photos even.

When running video Tversity will ramp up to 56,000k mem. usage. Windows media server will ramp up as high as 145,000k mem. usage. Combined they are pegging the CPU meter at 100%. There is really nothing even close running that's over say 10,000k usage....just the typical system processes at 2-3,000k.

Oh, and ya, i've tried to get registered at the tversity forum but have never received a confirmation email. When attempting to resign in it says my user name has yet to be varified. uhhhhhh.

I have the latest firmware on my DSM520 and installed active tv online . Everything look good , but noticed that i can't type any using the remote on the search tab of YouTube. Does this work for any one ?

I worked a bunch with mediamall support to resolve this issue and a couple
of others. If I remember correctly I ended up having to add the user MMT1
and MMT2(if it's created) to the group Administrator. Yes I know it's not a
wise idea, but that was the only way I could get it to work. They also
gave me the latest release (at that time) of MediaMall (D-Link call it Active-TV).

Try that, I bet it fixes it, and don't forget to restart the server and reboot your DSM520 for good measure.

Yes it is! Just press the pip button on the DSM-520 remote to switch between fullscreen and picture in picture mode
I knew that. didn't I? Thanks.:)

I have the latest firmware on my DSM520 and installed active tv online . Everything look good , but noticed that i can't type any using the remote on the search tab of YouTube. Does this work for any one ?
Yes.

DSM-520 are on Ebay with a Buy it now of $135

Item number: 300192474209
Item number: 300192474281

DSM-520 are on Ebay with a Buy it now of $135

Item number: 300192474209
Item number: 300192474281

I won't pay much over 1/2 of new for a used electronic device. I would rather go to Circuit City and pay the $199 and maybe have a 10-20% of coupon then risk getting a DOA device.

I am surprised at how much some people are bidding used 520s up to. I mean right at the bottom of the page it shows $199 at Circuit City. Why do so many people think their used 520 are worth $220+ shipping buy it now?

Hi all,

Here's a question I haven't seen (maybe I haven't researched hard enough)...It's not a flaw, just a minor annoyance, but probably fixable, if not by changing settings now, by a firmware update in the future.

My video titles are getting truncated on the screen after so many characters. And yet, I have tons of screen space left on the left and right of the filename.

My logical guess is that the menus are being displayed in 720p (evidenced by displaying the info my TV provides), but that at 1080i, I might be able to see more. Is it possible to change the menu resolution to 1080i, or, if not, is there a way the DSM-520 could be set to display more characters horizontally?





This really impacts seasons of television the most, where each episode has a title name. I probably won't be able to see the whole title even at higher resolution, but I'd definitely be able to see a lot more. Thanks for any help you guys can provide.

EDIT: I've navigated to the A/V settings of the DSM-520, and while there is a Display resolution setting, it is set to auto, without the ability to override. This probably is normal; I'm connected via HDMI to my television (Panasonic TH-42PX75U). Aspect is 16:9. Still wondering if there is a way I can get more characters for a filename on the screen.



Just wanted to add a coment to this. I have the 520 hooked up to an older 4:3 CRT tv for my kids, and have the same issue, in that there is alot of extra space to the right and left of the file names. If they at leaset made it fill the same width as the upper and lower menu bars, you could see enough to tell the difference between episodes with longer titles. I've seen the response from att1234 about other changes in the next release. Is this something we may get a change to, or is it further down the road? I've been using the 520 for about a month now and other than the slow FF speed, this is my only other complaint. Otherwise I have been really happy with it. Thanks for all the input from everyone, I've learned alot.

Well, I unloaded the dlink software completely and am soley using TVersity. Having some internet video issues. You Tube vids stream nice and smooth, the included G4 podcasts are VERY jerky on playback. Once they play through once they run smooth (cached). From the little I've read and tried it seems internet video is pretty hit and miss?? Even the podcasts when watched on the TVersity software window are just as jerky, so it's not a streaming issue. Ya, all my music is pretty well squared away on there now. I like that fact that once everything is in there that I can access the same media on all my devices!! So once I get the Wii and xbox or whatever hooked into the network most of that content should be good for all. VERY cool and yet another reason to just keep the 520 regardless of whether I get a HTPC, XBOX 360, etc. It can always go to another TV somewhere in the house.

Thanks for taking the time to address my questions, greatly appreciated!

No problem. To return the favor, can you tell me how to get YouTube vids to play? The one thing I think is sorely lacking with TVersity is a how-to forum. I've tried to past a URL in the Video URL section, but had no luck.

Take this one as an example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3Myv8qjHNM

How would I get it to show up on my DSM520?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3Myv8qjHNM

How would I get it to show up on my DSM520?

Simplest way would be to create an account on Youtube. Then add the video to your 'favorites'. Lastly, add a subscription to your YouTube favorites in TVersity using a link -

http://www.youtube.com/rss/favorites/(your username here).rss

Hope that helps.. I subscribe to all my friends favorites.. always fun to sit on the couch and view them all on the TV!

How much longer please, I would really like to start using my dsm-520 with my 1.3 HDMI mitsubishi television? TIA

Scott

How much longer please, I would really like to start using my dsm-520 with my 1.3 HDMI mitsubishi television? TIA

Scott

Wondering the same myself.

A good news and a bad news for DSM520 owners.

The good one is that D-link has released the DSM520 1.06 at 1/28. Please check the official releasenote at their website. Here is some summry
* Fix the PIP bug in MediaMall mode
* Increase the supported size of album art
* Solve the Live365 account issue
* Enable more VTuner stations. (WMA stations)
* Enable screen saver for MediaMall and music playback page.
* Support multiple partitions USB drive.
* Support Yahoo music sevrer
* Support high bit rate OGG files.
* Improve jump/seek performance inside MediaMall
* Show loading icon when load picture
* Solve MediaMall connection issue. We don;t require to turn off the firmware anymore.

And the bad news is that the HDMI 1.3 compatibility is not solved in this release. It is possible that we can not fix it. DSM520 is designed in the day which HTMI is still in 1.2. We don't really consider the 1.3 at all. If you really want to use DSM for HDMI 1.3 TV, please consider the new DSM750, which can work with HDMI 1.3 without any issue.

Hope everybody can enjoy the new release.

Hi att1234. Not available yet - even DLink didn't updated their web site on the new firmware. I hope it won't be long. Sorry couldn't post the link, newbie restriction :)

Just a quick question, did you guys solved the volume level problem when using the optical input? That is an annoying one...

Solo

Glad to see the release and fixes - but as of Feb. 1 the upgrade isn't available on my DSM-520. The 520 claims that the 1.05 version is the latest (sigh). I also note that the latest version of the Active-TV software on the D-Link site seems improperly signed and so cannot be installed (sigh again).

Looking forward to the improvememnt -- and THANKS!!!!!

att1234, welcome back.

Do you know if the 1920x1080 HD picture rescaling problem has been fixed in version 1.06? If not, any chance it will be addressed in the next release?

BTW, Have you been able to to retrieve the picture files you requested? I've posted them at http://home.san.rr.com/sergioe/

Thanks

D-Link technical support confirms that 1.05 remains the current firmware version. Any thought about when they might get their act together??? :-)

The volume is adjusted intentionaly to avoid sound distortion in the analogy output. We may use different value when the output is set to the digital one in the future. For this release, it is not addressed yet.

YC

Hi att1234. Not available yet - even DLink didn't updated their web site on the new firmware. I hope it won't be long. Sorry couldn't post the link, newbie restriction :)

Just a quick question, did you guys solved the volume level problem when using the optical input? That is an annoying one...

Solo

I am sorry to put this out a little bit easier. I am not in the DSM520 team any more so that my message is kind of misleading. However, the truth is that 1.06 is about to go out now. Please stay tuned for D-link to approve this release.


D-Link technical support confirms that 1.05 remains the current firmware version. Any thought about when they might get their act together??? :-)

Sorry, I may miss your files before. However, after I check your picture, it displayed as it should be. What's the error? Your photo is 1920x1080, therefore, it fill the whole screen.

I guess that your issue is that why the photo itself can not fill the whole screen. The answer is that it should not fill the screen because your TV is 16:9, the photo is 4:3. Therfore, there is no way to fill the screen unless you distort it.

If this is what you want, please use the original photo and use "fit to screen" option.


att1234, welcome back.

Do you know if the 1920x1080 HD picture rescaling problem has been fixed in version 1.06? If not, any chance it will be addressed in the next release?

BTW, Have you been able to to retrieve the picture files you requested? I've posted them at http://home.san.rr.com/sergioe/

Thanks

att1234,

Thanks for your response. However, my photo is not 4:3, it is exactly 1920x1080 pixels, which thatslates into 16:9 format, which should exactly fill in my TV screen.

If you notice, one of the pictures I have in my link shows that the DSM-520 is displaying an 1920x1080 picture. So there should be no rescaling or transcoding to be done, and it should fill the screen, which the DSM-520 doesn't.

I'm sorry that you'r no longer involved with the DSM-520. You were extremely helpful.

Thanks,
Sergio

I am sorry to put this out a little bit easier. I am not in the DSM520 team any more so that my message is kind of misleading. However, the truth is that 1.06 is about to go out now. Please stay tuned for D-link to approve this release.

Thanks so much. Does this mean that you will no longer be able to provide support here? I hope you like your new assignment.

I've just purchased a DSM-520 (they are selling online in the US at Circuit City for $150!) but have read that they perform better with the addition of an external antenna. I am using an Extreme N router (D-Link DIR-655) but can't figure out from D-link site or manual which antenna I should be using - one compatible with the N router or the G media player. Obviously an N-based antenna seems to be more "future proof" but I can't find out if this will work with the 520. Can anyone here help?
TIA!
scott.

A good news and a bad news for DSM520 owners.

The good one is that D-link has released the DSM520 1.06 at 1/28. Please check the official releasenote at their website. Here is some summry
* Fix the PIP bug in MediaMall mode
* Increase the supported size of album art
* Solve the Live365 account issue
* Enable more VTuner stations. (WMA stations)
* Enable screen saver for MediaMall and music playback page.
* Support multiple partitions USB drive.
* Support Yahoo music sevrer
* Support high bit rate OGG files.
* Improve jump/seek performance inside MediaMall
* Show loading icon when load picture
* Solve MediaMall connection issue. We don;t require to turn off the firmware anymore.

And the bad news is that the HDMI 1.3 compatibility is not solved in this release. It is possible that we can not fix it. DSM520 is designed in the day which HTMI is still in 1.2. We don't really consider the 1.3 at all. If you really want to use DSM for HDMI 1.3 TV, please consider the new DSM750, which can work with HDMI 1.3 without any issue.

Hope everybody can enjoy the new release.

That means that I will either invest in a HD graphics card that outputs HDMI or use my PS3 as a media streamer. Forget DLINK and their products and no NOT ever would I even consider buying a DSM 750 another overpriced piece of junk than many other devices will still outperform.

I've just purchased a DSM-520 (they are selling online in the US at Circuit City for $150!) but have read that they perform better with the addition of an external antenna. I am using an Extreme N router (D-Link DIR-655) but can't figure out from D-link site or manual which antenna I should be using - one compatible with the N router or the G media player. Obviously an N-based antenna seems to be more "future proof" but I can't find out if this will work with the 520. Can anyone here help?
TIA!
scott.

Hi - First try to determine if you need the external antenna. I have my 520 and laptop that serves the content on the 2nd floor, and the streaming seems to be fine--I don't require an external antenna. If you don't need one, don't buy it.

How much longer please, I would really like to start using my dsm-520 with my 1.3 HDMI mitsubishi television? TIA

Scott
From abbreviations.com TIA:
1. Taliban-in-America: you should be reported to FBI.
2. The International Assassin: you should be reported to Interpol.
3. Totally I-c American: use component+audio cables - results are the same.

1.3 HDMI (in-) compatibility is not D-Link's responsibility (or fault if you wish). It's between HDMI Organization and Mitsubishi: the former claims all 1.3 compliant devices should be backward-compatible with all previous ones (see discussions in HDMI forum); the latter is responsible for proper implementation of 1.3.
There is the third choice - you did something wrong: it does work with Samsung TV.

4. Thanks-in-Advance: you're very welcome.

I've just purchased a DSM-520 (they are selling online in the US at Circuit City for $150!) but have read that they perform better with the addition of an external antenna. I am using an Extreme N router (D-Link DIR-655) but can't figure out from D-link site or manual which antenna I should be using - one compatible with the N router or the G media player. Obviously an N-based antenna seems to be more "future proof" but I can't find out if this will work with the 520. Can anyone here help?
TIA!
scott.

I would second aagha's post above: if you already have a good connection (48 - 54, and you will never get a better one with 11g device, e.g., 520) you don't need an antenna. It's good enough for streaming audio and standard video and not enough for HD video (in most cases).

Actually it was HD video that I was specifically interested in - & I've been told by a number of people that I would need an additional antenna for adequate HD streaming to the DSM-520...

Obviously I won't buy one if HD feeds work but if they don't (& everything I've read suggests this) I'm unclear whether I should try adding an antenna to the router (n) or to DSM-520 (g) & which antenna I should use ...

Don't waste your money on an Antenna. G will not do a good job streaming HD media. Run a wire or use one of the powerline implementations.

Alan

Powerline implementations? Apologies if I am being obtuse, but can you explain? thanks!

Powerline implementations? Apologies if I am being obtuse, but can you explain? thanks!

I believe they are talking about powerline networking. Basically you plug your router into this adapter that you plug into the AC when have another end that you would plug from you DSM to the AC. You turn your power system into your network so you aren't relying on wireless. There are other porducts but here is one to check out: http://snipurl.com/1yzij

Ah-ha! Ok, a terminology disconnect - I didn't recognize it by that name. Thanks for the clarification.

Basically the bottom line is that wireless HD is not really possible on the DSM-520 - for that we presumably have to wait for DSM-750 ...

I believe they are talking about powerline networking. Basically you plug your router into this adapter that you plug into the AC when have another end that you would plug from you DSM to the AC. You turn your power system into your network so you aren't relying on wireless. There are other porducts but here is one to check out: http://snipurl.com/1yzijNo, not this one. It's the first generation, it's worse than wireless. One needs HDXB101 (or similar from other vendors)- the third generation. It's called Powerline AV. There are two incompatible implementations, but if you need only one pair it does not matter. Both are similar in performance.

Ah-ha! Ok, a terminology disconnect - I didn't recognize it by that name. Thanks for the clarification.

Basically the bottom line is that wireless HD is not really possible on the DSM-520 - for that we presumably have to wait for DSM-750 ...
Well, since you already have 11n router, you could buy 11n bridge which will turn any wired Ethernet device into 11n client.

No, not this one. It's the first generation, it's worse than wireless. One needs HDXB101 (or similar from other vendors)- the third generation. It's called Powerline AV. There are two incompatible implementations, but if you need only one pair it does not matter. Both are similar in performance.

Good to know! Thanks.

Ah-ha! Ok, a terminology disconnect - I didn't recognize it by that name. Thanks for the clarification.

Basically the bottom line is that wireless HD is not really possible on the DSM-520 - for that we presumably have to wait for DSM-750 ...

I really wish they would hurry up with the 750! I'm looking seriously at the Linksys DMA2100 and it is hard to get a comparison until the 750 hits the streets.

love this forum! thanks everyone for their inputs.

just got my DSM 520. Everything seams OK. however, I am still having issues with video and audio being out of sync. This is tru for some of the movies. not all. they are in Divx. Can anyone give some advice?

Also, it can not play some of my AVI files. particulalry those those incoded in high beat rate (1300 and hire). Very frastrating. I had DSM 510 before (which i returned) and it could play anything.

by the way, 750 is not worth the money yet. The only possible advantage you get is that it has wireless N and workes in two modes - wirless MD and WMedia Extender (which requires to have the computer ON or on away mode all the time).

I would strongly discourage from buying Linksys DMA2100. You can not use it without a PC being on all the time (strange that Lynksys did not think about it).

someone hee on pate 47 provided steps on how to launch IE via 520. I tried to modify the html files in Active TV software but it would not let me save them. does anyone know why?

by the way, 750 is not worth the money yet. The only possible advantage you get is that it has wireless N and workes in two modes - wirless MD and WMedia Extender (which requires to have the computer ON or on away mode all the time).


True but my media server does lots of other things so it is on anyway. Plus there is another advantage, it is a true extender. So if you have Vista Media Center with TV cards in it you can watch tv through the 750 and pause, record, etc.

True but my media server does lots of other things so it is on anyway. Plus there is another advantage, it is a true extender. So if you have Vista Media Center with TV cards in it you can watch tv through the 750 and pause, record, etc.


on that note - i am actualy considering spending some $ to get a true media center PC dedicated for media playing and recording with HD TV card in it. then i would get the 750 for sure! this would truly solve all of my issues. I have 3 laptops, I HDTV and 2 network drives 2 terabites in total. for now i use 520 to play my music, video and pics from the network storage.

some new stuff from CES 2008 for TV junkies like me :D

Belkin's FlyWire

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadgethd.com/media/2008/01/1-3-08-belkin_whdi.jpg
It's a common dilemma: you have the flat-screen TV perfectly placed in the living room or home theater, but the rest of your gear is located halfway across the room. You can snake a long HDMI cable around the perimeter--or you can consider something like the Belkin FlyWire. The transmitter/receiver combo lets you toggle as many as six AV sources and wirelessly transmit the audio and video--up to full 1080p--from one side of the room (your equipment rack) to the other (your big-screen TV or projector). The version Belkin was demoing at its booth had two HDMI inputs, two component inputs, a composite/S-Video AV set, and a SCART input--but the company hinted that that the North American version may drop the SCART jack (useless outside Europe) in favor of a third HDMI input. The generous connectivity means even the biggest home-theater geek will have the capacity for all of his gear--say, a PS3, an HD DVR, an Xbox 360, a DVD recorder, a Nintendo Wii, and a sixth device. Setup is said to be plug and play (the transmitter pairs with the receiver at the touch of a button), and because it's a closed system, it should be universally compatible with any standard video source and an HDMI TV.

by the way, 750 is not worth the money yet. The only possible advantage you get is that it has wireless N and workes in two modes - wirless MD and WMedia Extender (which requires to have the computer ON or on away mode all the time).
I believe the 750 supports H.264; that would be a significant advantage as well.

Not necessary for me at this point (and not worth my spending money to upgrade) but still a definite advantage. Also, the remote control is reputed to be of higher quality.

According to your original photo, it is indeed 1920x1080. However, it has white strides in both sides. DSM520 just show it exactly as it is. I do not see anything wrong.

I believe that you convert a 4:3 photo into 1920x1080 photos and your software keep the aspect ratio and put white strides in both side. Correct me if I am wrong.


att1234,

Thanks for your response. However, my photo is not 4:3, it is exactly 1920x1080 pixels, which thatslates into 16:9 format, which should exactly fill in my TV screen.

If you notice, one of the pictures I have in my link shows that the DSM-520 is displaying an 1920x1080 picture. So there should be no rescaling or transcoding to be done, and it should fill the screen, which the DSM-520 doesn't.

I'm sorry that you'r no longer involved with the DSM-520. You were extremely helpful.

Thanks,
Sergio

I still can support people her as a DSM520 user. However, I have no realtime inforamtion any more. However, we can still push D-link to do their job together.

Thanks so much. Does this mean that you will no longer be able to provide support here? I hope you like your new assignment.

The truth is that there is no enough push for D-link to fix their HDMI 1.3 compatibility issue. Even it is fixed, you still need a new DSM520 devices which has a fix for it. Currently, they decide to fix it at DSM750 only.

For DSM520 users, turn off the HDMI 1.3 features off in your TV or return it if you still can do it. I am sorry to notify the big screen owners here. However, life is not perfect.

That means that I will either invest in a HD graphics card that outputs HDMI or use my PS3 as a media streamer. Forget DLINK and their products and no NOT ever would I even consider buying a DSM 750 another overpriced piece of junk than many other devices will still outperform.

Actually, most WMV or DIVX HD contents are encodded in 6-12 Mbps. The problem is MPEG2 HD which can be up to 35 Mbps,

Even the wireles is 11N, it still has no guarantee for the HD performance.

I would second aagha's post above: if you already have a good connection (48 - 54, and you will never get a better one with 11g device, e.g., 520) you don't need an antenna. It's good enough for streaming audio and standard video and not enough for HD video (in most cases).

The best thing you can do for DSM520 is to have a 11N router and has a 11n game bridge, which is attached to the ethernet port. In this way, you can get the real 11n performance. The simplest test is test all contents in your environment. If all of them works, why bother to install a big antenna.

Actually it was HD video that I was specifically interested in - & I've been told by a number of people that I would need an additional antenna for adequate HD streaming to the DSM-520...

Obviously I won't buy one if HD feeds work but if they don't (& everything I've read suggests this) I'm unclear whether I should try adding an antenna to the router (n) or to DSM-520 (g) & which antenna I should use ...

This is true for MPEG2 HD content only. For WMV9 HD or DIVX HD, 11g should be enough if the environment is right.

Don't waste your money on an Antenna. G will not do a good job streaming HD media. Run a wire or use one of the powerline implementations.

Alan

Question about Xvid and the DSM-520.
Just curious what audio codec you guys use and think is best for the DSM-520?
when I reencode I've been using MP3 audio because I have not kept up with what the other codecs I have are. I use Virtual Dub for most of my encoding work(mostly hard code Eastern Subtitles into movies for my wife)

Hi att1234. Not available yet - even DLink didn't updated their web site on the new firmware. I hope it won't be long. Sorry couldn't post the link, newbie restriction :)

Just a quick question, did you guys solved the volume level problem when using the optical input? That is an annoying one...

Solo

Solo,
I was one of the people experiencing this low audio output "problem." To my embarrassment however, I realized that this was caused (at least for me) by the DSM-520's own independent volume being turned too low. I hadn't realized before that the DSM-520 had its own internal volume output setting (unlike, e.g., a dvd player).

If you haven't already, try turning up the volume on the DSM-520 remote (as opposed to on your receiver).

Hope this helps somebody.

-Tag

Solo,
I was one of the people experiencing this low audio output "problem." To my embarrassment however, I realized that this was caused (at least for me) by the DSM-520's own independent volume being turned too low. I hadn't realized before that the DSM-520 had its own internal volume output setting (unlike, e.g., a dvd player).

If you haven't already, try turning up the volume on the DSM-520 remote (as opposed to on your receiver).

Hope this helps somebody.

-Tag
I found this post interesting because I am using the standard composite audio (HDMI for video), the DSM-520 is at max volume, and as a source, it's always been a lot softer than any of my other sources. As an example, we watch TV or the DVR with the volume roughly on 15, the Nintendo Wii is good at 10-11; the DSM-520 needs to be at 22-25, in some cases higher.

I'm sure some of this has to do with the audio encoding of the original files, but it would be nice to see some sort of volume boost (or allow the DSM-520's max volume to be set higher).

Let me explian the reason of this issue.

This is related to the internal amplify of the HW. If we set the volumn to be normal level, the signal will be stuarated and distirted. Therefore, we limit the volume range to keep the signal will be not distorted. This works fine for the analogy output. However, for the digital output, this will reduce limit the maximum level we can get. The best solution is to seperate the setting for analogy and digital output. Unfortunely, this is not the current implementation even in the upcoming firmware.

For now, if you want to use the digital output, the best solution is to set the level to the the maximum in DSM520 and rely on the receiver to adjust the volume. If you set the value as maximum, the volume is in the middle.



I found this post interesting because I am using the standard composite audio (HDMI for video), the DSM-520 is at max volume, and as a source, it's always been a lot softer than any of my other sources. As an example, we watch TV or the DVR with the volume roughly on 15, the Nintendo Wii is good at 10-11; the DSM-520 needs to be at 22-25, in some cases higher.

I'm sure some of this has to do with the audio encoding of the original files, but it would be nice to see some sort of volume boost (or allow the DSM-520's max volume to be set higher).

Let me explian the reason of this issue.

This is related to the internal amplify of the HW. If we set the volumn to be normal level, the signal will be stuarated and distirted. Therefore, we limit the volume range to keep the signal will be not distorted. This works fine for the analogy output. However, for the digital output, this will reduce limit the maximum level we can get. The best solution is to seperate the setting for analogy and digital output. Unfortunely, this is not the current implementation even in the upcoming firmware.

For now, if you want to use the digital output, the best solution is to set the level to the the maximum in DSM520 and rely on the receiver to adjust the volume. If you set the value as maximum, the volume is in the middle.

This is very good to know. Thanks for posting this!

I'd be curious about other users' experience using analog rather than digital in terms of audio output quality. I'm currently using optical, and get annoyed by the volume issue despite having the DSM520 set to max vol.

Let me explian the reason of this issue.

This is related to the internal amplify of the HW. If we set the volumn to be normal level, the signal will be stuarated and distirted. Therefore, we limit the volume range to keep the signal will be not distorted. This works fine for the analogy output. However, for the digital output, this will reduce limit the maximum level we can get. The best solution is to seperate the setting for analogy and digital output. Unfortunely, this is not the current implementation even in the upcoming firmware.

For now, if you want to use the digital output, the best solution is to set the level to the the maximum in DSM520 and rely on the receiver to adjust the volume. If you set the value as maximum, the volume is in the middle.

I know you aren't involved anymore w/ the DSM520, but you should inform the team that this is a very bad decision. DD5.1 has a mixlevel value that is exactly the SPL (absolue volume) the sound mixers wanted. Any changing of the DD5.1 bit stream means that the DSM520 does not pass true DD5.1 out the optical/hdmi port. This means you will not able able to enjoy the correct reproduction of movies and video w/ the DSM520.

Please get an option to turn off that manipulation. Even MacOSX on my MacBookPro doesn't let me change the volume when using the optical output.

/me is very disappointed to hear this, as the DSM520 does play a lot more videos than the PS3.

I was looking forward to the FF/REW fix that would make skipping commercials viable in 19Mbps MPEG-2 TS streams, but this makes it hard. I now have to choose between video quality (the DSM-520 outputs 1080i and is better deinterlaced by the TV than VLC on the MBP) or audio quality (MBP outputs raw unmolested DD5.1, while the DSM-520 molests the audio).

Thanks for clarifing this. I figured that had to be happening since I noticed you could change the volume.

DIVX files keep dropping after 30 minutes playback from the MSSII to the DSM-520 over a standard home network. I had similar problems with a Philips SLM 550.

playback is fine when i use dlink media server from my laptop over the same network to the DSM520. but i got an MSSII so i didn't have to have the computer turned on.

has anyone else had problems with this combo ? suggestions welcome.

Let me explian the reason of this issue.

This is related to the internal amplify of the HW. If we set the volumn to be normal level, the signal will be stuarated and distirted. Therefore, we limit the volume range to keep the signal will be not distorted. This works fine for the analogy output. However, for the digital output, this will reduce limit the maximum level we can get. The best solution is to seperate the setting for analogy and digital output. Unfortunely, this is not the current implementation even in the upcoming firmware.

For now, if you want to use the digital output, the best solution is to set the level to the the maximum in DSM520 and rely on the receiver to adjust the volume. If you set the value as maximum, the volume is in the middle.

Thanks for the answer att1234, please continue on this board as your help is so valuable.

The problem with the lower sound is the impression it gives that something is not connected properly, thus loosing sound quality... I know now it's only an impression, but as a manufacturer, you want your hardware to impress the customers, not insecure them...

Thanks for reading

Solo

dumb question. can I use the ethernet connection on the back to hardwire my directv hr20r? is the ethernet connection incoming only? do I just need to buy another wireless adapter?

I've got the DSM-320 and wondering if it worth the $150 to upgrade to the 520?

what I'd like is better processing of pictures. The 320 seems to get bogged down by the large number and large size of my pictures. and slideshows is very frustrating.

also, would love a better music gui, one that shows album art.

I don't view movies very often but the couple that I have with the 320 seemed fine. Here again, better front-end processing speed might make things a bit more friendly.

I've got the DSM-320 and wondering if it worth the $150 to upgrade to the 520?

what I'd like is better processing of pictures. The 320 seems to get bogged down by the large number and large size of my pictures. and slideshows is very frustrating.

also, would love a better music gui, one that shows album art.

I don't view movies very often but the couple that I have with the 320 seemed fine. Here again, better front-end processing speed might make things a bit more friendly.

get the dsm-510...it now sells for under $100 and is supposed to be pretty good...

get the dsm-510...it now sells for under $100 and is supposed to be pretty good...

i would not recomend 510. VERY weak device. whats the point of spending money if you cant use it, even if its only $100.

If you set the output to be digital, the DTS 5.1 data will be output to be raw data without any decoding. The DSM520 will rely on the receiver to decode it. Otherwise, it will be decoded as 2CH PCM. In theory, DSM520 can not change the output level for digital output.

Unfortunely, when the data is decoded in DSM520, the volume setting is applied even in the digital output. Therefore, if you play the MP3, you can adjust the volume level. If you play a movie with DTS, you can not change the level. We may say that it is a bug as well. The original spec requires us to change the volume level in both digital and analogy output. However, since DTS can not be changed, we make it as exception. This make it a little confused.


I know you aren't involved anymore w/ the DSM520, but you should inform the team that this is a very bad decision. DD5.1 has a mixlevel value that is exactly the SPL (absolue volume) the sound mixers wanted. Any changing of the DD5.1 bit stream means that the DSM520 does not pass true DD5.1 out the optical/hdmi port. This means you will not able able to enjoy the correct reproduction of movies and video w/ the DSM520.

Please get an option to turn off that manipulation. Even MacOSX on my MacBookPro doesn't let me change the volume when using the optical output.

/me is very disappointed to hear this, as the DSM520 does play a lot more videos than the PS3.

I was looking forward to the FF/REW fix that would make skipping commercials viable in 19Mbps MPEG-2 TS streams, but this makes it hard. I now have to choose between video quality (the DSM-520 outputs 1080i and is better deinterlaced by the TV than VLC on the MBP) or audio quality (MBP outputs raw unmolested DD5.1, while the DSM-520 molests the audio).

Thanks for clarifing this. I figured that had to be happening since I noticed you could change the volume.

I have seen a number of posts indicating that 1.06 will be out very soon. If anybody knows when, inquiring minds would like to know but that is not the focus of this post.

I am at 1.05 and am experiencing frustration with audio-video sync. If I watch a show straight through, no problems. If I FF to skip to where the video actually starts being interesting the audio looses sync with the video. I know that this is a known and pervasive problem.

The question is, does 1.06 fix this? Dare I hope?

Much less important to me but still worth asking. I have never gotten ActiveTV to work over wireless. I notice a number of threads indicating that this is also a known problem. Does anybody know if this would be fixed as well?

Some time ago, I downloaded a beta version of the firmware from mediamall web site
(See this thread on the Tversity forum : http://forums.tversity.com/viewtopic.php?t=7452&start=30, second post on this page). Unfortunatly, I think that one of the link is no good anymore.

This beta firmware solved the problem of Active-Tv over wireless. It also improved
the Album art display. In fact I am quite happy with that release.

Anyway, I guess it means that 1.06 will be a good release...

The link is OK if you remove the ) at the end :).

I haven't tried this firmware myself as I am on V1.05.

The link is OK if you remove the ) at the end :).

I haven't tried this firmware myself as I am on V1.05.
What do you mean "as I am on V1.05". I was also on release V1.05 and installed the
firmware via an USB device. The DSM 520 now claims to have Release 1.04.13 installed but
Active-Tv now works in wireless mode and the album arts display properly. I think
there is also some other minor bugs that have been addressed.

What do you mean "as I am on V1.05". I was also on release V1.05 and installed the
firmware via an USB device. The DSM 520 now claims to have Release 1.04.13 installed but
Active-Tv now works in wireless mode and the album arts display properly. I think
there is also some other minor bugs that have been addressed.

I'm having some minor issues with that firmware, but have noticed everything feels smoother and faster for the most part.

anyone know how to roll back? I installed that firmware and can't seem to get the old one back

I'm having some minor issues with that firmware, but have noticed everything feels smoother and faster for the most part.

anyone know how to roll back? I installed that firmware and can't seem to get the old one back
In this thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10837636#post10837636), they explain how to roll back
from version 1.03 to 1.02. I guess that from this info you can figure out how
to reinstall Release 1.05 on your DSM-520.

Good luck

i would not recomend 510. VERY weak device. whats the point of spending money if you cant use it, even if its only $100.

Can you elucidate? I have a 510 and there ar some things about it I don't like. But when I look at (features of) the 320 or 520, I think _they_ look weak. Perhaps the 32/520 are more stable compared to 510, but I have been reluctant to buy another DLink based on my 510 experience.

So, I ask, can you elucidate about it being weak? Details and examples.

Thank you.
Jim

Is it possible to have Active-TV installed on two computers and serve only one DSM-520?

I have Active-TV installed on XP Home and successfully serving 520.

Now I also installed Active-TV on Vista. It appears MediaMall service runs alright - I checked server.log - no errors, but button on the right side is red and, when I select Active-TV on 520, it says "no server found" (I had the first computer off) and question about authorization never pops up on Vista.

Is it possible to have Active-TV installed on two computers and serve only one DSM-520?

I have Active-TV installed on XP Home and successfully serving 520.

Now I also installed Active-TV on Vista. It appears MediaMall service runs alright - I checked server.log - no errors, but button on the right side is red and, when I select Active-TV on 520, it says "no server found" (I had the first computer off) and question about authorization never pops up on Vista.

Never mind, works as a charm after couple re-boots of Vista computer and 520. Active TV choice on 520 presents a list of available servers - nice.

OK -- I love TVersity, but can get it to run only about 1/2 the time as the 520doesn't find the TVersity server. All other servers (DLink, Twonky, Rhapsody, etc.) work fine. A couple of days ago I got TVersity to show up on the server list and began playing a station from RadioTime. I left the 520 on overnight and and the feed continued. In the morning, while listening to the stream I asked the 520 to list available servers. TVersity wasn't there, even tho it was running just fine - menus and all. I also note that the 520 occasionally "refreshes" the server list in that it very quickly goes from the list to "no server found" and then back to the list. Sometimes TVersity will show up after this burp -- and sometimes it will be gone if it was there before the burp.

Is this a known issue -- or is it just me??

Pardon me for asking the common question of when this will be posted. Is this going thru some kind of approval process with D-Link? Are there problems with it? No one may know here, but I thought I'd throw it out there.

Is there any way - via WMP, Winamp, etc. - to get Slimserver to run on the 520?. I'm interested because of the extensive support for Shoutcast (and maybe Pandora).

Must be "just you" :) I run Tversity all of the time and it is never not there for me.

Must be "just you" :) I run Tversity all of the time and it is never not there for me.

don't agree as beside Chenrikson, I had the same problem.I don't know if it our network related issue. By the way guys, could you please help me out to view live tv through my dsm 520. I use Tversity. While I can play those link through the added video link on the menue, but couldn't access the same by my dsm 520. Here is an example of the link I was trying: mms://66.90.109.7:13070 , rtsp://208.53.147.167:13060,mms://208.53.147.167:13070,mms://66.90.111.156/ntv. Please help me with detail instruction as I am new in this business... :P

Thanks,
AL-Amin