I just posted a full review of the newly available Ziova Clearstream CS510 HD Network Media Player at GearBits, in case anyone is interested. This is a new device from the Australian company formerly known as Zensonic.

http://www.gearbits.com/archives/2007/05/ziova_clearstre_1.html

Short version: interesting device with lots of flexibility and promise, but hamstrung by interface and performance issues. The next generation of this unit could be excellent.

interesting device with lots of flexibility and promise, but hamstrung by interface and performance issues. The next generation of this unit could be excellent.
Thanks. I thought that this was "the next generation"?

Thanks. I thought that this was "the next generation"?

So I should have said "next next"?

Thanks. I thought that this was "the next generation"?
The CS505 and 510 are exactly the same as the Z500 except for the 510's form factor and both have 32MB of flash memory as opposed to the 16MB that the Z500 has.

I do not think these models were intended to be 'Next generation' models but rather introductory models from Ziova....a transition from Zensonic to Ziova so to speak.

It uses the very old EM8620L/EM8621L chip. Most of the new models (Netgear, Tvix, Dlink) are using the EM8623 chip.

any news of a CS515 (no wireless, no DVD) version?

It uses the very old EM8620L/EM8621L chip. Most of the new models (Netgear, Tvix, Dlink) are using the EM8623 chip.
I recall Chuna (Ziova) saying that they had decided to bypass the intermediate Sigma designs and go straight from what they are doing now to the 8634 chipset.

peter

any news of a CS515 (no wireless, no DVD) version?
This was in their January 2nd press release
http://www.internetnewsbureau.com/archives/2007/january/ziova.html

"ZIOVA will also introduce its forthcoming unit, the Clearstream CS515, which is an HDMI Network Media Player that a customer can add a hard disk to. Due in April 2007 with a price tag of less than $200, the CS515 will provide a networked home device for storing digital video, audio and photos."

- I guess they are a bit behind, but hopefully by this summer

peter

The CS505 and 510 are exactly the same as the Z500 except for the 510's form factor and both have 32MB of flash memory as opposed to the 16MB that the Z500 has.

I do not think these models were intended to be 'Next generation' models but rather introductory models from Ziova....a transition from Zensonic to Ziova so to speak.
New bottles, so to speak?

This is a new device from the Australian company formerly known as Zensonic.


Thanks Craig. How did you get your hands on one? The US distributor just has the old Zensonic one on their web site.

New bottles, so to speak?
Could not have said it better!

Thanks Craig. How did you get your hands on one? The US distributor just has the old Zensonic one on their web site.

The CS505 and CS510 will be shipping tomorrow or Monday.

Thanks Craig. How did you get your hands on one? The US distributor just has the old Zensonic one on their web site.

Lots of digging, emailing, and wheedling to get one starting about 4 months ago (right after CES). :) Doesn't hurt that GearBits gets a fair bit of traffic and has decent search-engine visibility, too (e.g., Google for "clearstream cs510").

The CS505 and CS510 will be shipping tomorrow or Monday.

Thanks for the response, Kei. Have you heard anything about the CS515 (no wireless, no DVD) version?

The CS515 has been delayed unfortunately. When we have a release date will definitely let you guys know.

good review m8, I haven't tried the upnp but the rebooting (after 2 days of ownership) is becoming tiresome. I have faith in ziova (zensonic) though as they do appear to at least listne to bug reports and respond. Hopeful for the future. I do have issues playing dvd iso's but that could be the iso's themselves...

Right...this device is SO close to being all it can (should?) be that I really am looking forward to the next iteration. If stability and usability improve (it's all in the UI), then I'll be buying one for our family room for sure.

Right...this device is SO close to being all it can (should?) be that I really am looking forward to the next iteration. If stability and usability improve (it's all in the UI), then I'll be buying one for our family room for sure.

This waiting game can take forever... I've been using Momitsu V880-N and now NeoDigits X5000 for more than a year already... yes, they all have their issues but(!) you enjoy it a lot more than you suffer from the cons that were mentioned in your review. Nothing is perfect, nothing will ever be...