MediaGate MG-350HD Info

[KAZUKI67]

thanxs for reply but what i mean the security on my router and is set up for WPA so will the mediagate still work with that only been WEP? i understand about the codecs in mediagate but when you stream from the pc . will say some codecs not supported by the mediagate play because you are streaming from pc, the pc is doing the decoding.

[ChessKing]

Originally Posted by KAZUKI67

thanxs for reply but what i mean the security on my router and is set up for WPA so will the mediagate still work with that only been WEP? i understand about the codecs in mediagate but when you stream from the pc . will say some codecs not supported by the mediagate play because you are streaming from pc, the pc is doing the decoding.

The 350-HD does now support WPA as of firmware version v1.1.0 as quoted from the readme file

"13) WPA-TKIP and WPA-AES for wireless network => Supported"

[KAZUKI67]

can you use vlc player to stream to the mediagate350?
so video which mediagate does not support will work.

[ChessKing]

Originally Posted by KAZUKI67

can you use vlc player to stream to the mediagate350?
so video which mediagate does not support will work.

Check out this post and response by AL Tech support at AL Tech - Streaming Files which will answer your question about streaming files.

[turrican2]

Originally Posted by KAZUKI67

i am thinking of buying a mediagate 350 but noticed wireless network is only WEP, i have WAP on my router will it still work? when you stream video content is the pc converting the video ie using codec on pc,or is it done in the mediagate, just worried about codecs getting outdated.

im in the uk anyone know where i can buy?
thank you looks a good site.

WPA is supported in the latest firmware update and works fine (I use it).

-T-

[MikeKom]

Can anyone help.

I just flashed the new firmware 1.1.1 Beta 5, and now my 350 won't boot up.

Is there a recovery procedure anyone knows that I can use to recover my unit ?

[MikeKom]

Problem resolved.

I did a bit of reading on other forums and found the problem.

I am using the Digital to HDMI for the video connection, and the upgrade set the system to default. So I tried the solution I found elsewhere and connected it using the standard RCA connections. This worked and I reset it to Digital and all is well.

[gilesp]

Hi, totally new to this, and wanted to get advice on how best to set up the system for my needs - you guys clearly know a hell of lot more than the manual writers as I'm really struggling to get the unit to do anything.

Anyhow, have a XP Pro desktop and Vista laptop. Desktop plugs directly (LAN) into the wireless router (Netgear). Bought the 350 to replace my now full external hard drive - went looking for a drive plus box and figured the extra $100 for the wireless and streaming features would be worth it. So the main aim was to use the 350 as an external hard drive that could:
a) Sit in one spot in the house and store photos, music etc, and be live to the laptop whenever it was switched on
b) Be picked up as a standalone AV unit when travelling

Now, I have not managed to get it to do either. Reading the forum I have come to learn the following:
In order to do (a) NDAS is the only way and it is very slow - is this true? In relation to that can I plug the 350, via it's LAN connection directly into the router and see it from my laptop? If so what the hell do I have to do to get it to work.
Secondly, if I plug the 350 (which now contains a 320Gb drive) straight into the laptop via USB, why can't I see it?? I have tried power on, plug in - solid blue - lights starts to flash and doesn't stop. Plug in, power on, flashing blue light.

If I use the wireless networking functionality am I in essence sitting up an independent wireless network to my normal Internet based one? Dumb newbie question I'm sure.

I'm still optimistic I'll get it to work but if it's cactus, then so be it!

[teddystacker]

Hi and Welcome,

first , lets get the laptop to "see" your 350 - are you 100% sure the jumper on the hard disk in the 350 is set to MASTER or SINGLE DRIVE?.As tghis is the No.1 reson that it cannot be seen by a pc..

Where did you format the 320gb hard drive ? , in your pc? , it needs to be formatted FAT32 or NTFS in NON COMPRESSED MODE..

Originally Posted by gilesp

Hi, totally new to this, and wanted to get advice on how best to set up the system for my needs - you guys clearly know a hell of lot more than the manual writers as I'm really struggling to get the unit to do anything.

Anyhow, have a XP Pro desktop and Vista laptop. Desktop plugs directly (LAN) into the wireless router (Netgear). Bought the 350 to replace my now full external hard drive - went looking for a drive plus box and figured the extra $100 for the wireless and streaming features would be worth it. So the main aim was to use the 350 as an external hard drive that could:
a) Sit in one spot in the house and store photos, music etc, and be live to the laptop whenever it was switched on
b) Be picked up as a standalone AV unit when travelling

Now, I have not managed to get it to do either. Reading the forum I have come to learn the following:
In order to do (a) NDAS is the only way and it is very slow - is this true? In relation to that can I plug the 350, via it's LAN connection directly into the router and see it from my laptop? If so what the hell do I have to do to get it to work.
Secondly, if I plug the 350 (which now contains a 320Gb drive) straight into the laptop via USB, why can't I see it?? I have tried power on, plug in - solid blue - lights starts to flash and doesn't stop. Plug in, power on, flashing blue light.

If I use the wireless networking functionality am I in essence sitting up an independent wireless network to my normal Internet based one? Dumb newbie question I'm sure.

I'm still optimistic I'll get it to work but if it's cactus, then so be it!

[gilesp]

OK no idea what I just did, but can now see the 350 as my "F" drive - wow - major advance!! Amazing how happy the basic stuff can make you!!!

Blue light is still flashing - is this a problem??

I also tried a different USB cable - wouldn't that suck if that was the problem?

OK next job is to see the thing on the wireless network - or LAN? As I said before, main aim is to access the 350 from the laptop for back-up and media files. Will try to do that now. No doubt more questions to follow......

Incidentally have just upgraded the firmware on the unit to 1.1 at the same time as stuffing around tonight.

[teddystacker]

Hi Again

Good to hear you go it connected..

Yes "Flashing Blue" is what the 350 ALWAYS does when connected via USB host,there is no way to turn it off when in host USB mode,other than remove the bulbs , crappy design I agree...

Streaming should be pretty easy todo , just make sure you "share out" the drive you want to access, on the laptop..

NDAS works , but is as slow as hell (Al Tech Say they are looking into making it faster) , I always USB to "fill" my 350..

Suggest you always use the VERY latest firmware from their site 1.1.1 Beta 5 is stable and is ok to use..

Regards

Teddy

Originally Posted by gilesp

OK no idea what I just did, but can now see the 350 as my "F" drive - wow - major advance!! Amazing how happy the basic stuff can make you!!!

Blue light is still flashing - is this a problem??
.

[st5000]

Originally Posted by scooby092477

... Will someone please look at the Galaxy 3500 IPTV-DMG and let me know if this is a better product. ...
Thanks to all who reply!!

Can't compare as I don't have the MG-350. I would say the Galaxy 3500 has a good hardware base (Sigma Designs / ARM processor) but not so good software (think it's Syabas / Linux). I haven't been able to play more then one song at a time (no playlists?) and it is not easy for me to skip around in a video. However, I have never seen a problem with the video (played NTSC, 720p & 1080i back on S-Video NTSC set). There are a number of interesting things inside the box. It is ready to accept a notebook wireless card and there is a target for a PATA interface. Makes you wonder if they were thinking of making a HDD version. I would give the Galaxy user interface a bad score of about 3 out of 10 (really lacking features). For comparison, I would give TiVo and ReplayTV scores like 7 (easy to use, but lacking a few features) and MythTV a score of 9 (very full featured, but sometimes inconsistent).

[ChessKing]

Firmware 1.1.2 is now out here is what's there:

* Version 1.1.2 additions and modifications

1. Version 1.1.1 beta 5 functionalities included

2. SKIN function added
- Background and all icons changeable
- When applying skins, display might slow down
- For further details, please refer to the homepage.
We will upload it soon.

3. Special characters now supported for WPA Key entries

4. Caption accent now supported

5. Shorcuts for mode selection screen and sound effect ON/OFF
functionality now added to Setup screen

6. Shorcut for loading icon on/off functionality now added to setup screen

7. Avi file index loading time now changeable at the setup screen
(Reduced loading time for continuous play)

8. Screen saver functionality added (When playing music files, the
title and play time will be shown along with the screen saver)

9. Parsing bug fixed for certain pls files

10. After error occurs while playing video files, device halts and all
video cannot be played - bug fixed

11. While ff/rw, progress bar is now displayed at the left top corner

12. Bug for certain id3 tag of mp3 files - fixed

13. Topfield file can now be played.

* Errors can occur while upgrading over the network due to the
unstability of the wired/wireless environments, so we recommend
upgrading using the internal HDD. Copy the upgrade file to the HDD and
please do not perform any other tasks while upgrading.


Suggest that anyone who is upgrading to this firmware make a note of your settings as they do not get restored.

[teddystacker]

Want to Test the New SKIN feature in Firmware 1.1.2?


Ok , so until Al Tech issue some Documentation on how to use the New Skin feature - we have to use the ones they have produced to let Korean users how to use it..
If you Do install this skin (As detailed below),it will be all In Korean , but at least it will give you some idea of what things will look like , if you cant work out what todo because its all in Korean , just delete the "skin1" folder in the root of your hard drive ,when connected via either USB or NDAS - and you wil be nack to "Normal".

Here is how todo it..

1)Install firmware 1.1.2
2)In the root of your hard disk create a folder called Skin1
3)Download this file from Al Tech's Korean site..
http://www.mediagate.co.kr/file_swfw...eMediagate.zip
4)Extract the contents of the Zip into the Skin1 folder you just created in step 2.
5)Hit setup on your remote and go to the last Icon on page two of the setup screens.
5)Enable the Skin feature and also select Skin1

See The instructions here - You can use "Google Translate" to get a partial translation:
http://translate.google.com/translat...language_tools

After , go here to see how to create your own skin (Again in Korean)

http://www.mediagate.co.kr/file_manu...SkinManual.pdf

Hopefully , Al Tech will "get their act together" and produce English version of all this stuff soon , but as Always , I aint holding my breath on it..

If there are any Korean members reading this , can you help translate that PDF , as I just have not faith that Al Tech wil do it any time soon,and if we can get it translated we can start asking around for other members to help produce skins...

[hiddenleavez]

I've been thinking of getting this one and install a large HD. I have a few question though

-How is the navigating menu? A lot of my movie are seperated by folder, can this navigate through folder or do all my movie have to be in 1 folder.
-Are the file listed in alphabetical order or random order (as I heard)
-I have a few movie with seperate sub file. Will the sub appear when playing off the HDD?

I'm sure these question have been answer before, but there's so much go through and the search function isn't that great. Perhap someone can compile a FAQ and start a new thread with common ask question which would be great.

[teddystacker]

EDIT....



Al Tech have messed this up bigtime , as you will see the home screen (File list) appears in the old Green and not the New orange - Thankfully Teddy has a fix for you all..

Go to the Skin1 folder on your 350

Rename file common_listbackground.jpg to background.jpg and all will be fixed for you..

I really think that Al Tech should pay me as a full time tester on this stuff..
It appears they dont do much testing , but then again , I forgot we are the beta testers for their product aint we?






Al Tech just released a ENGLISH SKIN file - direct download is here..

Still no translation of the .PDF so we know how to make our own - but at least its something..

http://www.airlinktek.com/english/fi...glish_SKIN.zip

[ewi]

Originally Posted by hiddenleavez

...
-How is the navigating menu? A lot of my movie are seperated by folder, can this navigate through folder or do all my movie have to be in 1 folder.
-Are the file listed in alphabetical order or random order (as I heard)
-I have a few movie with separate sub file. Will the sub appear when playing off the HDD? ...

-It navigates folders just fine in either the internal HD, usb HD, over the LAN or WiFi.
-Files are listed in alphabetical order on mine.
-If the srt/idx/sub files are in the same folder and have the same name (except the extension) as the video file it picks them up automatically, else you can use the "subtitle" button on the remote to select the idx or srt files. Yes, sub's will appear when playing off the HDD.

[dawzer]

Is it worth downloading the 1_1_2 firmware upgrade? Since I am doing ok with current version, I am inclined to wait a week or two to see whether there will be some newer versions of this upgrade.

[ChessKing]

Originally Posted by dawzer

Is it worth downloading the 1_1_2 firmware upgrade? Since I am doing ok with current version, I am inclined to wait a week or two to see whether there will be some newer versions of this upgrade.

I guess it up to you to decide if any of the changes in v1.1.2 would fix any problems you maybe experiencing.

[dawzer]

Based on what I've read on the AL Tech forums - it is better not to install the new firmware yet.

[teddystacker]

This is simply not true in my opinion , the Skin feature alone is worh looking at.So far I really have had no problem at all with 1.1.2 , yes there are still some issues that have to be addressed,but none of these are new created by 1.1.2... this is what i have found myself , not what I have "read" at the forums..

Originally Posted by dawzer

Based on what I've read on the AL Tech forums - it is better not to install the new firmware yet.

[teddystacker]

Just to keep users that dont read other forums up to date with recent developments on the MG-350HD.....

1)Al Tech today released some English docs on how to create skins for the MG-350HD , one or two people are already working on good looking skins.

http://mediagateusa.s10.forumsplace....opic.php?t=455

http://mediagateusa.s10.forumsplace....opic.php?t=451

2)For those having problems with iradio , this post may help you..

http://mediagateusa.s10.forumsplace....opic.php?t=455

Regards to all

Teddy

[mka]

For whatever it's worth, here is the latest review of the MG-350HD

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/...2112827,00.asp

[charleykay]

Originally Posted by ChessKing

Firmware 1.1.2 is now out here is what's there:

* Version 1.1.2 additions and modifications

13. Topfield file can now be played.

Hi, has anyone tried playing Topfield .rec files with this latest firmware?

regards Charley

[ChessKing]

Originally Posted by charleykay

Hi, has anyone tried playing Topfield .rec files with this latest firmware?

regards Charley

Yes I have, it seems the issues relating to playing back of HD files have been fixed. SD files seem to also playback fine as well.

[funkdr_1999]

Hi,

Last night I streamed a few 720p .ts files off the MG-350HD and about 20 minutes into show it started to stutter and the sounds went wild. I had to press stop, replay the file, and then find the point where I left off using the timer search. Then the file would play again without problems. This happened twice though to both files. My MG-350HD is wire connected, so there shouldn't be any problems. Has anyone else experienced this and is there any possible solution? Thanks a lot for any input.

[charleykay]

Originally Posted by ChessKing

Yes I have, it seems the issues relating to playing back of HD files have been fixed. SD files seem to also playback fine as well.

Thanks for the feedback. The ability to connect the Toppy via USB to the 350 and copy files without the need for a computer between them would be really neat.

regards Charley

[ewi]

Originally Posted by funkdr_1999

Hi,

Last night I streamed a few 720p .ts files off the MG-350HD and about 20 minutes into show it started to stutter and the sounds went wild. I had to press stop, replay the file, and then find the point where I left off using the timer search. Then the file would play again without problems. ...

I experience video stutter or complete stops occasionally when playing full DVD rip ISO files or HD files. Both my MG350HD and the PC are on WiFi so I assume the wireless connection is causing buffering problems, which the MG-350HD is not smart enough to recover from. Replaying the file from the left off point is fine everytime. I think the solution is wired LAN connection from end to end. Is your PC also wire connected?

I never experience problems for SD content avi files. I hope they implement VLC streaming client on the 350HD so I dont have to worry about codecs anymore.

[gkinma]

I remember reading, but now cannot find, that someone was using some type of wireless adapter connected the the ethernet port instead of the built-in wireless connection on the MG350. The post indicated that the throughput with this connection was much better than that of the built-in wireless connection.

Could someone please let me know what type of device they used to do this, and if I am remembering this post correctly.

Thanks!

[funkdr_1999]

Thanks for the response ewi...
unfortunately, both are connected via wire. So it's pretty odd it would stutter isn't it? Hmmm, I'll try different files tonight and see if the stuttering continues.