Unit Has Lots of Potential...But Needs A Few Good UpdatesDecember 1, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Recently picked up the Samsung MediaLive Digital Media Adapter and have been using it on my Samsung 46A650 television for about three days. Does a nice job playing multimedia content (pictures/mpeg video) directly from my computer via a wireless connection and the interface is top notch (uses Windows Media Center).
However, I'm very disapointed with the adapter's codec support. First off, it doesn't support flash - so forget about YouTube or .flv videos. Also, doesn't support a whole host of streaming video content (windows media, RayV, etc), which you discover when you try to play video through proprietary services offered through WMC. As for so called Netflix on-demand support....where is that? Using a third-party plugin for WMC, I was unable to get Netflix films to run.
Overall, this unit has lots of potential, but I certainly hope that future software updates will provide better codec support.
Superb For TV, Limited internet content supportNovember 26, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
ABSTRACT
Drop-dead simple and reliable extender for those with Vista Media Center (VMC) and select 2008 model Samsung TVs. The most tightly integrated option for compatible Samsung TVs, though less functionality than a Microsoft developed solution (second PC or XBOX).
----- TECHNICAL DETAILS
Network connectivity Support: wireless (802.11a/g/n) and wired network support, though wired is suggested for high-definition content. There is an integrated bandwidth tester to help avoid/troubleshoot bandwidth related playback issues.
TV/stored Video content support: Live/Recorded TV streaming from VMC, and other stored video in WMV, MPEG2, MPEG 4, H-264 formats.
Online content support: Uses VMC as a proxy. Streams CinemaNow movies, and MSNBC, possibly others but the list is short due to limited codec support on the MediaLive. To my chagrin, it currently does _not_ support Netflix, even when using VMC extensions that do work with the Xbox.
Music support: WMV, MP3, AC3 file streaming from PC
Photo Playback: JPEG file streaming from PC
Noise: If there are any moving parts, I can't hear them. Unlike a PC or XBOX, this unit is silent.
----- USE
Installation: Small device (6.1"(W) x 4.9"(H) x 1.2"(D)), mountable to the rear of the TV, though in my case it was even cleaner to place it on the floor behind the toe-kick of my TV stand (the completely hidden 3" high space under the drawers/doors). Connect 1 power cable, 1 (optional) network cable, 1 HDMI cable to TV. Run through the 5 minute wizard to associate the MediaLive with VMC.
Use: The device powers itself on/off automatically when the TV switches inputs to/away from the MediaLive. This results in about 30-60 second delay from the time you push the button to the time you see the Media Center interface, but it keeps the power draw and heat generation to a minimum without any hassle of ever having to see or touch the MediaLive itself. Maneuvering around the interface is a bit slower than when working directly within VMC. Seems like a half second lag, workable but less than stellar. However, I understand this is caused by Microsoft's extender design rather than the MediaLive. Picture gallery, Music, and Video Library (select codecs) work almost identical as in VMC (transitions/other minor items excluded). Of course, the Live/Recorded TV works flawlessly. As noted above, online content support is extremely limited. MediaLive supports a handful of the most common a/v codecs, while your PC may support a hundred or more. The codecs include the major file types you're likely to have on your PC, but don't be surprised when you can't watch an online video or the like.
----- NETFLIX support (or lack thereof)
I'm putting this in its own section, because it was a big deal to me and in my old age I've come to realize I'm not as special/unique as I used to believe. :)
One of my main considerations in purchasing the MediaLive was some previewer's claim that it would support Netflix `Watch Now' content. Maybe someday that will be true, but as I found the hard way, there is currently no direct (integrated) Netflix support, and at this time even the vmcNetflix extension that works with the XBOX does NOT currently work with MediaLive. It's an example of the missing codec, which means it can be added by Samsung with no more than a firmware update (please). Alas, no such update is available as of this writing...
----- OPINION Kudos to Samsung for a simple device that brings the primary features of VMC to my TV, requires absolutely no maintenance, supports standard and high-def video (up to 1080i), and does all this _without_ requiring yet another remote in my hand. Quicker startup times would be great, but it's a fair concession to leverage MediaLive's tight integration with my TV. Netflix support (or lack thereof) is so far a big disappointment, but otherwise I am enamored with the MediaLive... and I still hold out hope for future Netflix support.
If you have a compatible TV and VMC, and value ease of use over expansive codec support, this unit should be top on your list.
Don't waste your money!November 14, 2008 1 out of 3 found this review helpful
200$ is too much for just a media extender that only working with Samsung HDTV and Windows media center. You can get a cheaper extender like the Neuros OSD Media Center (6011000) that would work with just about any media server software. For around the same price you can get a Xbox 360 Arcade Holiday Bundle that would do the same thing plus gaming but I suggest that you double down and get a Playstation 3 80GB it going to cost you more but you get a Blue ray player and upgradeable internal hard drive with just about any laptop hard drive you can get your hands on.
1080i NOT 1080pNovember 10, 2008 3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Per embedded manual, will only output 1080i. Test confirms.
Works well with Nero MediaHome server. Works well well with WMC also.
Works Great!November 2, 2008 5 out of 5 found this review helpful
The MR-00EA1 does exactly what it says it does: It adds Windows Media Center Extender functionality to your Samsung TV, so that you can access media (movies, songs, photos, etc.) stored on your Windows Vista PC without having to use something like an Xbox 360.
Setting up this product takes a matter of minutes and is very easy to do. And once it's installed, using it is very simple and you can even use your existing Samsung TV remote to navigate the Windows Media Center menus.
The only real complaint I have, and this is not the MR-00EA1's fault, is that streaming HD video content over a wireless network does not provide optimal results. I ended up getting a Belkin Powerline AV system to connect my MR-00EA1 to my home network; once I did that, my network speed is amazingly fast and there are no more networking issues.
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