Editorial Review:

Product Description:
Experience the high-definition difference with the D-Link MediaLounge Wireless HD Media Player. Stream music, photos and high-definition videos to your home entertainment system and connect it using either 802.11g Wireless or wired Ethernet. The DSM-520 Wireless HD Media Player supports your favorite media formats, including high-definition video in either Windows Media Video 9 or MPEG-4 format. Enjoy videos with resolutions of up to 1080i from your high-definition television for the best picture quality. For compatible television systems, the DSM-520 features a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connection. Other video connectors include component, S-video, and composite output, ensuring compatibility with virtually all televisions. The DSM-520 Wireless HD Media Player includes a USB 2.0 port in the front panel for instant access to music, photos, and videos stored on removable USB flash drives or hard drives. A built-in Setup Wizard makes setting up the DSM-520 simple. Configuring the wireless settings is made even easier with Windows Connect Now. Simply run the Wireless Network Setup Wizard from Windows XP SP2 and transfer the wireless settings to the DSM-520 using a USB flash drive. A sleek 17-inch black aluminum chassis with smoked mirror front panel houses the DSM-520. Audio Playlist Formats - M3U and PLS / Supported Subtitle Format - SRT Outputs - HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface), Component Video, Coax Digital Audio, Optical Digital Audio, Composite Audio and Video & S-Video / Certifications - FCC, CSA and CE Dimensions - Length 16.75 x Width 11.25 x Height 1.5 inch / Weight - 5.5 poundsPackage Contents - D-Link DSM-520 Wireless HD Media Player / Printed Install Guide / CD-ROM (Contains D-Link Media Server Software, Install Guide, and Manual) / 2dBi Wireless Antenna / Ethernet (CAT5-UTP/Straight-Through) Cable/ Standard Composite RCA Audio/Video Cable / S-Video Cable / Remo

Amazon.com Product Description:
All your videos, photos, and music on the big screen. Sound like a good idea? The folks at D-Link have made it easy with the DSM-520 MediaLounge Wireless HD Media Player. And when it comes to video, this device kicks it up a serious notch by supporting HD video streams

Good looks on the outside, and the power to deliver all your media -- including HD video -- from your computer to your home entertainment system. See a detailed view.

The DSM-520 is ready to handle most major media formats.

-- delivered directly from your computer to your home entertainment system. Enjoy all your digital content from the comfort of the living room with the DSM-520 -- and do it all wirelessly, as the device supports high-speed 802.11g wireless technology. Of course, you can also use a wired ethernet connection if you like.

Formats Galore
Thanks to the DSM-520's support for a wide range of media formats, it's ready to handle virtually all of your media, including high-definition video in either Windows Media Video 9 or MPEG-4 format. Enjoy videos with resolutions of up to 1080i from your high-definition television for the best picture quality. Plus, D-Link has partnered with premium online service providers to offer access to a vast array of online radio stations and music download services. You can use the Windows Media Connect feature of Window XP SP2 to playback files protected by Windows Media Digital Rights Management (WMDRM) on the DSM-520. Or, access your entire library of premium downloaded songs and videos directly from the device.

The DSM-520 integrates seamlessly into your home network and entertainment system. View larger.

Picture Perfect
For compatible television systems, the DSM-520 features a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connection. HDMI offers a pure digital connection for both audio and video. Other video connectors include component, S-video, and composite output, ensuring compatibility with virtually all televisions. Meanwhile, optical and coax audio connectors provide clear digital output and support surround sound when used with a compatible A/V receiver. Enjoy your entire music library in high fidelity from your home entertainment system, rather than from your PC speakers.

Good Looks and Expandability
A sleek 17-inch black aluminum chassis with smoked mirror front panel houses the DSM-520, and the stylish unit blends in perfectly with your other home entertainment devices, making your home theater setup complete. Plus, the DSM-520 includes a USB 2.0 port in the front panel for instant access to music, photos, and videos stored on removable USB flash drives or hard drives. Simply insert a USB drive filled with photos into the DSM-520 to showcase them on your home entertainment center. You can also attach a USB hard drive to expand the storage capabilities of the DSM-520. Your stored files on the USB drive can be easily accessed from the unit's user-friendly interface.

Easy Setup
A built-in Setup Wizard makes setting up the DSM-520 simple. Configuring the wireless settings is made even easier with Windows Connect Now. Simply run the Wireless Network Setup Wizard from Windows XP SP2, and transfer the wireless settings to the DSM-520 using a USB flash drive.

What's in the Box
DSM-520 Wireless HD Media Player, remote control (2 AAA batteries included), ethernet cable, A/V composite cable, S-video cable, detachable Antenna, CD-ROM with software and manual, and quick installation guide.



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Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours

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Rating: - D Link DSM-520
I have recieved 2 of these items from Amazon. The first has a defective remote control which had to be sent back and second works fine. Setup of the DSM-520 itself is a breeze, however the wireless networking of the computer was a headache and a half. It doesn't respond well to firewalls of any type to include the windows firewall. I had it operating wirelessly one day and the next day it wouldn't play any files. I have since given up on the wireless aspect and have hard wired it with a 50' Cat 5 cable. It works as required in this setup and saves me a lot of processing time to convert my XVID files to DVD and burning to watch. The setup directions are for those with a more than rudimentary knowledge of networking and leave something to be desired. But the product works as it should. Support from DLINK is a joke. I sent 2 emails for support and recieved 0 replies. Good luck there.

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Rating: - Not real HD player.
It will play limited HD files but it will NOT play MKV files or even WMA with HD sound. Due this these limitations I returned this produced and got Popcorn Hour A-100 that plays every media file.

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Rating: - DSM-520 HD Media Player

I Am using it with a D-Link DNS-321 network server having (2) 1TB drives.

PROS: Well made. Real easy to set up.
CONS: Finicky about how some AVI files are ripped.

I do recommend this product. Works quite well.

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Rating: - OK but expected more...
This was easy to setup and connect to the newtwork. There are reqired services in WinXP that are required in order to share media in Windows Media Player, but the docs do not provide the information. Had to search Google for the info.

The player displays the library title not the actual file name so it makes it hard to select the correct movie when watching a series with the same name but different episodes.

Video quality was marginal as was the sound. Honestly, get a better picture and sound when connecting my laptop to the SVGA port on the TV. By no means is it HD quality as it states it is.

The deal breaker for me was the box was unable to read all of my DRM video files even though they were downloaded from the same site using the same license. We download multiple series' from 1 site each week and the idea here is I can use the media player to play all the DRM protected videos. In order to watch one of the series I was required to plug in the laptop. So if I'm going to do it for 1 series (5 shows) then I may as well just use the laptop connected to the TV to watch all the series' and save the added expense.

So hence, I returned the box. The concept is nice but the execution is not great and hopefully Microsoft will make it easier to connect and share media in products from other vendors. Right now it's D-Link and their own XBOX. Too bad.

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Rating: - Must RTFM
OK, this is most likely my own fault - I have neglected to read a few key items before I purchased this item. Nevertheless, I think it falls short of expectations (even those set at reasonable levels).
I have a synology box running with all my media, which I can access through DSM-520 without turning on the computer - as intended setup. Problem comes in when I try to access on-line content - no way to do so without turning on your PC and installing D-Link software onto it. Going over wireless is slow and choppy in my experience and you'll need to plug an ethernet cable to get better quality. The AvtiveTV software kept crashing/freezing almost every time I tried using it - had to restart the DSM to gain functionality.
For the simple stuff - listening to mp3, and low quality movies - this has been adequate, yet I still think a better job could be done with the interface... feels toy-ish... wii-mario game-like to me.
Make sure you read all the specs about A/V formats it will play and be ready to keep your PC for online content.