Showing posts with label dlink. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dlink. Show all posts

5/05/2012

HP ProCurve Switch 1400-8G 8-Port 10/100/1000 Gigabit Network Switch Review

HP ProCurve Switch 1400-8G 8-Port 10/100/1000 Gigabit Network Switch
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These are great switches and just as fast as the compitition with ONE exception.. THEY DONT BREAK!
I've used them all and the major complaint I have with most home switches is the HEAT they generate. You can put money down that Your Cisco Linksys or DLINK switch is going to last about a year. They do give you a warranty and an easy replacement but I would rather buy a switch that I didnt need to exorcise the return policy every 1-2 years thank you very much.
The ProCurve Switches use external brick type power supplies that keep the heat away from your switch processor. This May be an issue for Business applications that use rack mounting, but for home use ProCurve hits a Home Run!

Click Here to see more reviews about: HP ProCurve Switch 1400-8G 8-Port 10/100/1000 Gigabit Network Switch

The HP ProCurve Switch 1400-8G is a small form factor gigabit unmanaged stackable switch with 8 ports of 10/100/1000. It features fan-less for silent operation. Primary InformationNetworking Type:SwitchForm Factor:ExternalData Transfer Rate:1 GbpsData Link Protocol:Ethernet; Fast Ethernet; Gigabit EthernetNetworking / Ports Qty:8 x Ethernet 10Base-T Ethernet 100Base-TX Ethernet 1000Base-TVoltage Required:AC 120/230 V ( 50/60 Hz )Flow control auto-uplink (auto MDI/MDI-X) ; Compliant Standards :FCC Class A certified VCCI EN 60950 ICES-003 IEC 60950 UL 60950 CSA 22.2 No. 60950 FCC Part 15 B EN 55022SystemNetworking / Compliant Standards:IEEE 802.3 IEEE 802.3u IEEE 802.3ab IEEE 802.1p IEEE 802.3xInterfaces:8 x network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX/1000Base-T - RJ-45UNSPSC CodeUNSPSC Code:43222612Product IDUPC:882780979895Manufacturer Part:J9077A#ABA

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4/21/2012

D-Link DHP-301 Powerline HD Ethernet Kit Review

D-Link DHP-301 Powerline HD Ethernet Kit
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I was hoping to get at least 30 Mbps from my office to my living room (to stream HDTV, etc). I couldn't find any reviews for the D-Link version of Powerline HD but saw PC Mag and CNET reviews of the Netgear version. They were getting 45-53 Mbps in their test labs (theoretical max is 200Mbps). The D-Link kit was $60 cheaper so I decided to give it a try since I've had decent luck with other D-Link gear.
I have a 30 year old home so it's far from ideal test lab conditions. In my best case scenario where I plug the two adapters in consecutive outlets (8 feet apart), I get 48Mbps (avg). If I connect the adapters to the same circuit (i.e. outlets sharing the same circuit breaker), I get 20Mbps (avg). If I connect across two different circuits, I get 11Mbps (avg). Since HD streaming needs a solid 20Mbps, this won't meet my primary objective. However, it could extend my wireless broadband connection (5Mbps) if I choose to keep it. I may try out the Netgear version but I really doubt it would perform any better for me.
Pros:
-Very easy setup (adapters find each other in 15 sec)
-Kit comes with ethernet cables
Cons:
-Only 11-20Mbps (or 1.4-2.5 MB/s) in my home
-Adapters run pretty warm
Tips:
-Don't plug into any kind of surge protector or multi-outlet
-Connect the adapters on the same electrical circuit for max throughput

Click Here to see more reviews about: D-Link DHP-301 Powerline HD Ethernet Kit

D-Link DHP-301 Powerline HD Ethernet Kit

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4/05/2012

D-Link DWL-G120 Wireless USB Adapter, 802.11g, 54Mbps Review

D-Link DWL-G120 Wireless USB Adapter, 802.11g, 54Mbps
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(More customer reviews)
I purchased 2 D-Link DWL-G120 802.11g adapters from Amazon through Office Depot to use on two Tivo DVR's. I wanted the extra speed of these adapters, which were the only 802.11g adapters recommended by Tivo. I bought them specifically to make use of the Tivo To Go features that allows you to watch a show on one Tivo that was recorded on another one via the network and to transfer recordings from a Tivo to my PC. Neither feature worked with these adapters. If you read the Tivo website carefully, you will see they recommend D-Link DWL-G120 version B2. The Amazon website did not indicate what version was being sold. I was shipped the B1 version and they keep losing the connection whenever I try to transfer recordings from one Tivo to the other or to my PC. A Tivo person on their community forum verified that a different chipset is on the B2 and that the B1 causes hangups and freezes like what I experienced.
By the way, I don't think the 802.11g makes the transfers any faster than 802.11b. Even when the transfers were working before freezing, the speed was about the same or slower than real time. I've read technical reviews on other adapters and they all say the same thing. Of course, Tivo doesn't mention this in all their hype about Tivo to Go.
I emailed Office Depot to see if I could get a refund or exchange them for the proper version. So far, no reply from Office Depot. To be fair, the first adapter was defective, but Office Depot shipped me a replacement within 3 business days after I phoned them, not that it mattered as it turned out. I'll give them a great review as a merchant if they take back the two I still have.
My advice, pay the extra cost and buy adapters direct from Tivo. Then you only have one vendor to deal with if problems develop. If I ever get the B2 version and they work well, I'll post a new review, but for now I'm giving these adapters the lowest rating possible - 1 star.

Click Here to see more reviews about: D-Link DWL-G120 Wireless USB Adapter, 802.11g, 54Mbps

D-Link's AirPlus XtremeG DWL-G120 Wireless USB Adapter makes wireless networking easier to use with its USB 2.0 connection. Using the 802.11g standard, the DWL-G120 offers transfer rates of up to 54Mbps.The DWL-G120 also works with 802.11b standard wireless devices and when used with other D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G products delivers throughput speeds capable of handling heavy data payloads including MPEG video streaming. Like all D-Link wireless adapters, the DWL-G120 can be used in ad-hoc mode to connect directly with other 802.11g or 802.11b wirelessly-enabled computers for peer-to-peer file sharing or in infrastructure mode to connect with a wireless access point or router for access to the Internet in your office or home network.

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4/03/2012

D-Link DWL-520 Wireless PCI Adapter, 802.11b, 11Mbps Review

D-Link DWL-520 Wireless PCI Adapter, 802.11b, 11Mbps
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The following answer on the D-Link tech support site says it all: "The DWL-520 requires a PCI 2.2 compliant motherboard (3.3v) in order to function. If your PCI slot is 2.1 compliant, or if the PCI slot is using 5v, then the card won't be detected by Windows and unfortunately will not work." And how will you know if you have a PCI 2.2 compliant board? Essentially, you won't, until you try the card or dig deep into the specs on your computer's motherboard. I have a very reputable ASUS Pentium III motherboard, that won't recognize this card. Very frustrating...

Click Here to see more reviews about: D-Link DWL-520 Wireless PCI Adapter, 802.11b, 11Mbps

The DWL-520 from D-Link is a 802.11b PCI adaptor with data transfer rate up to 11 Mbps. It can operate in either Ad-Hoc mode (Peer-to-Peer networking without an Access Point) or Infrastructure mode (Peer-to-Peer networking using an Access Point), which brings high flexibility to your wireless network. The DWL-520 also supports high 128-bit WEP encryption to give you a secure wireless network. The adaptor has an effective range of up to 230 feet indoor and 984 feet outdoor, along with the 2.4 GHz Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) technology to ensure the robustness and efficiency of your data transmission.

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3/29/2012

D-Link MediaLounge High-Definition Media Player (DSM-510) Review

D-Link MediaLounge High-Definition Media Player (DSM-510)
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First off, I'd like to say that I firmly believe that digital media players similar to this one are the future of digital home entertainment. A simple and inexpensive device like that allows you to stream digital media to your home theater from your laptop, desktop or a dedicated media server located anywhere in your house. This is a great idea. This technology is here to stay. It's just a question of maturity. And, sorry to say, D-Link DSM-510 is not quite there yet.
I truly liked its design simplicity. There are no frills, but all essentials are there - WiFi, Ethernet, HDMI, optical audio and USB port. Exactly what I needed, no more and no less, in a small and neatly done package with clean and straightforward user interface.
However, the device is palgued by fimware bugs that eventually made me take it back to the store where I bought it.
First, the most obvious and the most stupid one is the absence of the on/off indicator. The blue light on the front panel goes on once the power adapter is connected and remanis lit whether the device is turned on or off. So you have to turn your TV on to tell whether it's on or off.
Second, there's no on/off or reset button on the front panel. Well... there's no buttons whatsoever, period. And boy, will you miss that reset button now and then. The only way to turn it on or off is by using remote control.
The most annoying thing is, the device's video output goes completely dark for no apparent reason once in a while and won't come back even if you power cycle it using remote. The device appears to be alive (you can ping it), but video output remains black no matter what you do. The only way to remedy from this is to physically disconnect power supply (there's no reset or power button, remember?)
I upgraded to the latest firmware version (1.01), but to no avail. By the way, firmware upgrade is done via Internet and went very smoothly, although at some point you're left wondering if it's hung up or what? Just be patient and wait for a couple of minutes for it to finish.
I'm really surprised and disappointed that D-Link's QA have not caught this nasty "black screen" problem. Hopefully, it can be fixed with a firmware patch. But until then, the DSM-510 goes back to the store shelf.
And D-Link, take note. If you want to enter consumer market, you have to change your attitude. Consumers are less forgiving than computer geeks you sell your networking stuff to. They won't tolerate bugs that require reaching behind the box and pulling the power cord.

Click Here to see more reviews about: D-Link MediaLounge High-Definition Media Player (DSM-510)

MediaLounge Wireless HD Media Player 802.11g USB HDMI Viiv

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3/14/2012

Intel Wifi Link 5300 Review

Intel Wifi Link 5300
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I bought the Intel WiFi Link 5300 card to replace the stock card in my Dell Mini 9 netbook. The stock card is b/g only and gave me a lot of trouble associating with my home router. The Intel card arrived promptly and included the Intel ProSet 12 software on CD (though I had already downloaded an updated version from Intel's web site). The card and software installed easily.
The Mini 9 has only two antennas (I have a third on order) so I initially connected the two to the 1 and 2 terminals on the Intel card. It worked well and gave me a strong signal in my house, though sometimes the Wireless N connection was weak. I am sure the third antenna will help with that. No problem associating with my access point and the speed is great.
An easy upgrade if you are dissatisfied with the wireless solution in your netbook or notebook that uses a Mini-PCIe connector. Just make sure that the card size is correct - Intel makes one that's even smaller, but the Dell Mini 9 took this size.
Edit: As I predicted, adding the third antenna brought back the N performance. I'm now running Windows 7 on the Mini 9 and it recognized the Intel 5300 and operates it without the need for additional drivers or the Intel ProSet software, though the software does give you more information about how the card is performing. I'm very happy with the 5300.
Edit 9/30/09 - I've been getting lots of questions about where I obtained the third antenna and how it is installed. The antenna I used is made by Tyco and is typically sold in a pack of two. Amazon doesn't sell it, but if you search eBay for "tyco minipci" you will find many for sale. The pack is typically less than $10. Each antenna consists of a large square foil area, backed by adhesive, and a smaller section with an S-shaped foil trace, which is the actual, radiating part of the antenna. The only difference between the two antennae in the pack is the length of the lead, so pick the one that works best for you.
For best results, the antenna would be mounted inside the display lid of your notebook/netbook, positioned so that the S-shaped trace is not blocked by the LCD panel or metal shielding. It's ok for the adhesive-backed section to be blocked as this is just a "ground plane". The antenna should be as high up on the lid as you can manage, though I've heard from some who just let it lay flat inside the base of their PC and they say it "works fine".
The connectors used are standard but are somewhat fragile. Pull them straight up from the card and push straight down, taking care to align the plug correctly. You may find that long-nose pliers help (but don't squeeze too hard.)
Note that the Intel 5100 card is very similar to the 5300 except that it does not support the 3x3 mode with the very highest transfer rates (and uses only two antennae.) You may find that the 5100 is more than adequate for your needs, especially if your wireless router itself doesn't support the 3x3 mode (few do.)
One more point - both the 5100 and 5300 support Intel's "My WiFi" technology which lets you share Internet access with local WiFi devices. This requires the Intel ProSet driver and application which can be downloaded from Intel's web site - read more details on Intel's site.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Intel Wifi Link 5300

Intel Ultimate N 533AN_MMWW IEEE 802.11n (draft) - Wi-Fi Adapter 533ANMMWW Network Adapters - Wireless

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3/13/2012

D-Link DIR-130 NetDefend VPN Firewall8-Port 10/100Mbps Switch Review

D-Link DIR-130 NetDefend VPN Firewall8-Port 10/100Mbps Switch
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The DIR-130 was selected due to its support for incoming PPTP VPN tunnels that are compatible with the Microsoft VPN connector included with Windows. The upgrade to firmware version 1.10 has apparently resolved reliability issues reported by another reviewer. The DIR-130 allows me to access my home system securely and consistently. Over several weeks of regular use, it has performed reliably. Configuration is easy using the well-structured menus. The firmware upgrade changed the VPN user account management from the screens shown in the manual and permits many more users to be assigned in groups with individual passwords using different VPN settings (PPTP or L2TP/IPsec).
Performance of unencrypted data over my Bellsouth 3MBps ADSL connection seemed slightly faster than with the prior router, the Netgear WGR614. Due to the VPN encryption, the connection speed is however noticeably slower than non-VPN. Reducing the encryption level to 40 bits improves the speed compared with 128 bits.
There is a firmware bug (v1.10) that only occurs during remote management or managment over a VPN connection. Clicking on the "save" button, executes a script that tries to display the confirmation web page, but the address is invalid, resulting in an error screen, even though the action was successfully performed. Just log in again to resume remote management. This bug in firmware v1.10 has been reported to D-Link, without response. The bug does not occur when accessing the router over the LAN using a non-VPN connection.


Click Here to see more reviews about: D-Link DIR-130 NetDefend VPN Firewall8-Port 10/100Mbps Switch

D-Link DIR-130 NetDefend VPN Firewall8-Port 10/100Mbps Switch

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3/04/2012

D-Link DSM-G600 Wireless G Network Storage Enclosure Review

D-Link DSM-G600 Wireless G Network Storage Enclosure
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If you don't mind wired speeds of 5.8-6 Megabytes / Second or Wireless 54g speeds of 1.5 Megabytes / Second then this is the device for you. D-link should not market this as Gigabit, it's just not true. I have a gigabit network infrastructure and from computer to computer or computer to other gigabit storage devices I get real-world speeds of 20-22 Megabytes per second transfer rates, BUT going from the same computer using the same network, the transfer speed to the DSM-G600 is 5.8 Megabytes per second. This is awful if you plan on doing anything useful with this device.
I thought I got a bad one, so I even took it back to get a new one and I get the same speed. I verified this with a friend who has the same model, same 6MB/Sec speed. I spoke w/ D-link level 3 support and they told me today that 6MB/Sec is what they have seen with this device and that if a firmware upgrade was available; it would only marginally improve this. There are reports on the internet of speeds between 20-25MB/Sec, so something is going on and D-Link needs to address this issue. BTW, I have Hardware Rev B1, Firmware 1.00
Other than that, the idea for this product is great and the price is right, just don't expect gigabit performance, heck it doesn't even reach 100 megabit speeds. What a shame.
The choice is yours.
11/22/2006 - I thought I owed everyone an update on this box. Since Jan I've been messing w/ this thing just trying to get it to work as advertised. I have tried all 3 Rev. B firmware: 1.00, 1.01, 1.02 (just released) and unfortunately 1.01 and 1.02 are worse than 1.00 - you will experience the web-gui pages only loading ½ way before the box reboots on you. So, now I'm stuck because I can't edit my wireless settings because the box won't stay alive long enough to edit anything. As usual, I will have to downgrade to 1.00 for it to be somewhat functional, although that kills uploading any file > 2gb. I really gave d-link a try on this one, but I would advise people to just stay away from this thing and wait for something better from some other company who offers true support and more frequent and accurate firmware updates or check out freenas, google "freenas" and build your own NAS box for free (minus the hardware) or if you are stuck w/ this google "fun_plug" to at least make this thing somewhat useful. Too many cons on this one:
1.Poor Tech Support
2.Lack of quality, tested firmware
3.Very long delays between firmware revisions
4.NOT GB speeds, way too slow for anything useful except word documents, etc.
5.Wireless has issues with WPA w/ TKIP and sometimes WEP (depending on what firmware you are running)
6.Hard drive doesn't spin down, so you waste energy and hard drive life
7.Very noisy, the fan is so loud you have to keep far away
8.Power button doesn't work right, they tried to fix it in firmware 1.02..
9.List goes on..


Click Here to see more reviews about: D-Link DSM-G600 Wireless G Network Storage Enclosure

Share files and digital media with everyone on the home or office networkAttach up to 2 USB 2.0/1.1 drives for additional storageGigabit Ethernet portAccess point functionality - creates an 802.11g wireless networkBuilt-in FTP serverProtect important files by making regular backupsIncludes detachable antenna power adapter Cat-5 UTP Ethernet cable and software

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2/22/2012

D-Link Skype USB Phone Adapter Review

D-Link Skype USB Phone Adapter
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(More customer reviews)
I just got this from BEST BUY and the price was same as Amazon ($60), for now. I went out looking for a USB Skype Phone and bumped into this one and bought it right away. I am very pleased with this product and my purchase and would highly recommend it and here is why.
I have both SkypeIn (allows you to have a phone no. of your choice for 30 Euros, approx US$ 38, per YEAR.) and SkypeOut (allows you to call any phone in the world much like a prepaid phone card) and I wanted to be able to use Skype away from my PC/Laptop so that I was not "tied" to one place in my apartment. So I started looking into USB Skype phones. A good one with a cord costs around $ 40 and a good cordless one costs $ 80 (I am referring to the one from Linksys and that one doesn't have the best reviews in the world so I was bit skeptical). Now for $ 60, this adapter plugs right into your USB port and allows you to use any good old phone (corded or cordless) with Skype. It doesn't need any separate power supply and is a nice little self contained unit.
Installation was a breeze and took less than 2 minutes and no computer reboot was necessary. I fired up Skype and plugged in a old corded phone and was good to go!! I made and received calls via Skype using my old phone and the voice quality was great. Next, I tried a cordless phone and it worked great too. So now I have a wireless Skype phone and I am very pleased with it. Not to mention I am putting my old discarded phones to good use now.
You can use the same phone for both Skype and your regular phone line if you want to but since I got rid of my landline phone long time back I couldn't try that feature. So I can't speak for that part. The manual does say that it's possible. Overall, I would highly recommend this if you are looking to go wireless with Skype using your good old cordless phones or just want to have the convenience of using a corded phone away from your PC. Believe me, even if you have WiFi in your place you would still want this. I have WiFi but I would rather use a cordless phone to talk on Skype out on my deck rather than lug a laptop and a headset out with me. I think most of you would agree with me on that one. Also, Skype website has similar adapters for a little less money ($ 10 less I think), so you can check those out as well if you like. I was familiar with the D-Link brand name from before compared to the brands on Skype so I went in for this one.

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D-Link Skype USB Phone Adapter

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2/04/2012

D-Link DCM-202 DOCSIS 2.0 USB/Ethernet Cable Modem Review

D-Link DCM-202 DOCSIS 2.0 USB/Ethernet Cable Modem
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I bought this cable modem when I moved into my new apartment because it would be cheaper than renting one from Comcast in the long run. Everything worked fine for about a month, but then I wouldn't be able to connect to anything outside of my local network. Comcast technical support said that from their end it didn't look like anyting was connecting to their network, and my router could release and renew its IP address, so that narrowed it down to the cable modem. Unplugging the modem and plugging it back in would make it work again for 30-45 minutes at a time, but it would cut out at random without warning.
I downloaded and installed new firmware from d-link's website that was specifically for Comcast customers and everything seems to be working ok again, but I know a lot of non-technical people who wouldn't be comfortable doing that. If you are a technically unsaavy person and use comcast, you may want to purchase another cable modem all together.

Click Here to see more reviews about: D-Link DCM-202 DOCSIS 2.0 USB/Ethernet Cable Modem

D-Link, the industry pioneer in home networking, introduces another performance breakthrough - the D-Link DCM-202 High-Speed DOCSIS 2.0 Cable Modem. Powered by TurboDOX bandwidth acceleration software, the DCM-202 increases your download speeds at up to 20 times for your enjoyment of popular Internet applications, such as file sharing, audio and video streaming, and website uploading.The DCM-202 Cable Modem makes your broadband connection more efficient and effective by clearing network congestion, resulting in a boost in download speeds. With the DCM-202, you will get more out of your broadband connection with increased bandwidth and enhanced performance.The DCM-202 Cable Modem is DOCSIS 2.0 CableLabs Certified, which ensures compatibility with all DOCSIS compatible cable providers. The DCM-202 is also backwards compatible with DOCSIS 1.1/1.0 standards.The DCM-202 Cable Modem offers you the choice of Ethernet or USB connectivity. It is easy to install and is compatible with Windows 95, 98, 98SE, Me, 2000, XP, Mac OS, Unix and other popular operating systems (USB connectivity is limited to Windows 98SE, Me, 2000, XP).Connect with confidence to a certified cable Internet provider with the DCM-202 Cable Modem and enjoy a new and enhanced broadband experience.

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1/28/2012

D-Link DP-G321 Wireless-G Print Server USB 2.0/Parallel Port Review

D-Link DP-G321 Wireless-G Print Server USB 2.0/Parallel Port
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Most people complained about not getting WPA support and hence gave this product low scores. First, the new version already supports WPA. If you've got an old model, you can also download the firmware to upgrade.
I originally bought the linksys print server with the parallel port. That product sucks big time. Never work and when you contact support, they just tell you your printer is not supported besides asking silly questions like did you chose the printer as your default printer.
The D-Link print server works well. Not sure about durability since I just got it today and spent less than 15 min to set it up. Should have ignored the negative reviews and bought this instead of the linksys one. Would have saved a lot of time.

Click Here to see more reviews about: D-Link DP-G321 Wireless-G Print Server USB 2.0/Parallel Port

The D-Link DP-G321 is an 802.11g Wireless Multi-Port Print Server that connects up to two USB printers and one parallel printer to your network. You can share your printers on the network using wireless connectivity or via an Ethernet connection. With support for remote printing, your printers are available online for receiving print jobs from anywhere via the Internet or your local Intranet. Simplify the process of sharing printers on a wireless network with the DP-G321.

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1/11/2012

D-Link DSM-320 Wireless Media Player, Audio/Photo/Video, 802.11g Review

D-Link DSM-320 Wireless Media Player, Audio/Photo/Video, 802.11g
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(More customer reviews)
My expectations were fairly low after having read all the other reviews, but I really liked the option that you get from adding a home media drive from D-Link to this set-up (DSM 602H/4H). I've been waiting for a media server that doesn't require me to keep my PC running in my bedroom 24/7. The network drive from D-Link and this media server looked like an awesome combination.
In an effort not to repeat everything that's already been said ... here are the things I believe haven't been mentioned yet ... first and foremost, don't expect to spend any less than a solid weekend getting this up and running .. and even after you do I expect multiple hours will be spent updating firmware etc. over the next few months (at least I hope there are firmware updates coming)
The physical connection was easy and intuitive, but getting the player up and running and connected to my wireless network was a royal pain. I tried to use my media drive as it is advertised by D-link, but apparantly that's not possible without a firmware update. Of course, that firmware update is still in beta release ... do I need to say more. It actually royally p*sses me off that D-Link advertise the combination of the media home drive and the media server, before they can actually deliver that option. I wrote a glowing review of the home media drive, but that was before I updated the firmware to enable use with the media server ... after the firmware was updated, I can't access the management interface for the drive for more than one or two pages before the device has to be restarted (read pull power plug and re-insert) .. the drive doesn't seem to stream the media evenly, so every single song comes across with large gaps where nothing is playing ... pictures don't come across in the right format and shows up on the screen in some oddly twisted aspect ratio ... the media server software that's resident in the media drive firmware update apparantly doesn't read ID3 tags correctly either; it doesn't pick up genres, and artist and album data isn't alphabitized
On a slight possitive note, the media server software running off my PC works much better. It streams evenly, ID3 tags seem correct and pictures are correctly formatted. I still haven't been able to stream a single movie across the media server, but that's personally less of an issue for me personally.
Oh, and although I didn't want to repeat other reviewers .. I have to say this ... THE REMOTE CONTROL ABSOLUTELY STINKS ... worst piece of hardware I've ever held in my hand ... period ... and that includes all those awefull Sony-Ericson phones I've tried over the years ;-)

Click Here to see more reviews about: D-Link DSM-320 Wireless Media Player, Audio/Photo/Video, 802.11g

D-Link's DSM-320 Wireless Media Adapter is a next generation multimedia product that streams all your favorite media files to your home entertainment center.It supports 802.11g wireless standards with transfer speeds up to 54Mbps. The DSM-320 supports all popular media formats including MP3, WAV, and WMA for audio files, MPEG1/2/4, AVI, and DivX4/5 for video, and JPEG, GIF, BMP, and PNG for images. Plug the DSM-320 directly into your TV to easily access all your media content through the user-friendly TV interface with the included remote control.Experience your digital media like never before with the DSM-320 Wireless Media Adapter.

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12/20/2011

D-Link DWL-G520 Wireless PCI Adapter, 802.11g, 108Mbps Review

D-Link DWL-G520 Wireless PCI Adapter, 802.11g, 108Mbps
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Usually you should discount reviews complaining about problems with a computer add-on: they say more about the reviewer and their systems, perhaps, then they do about the product you are trying to evaluate. I think, though, that some aspects of my experience might be generalizable, maybe even applicable to your situation.
I have been a satisfied user of D-Link wireless products for over three years now. I upgraded to the 802.11g products (WAP and PCI cards) a year ago to a run a network of up to five computers, usually three Win XP or Win 2000 workstations and two notebooks. As I look around my office, though, I see boxes full of failed or problematic routers, WAPs, and cards. It seems, although I have only just realized the extent of it, that these D-Link products all fail with remarkable regularity. In the past, I have just routinely replaced them: that's how much I have liked their ease of use and their performance.
Well, that's over with my latest purchase: the DWL-G520 adapter (my second). It taught me two disturbing things about D-Link wireless. First, the adapter can really screw up your system. This one's driver (regardless of the update version) consumes 90+ percent of a very high-powered CPU. (Windows XP Home, all the latest updates, etc.) It has brought an essential machine to its knees by hugely slowing down everything it does. Disabling the adapter (which solves the problem, at the price of disconnecting me from the world) brings on the fabled Blue Screen of Death. The second disturbing thing is that D-Link support simply has not responded to e-mail messages, period. Their Web site lies when it promises 36 hour response. I can cope--I have a strong background in computing and can devise temporary workarounds--but I shudder to think how uncomfortable this behavior would make most people feel.
Those are the proverbial three strikes: consistently short times to failure, occurrence of really bad driver behavior, and hopelessly bad support. My relationship with D-Link is over; I will have to try some other vendor's offering. If you don't mind the risk of having a similar experience, and think you can cope with absolutely no support, then by all means consider this product. I hope and trust, though, that you (and I) can do better with a different vendor.

Click Here to see more reviews about: D-Link DWL-G520 Wireless PCI Adapter, 802.11g, 108Mbps

The D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G DWL-G520 PCI Adapter is a wireless PCI adapter featuring the latest technology to deliver data transfer rates up to 108Mbps in the 2.4GHz frequency. The DWL-G520 also works with 802.11b-compliant devices and when used with other D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G products delivers throughput speeds capable of handling heavy data payloads including real-time MPEG video streaming. Plus, the DWL-G520 also includes a configuration utility to discover available wireless networks and create and save detailed connectivity profiles for those networks most often accessed.

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12/12/2011

D-Link DSM-750 Wireless HD Dualband Draft 802.11n Media Center Extender Review

D-Link DSM-750 Wireless HD Dualband Draft 802.11n Media Center Extender
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I purchased the DSM-750 a few weeks after it debuted. It was shipped in it's factory box through another vendor **MALL... The box was slightly damaged, but all the parts were there and in new condition. I plugged it directly in and it auto-detected my router and my Windows Vista Premium 64bit PC. I connected with Windows Media Center and started to stream high-definition movies. My old DSM-320 videos, a collection of 500 GB of TV shows and movies, played perfectly too. I had access to my database of 5000 MP3s as well.
I really think that D-Link outdid themselves this time with the DSM-750. I see that a lot of customers gave this 1/5 stars, but my unit came fully functional, and not only satisfied but exceeded my expectations. I am glad that I waited 6 months for this product to come out. I would recommend this device for any Vista user with a Hi-Definition Television. It pairs perfectly with my Samsung 4661. I no longer use the 360 as a media extender/streamer with my DSM-750.

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D-Link DSM-750 Wireless HD Dualband Draft 802.11n Media Center Extender

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12/11/2011

SMC SMC7008BR Cable/DSL Router with 8 Port Switch Review

SMC SMC7008BR Cable/DSL Router with 8 Port Switch
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I've been through the whole progression of sharing the cable modem at my house for 5 home PC's and my work laptop. I started with the Microsoft solution of ICS (I specifically upgraded to Windows 98 SE to get that feature). I used thinnet on my home network and it worked ok but having to have the one PC on for the rest was awkard and it was slow for the kids multiplayer games. I then moved on to a SMC 7004BR router and it was bliss. Easy setup except the printer sharing. Even there I called their support and they walked me through it. I have since stepped up to the 7008BR for two locations I manage and these are better than the 7004BR (Faster too). I cannot recommend them enough.

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Designed for small to midsized offices, the SMC cable/DSL router combinesa multifunctional broadband router with a seven-port 10/100 Mbps dual-speed switch, a built-in print server, an RS232 COM port for modem connections, and an Internet firewall for extra security. A WAN port along with Network Address Translation (NAT) extend simultaneous Internet access for up to 253 PCs on a LAN. The router also supports VPN tunneling via PPTP/IPSec pass-through, allowing remote users secure access to their corporate infrastructure.
With auto-assigning of LAN and IP addresses, the SMC7008BR enables multiple users to connect to the Internet using a single WAN/IP address.
Included software ensures instant, self-configuring installation or your money back. The SMC cable/DSL router comes with a limited lifetime warranty and 24/7 technical support.

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11/25/2011

D-Link DSD-150 SecureSpot Internet Security Adapter Review

D-Link DSD-150 SecureSpot Internet Security Adapter
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This little guy is doing exactly as promised. I'm mainly using it for the parental controls, as it allows me to regulate access from any pc on my network without having to install *any* software on the computers (to get the antivirus and I think the popup blocker you need to install the the thin client, but for the firewall, parental control and I think some of the other things you don't need to install *anything* - note that they don't tell you this straight out, but if you look through DLink's support pages, it's all there).
I can't confirm the problems with tech support below, I had a problem where my unit wasn't updating - I emailed tech support and got a phone call (!!) back the next day. I spent about an hour on the phone with some very knowledgeable guy who was most assuredly American and we eventually got things sorted out (I know this is unusual, I figure I got lucky here).
Note that the 4 pc limit is for machines that you want to configure individually; if you set "client security" to low, you get the parental controls & firewall for as many PCs as your network can handle (each PC then defaults to your "local network profile") There are other (free) hardware or software solutions for firewalls, but having the parental stuff w/o having to install & configure a software package on each machine is *majorly* cool. There are four desktops and multiple laptops hanging around my house, this way I know that nobody's going to get any surfing surprises on any of the machines.
Four stars instead of five because the parental stuff is pretty aggressive, I've had to spend a lot of time fine tuning it. But I suppose that's better than the opposite.

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D-Link DSD-150 SecureSpot Internet Security Adapter

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10/27/2011

D-Link DWL-7700AP PoE 5dBi 802.11a/802.11g 54Mbps Outdoor Wireless Access Point Review

D-Link DWL-7700AP PoE 5dBi 802.11a/802.11g 54Mbps Outdoor Wireless Access Point
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ALthough I normally tend to stay with the Linksys/Cisco brand when it comes to networking devices, I have to say that I am somewhat surprised and pleased to find that D-Link seems to be improving and in some cases, outperforming Linksys. I needed a fast and easy way to extend my wireless internet to approx. 1000 ft and decided to try a variety of solutions to see what worked best. I initially tried using some Linksys range extenders (WRE54G) which soon proved to be a networking nightmare. The units did work although I had to reset them at least once every other day. Next, I tried using some Hawking range extenders such as the 15db corner antenna and the omni-directional antenna. Both seem to work fine however the range was still insufficient and placing multiple pole antennas would detract from the outside appearance of the building.
Finally, I tried this D-link antenna and while this unit is expensive, it is well-made and appears to be very durable. With the built-in heater system, and weather-resistant casing, I'm also able to mount the antenna outside and not worry about the internal components being damaged from the cold temperatures. I will see after a couple of weeks whether it can withstand some light snowfall.
Setting up this antenna/access point is relatively easy if you know networking basics. For users who are not too familiar with setting up static IP addresses, there may be an initial learning curve involved with this device. If you know what you're doing, you should be able to get this unit up and running in about 10-15 minutes. Unlike Netgear and some of the new cheaply made Linksys/D-Link routers and range extenders, this unit hasn't needed a reset and hasn't crashed or locked up on us in the two weeks it has been running.
Pros: Well-constructed weather-resistant metallic casing, strong signals, STABLE, comes with all the mounting equipment you need including a 50 meter heavy-duty ethernet cable, looks a lot more professional and inobtrusive than the Hawking-brand range extenders
Cons: Pricey (though you do get what you pay for), setup may be somewhat difficult for those who don't have much networking experience (there is no automatic install CD like the ones included with routers). I would have liked to have the ethernet port perhaps on the back or side of the unit rather than on the bottom because it's difficult to prop this thing up on a table with the ethernet cable in the way - in the event you decide not to mount it on a wall or ledge.
Contrary to what D-link may tell you, you do not need to have a D-link router in order for this to work. This antenna connects to almost any router (I'm currently using a Linksys WRT54G). There is an extra step of configuration if you choose not to use D-link but if you know how to setup static IP addresses, you'll be up and running in no time.

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D-Link DWL-7700AP POE 5dBi 802.11a/802.11g 54Mbps Outdoor Wireless Access Point

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