ADS Tech Media-Link

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CNET editors' rating: 3.0 stars Good
Detailed editors' rating

Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 7 reviews
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Product summary

The good: Streams music, photos, and video from networked PCs; supports standard and high-definition (HD) TV resolutions; component and DVI video outputs; optical and coaxial digital audio outputs; affordable.

The bad The bad: Poor usability; lacks front-panel display and controls; doesn't display album artwork; not compatible with music purchased on the Internet; not Mac compatible.

The bottom line: ADS Tech's Media-Link wireless digital media receiver isn't ready for prime time.

Specifications: Remote control type: Remote control (Infrared); Product type: Digital multimedia receiver; Audio output mode: Stereo; ; See full specs

Price range: $44.99 - $202.99

CNET editors' review

Reviewed by: Nathaniel Wilkins
Edited by: David Carnoy
Reviewed on: 03/03/2005
Released on: 11/15/2004

ADS Tech's Media-Link wirelessly streams audio, video, and image files from your PC to your home entertainment system and has a built-in Web browser. Unlike some recently upgraded competitors, it doesn't support Rhapsody, a leading on-demand streaming music service, and can't play rights-managed music purchased from online music stores (Apple's iTunes Music Store, Napster, Musicmatch, and the like). But even if you don't care about those features, you can't get around the Media-Link's ($249) poor usability.

Some digital media receivers resemble home-theater gear, while others, such as the Media-Link, are styled more like a computer peripheral. Measuring in at 2 by 11.5 by 6.5 inches (HWD), the Media-Link is about the size of a typical network router. Because it has neither front-panel controls nor a text display, you have to switch on the TV and use the remote to navigate the interface. A recessed, translucent plastic strip spans the width of the front panel, masking network and power status indicators. The PCMCIA 802.11g wireless networking card that's supplied with the unit protrudes about one inch from the side panel.

Around back are optical and coaxial digital audio outputs as well as the requisite analog audio outputs. In addition to composite and S-Video ports, the unit has high-quality component and DVI jacks capable of outputting 480p video as well as 720p and 1080i resolutions for compatible HDTVs.

As long as you don't care about playing music purchased on the Internet or Windows Media Video files (WMV), the Media-Link's format support should be adequate. It plays MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, and DivX video files; MP3, AC3, WAV, and non-rights-managed WMA and AAC audio files; and JPEG, BMP, GIF, and PNG image files. Only iTunes playlists are compatible--assuming, of course, they're composed of self-ripped, non-DRM songs.

Currently, just a few competing digital media receivers (such as the D-Link DSM-320D and Roku's audio-only SoundBridge line) can play WMA files purchased on the Net. Meanwhile, only the Apple AirPort Express can play AAC files procured from the iTunes Music Store. Numerous models support Rhapsody.

The Media-Link can stream files from the hard drive of any networked PC that's running the Media-Link server application. The Media-Link server doesn't have a scanning utility to automatically track down files that aren't in obvious locations. Although you can manually configure the server software to look in multiple locations for music and video files, there's no such option for image files.

See more CNET content tagged:: remote,; digital media,; Apple iTunes Music Store,; RealNetworks Rhapsody,; AAC

User reviews

Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 7 reviews
My rating: 0 stars Write review

Showing 3 of 7 user reviewsSee all 7 user reviews
1.0 stars

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

"Not Ready for Prime Time is an Understatement"

by westcoastdave on March 7, 2005

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1.5 stars

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

"Will be taking it back...completely inadequate"

on February 19, 2005

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4.5 stars

"One of the best wireless media servers"

by inedinburg on March 3, 2007

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ADS Tech Media-Link

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