HTC DG H100 Media Link DLNA adapter
Phone and PC to TV streamer, anyone?
Review HTC’s DG H100 Media Link is handy little gadget that can connect any HDMI-equipped TV to a DLNA-enabled wireless home network, so you can stream audio and video content direct from your phone or PC to the big screen.
Mobile viewing: HTC's DG H100 Media Link
The Media Link is a very neat and sleek looking little rectangular metallic sliver measuring just 72 x 45 x 7mm. It’s very easy to set up too – just plug it into the mains, connect it using the supplied HDMI lead to your TV and it will configure itself automatically.
It sets up its own Wi-Fi network which you can log into from your phone or PC to stream your media to the TV. This however is where it gets a little more complicated.
Media Link's TV home screen
Playback on TV is smooth, although navigation is somewhat laboured
If you’ve got an HTC phone with DLNA, all is well. Using an HTC Desire HD with Media Link proved to be a fairly painless process. You find the device in your Wi-Fi network list, connect to it, and then access Connected Media in the menu. You’ll then get a full list of all your music, pics and videos, any of which can be transferred to the TV with just a few seconds delay.
COMMENTS
DLNA Spec
The DLNA spec requires MPEG2 but not MPEG4.
Conversion during playback is sometimes upported by DLNA Servers.
Title missing...
I know the codec situation is abysmal, but I really don't understand these types of comments - if it doesn't suit your needs because of whatever missing feature, then surely it just doesn't suit your needs?
PS/3 + Twonky isn't exactly portable though!
@Tom 38
Fair enough for your home setup, but I think this DLNA adaptor is going to be of use for people who travel/visit family etc.
Most of my friends have HDMI equipped TVs, but no mechanism for playing digital video on it. With one of these, I can pop round with this in my pocket, hook it up, and play video from my phone. Ditto many hotel rooms.
For this reason, and this reason alone, it's a worthwhile purchase from my perspective.
For that money...
...I'd get a small-footprint PC, drop a Mthy front-end, XBMC or something on to it and plug it into the network. More functionality, less hassle, less confusion.
I don't understand what DLNA is supposed to be about. Just seems like yet another way to do something that has already been solved (e.g. use CIFS, or streaming). And (from posts above) have no idea if it will work until after you have bought all the kit.
Pricey
Considering that most laptop will already have an (OS independent) HDMI port, so you're paying £100 just to be lazy and be locked in, or I suppose connect a desktop in another room.
I can't get over my £20 freeview box from Maplins that plays media straight from USB media.
