Apple is working furiously to get their ITV product into market early next year. However, this type of product is not a new idea. There have been a number of similar remote multimedia products since 2003, most based off the Syabas software stack. Geeks.com were very generous sending us over ADS' MXL-581 Media-Link Entertainment Receiver for a review, a Syabas-based device that's using the uCOS-II real-time kernel (introduction [.pdf]). Check inside for our review and many screenshots of the system.
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Member since:
2006-09-16
The screen shot shows that the output settings include high definition as well as standard definitionmodes , but the review mentions HD over s-video. S-video is always standard definition.
HD requires DVI,HDMI, or component outputs. Composite and s-video are always standard definition.
S-video uses a 4 pin mini-DIN connector. I have an nvidia graphics card that has a 6 pin mini-DIN that a 4 pin s-video cable can plug into, leaving 2 pins unused. When set to s-video mode, the output is always NTSC or PAL standard definition. Higher resolutions are scaled down.
That 6 pin connector is used with an adapter dongle to provide composite video, which can be standard or high definition. Different mode, and will not work with an s-video cable.
I suspect that the reviewed device is similar, and can do either HD composite or SD s-video out the same connector, but not both at the same time. If you hooked up using an s-video cable, you were looking at SD.
Member since:2005-06-28
If you had taken the time to actually read the review, I mention that there is component and DVI inputs. Nevertheless, these are pretty useless ports, because the device can't decode HD-resolution video anyway. It would only be useful for better quality SD video, browsing and picture viewing.
Edited 2006-11-04 06:31
Member since:2006-09-16
I read the review. I know you mentioned the DVI and component outputs (not inputs), which of course are capable of HD. That's why I thought it odd that you mentioned using s-video for HD, which won't work.
I'm interested in devices like this, and appreciate the time that you took to do the review. Because of that interest, I took the time to read the review closely. Closely enough to spot a minor error, one that I've had to explain to others under different circumstances. There are a surprising number of people watching SD on HDTVs because they used an s-video cable to connect to their cable box, and the manuals weren't clear that s-video is used only for SD. I thought OSnews readers might want to avoid that.
But I was wrong, as it seems that not hurting your feelings is more important than accurate information. I promise not to do it again.
Member since:2005-06-28
I never said that I ran HD video on my TV via an HD cable. I used the cable it came with. You will have to purchase different cables in order to output from the other ports. I have an HDTV, but of course, normal video was output'ed from it, not an HD signal. The device is not able to decode HD video, but it is able to go high on resolution for other stuff.
Also, there are no input video ports. All video is coming via Ethernet or Wifi.
Member since:2005-07-06
Member since:
2006-01-02
Member since:2005-07-06
Member since:2005-06-28
Sorry, but I did not encounter any bugs. The device worked fine and supported most of my DivX videos. And it also plays well mpeg2 and mpeg and mpeg4 inside .mov. And remember, I have over 6-7 PMPs and weird media devices, NONE plays ALL of my DivX, only DivX's own player does that. The rest of the "certified" divx devices out there only play some kinds only.
Edited 2006-11-04 19:52
Member since:
2006-11-04
Looking at the manufacturer's product page tells me that this box is a dead end. For software based products such as this, I don't know...
A bargain bin lottery. If it suits one's particular needs out of the box, indeed a bargain. If not - well..
http://www.adstech.com/products/MXL-581/specifications/MXL-581_spec...
In your video, showing the ipod ad, there are lots of artifacts. Is this common behavior? Or is it because of encoding errors?
Member since:2005-06-28
Member since:
2005-07-15
I've been waiting to see a gizmo like this that:
-plays AAC audio (not the protected format)
-can stream from something other than a windows box
So we're getting close. 
Anyone familiar with these other devices listed here?
http://www.swisscenter.co.uk/content/view/51/56/#hw
The puzzling thing with the lack of AAC support is that the format was at some point going to be the standard MPEG-2 audio format (ie: mp4).
http://www.audiocoding.com/modules/wiki/?page=AAC
