The Wi-Fi 802.11g-capable D2740 is compatible with existing wireless home networks, allowing instant out-of-the-box set-up and use. Just open the box, install the D2740's server software (PC only), hook it up to the TV, and start enjoying its innovative capabilities. If your home isn't networked yet, the unit still operates as a full-function DVD player.
Besides routing content from your hard drive to your home theater, the player also offers the ability to stream audio from RealNetworks' Rhapsody music service to any TV or stereo system in your home. This means you can enjoy any of more than 650,000 songs at the touch of a button and view your personal Rhapsody library right there on your television. With Rhapsody, you'll be able to browse by artist, album, and song title in a library of more than 50,000 albums. (D2740 owners can sign up for a free 30-day Rhapsody trial by visiting www.listen.com/govideo; the Rhapsody music service is available from RealNetworks for $9.95 per month).
An intuitive graphical user interface simplifies operation. User-upgradeable onscreen "skins" give operation a personalized look and feel, and the unit's upgradeable firmware ensures that you'll be ready for future DVD formats, too. A headphone output with a dedicated volume control facilitates private listening--perfect for tuning into Internet radio in your living room while the rest of the family reads or sleeps.
Top-of-the-line component-video outputs (switchable between progressive-scan and interlaced) help minimize digital and line-scan artifacts on compatible advanced televisions, while composite- and S-video outputs bring compatibility with nearly any television. Whether your living room is currently home to an HDTV or you're merely thinking of "someday," the D2740 stands ready to deliver the full potential of your DVDs. Progressive scanning, referred to as 480p for the number of horizontal lines that compose the video image, creates a picture using twice the scan lines of a conventional DVD picture, giving you higher resolution and sharper images while eliminating nearly all motion artifacts.
A set of left/right analog-audio outputs channel audio to Dolby Pro Logic receivers and stereo televisions. Both Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel surround-sound signals can be routed through the player's digital-audio outputs (one each of RCA coaxial and Toslink optical) for direct connection to a full-featured audio/video receiver, and--in case your existing receiver is merely "Dolby Digital ready" (with multichannel RCA analog inputs), the D2740 decodes Dolby Digital 5.1 to six discrete analog signals (left, center, right, left/right surround, and subwoofer).
What's in the Box
DVD player, remote control, remote batteries, an installation CD-ROM (PC software), a user's manual, onscreen user interface skins, a stereo analog audio interconnect/composite-video cable, and warranty information.
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful: By This review is from: GoVideo D2740 Network DVD Player (Electronics) First and foremost, this is a good sturdy player with a solid chassis; so it's by no means cheap like many other players out there.
2. The network and software was a piece of cake to setup and start using. Although there are no updates at the time of this writing, I like the idea the software and firmware can be updated if it needs to be. 3. I'm using a Linksys Wireless-G setup so I have yet to experience any lag or network slow-downs, even while using my full bandwidth on my computer and watching a file over the network simultaneously. There really isn't any waiting for communication sync either while browsing files. 4. The DVD player is awesome and really does read both DVD+R and DVD-R discs. I had previously purchased a Sony which said it did do just that, but didn't when I took it home and tried to use it. 5. The server software runs great on my Windows 2003 server installation (I use the server for my intranet including web development and now file...Read more 5 of 6 people found the following review helpful: By This review is from: GoVideo D2740 Network DVD Player (Electronics) I've had this unit for a few months now and really like it. Streaming media wirelessly from my PC is great..saves tons of time and money burning CDs and DVDs. Does mpg's great and most avi's. Xvids can be a pain(out of sync audio), but you can use a program called mpeg4modifier to unpack the bitstream and then they work fine too. Only 2 things bug me about this player: 1) The remote is the worst! Have to press buttons repeatedly for it to work, even when pointed directly at the player. I fixed this by buying a Kameleon(sp?) remote from Radio Shack. 2) Their support stinks. I filed an online support request for the remote, sent many follow up emails, and they simply don't respond. Overall though, very happy with the player. 2 of 3 people found the following review helpful: By Len "dewyduster" (Connecticut) - See all my reviews This review is from: GoVideo D2740 Network DVD Player (Electronics) If the D2740 was only a wireless media player, I would have given it four stars. The UI is simple but good. The software that you install on your PC is good but it takes forever to search for media. I like that the D2740 will connect to Real Media player to allow streaming of internet radio stations.
I ripped all 650 of my CDs to MP3s and packed them away. The D2740 makes it easy to search by song, artist or album. You can also create playlists on the host PC and access the lists through the player. The wireless connection is quick enough to stream video, just make sure that your PC has the horsepower (and video power) to stream. I have an older PIII laptop that could not stream well and the video was choppy. My 3.2 GHz machine with a decent ATI card has no problems pushing the video over the network. Now the bad... the DVD player is pretty bad. It plays video DVDs OK, but it will not even recognize my DVD-A's. My XBOX is a better DVD player...Read more |