D-Link MovieNite and MovieNite Plus

[drunkwithpower]

How is that abandoning the Boxee Box? It doesn't come anywhere close to what the BB offers and at only $60 it's aimed at the low end of media players. And it has to be cheap because eventhe Roku2 is a better value did. Did. Since it offers more streaming providers.o

Agreed...the model number should tell all - DSM-310 vs. DSM-380 for the Boxee Box.

[Rhoq]

Why would Boxee need to even address this? Just looking at the product info page makes it obvious that this device is aimed directly at the "Joe Six Pack" Walmart customer. Someone who may not be technologically inclined and looking for something cheap that will allow them to stream Netflix to their TV.

[twistybox]

DLink has always had other streaming devices.

However this one is significant in the sense that it's a direct competitor to the Roku product(s). It's an Internet services-only box.

The interesting thing (for this forum) is that it provides another example of why Boxee's revenue model is flawed. Their partner DLink is now free to siphon revenue from Boxee by selling subscriptions with this lower-priced box.

Boxee's revenue model doesn't have a future - this is the only thing I would like to see resolved in a Boxee Box 2. I'd like to see Boxee contract and OEM/ODM to build their own box from which they will make a profit on the hardware/software in addition to any service-based up-sell.

[gmd024]

Just picked up a MovieNite from my local Walmart for $48

After initial set up, and getting my Netflix account set up also... so far, it seems like 'a $48 media Box!!' -- but the 'wired' local network set up was pretty much a 'no brainer'

The remote is IR and seems to need the hand unit aimed right at the Box to pick up the IR beam/command

The UI is similar to the Roku 2's

After about a 1/2 hour of 'experimenting' with it, it popped up a "New Frmw" version is available, which I OK'd to install (So far, I don't see an option to manually ask for/update the Frmw)

I haven't tried to access the many Tbs of my local content yet, of which about half is BD-HD video/audio -- will report back when I do

Observation... if it accesses/plays local (HD) content over the LAN, it's worth the $$ - if not, I'll return it, or use it as a gift for someone who only wants a Netflix player (and possible access to Vudu, YT, Pandora or Picasa

As twisty mentioned, this Box is not in direct competition with the BBox, but for the price it may give the comparable Roku a run for their $$, considering the Roku with a hard wired port runs $100

[cayars]

Here's the specs for it.

ftp://ftp10.dlink.com/pdfs/products/...DSM-310_ds.pdf

Shame it doesn't do local files or have a web browser or have a Plex client.

Personally I think I'd rather add an additional $35-$40 and get the 3rd gen WD Live TV as it has a bunch more features.

[aaronwt]

Here's the specs for it.

ftp://ftp10.dlink.com/pdfs/products/...DSM-310_ds.pdf

Shame it doesn't do local files or have a web browser or have a Plex client.

Personally I think I'd rather add an additional $35-$40 and get the 3rd gen WD Live TV as it has a bunch more features.

It doesn't list alot for the specs.. It only says DD+ certified. What does that mean? It does mention 5.1 channel audio. But what does that mean? Does it decode the audio for multichannel PCM output or does it only bitstream it? Does it output 1080P24? or only 1080P60?

I guess for only $48 at Walmart online it is a decent deal. But you could also spend a little more on a Roku 2 and have many, many more internet streaming options.

I see my local Walmarts have it in stock. I wonder if it would be worth it to try one out and see how it works?

[cayars]

After initial set up, and getting my Netflix account set up also... so far, it seems like 'a $48 media Box!!' -- but the 'wired' local network set up was pretty much a 'no brainer'

I haven't tried to access the many Tbs of my local content yet, of which about half is BD-HD video/audio -- will report back when I do

Observation... if it accesses/plays local (HD) content over the LAN, it's worth the $$ - if not, I'll return it, or use it as a gift for someone who only wants a Netflix player (and possible access to Vudu, YT, Pandora or Picasa

gmd024,

Can you give us any update on what types of files it can play? I haven't found any info even mentioned it can do local media files. Your post is the first I've heard of local media playback and would love to know what it can do.

Carlo

[gmd024]

gmd024,

Can you give us any update on what types of files it can play? I haven't found any info even mentioned it can do local media files. Your post is the first I've heard of local media playback and would love to know what it can do.

Carlo

Sorry for the confusion cayars - I'm not sure why I thought it played local files, I thought I read a review somewhere that said so -- but no it does not

Although the MovieNite is a nice little box (@ the $48 Walmart price point) and simple to set up, I think I would go with a Roku, even though the Roku " I " would choose runs considerably more $$ -- with the Roku you also have access to Hulu Plus and Amazon Video, plus "Tons" of private channels, even live major network TV


PS - personally, for local HD video streaming, my BBox(s) do the job with a 99% success rate - if the (slightly occasional, in my case) HD audio drops were not happening, it would be 100%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Edit/Addition - here's where I got confused about the local content playback ability... - from the PCMag write up... " MovieNite complements D-Link's media player solutions by offering people an effortless way to enjoy their digital content – movies, music and photos – on a big screen at a great value for under $60. " -- In hind sight it's obvious that their talking about 'online' content but I mistook it for local content when I 1st read it

[csrini1]

This is already dead. This does not play local files nor tons of apps like roku or bb.

[gmd024]

Yeah, I don't see much of a future in this Box unless the price actually gets lower than the current Walmart price of $48 (plus local taxes)

Even though the Roku LT does not offer a hard wired port and runs at 720p (depending on content) - it still offers waaay more channels/content than the MovieNite!