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[djloewen]

It seems the number one issue in this forum these days is that of mkv playback. This is also very much an issue for me, and I have involved myself in some of the posts. Well, I've got some interesting news. Here's the story, start to finish.

I only use this device as a Media Center Extender. I was of course very disappointed when firmware 1.02 came out, and mkvs still did not work in MCE mode. I repeatedly complained (both on this forum, and on the phone), and was always told that there is a limitation in the Media Center Extender specs that prevents mkvs from working. Frankly, I never really believed this because there's no reason that mp4 files would work (which they do) and not mkvs, since both containers typically contain the same audio/video streams and neither is natively supported by Vista.

When Windows 7 beta (and then RC) was released, I installed each on my computer and did some testing. Of course, I was sorely disappointed that mkv is still not natively supported by Windows. But, we mkv users now have a White Knight to help fight our battles: DivX. Their new "DivX Plus" setup uses mkv as a container. Now, with Vista, when you install DivX it installs an mkv splitter, and H.264 + AAC codecs. Windows 7 is a different story, however, because it already has H.264 + AAC codecs (and because it uses Media Foundation instead of DirectShow, which I won't get into).

So when the Windows 7 RC came out, DivX released a "Windows 7 technical preview" at labs.divx.com. Install it, they said, and you will be able to play mkv files in Windows Media Player, Windows Media Center, and - get this - Media Center Extenders.

The forum there immediately began filling up with success/failure stories from XboX 360 users, which is clearly the most common Extender. I tried it myself with the DSM-750, and one of two things happened - either the video would play but it was clearly being transcoded (which is an issue that Windows 7 is having with other file types, including avi), or it would play audio with a black screen. I posted a few times on their forum, and it was eventually determined that D-Link needs to fix something on their end to get this working.

I spent awhile on the phone with D-Link - first with a Level 1 support agent, then with a Level 2 support agent, then a Level 3 product specialist. Finally what I was told is thatthey are aware of this problem and will be addressing it in their next firmware update.

So, the obvious questions:
-When does this firmware update come out?
-Will it make mkv files work with Vista in Media Center Extender mode?

[Kittyburgers]

Let's hope that the next firmware will indeed fix this issue. DLink doesn't really seem to be very supportive of their products. I, for one, wish I had picked another brand for a Media extender, as it seems there are better ones out there than the 750. :-(

[djloewen]

Well, yes and no. I agree that D-Link has offered a disappointing level of support, but as much as I hate to say it, the other companies are even worse.

-Linksys doesn't have 1080p output, doesn't support mkv at all, and is now discontinued. No kidding. Guess how much support they'll be getting from now on.
-HP never offered 1080p output. They (apparently, according to a forum post somewhere) said they would support mkv when DivX did, but that has not happened. Also, their device has never been, and will never be, available in Canada. Three times I've asked them about this (and mkv support), and three times they haven't even bothered to reply. Eff them.
-Niveus, I think, doesn't do 1080p output or mkv support.

If any one company offered a fully-functioning extender that did exactly what they said it would, I would buy from that company. No one does, and as sad as this is, D-Link is the closest. No one seems to care about Media Center Extenders, as amazing as they could be...

[ablevy]

Most likely because media extenders are so limited and only supported by Microsoft.  As far as I can tell DLNA is probably going to win as the standard eventually.  I own a 520, and after some consideration I recently bought a Netgear 9150 partially because of the poor Dlink support.  It only uses DLNA for playing protected media via WMP.  It got slammed in reviews for not supporting Netflix and Hulu.  Within a couple of months Netgear added PlayOn support via DLNA to the software (beta) which provides this support. 

Having seen the 750, 520, and the linksys extender, the 9150 is much superior and has much better support than DLink mostly because of the cpu horsepower.  That said, the future is much more powerful cpu's for these devices.  Intel has a new chip as does realtek and Sigma.  The next generation of devices are probably the first generation which could break into the mass market. 

Alan 

[Tigrman699]

Does the Netgear 9150 described successfully stream mkv files from a computer running xp over a dlink n router successfully...that is without any stuttering or freeze ups?   Please respond asap as my time for returning the DSM 750 is running out and I need to make a decision quickly.  Thanks!!!

[Tigrman699]

Wow just finished reading the specs and reviews about the 9150 and im sold!!!   With a removable 500gb harddrive to store movies, buffering feature and full mkv support, it solves my streaming problem once and for all.   In other words, why bother trying to stream mkv files or even copying them to a flashdrive, when this baby lets u d/l them to the hardddrive and then play back perfectly!!!   A little more $ than the 750 but IMHO worth twice as much!! 

In retrospect I think the folks at Dlink should have waited to introduce the 750 until it was truly ready for "prime time"...that is when they had developed their media server technology to successfully stream mkv files, instead of relying on third-party applications, which they themselves admit do not always work 100% of the time. 

Thanks ablevy...i owe u one!!!  

[ECF]

Yeah the built in HD is pretty nice. I Use the DSM-750 and a DNS-321 to store all my media its pretty nice since the UPnP AV media server now supports .mkv as well. For both device it may cost about 50 buck more together then the Netgear 9150 alone but you also have a full functioning NAS with BitTorrent and FTP and can store all your data you may want to store or backup. Trust me I would really like to see D-Link update the media server software as well...

[Tigrman699]

The demo video for the Netgear 9150 specifically states that, by storing videos on the built-in HD, you no longer have to worry about wireless connections creating a streaming problem.  This is just the answer I have been looking for all along.  After all, I made it clear in my previous posts that I would just like to eliminate having to hook up my laptop to the HDTV every time I wanted to watch an mkv file.  One way around that was to wirelessly stream these files to the DSM 750.  Since that really doesn't work very well, this option is the next best thing. 

As for a combo of NAS and DSM 750, I really don't need the additional features you mentioned and saving the extra $50 is nice.  What would be even nicer though is if Dlink would reimburse for the 15% restocking charge I will have to pay when I return the DSM 750 since it really doesn't "support" mkv files as a fully wireless device, just through the USB port.  IMHO that is an instance of unfair and deceptive advertising.

In any case, I continue to enjoy my Dlink DIR655 N Router but am disappointed in the way Dlink acted here.

[fly]

I agree with you on that Tigrman699. I have seen some videos about this product. I bought 2 750's with high hopes for undelivered promises. For those of you who have been waiting for a firmware upgrade or thinking about buying one (or someone who just wants to check out a really cool device that a company planned for, instead of rushing a product to the shelf) check these out! They are pricey, but I WILL have a couple of these in my house!!

http://www.netgear.com/Products/Entertainment/DigitalMediaPlayers/EVA9150.aspx

[zinglindou]

Guys, I do agree with you that Dlink behave like a mom and pap company.  However I was able to successfully play my mkv with the latest firmware using "TVeversity Media Server" what I found in my testing was the following...
720p works great (picture and sound)
1080 plays however because the picture lags so much it is not viewable... I even test it with a usb drive wit the same results.  I did some research and found that the 750 does not have the horse power to play 1080p.  I have since realize that it was a waist of money buying the 750 since it does not deliver on it promise.  I have a few friends who have bought the "Western Digital TV HD Media Player" for 1/3 of the cost and it plays everything is no headache.