I am not being sarcastic, I just don't get it

Also, keep in mind that this is a D-Link product running the DivX Connected platform, a platform that could end up in numerous devices. DivX works with its hardware partners to help them add value to their product line, and we're glad D-Link and DivX shared this vision. Hauppauge is on board with a future product of its own, too (if you haven't already seen that press release). So, long story short, DivX would like to see the DivX Connected platform on a variety of footprints and price-points. No products are really one-size-fits-all, so I understand if you're not taken by this first box, even though I have 2 at home running off one server, and my wife loves it!

Hi, Jolo. Sorry nobody's really explained the benefits of this contraption. I've been Beta testing this box for almost a year and my family simply loves this machine. Here's why. They can collect hundreds of movies on their laptops and on the hard drives of our wireless networked computers. This little machine, out of the box, plugs into the highest quality audio and video inputs that your system allows (HDMI in my case). Turn it on, install the software and a few minutes later the menus on your TV appear where you just point and click at whatever you want to watch (or listen to-- the six gazillion songs on my kids I-pods are available over our surround sound system also)! No schlepping around a laptop like we used to, no unused cables lying around for when they're temporarily needed, no transferring files to portable media, no need to even get one's butt out of the easy chair. If the phone rings just pause the movie. If it's mom and your going to be away for an hour, turn off the TV and the box and it will remember where you left off. The remote allows for amazing fast forward/rewind functions with top speed something outrageous like 120X which gets you through a movie in two minutes. If a kid wants to use the box in his/her room for a sleep-over, I just unplug the box, move it, plug it back in and the six gazillion songs and movies are now available in Number One brat's room. You can also access online content like Google Earth which looks really cool on a large screen. Is it worth $250? No, if the convenience of the thing means nothing to you and your getting HD surround sound from your present system. Yes if you have a large collection in multiple locations and you LOVE convenience and ease of use. Regards, Fred

I guess what I was saying was not my opinion, I have never seen or used the $250 Divx Connected hardware. So it is not right for me to have an opinion yet.

i am expressing my Impression

I was wondering if there is something I was missing or not understanding.

From reading about Divx Connected and then linking to Amazon, I couldn't understand why myself or anyone would spend $250 on it.

I love Divx and have used it for many, many years. In the past few years, I have been thrilled about the easy access to low coast stand alone DVD players that have divx decoders.

I play Divx videos also on my good ole Palm Tungsten 3, as well as my Cowon D2, portable media player. I have been helping some people who are having a heck of a time and doing all sorts of complicated things, when I just encode to Divx and my videos on the Cowon are crystal clear.

I also started to go big on the Divx Web Player, got a free Divx Pro license for using it, but have been rather crushed to see Divx decide to stop enhancing, supporting and marketing it. Heck, it hardly gets mentioned that it exists. I also am one person who really didn't care about Stage 6 being dropped. I was focused on using it as my video format of choice on my web site and thought it was a much better alternative to the Real and Windows formats, or the MOV formats as well which are the majority of video streaming products.

I don't see a replacement product or solution for getting that high quality Divx/MPEG4 video on line for those who go to my web site to look at. Heck the player can fit on a floppy drive.

I want to hear good news about Divx Connected. Like I said, I don't understand it.

I have been thinking of devices that would allow my TVs or DVD players to see my home Network and thus allow access to those non-computer type of multi-media devices to a library of Divx videos, music and photos.

If I saw that the Divx Connected box cost between $30 and $50 and perhaps had a small footprint, I would try it.

I also am wondering what is going to happen with the Divx buyout of Main Concept. For years they have been making the highest level of encoders and codecs as well. I think they have the best version of H.264 going right now.

I wonder how all of the brilliant people and multimedia technology of Main Concept will fit in and how that might be integrated into the Divx line. I have and still use their MPEG video encoder for years. It is extremely fast and gives very high quality.

I would love to hear from others on this. I want to hear good news and please understand, I know it is so easy to knock anyone who is trying to do something new and different.
I am not trying to do that at all. I am want to hear some good news and understand what I might be missing.

Thanks,

Jon

Granted there are many ways to get PC content onto your TV eg Flash drives, burning DVD's, even setting up the laptop via cables.

However, for those who have large media libraries and need access on a regular basis, DSM 330 brings convenience and a superb graphical front end that most of the other solutions simply don't provide.

This applies to any media streamer not just DivX and there are plenty of those about so someone must be interested. However, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.