The LinkTheater certainly isn't perfect, but the other reviews I see here seem way harsh. This is the best media player you can buy.Actual problems: (1) The remote is quirky. Sometimes the fast-forward button seems to lock up, going past where you wanted. Going back, it then does the same thing. (2) Some menus are clumsy, and navigating them takes more pushes of buttons on the remote than it should. (3) No digital video output; component video is the best output available.
On the other hand, the LinkTheater plays all of my media files: mp3's, divX, high-def, windows DRM, you name it, it plays them all. Any kind of disk, or directly from any computer in my network. It plays them easily, and they look great on my big-screen and sound great over my stereo.
I certainly hope that Buffalo continues to improve this product, but just as it is, this is head and shoulders above any other media player you can buy (I've also used Belkin's and two different Linksys products). It's even gorgeous, looking great in my media stack. Nothing else works anywhere near as well.
I took the time one morning to write a long email to support and to sales at Buffalo explaining that rather than simply write a review I'd share my thoughts of good and bad, that's fair right? Well I got nothing, no reply at all.
Buyer beware! When you know of a company that ignores its customers you're empowered to avoid them like the plague.
So I won't go on and on about the box, it feels like a beta because it is a beta, the browser based interface will actually stop you wanting to use technology, (and I work for a NY based Software company!) How such a capable box ended up with such a terrible user interface I do not know, but it is worse than any badly written website pretty pathetic Buffalo.
In summary: if you want a box like this as I did just wait a little bit longer, everything out there is 1st generation. They didn't remember people will want to use them. I hope Buffalo catches on Quickly. It's a real shame, it showed so much promise...
Buy Buffalo LinkTheater Hi Def Media Player PC-P3LWG/DVD Now
Pros:+ easy to setup. Handled WEP encryption in my network without any problems.
+ Plays a wide range of video formats (Divx, Wmv, VCDs, decrypted DVDs.. to name a few).
+ USB port to directly plugin external hard disks.
+ functions as advertised.
+ Excellent video/photo player. (Mp3/Internet browsing could be improved)
Cons:
documentation/manual could be improved. For example, it was not mentioned in the manual that the wireless settings need to be entered manually (There is a menu item in linktheater menu to auto-detect wireless networks and it doesn't work).
No support for external hard disks with NTFS file systems. External hard drives with FAT32 file systems worked fine without any glitches
No interactive menu support for playing backed-up dvds. You have to play the individual VOB files.
playlist support for MP3 could be improved.
Web browser needs improvement. The browser doesn't play embedded videos in web pages (you have to download them to your PC/Ext HD before you can view them). The included remote is not well suited for browsing web pages.
* Overall, an excellent media player for its price range (< $250 at frys).
Read Best Reviews of Buffalo LinkTheater Hi Def Media Player PC-P3LWG/DVD Here
In all fairness, this is one of the best media players on the market in regard to compatability; however, the firmware, navigation, and remote functionality are far from user friendly or efficient. Navigating to media files on the network is painful...it takes far too many clicks of the remote to navigate through a poorly designed menu interface. It can take 20 minutes just to locate a media file.If you plan on using the unit as a standalone player, it will play about any disc you throw at it. If you want something that will stream divx, xvid, WMA etc over your network, hold out for the next product as this one will surely frustrate you to the point you can't use it. I had to return mine as it simply didn't perform adequately and modified my PC to perform the same function.
Want Buffalo LinkTheater Hi Def Media Player PC-P3LWG/DVD Discount?
If you check out these types of devices, namely the networked media streamers, it seems that everyone pretty much loves the idea but a common thread throughout is that the implementation isn't there yet.That's not the case with this unit.
This one gets it right. I am currently streaming music, photos and video as well as surfing the web on my PC-P3LWG/DVD. Setup was a snap (although I'm not running a wireless network) and software installation was a breeze.
There are some caveats though. WMVHD files will play but there's no audio. The unit will detect my Rhapsody service and show me what's there but won't play it.
Buffalo has some firmware updates in the works which will address a number of issues. The fact that it has a built in DVD player is icing on the cake.
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