For the price paid (less than $75), it's not half bad. I connected it to my LAN and HDTV, configured for DHCP, and was easily able to detect my Ubuntu Linux based Mediatomb server.When I attempted playback of various media, I wasn't able to get sound over HDMI. I then tried component video (YPbPr) successfully. I went back to HDMI, lowered the bit rate for the sound, and had it up and running fine (including 720p .MKV playback).
From time-to-time the screen goes blank when you've been wandering around in the menus for too long and as of now, I have not been able to make use of the USB port (always reads folder empty no matter what's connected). I have a trouble ticket in with Hauppauge, will update with results.
Pros:
Low price
Played every video format I threw at it
1080p HDMI Output
Decent WAF (Wife Approval Factor)
Instinctive remote control (could be better)
Intuitive on-screen menus
Easy network setup
Automatic video setup built into the software
Cons:
Unit itself could look better
OSD needs polishing: speed, smoothness, fonts are big & blocky (can't really complain for the price)
Has to reboot after some setting changes
Screen goes blank every now and again while in the menu system
No automatic audio setup
Conclusion:
Setup could have gone more smoothly. For the problem I had with sound over HDMI, there was nothing in the manual, on the website, or in any of the forums that gave me any insight on this problem. I literally stumbled onto the fix. The problem was likely due to the limitations of my HDTV, but the average consumer might not catch that. Although it's not important to my intended application, I'm still waiting on an answer for my USB port issue. All-in-all, for what I purchased it for, (multi-format Upnp/DLNA player w/ HDMI output) it's not horrible when you take into consideration that other comparable consumer products cost anywhere from $30 to $125 more and a custom-built PC with an HDMI output could cost upwards of $400 to $500 at a minimum.
Update (12/20/2010):
I've not heard anything beyond the initial response (addressing my already resolved audio over HDMI issue) from Hauppauge support. I've also discovered that the MediaMVP-HD cannot play OGM video. The format is summarily ignored by the media browser (as in doesn't even show up as unknown). Although it's not advertised as one of the supported formats, I'm still disappointed. As for .MKV playback, if you have an MKV video with multiple audio tracks, there's no way to switch betewwn the two tracks. I also contacted Hauppauge about this and have gotten no answer. Prehaps I'll have better luck after the holidays.
Update (03/30/2011):
Still no response from Hauppauge, I've moved on to using a PC with XBMC Live installed. The MediaMVP will still serve as a spare in my workshop, but isn't quite smooth and polished enough (software-wise) for my living room system. Eye candy is important.
So I picked up one of the MediaMVP-HD's. It basically did just what I wanted.
I hooked up the MVP up to my HD TV set in the living room (I used HDMI to connect to my Samsung "B" series LCD TV). I have an ethernet connection in my living room, so the connection for me was pretty simple. I then scanned my network and found both my PC where the HD PVR is connected and also my laptop computer. In about 5 minutes I was able to play the HD PVR recordings from my PC to the HD TV set.
I like the fast skip buttons (you hit 0 to 9 on the remote control to go to different spots in your recording) and I like being able to adjust the volume from the MVP remote control.
The video quality on my Samsung is incredible, I guess due to the HD PVR recordings but also (I assume) to the HDMI output on the MVP.
Wireless would be nice to have on the MVP, though I didn't need this on my TV set in the living room. I have another HD TV in the bedroom which does not have an ethernet cable, so I'd need wireless there.
Also, I liked the front panel USB port on the MVP, where I've been plugging in my digital pictures which I keep stored on my thumb drive.
In my opinion, if you have an HD PVR, you need to get a MVP so you can avoid burning blu-ray disks when you want to play your HD PVR recordings onto your HD TV set.
Buy Hauppauge 1340 MediaMVP-HD Digital Media Player Now
I bought this player based on the review and price. It took me a while to setup and got it working after a struggle. I have Gigabit network in my home. First the network cable was really loose and did not get connected then one of the cable with support connected to the network. Photo browsing did not work as a 4MB file took 15 minutes to load and the software froze. Only good thing was the video played well accessing the files from the network. It did not play .MKV files. The software indicated as "Beta" while trying to play .MKV files and did not have audio. I will not recommend this hardware. I returned this hardware in a week after trying everything possible.Read Best Reviews of Hauppauge 1340 MediaMVP-HD Digital Media Player Here
I have the Hauppage WinTV-HVR-1600 running on one of my PCs. The other PCs I have are too old and slow to playback the video files it creates. Then along came this little gem. It was very easy to setup and use. The only drawback is the video playback controls. The fast scan backward and forward does not work very well at all. I am going to try their beta firmware and see if this corrects the problem. The picture and sound from this is goes way beyond my expectations, though. I am very happy I bought this and will be ordering another soon for my other TV.Update: I am no longer happy. I loaded the beta firmware and box no longer works to playback video. I tried reloading the old firmware and it will not accept it.
Let's see what their tech support comes up with.
12/21/10
Hauppauge tech supports response was not acceptable so I returned the product to Amazon. Amazon gave me a full refund demonstrating their dedication to customer service/satisfaction.
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Bought one of these from Amazon and it failed to turn on (no screen, just the power light). Hauppauge was quick to repair/replace but the it worked once before the same problem :(Save 51% Off
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