Our review:Item Description:PRODUCT FEATURES:DVD, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD+RW, CD-R disc compatible playback;Compatible with DVD, VCD, SVCD, MP3, Kodak picture CD and JPEG media;6-channel audio output (DVD player playback only);Composite, S-Video, Component, Digital Audio, and Optical Digital output;Movie time, Track, and Title search.
Amazon.com Item Description:Oritron's NPD3117 On Media DVD player redefines most notions of home entertainment, displaying not just DVDs but nearly all manner of digital audio and video media--right from your PC, through the magic of home networking. You don't have to copy or format-convert your music, picture, or video files, either. When you connect your PC to the NPD3117 via a wired or wireless PCMCIA networking card (not included), the supplied On Media software lets the DVD player search out media files from a range of locations and programs, including external hard drives, Windows Media Player, and MusicMatch.
The NPD3117 outputs progressive-scan component-video signals, performs Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel surround decoding, and arrives ready to play DVDs from any region--a surefire treat for those with tastes for foreign films. The player is compatible with Windows 98 to XP and requires a 1.2 GHz processor for proper video streaming.
Whether your living room is currently home to an HDTV or you're merely thinking of 'someday,' the NPD3117 stands ready to deliver the full potential of your DVDs. Progressive scanning, referred to as 480p for the number of horizontal lines that compose the video image, creates a picture using twice the scan lines of a conventional DVD picture, giving you higher resolution and sharper images while eliminating nearly all motion artifacts.
The player comes with software called the On Media server, through which you manage your digital media. You can use this software right from the DVD player to create music playlists, slide shows, and video shows. You can even stream media from different PCs, as long as they're all connected to your network and running the On Media server software. Using the software's scheduler option you can designate a specific time each day for the player to automatically scan your selected folders and subfolders.
Connections include component-, composite-, and S-video, multichannel and stereo analog-audio outputs, coaxial and optical digital-audio outputs (which simplify hookup with Dolby- and DTS-compatible AV receivers), and a rear-panel port for the PCMCIA card.
Suggested wired (Ethernet 802.3) 16-bit PCMCIA cards include: D-link DFE-670TXD, Linksys PCM 100 Ver.2, and NetGear FA411. For wireless access (WiFi 802.11b), try: D-Link DWL-650 (revisions A1-J3; do not purchase D-Link DWL-650 K1 or DWL-650 L1/L2, which will not work), Microsoft MN-520, NetGear MA401, and ORiNOCO PC24E-H-FC (wireless LAN Gold or Silver cards).
What's in the Box DVD player, On Media server software CD, On Media DVD player, remote control, remote batteries, audio/video cables, and the On Media instruction book.
Buyer Testimonials
Average Buyer's Review:
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Good concept, poor execution, TERRIBLE customer service!
First, let me say that if it worked as advertised, I'd be happy. Heck, I'd even be happy if it mostly worked as advertised. However, I had a VERY different experience. I bought mine in September 2003. It always had problems playing over a WiFi network - video would freeze up and the NIC would lose its IP address. Not an issue with my network, as I had perfect, continuous connectivity on 2 laptops elsewhere. Finally got it connected directly and the video was great, but now I have a wire running across my living room.
A month after I got it the display started showing weird characters. It was still legible but it was obvious there was a mistake. Calling Tech Supp was a NIGHTMARE. You see, instead of outsourcing support overseas to someplace like India, they IMPORTED the foreigners and have them supporting you out of Salt Lake City, or so they say. That is, if you can understand what they say. And they don't understand you. (And no, I don't have a Boston accent, nor a NY accent.) Speak -- more -- than -- one -- word -- per -- second -- and you'll completely throw them off. TERRIBLE. And they read from scripts, and do not know their products and the features. (I was actually teaching them about their own product at many points throughtout the conversation.) In fact, they didn't even have any test-units nearby so they could try what they were telling you to try. Come on, that's tech support 101. OK, so to continue my nightmarish story, a few months ago I had decided that I had enough when the tray stopped opening/closing and when it did open/close there were no sounds/signs of th disc spinning up. So I requested an RMA. (I could have lived with the mucked up LCD, but this was too much.) SO... 4+ weeks later I receive a BRAND NEW UNIT and was all geared up to test it out. Never got to test it out, as it was DOA. DEAD ON ARRIVAL for those of you who don't know the acronym. Funny thing is, right near the on/off switch on the back it had the "QUALITY CONTROL PASSEED" sticker on it. Yeah, right -- Quality Control DID Pass -- it must have PASSED AWAY at Koss/Oritron/etc.. After an hour on the phone with them last night (where, incidentally, they did not make a SINGLE troubleshooting suggestion) they said they'd send me a shipping label and it would be another 3-4 weeks to get a replacement replacement unit. Do I need to remind anyone here that this was a replacement unit they sent me that was ENTIRELY DEAD? Nothing -- not even a light, a purr, a spark, nor any smoke. I'm still waiting for them to call me back to let me know what they'll do about it, but it doesn't look good. Looks like I'll be without a DVD player for yet another month. I'll update this as the story unfolds, but I'd avoid doing business with Oritron/Koss/etc like the plague if I were you.
Buyer's review: -
Not working in less than a month of use
This unit was connected worked with my system less than a month, now it is NOT working. Not ejecting nor showing anything on my TV screen. I've tried everything it said to do in the manual yet it has NO capability of playing nor ejecting a CD or DVD.
I am truly dissapointed since we purchased this item recently. I should have bought the Gateway unit.
Buyer's review: -
It died just out of warranty. Buy a different one!
When it worked, it worked great! I mainly used it for streaming my MP3's wirelessly with my Netgear card, and it worked beautifully. It also played all media I threw at it with no problems: DVD, DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW. Quality of the DVD player itself seemed better than I expected of Oritron. The player's cabinet seemed solid, the faceplate seems to be metal-plated plastic since it feels a little cool to the touch. Fit & finish are good. The appearance is understated and classy. The remote on the other hand, is cheap and junky. The sliding door feels like it wants to come off and the buttons are squishy and stick. 6-months later, the display shows gibberish and the DVD part doesn't work at all. Being an electronics nerd, I decided to take it apart. I found the +5V voltage was reading +3V and noticed capacitor "C18" in the power supply was swollen. I replaced it and now it works, but the display is still showing gibberish. GoVideo D2730, Gateway Connected DVD Player, Amoisonic NDP9200 all run the same software and work the same, I would buy one of those before this one.
UPDATE: Shortly after my DVD player failed, I emailed Oritron about the problem. I received a prompt reply that they would replace the power supply in my player and repair whatever was causing the display problem despite the fact that I'd been in it and tinkered with it and LONG out of warranty. I sent it back and sure enough, they repaired it for free. It has been fine ever since. My only complaint is I sent it to them in mint condition with not one scratch on it, and I received it back all banged up, scratched up, and used looking. Looks like their repair techs are very rough and don't treat peoples' property with respect.
Buyer's review: -
Works great for a few months
I bought one of these in September, and DVD player stopped working in January. The controls are sluggish and feel very cheap. Often a button must be pressed several times before anything happens. Pick something else for a media server and buy a regular DVD player.