Connectivity is a strong point of the DSM-320. Unlike most digital media receivers, the D-Link includes optical and coaxial digital outputs in addition to the requisite analogue outputs. And while the 320 sports a component-video output (in addition to composite and S-Video), it can't output hi-def video or photos, which the Roku HD-1000 can. More impressive is the DSM-320's support for wide-screen (16:9) and standard (4:3) aspect ratio televisions. And although the DSM-320 has integrated 802.11g wireless networking, it also includes an Ethernet port for wired networks.
If the MediaLounge system sounds right for you, you might also consider the step-up DSM-320RD (around £200), which includes a built-in DVD player and media-card reader.
Performance
We tested the DSM-320 with rights-managed WMA music files purchased from both the Napster and Yahoo Music stores. The device played the files without a hitch. Our video test files and photo slide shows also played smoothly and looked sharp. We were easily able to start a photo slide show, then select musical accompaniment for it.
Because the DSM-320 utilises the 802.11g standard (as opposed to lower-bandwidth 802.11b), the bandwidth is adequate for playing most of the video files that might be kicking around your PC's hard drive. Of course, your network's individual peculiarities may mean that everything -- including the DSM-320 -- won't work at optimal speeds.
The unit suffered a couple of frustrating problems that rendered it temporarily inoperable. For example, when set up about 10m away from our wireless router with a couple of walls separating the two, the DSM-320 sometimes had problems finding the server after booting up and occasionally dropped an established connection or crashed. A few times it even went into a loop, rebooting continuously until we yanked the power cord. Replacing our SMC router with a D-Link model seemed to largely alleviate the snags.
At its best, the DSM-320 is a world-class contender. At its worst, it's downright exasperating. Although the unit is highly affordable and has tonnes of cool features, we'd like to see it guaranteed to work with a wider selection of non-D-Link routers and access points.
Edited by John P. Falcone
Additional editing by Nick Hide
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