Digital Home Canada

Using the DSM-520 Phase One

In the first phase of testing we hooked the DSM-520 up to a 16:9 set HDTV set with an HDMI cable. We connected to the network via wireless.

Like the DSM-320, we found its HD brethren easy to use and the navigation very straightforward.

We were able to navigate through the menus quite easily using the remote. The direct access buttons let us jump out from deep within a series of folders back to the main page or directly to the audio, video or photo menu.

We had no problems playing back music, photos and standard definition video. The D-link server software would not allow us to play WMA songs with Digital Rights Management (DRM) protection so we switched over to the Windows Media Connect server and the songs played without incident. Our advice is to simply use the Windows Media connect server software and avoid any DRM issues.

Finally we decided it was time to watch high definition video. Initially we tried to watch to watch a .WMV HD file in 720p (Corral Reef from MacGillvary Films), however, the video would not play correctly. We found frames were being dropped and the video was jittery.

Suspecting that our wireless-g connection couldn't support the HD throughput, we re-configured the unit to connect via our Ethernet connection. The result was the HD video looked great with no frames dropped and we did not experience any jitter.

Using the wired connection, we watched five or six high definition trailers without a problem. The picture quality was excellent. Our advice: if you want to watch HD video using this unit, you will need to connect via Ethernet.

Overall, our first phase of testing went well. Music, Video and photos all played back without incident through our wireless connection; however, we did need a wired connection for HD playback.

Testing Phase Two

In phase two of our testing we tried hooking the DSM-520 to an older 4:3 HDTV via component and optical cable.

In putting the unit through it paces, we had nothing but disaster. We found that we were able to view .WMV files via component but did not receive any sound. We could only ouput sound if we used RCA analog cables. Digital connections simply did not work.

Thinking we had incorrect settings, we tweaked various settings however our box would not respond. Finally we shut down the unit and performed a complete system reset. The result was the same. We were unable to get the unit to play video, music or photo files.

After several hours, we gave up and moved the unit back to our 16:9 set using an HDMI cable. To our surprised the unit refused to function properly.

At this point we contacted D-Link Canada, who suggested the unit could be faulty. After several days, D-Link confirmed with Digital Home that the company had replicated the bugs we had found in both the U.S. and Taiwan.

Our unit was effectively snafued and it would require new firmware before it could be used again. At this point, Digital Home was forced to return the unit and end the review.

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