HP X280N MediaSmart Connect

I've tried one other media streaming device to date. A Dlink DSM-750. I wouldn't recommend that product to anyone. I returned that device and purchased the HP MediaSmart Connect X280N.

I can recommend this device to anyone if they want something that works out of the box and doesn't require alot of tweaking. In my experience, it is pretty much plug and play. The UI is a bit slow and clunky, but it works and does exactly what it is intended to do without any problems. For me I wanted a few things (in no particular order)...

1) Netflix, Hulu, and some other Internet Streaming (via PlayOn and other Media Servers)
2) Windows XP and WMP11 compatibility (i.e. for media on my computers).
3) Media Center Extender capability (I do have one Vista machine dedicated to that).
4) Plug and Play (my time is precious and I'd rather be doing other things).
5) Handle all the formats/codecs for *my* media and the media I want to watch
6) At least 720p...sorry, guys, I can't really tell too much of a difference between 1080 and 720p. Sure, there is a bit, but I grew up with VCR's, so 720p is pretty darn good for me.
7) WIRELESS N capability. I hate wires.

If you want all the above, with emphasis on Plug and Play and Wireless N. I would recommend the HP MediaSmart Connect. As a point of reference, I spent two days fumbling around with the DSM-750, I spent literally 10 minutes with the HP.

Regards....

HP X280N MediaSmart Connect
Excellent product, easy to set up, easy to use. If you are using windows vista home premium or home ultimate this product is virtually self operating.I used a wired ethernet connection as opposed to a wireless set up for best connectivity.This really is the best product that I researched before purchase from the standpoint of home entertainment pcs. I really didn't want a whole other computer set up.I set out looking for something that had all the features I wanted from a home entertainment pc without having to buy the whole pc set up.So far I have not encountered anything mysterious about the media smart. Everything seems to have been developed with ease of set up and use in mind. Hopefully, gone are the days of needing a science degree to even understand the basic fundamentals of computer based technology.This was truly created with every person in mind, even if you don't poses great technical skill!

The HP MediaSmart Connect is a quality product. It performs as stated in the product literature. Set up went prettly smoothly. The only challenge was configuring the security settings on my home network. With the help of an internet query, I was able to get the security setting set up. Once the network was set up, everything has worked perfectly.

Access to my pictures, music library and video library are great. Viewing TV from my PC tuner is excellent plus you have the benefit of using the PC DVR capability. Built in access to online internet video is fair from the standpoint what is currently available to access. Hopefully future software upgrades will add access to more internet video sources.

How I wrote my review:

Timing for this review: After one month of Daily use of the HPx280n

Background: I did not read any other review of this product. I'm trying to be the most objective I can.

Previous experience with other streamers: I will try to compare my Experience with HPx280n to my experience with my other streamer: Netgear EVA8000 (I have used the EVA8000 for more than one year . You also can read my review about that device in Amazon.com).
Everything that is stated in the box that this device can do is true (not the same with the EVA8000).

It's important for you to consider at least 2 things :
1) The HP software is great but, for the best experience with this device you must have Windows Vista with WMC in your PC and..
2) If you are planning to stream HD content, try to get the most Speed an Band Width from your Internet Provider (I had to upgrade to Cable Internet) and go wired.

I remember when I made my review for EVA8000. All the cons I found to that device are not present in HPx280n. In fact both products can't be compared:

You can record your TV shows trough your PC and watch it on your TV.
You can watch Internet TV.
You can be connected to an UNPN server like ORB.
You can play the "new" Dvr-ms video format from Microsoft.
You will buy a product totally stable.
You can expect from your HPx280n to be the Center Unit of your Home Entertainment System

To make it simple: this product is excellent. Good bye, EVA8000.

This is my fourth extender. I also own three of the Linksys DMA2100 extenders.

The HP model is nicely constructed. It installed very nicely as a media extender without installing the HP software.

I highly recommend NOT installing the HP software. It made a mess of things on my test machine, and frequently caused the MCE to hang.

Using it as a straight media extender seems to work as expected. Picture quality is nice. The remote control is better than the Linksys boxes. It also boots much faster than the Linksys.

On the down side, I have had several problems with non WMV files. Specifically, lots of videos on the internet (Geek Brief, Videographer, Buzz Outloud) videos that work fine with the Linksys have no audio or sometimes no video with the HP unit. Haven't been able to work out what is going on there.

Another issue is the unit detects when your TV is turned on, and appears to automatically turn itself on. While not that critical, it will leave itself on after turning the TV off.

The HP specific download content is expensive and not very well stocked. I really wish the unit was able to download RSS feeds directly. As of yet, there is no other use for the built in hard drive for me.

Its a good enough unit, but expensive. I have it 3 stars mostly for the buggy playback of some video, plus a waste of a hard drive unless you wish to pay a lot for premium content from HP. Since the unit is nearly twice the price of the Linksys, I would recommend the Linksys DMA2100 instead.