Hi,

Wondering if anyone else out there has any experience using the NevoSL via UpNP (Media Zones) with a D-Link DSM-520. So far, my attempts to get this combination to work well have been less-than successful. I am running NevoSL Version 2.0.1.589 (Firmware version 2.0.1.18) and the DSM-520 has firmware version 1.02. These are the latest available as best I can tell. I have tried three different media server configurations:

1) NevoMedia Manager 2.0: I can browse on the remote and play music, but photos and videos don't appear on the DSM-520 when selected.

2) TwonkyVision 4.1: I can still browse on the remote (although pictures aren't thumbnailed properly) and play music, but once again photos and videos don't appear on the DSM-520 when selected.

3) D-link Media Lounge: Doesn't work at all on the remote.

The DSM-520 has a "Control Device From" option on the which can be changed from "Remote control" to "Other source" (this is a bit cryptic since it isn't described in the manual - or even listed as an option). I tried this, but I just get a black screen.

Any ideas/suggestions/experiences? Do I just have to wait and see if this whole UpNp mess gets sorted out in future updates (I'm beginning to think UpNp must be one of the most hopeless specs ever devised)?

On a related note my NevoSL seems to have problems connecting to UpNp at all. The remote connects to my wireless network fine, and I have had no problems using the wireless connection to attach to Nevo Studio 2.0 and download configuration updates, but when I go to Media Zones on the remote it frequently won't connect to the server (regardless of which server I'm running). I don't have this problem when I run the emulator.

Sounds like my setup. I can't even get the Nevo to see any servers or even my network. Do you set the network stuff up on the Nevo or in the software?

Thanks.

You have to enable wireless with the software, but then set it up on the device.

Hi.

Thanks. Got that working. I actually am able to get music to play through my DSM-520 using the Nevo, but haven't gotten pictures or videos to play. Obviously the Nevo is communicating with the 520, as the music will play, but the video and pictures won't show. Time to play some more.

Oh, one other thing.

I notice that when you are playing music and go to details, it looks like there are lines on the Nevo to display song title and artist. These do not populate, although the song title and artist show on the selection screen.

Sounds like you're getting exactly the same behavior I am. At least it's repeatable.

This is my first real experience with the UpNP standard (other than talking endlessly about it - I'm a software architect for HP Printing & Imaging), and I have to say I'm less than impressed with the results. Either the standard is badly written (too much wiggle room for incompatibilities), or some of the people trying to implement it can't read, or both.

Keep a few things in mind: There are recommended WAP settings on the Nevo site, as well as recommended WAPs. The NevoSL is a low-powered CE device and prefers some specific WAP settings.

I also tend to agree with Mpeskin. There are several manufacturers of UpNP devices who have not followed the standard as well as they could have.

Most folks report better results after changing the WAP settings.

The Nevo SL white papers are also on my site:

http://RemoteQuest.com

Dave

Hi Dave.

I'm a little confused here. The Nevo can "see" my network and displays the DVDs, Music and Photos. The issue arises when I try to get it to "activate" the DSM-520. It will play the music through the 520 just fine, so it must be sending the right IR codes to it. It won't however, start photos displaying and videos playing. How can the WAP setup be affecting that if it works ok with music?

Thanks.

Hi.
Here are few things to try/confirm;

Have you confirmed that the DSM is correctly displaying it self as a UpNP device on your network? Intel make a good tool for this.

Have you set the PC, Nevo and DSM to a static IP?

Are you using a standare IP range? IE 192.168.xxx.yyy subnet mask 255.255.255.xxx?

What RF channel is you wifi set to? It should be set to a fixed channel not "auto" and be no higher than ch11.

Recommended Wireless Access Point/Router Settings
• Version - Make sure the latest software version has been installed
• Router - Use an 802.11b router or set your 802.11g router to “Mixed” mode
• SSID - Set to “broadcast”
• Encryption - Set to “WPA-PSK” for best Security or “WEP” for most installations
• Noise / Channel Selection - DO NOT set to “auto” or default
• Density - Set to “High”
• Preamble- Set to “short” for normal environment or “long” for noisy environment
• Frame / ACK burst - Set to”disable”
• MAC filtering - Set to “off” or ensure Nevo MAC addresses are trusted or added
• UPNP - Set to “enabled”
• DTIM - Set to “1”
• WMM / 802.11e / QOS - Set to “disabled”
• CTS / RTS - Set to “enabled” or “auto”
• TX Rate - Set to “auto”
• TX Power - Set to highest possible setting
• Special Features - Such as turbo, etc – set to “disabled”
• RTS Threshold - Set to “default”

Based on the make and model of your wireless router, some of these setting may have different names or not appear at all.

• Encryption, Density, and Preamble information must match router settings exactly (these are set using the
on-device Advanced Settings screen.

Have you tried usig windows media connect?

Have you tried Nevo Server?

Hope this helps.

Dan.

wyz,

I may have missed the fact that your music is playing ok. When I first setup a DSM-320, I did not install their software on the target pc. I just used NevoServer on the target PC and everything worked fine.

As a test, you should be able to just use the DSM to see all of your music and picture content on your tv, without the Nevo even being in the loop.

Dave

Thanks Dave.

I can do that, but I wanted to do it using the NAS (which it does see), instead of with the servers software. This way I don't have to have my PC on all the time.

I'm just confused why it will play the music and not anything else.

Its as if the signals coming from the Nevo to the 520 aren't working correctly.

And, the 520 does pick up my pictures, videos, etc. fine without using the Nevo.

BTW, I'm going to be sending you a list of my devices to get a quote from you on setting up my remote. I started doing it and do have the hang of it, but just don't have the time. Is the remote model really necessary?

Only other thing I can contribute; I did notice a discrepency between the types of streaming media the two units will accept. They may have improved it in the 520 model. On the 320, the Nevo was compatible with MPEG and the 320 was not...(or something similar). Likely not an issue in your setup.

As an experiment, install NevoServer and NevoMedia player on the target pc and set it up with the Dlink. Then see if you can access all different types of media on the PC.

I have a feeling, despite the music working, that the NAS needs to have NevoServer and Nevo Media player on it. However, I also suspect the NAS cannot run the application???? These are both resident apps which run all of the time, when on a pc.

Dave

You get essentially the same behavior regardless of whether you are using Nevo Server or Twonky. Nevo Server works with the 520, although it provides an inferior experience compared to Twonky (most noticeably, pictures aren't thumbnailed when you browse on the 520 with Nevo Server. Then again, pictures aren't thumbnailed on the NevoSL when browsing with Twonky, all of which leads me to wonder if ANYONE has actually done a compliant implementation of UpNP).

I have noticed that, when you select a video to play with the NevoSL, you can hear the sound but there's no picture.

It's almost as if the NevoSL doesn't know how to tell the 520 to get its on screen interface "out of the way" of the content. Note that, although the 520 will play music when directed by the NevoSL, the 520 screen doesn't change to display the currently playing song as it would if you selected the song through the 520's standard on-screen interface.

Just FYI, I have submitted a trouble ticket about the 520 and it's been picked up. The UEI tech says he's trying to get hold of a 520 to test with. Time to cross your fingers.

The DSM-320 has done the same thing, as far as I recall.

Dave

My 520 is wired, but when i set to wireless...it just looks for the connection forever and never finds it.