There is nothing wrong and there is no need for new firmware. Mpeg4 is only standard (specified9 in ist´original format (the basics) and DIVX/XVID/all files which claim to be MPEG4 are enhanced versions of the original codec and MUST not be compatible to anything. I cases someone claims that there is a compatibility issue this is usually one of the modified codecs that are widespread on the internet. In cases a user claims that he has some problems, we demand him to use the GSPOT utility to “really” get information what kind of codec is used in his .avi file (.avi is only container , no hint for any codec or format used) or to give us his material (most times the customers refuse because it is either illegal downloaded from the internet or something they created themselves though not understandint the rip program). If you ´re not sure if the codec is installed on your PC ther is a compilation in the internet called acemegacodecpro603.exe (about 60 MB) . this includes most uncommon codec variations as well. You should be able to find a download with google or www.softpedia.com In some cases we made the experience that some proprietary codecs (like with video cameras or else) are used and the enduser read in the camera manual that this is a standard codec, which is simply a marketing lie of the vendor, or this codec is a brand new compilation of an mpeg4 specification which is only compatible to PC systems (on a PC you are able to install anything of course). The fact that the PDMA is not a PC and has no PC OS does not pop up in customers mind so easily. Besides , there is thousands of modifications and combinations possible, nobody could support all of these. The WMV9 customers mostly claim incompatible is then in real life a WMV PRO codec or a sub format produced with a non windows tool….not simple WMV9 or 100 % WMV 9 (a WMV9 with WMA 9.2 Audio is no WMV 9 compatible). In a result, DMA supports only standard combinations of audio-video codecs. It depends not only from Firmware, but also from Hardware. In the Internet thousand different combinations are distributed. Only the computer can be a universal player of all combinations. The user needs to recode some files in a standard format for use DMA.

For the decision of your problem: a) First you have to check the network settings. Go to Wireless networks available in the DMA-301 menu Wireless-> Site Survey and choose one of these. Then Check the IP and the network type section. Remember or note the IP Address that you or the DHCP Server has given the DMA-301. b) On the PC-side open a command –shell Start> „cmd“. Now type in “ping” followed by the IP address of the DMA-301. If the result is “answer from… „ and a time status, your DMA-301 and the PC are connected. If the result is “timeout” there is a connection problem in between the 2 devices. c) Open a web-Browser window and type in the IP Address of the DMA-301. A login screen should pop up immediately asking you for the web based configuration menu of the DMA-301. If this does not work the server software cannot connect to the DMA-301. Check firewall settings and connection settings. Following from our experience such problem more often depends on settings firewall in MS Windows. The Windows firewall should not block the Media Server application.

The number of encoding and compression schemes used to create video files is very extensive and growing day by day. Though this device supports wide range of codecs, it is possible that it may not display properly or not render all some video files if they were created using new compression algorithm. If you have such video files and want them to be played on portable HDD player, these files should be first converted (or reencoded) into one of supported formats, namely MPEG2 or MPEG4 (XviD or DivX).

The new DIVX6® codec is a proprietary codec, therefore the software manufacture has given the files an own containername. Since this name is xxx.divx the files can only be stored to a filesystem of Windows 2000/XP regarding the name conventions. To get playback-capabilities for the DMA-301 one has to rename the file extension from .divx to .avi. Please be still aware that this does not affect the incapability of dealing with Qpel or GMC information of the file and may still result in a somewhat “throttling” video display.

The DMA works as a Streaming Client with a maximum data throughput of 10/100Mbps via cable LAN or 54 Mbps via WLAN. Obtaining the best performance/quality of videos/music/pictures you should regard the connection quality at first and how to be connected best. The DMA has been designed to work best at 54Mbps, thus it is able to connect with inferior data rate components of 11 Mbps or 22 Mbps, thus this would be a sacrifice to bandwith. Regarding low data rates you have to expect and respect quality and performance loss. There could be a problem with streaming high data rate video (like pure MPEGII of *.vob files) and the streaming/uploading part itself will take longer. Please do check position and antenna position of your other devices. Check that there is/are no other devices that use similar or even the same frequencies to communicate. Another source of disturbance and influence could be metal or wires used in the construction of your flat or house. Most times these are hidden in walls and can only be detected by electronic means. Also you might want to watch out your surroundings for an open-WLAN or cell phone antenna.

We do not encourage using the DVD-ROM drive to serve/stream DVD media because of many reasons. First of all the data rate from DVD-ROM to media server then to the DMA will not be a constant stream, even worse if the DVD is not quite readable or copy protected. A good tip would be copying the files to hard disk folder and then stream with media server. Please do respect all current copyright laws in your country and that copy protected material cannot be simply transferred to hard disk.

Make sure that your network configuration is set to fixed IP Address for the „Ad-Hoc“ connection in both PC and DMA-301. In settings menu of DMA-301 change to “fixed” and enter the address and suitable subnet mask. Same works for your PC side, but do not forget that the last digit of the IP address have to be different.

Example:
DMA-301 IP "192.168.1.10"
Subnet Mask "255.255.255.0"
Your computer IP "192.168.1.15"
Subnet Mask "255.255.255.0"

After restarting both devices and starting the media-server software you should be able to see your computer name in the DMA-301´s server list. Try starting the computer before you start your DMA-301 if the computername still doesn´t show in your DMA-301 list.

We do not support LINUX at the moment, but there is a company that built theirs own media server software for streaming clients that cooperates with our DMA-301 Interface. The company name is Twonkyvision, so is their internet address www.twonkyvison.de. Please be aware that support for this will also only be given by the company Twonkyvision. We will not answer any questions about linux.

No, the DMA-301 and the Media Centre edition cannot communicate on a streaming server basis. But you may also install the Mediaserver from the DMA-301 on this machine since it is basically Windows XP OS.

This is correct and depends on the encoding of the material, more specific to the codecs used for Video and Audio and the encryption of the file (Media Center encrypts to proprietary format and container). There is only one way to resolve this, re-encode these files to a suitable format with codecs the DMA-301 is able to decode. Suitable tools and information you will most certainly get from the manufacturer of the Original – recording-Software or on freeware sites.

a) First you have to check the network settings. Go to Wireless networks available in the DMA-301 menu Wireless-> Site Survey and choose one of these. Then Check the IP and the network type section. Remember or note the IP Address that you or the DHCP Server has given the DMA-301.
b) On the PC-side open a command –shell Start> „cmd“. Now type in “ping” followed by the IP address of the DMA-301. If the result is “answer from… „ and a time status, your DMA-301 and the PC are connected. If the result is “timeout” there is a connection problem in between the 2 devices.
c) Open a web-Browser window and type in the IP Address of the DMA-301. A login screen should pop up immediately asking you for the web based configuration menu of the DMA-301. If this does not work the server software cannot connect to the DMA-301. Check firewall settings and connection settings.

Before connecting to your Notebook you have to enable the WLAN in BIOS for it is disabled regarding security issues.

Many actual models have a switch on the side of the housing to de-/activate the integrated WLAN card. Some examples are : Acer, ASUS. Sometimes ASUS also uses a Software (ASUS/HP) switch in the specific WLAN utility.

In this case the problem can either be resolved by using the latest version of the server software or via changing your character size displayed on your desktop to 96 dpi. The included server software does not show all icons while you are working on 120 dpi.

No, since the DMA-301 is only a streaming client, the server software automatically streams the first audio track to the DMA-301. The only way to change this is using edit tools to change the default audio track in the corresponding .if and VOB file. Since this would be a violation of copyright we cannot give any support by naming software or tools to gain this change.

Please choose a folder containing music files, start playback with play/play all on the remote control. Now press the arrow-left key and return to normal menu. The music still plays. You can now change to your picture folder and start the show while the music is still playing.

Yes. The Twonkyserver is now also available for MAC OS.