Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

Rumor Addict · Feb 1, 2004, 01:48 PM

I purchased a Neuston Virtuoso ( http://www.neuston.com/en/mc500.asp ) a couple of days ago and have really enjoyed it. It is basically a small metal box about the size of a hard back book that contains hardware video decoding via a 150MHz 32-bit ARM based System On Chip.

I have it hooked up to both my stereo and my TV. I can watch any video file such as Mpeg 1 (VCD) Mpeg 2 (SVCD) Mpeg 4 (Divx) etc on my TV screen while streaming it wirelessly from my Cube. All of the navagation of files is done via an interface on the TV screen with the remote control. On the Cube I have to launch the Neuston Media Center application (OS X compatible) but it runs in the background, there is no interface on the computer. I can also view photos from my iPhoto library and do slide shows. I hooked it up to my stereo so I can listen to my MP3 files , however, it does not decode iTunes Music Store files. The file decoding is done on the Neuston so all the computer is doing is handing over the data.

There are a few problems as it is a very new product. There were no mac setup instructions so it took me a bit of time to get it onto my network. The instructions in general are fairly lame and the remote is terrible. I have also had it lock up a couple of times. Also it cannot keep up when the file has a high data rate and tends to start freezing and jerking on the video and audio of MPEG 2 files. All other video formats play perfectly . From what I understand this does not happen on a wired network. So basically I cannot use it for MPEG 2 files but it works well for all the rest. That is why I am considering upgrading to 802.11g to allow for a higher data capacity so that I can watch my MPEG 2 files as well.

On the whole its a great new product and it is very nice not to have to fool with burning a bunch of CDs for my DVD player anymore!

Weezer · Feb 1, 2004, 01:59 PM

price? Why get that over an EyeHome?

Rumor Addict · Feb 1, 2004, 02:54 PM

Hmm hadnt seen the EyeHome which looks like it will be very cool. I am in Europe and the Neuston was 229 euros where as the EyeHome is 300. Also the Neuston is available now where as the EyeHome is not available anywhere yet.

The EyeHome states higher requirements for the computer on which it is used. I have a G4 450 mhz and Neuston works fine. EyeHome requires a G4 500 mhz. Also they are very vague about how it works on the 802.11g network. They mention an optional wireless Ethernet Adapter but dont give a price nor is it mentioned in their online store at all. They also state that video will not work on an 802.11b network where as everything but Mpeg 2 works on 802.11b for the Neuston. The Neuston has an optical digital output and as far as I can tell the EyeHome doesnt. Its really hard to know about the EyeHome since I havent used it and it is apparently not available yet.

Otherwise the EyeHome does look appealing. Bizzarly , the screenshot of the setup screen on the EyeHome is identical to that of the Neuston. They must be buying their chips in the same place??

OwlBoy · Feb 2, 2004, 07:53 PM

Oh god, new toys for me to drool over.

-Owl

Reese · May 10, 2004, 11:22 PM

I purchased an MC-500 recently and am pleased to say it looks great and works well.

When i setup it up with the pc and tv, I like the uncomplicated user interface and that it can play movies/pictures and music effortlessly. The sound effects and picture clarity is good. The reason I purchased it was because it has features that few other media players offer like divd, xvid, ogg vorbis and is compatible with usb and mac.

The eyehome looks appealing to me and I wanted to consider it but i think the mc-500 is more versatile and packed with more features.

erw · May 11, 2004, 02:22 AM

From the web site it seems to only work with 802.11a? Is this correct?

Reese · May 11, 2004, 04:33 AM

The MC-500 has PCMCIA Card Slot for 802.11b..it's listed in the website.

neuston · Jul 29, 2004, 06:07 AM

Hi All,

Hope I can answer some topics objectively

Actually the MC-500 supports 802.11B PCMCIA cards that are listed on our website http://www.neuston.com/en/mc500wificardlist.asp There should be many more 802.11B cards that will work with the MC-500, those found in the list has gone through extensive testing for stable streaming of video files.

Streaming of DVD (MPEG2) especially if using the dvd-rom drive in the system requires far more bandwidth than what 802.11B can do. In actually fact, even a 802.11G might find it difficult. Using ethernet on the other hand might work. However, you still have to figure out the DVD protection part.

Just a point to add. Eyehome is an equally good product. We just have our subtle feature differences.