Networked DVD Player Improves Slightly

GoVideo's D2740 has integrated ethernet and 802.11g, but still offers middling performance.

GoVideo has improved its networked DVD player, but the device still stumbles with both DVD playback and media streaming.

At long last, GoVideo has released a new version of its networkable DVD player, the D2740 Wireless Media Receiver + DVD Player. While this model deserves praise for worthy improvements over its predecessor, the D2730, it may not deserve $180 from you.

The biggest change is the inclusion of an integrated ethernet jack and 802.11g wireless networking. The previous player required an add-in card for connectivity, and could support only 802.11b wireless.

Once connected over my 802.11g wireless network, the shipping version of the D2740 I tested easily found the computer on which I had installed the included software. The software enables the device to retrieve a slew of stored media files, as well as feeds from the $10-per-month streaming-music service Rhapsody. Music and video both played smoothly, with no hiccups.

Unfortunately, the improvements stop there. The D2740 still relies on Digital 5's barely usable streaming-media server software. Using video-out to a TV, the D2740 displays a pair of DOS-like blue windows, one containing a list of media folders matching the collections on the PC, the other showing lists of content by type. Scrolling through the listings is time-consuming, and made more difficult by GoVideo's chintzy remote control, which fails as often as it succeeds in transmitting an infrared signal.

As a DVD player, the D2740 produces acceptable image quality, with good color and grayscale performance. The deinterlacing for progressive-scan output, however, is a bit rough. I noticed "crawling" in video featuring sets of parallel lines, such as the railings and siding on houses in the opening scene of Mystic River.

Given the D2740's middling performance--in both DVD movie playback and streaming media--you'd be better off with a separate DVD player and media streaming device.

GoVideo D2740 Wireless Media Receiver + DVD Player

Though GoVideo has improved this networked DVD player, it still can't compete with most stand-alone DVD models. Price when reviewed: $180 Current prices (if available)