Bescor MP101 WIRELESS DIGITAL MUSIC PLAYER; 802.11B

• Reviewed by: zap999

  Strengths: Low price Point, available 3rd party software, remote

  Weaknesses: Sometimes buggy with OEM Software

  Overall: If you have a significant MP3 collection, this is a must have device. Just make sure that you try the Twonky software if you have problems. Also, it is very easy to install (although I would recommend a wired configuration when installing it. Once installed, then go wireless).

• Reviewed by: tahan02

  Strengths: Very sleek looking, Setup is not complicated - including encrypted networks, Headphone jack for personal listening

  Weaknesses: Must use the remote control to operate player, Best if your music is organized with ID3 tags, No optical ouput

  Overall: The Netgear MP101 is a very intuitive device. The first thing you must do before operating the player is to install a small program that compiles all of your mp3 (and wma) files. It makes a kind of database for them which allows the wireless media player to display the songs and play them in an organized way. Then, you power on the the player. Even though I hand an encrypted wireless network and even mac address filtering, it didn't take too long before the MP101 was playing my mp3 files. I'd say the whole setup lasted less than 20 minutes. The music quality is really good, especially on your home speakers. Some of the weaknesses I mentioned, I'll go into a little bit. There are no buttons on the actual media player box, which forces the user to use the remote control that is included. This means if you regualrly lose your remote control, rethink buying this. Also, when the media player is playing your music, it tries to organize it by artist name, track title, and so on. So if you have a lot of mp3s that are tagged "Unknown Artist" or "Unknown Title" or anything that makes it hard to distinguish what the song is, it will be hard to play these tracks. And finally, for the avid music listener, there is no optical output. This is pretty self explanatory. But still, this is a very useful device for someone who just wants to play their mp3 files somewhere in their house other that their computer. It's the best price compared to other companies that make similar products. I would recommend this player.

• Reviewed by: azygous1

  Strengths: It works - plays internet radio and MP3 files over a wireless network, no skipping or glitches. The sound is beautiful - like a CD or better.

  Weaknesses: I switched to Zone Alarm and had no problems with it. I ripped some CD's to WMA files but they had skipping problems both on the PC itself and on the player. I ripped the same ones to MP3 and they came out perfectly.

  Overall: Streams and plays MP3s and Windows Media format digital files from all of your networked PCs directly to your home stereo.Remote control and vivid LCD interface for easy browsing of music collection.Listen through your stereo, boom box, headphones, or powered speakers.Compatible with 802.11b or 802.11g wireless networks.Free 30-day trial of Rhapsody Digital Music Service

• Reviewed by: skari1

  Strengths: Wireless or Wired, Sleek look, Great Software (if it ever worked), Nice concept, simple and limited options

  Weaknesses: USELSSS SOFTWARE !!!, No buttons - all on remote control, Technical Support not very useful

  Overall: I gave it three stars for the headache with the bundled software - overall its a nice product but a little before its time - software kinks. See the fix I got from my searches online. I brought this product at CompUSA on sale with an excellent rebate. I liked the idea - but it took 60 days to work. Technical support was useless - except giving me a headache for sitting with the person for at least one hour. The last advice from technical support - you need to upgrade the firmware - how do you do that when the upgrade is done through the program which will not communicate with the unit...ARGH !!! I run a Dell 8200 2.4G w 1 MB RAM. with Win XP. Chuck the software that came with it - why they put it out without testing it I will never understand - they took major hits from me purchasing their equipment. TECHNICAL SUPPORT was at best incompetent. THe call went overseas and all they could do was walk me through what I have tried - reconfigured the hardware on MY COMPUTER and so on. I am an average user and know how to manipulate the firewalls etc... I scanned the internet for help and this is the same problem people had, and I finally used advice from online to solve the problem... Their technical support group was good for one thing - getting a paycheck. AS A BUSY PERSON - Programs should be just plug and play - no a pain !!!! HERE IS HOW TO GET IT TO WORK: CHUCK THEIR SOFTWARE - at best from my online searches it works occasionally and haphazardly. Download a free program twonkyvision music server - do a search for it - then install the program (less than 500k) in the folder where the music is and start it - finished - WORKS VERY WELL THEN. *****ITS ACTUALLY GREAT AFTER THAT- no Failure so far***** and the quality is very good. Hope this helps you all and saves you time as well. Once it works its pretty nifty - but you may want to save up and purchase the one that does video as well. Just a thought.

• Reviewed by: mat621

  Strengths: sleek design, good features, good price

  Weaknesses: audio stream sometimes not smooth

  Overall: The design is very attractive. It sits nicely with other audio/video systems. You can have thousands of songs at your fingertip. Sometimes, the output are not really smooth however, due to signal interference.