MediaSmart Connect UI/Dashboard

On the first boot-up of the Connect you get basic setup options including language, resolution (720p or 1080i only), and more.  After this simple process you are greeted with the MediaSmart UI/Dashboard which includes options for the local video, music, photo, online service functionality as well as a link to the Media Center Extender function.  The whole process works very much like the Xbox 360 Dashboard.

The Connect is based on the same Sigma Designs 8622 processor that the Linksys DMA2100/2200 and D-Link DSM-750, so unfortunately this means the processor is just a bit slow for a fluid UI experience.  This is evident in the MediaSmart UI as well as the Media Center Extender.  The MediaSmart UI is plagued by slow performance throughout however, with videos taking 3-5 seconds before they start on a wired connection (doesn’t happen in the Extender function) and the scrolling through folders being equally as painful.  While most of the MediaSmart UI functions work great, they are not exactly for the user with a large media library.  I’m assuming this most of this just shows the limitations of a 300MHz embedded processor versus the much higher processing power of a dual core PC that actually hosts an Extender session.

Other issues with the MediaSmart UI include the video skip functionality being limited to using fast forward instead of a 30-second skip function.  Using the skip on the remote actually moves you to the next video in the folder.

Overall, the MediaSmart UI is nothing amazingly special, but I don’t think its goal to compete with the media management functions of Media Center.  Content is displayed in list or thumbnail view for videos, ID information for music, etc.  Video playback is dependent on the UPnP server you are using on the PC, so if you are having format issues you might need to rename files to a supported one by your UPnP server or switch to a fully functional UPnP server (eg. Windows Media Player supports limited formats).  The online services like CinemaNow work, but those use to the Media Center UIs for these same services will notice the MediaSmart equivalent is a bit watered down but still functional.  Again, this is most likely due to the embedded web browser and processer and limit graphic and animation options.

Lastly on the MediaSmart UI you have the ability to play content back locally via USB thumb drives, USB hard drives, and HPs Pocket Media drives.  NTFS, FAT, and FAT32 are supported, but remember this local storage applies only to the MediaSmart UI and not the Media Center Extender functions. 

MediaSmart UI File Format Support

As for file format support, the MediaSmart UI does pretty well with a few exceptions.  First of all, when connected with HDMI both the MediaSmart UI and Extender output 2 channel PCM audio no matter what.  Considering I saw the exact same issue with the Linksys DMA2200 I believe this might be a Sigma Designs issue (I'll update the Linksys review if the same applies), however it makes HDMI pointless.  I had to move to SPDIF and Component to really test the unit.  Given this, that included HDMI cable cost becomes a moot point, and you will have to go buy a set of Component cables and a optical SPDIF cable in order to get 5.1 audio out.

Other than that, the big issue is that MKV is still not supported and WMA9 Professional 5.1 is decoded and output as 2-channel.  I’ve talked to the guys at HP and I know that MKV is at least on the radar, but no idea when or if it will ever be added to the MediaSmart Connect.  The fact that they at least know about it was a welcomed surprise however.  Given that DivX, Inc. will use MKV in DivX 7, you can expect more devices to support MKV.

Note: Media Center Extender file format support is covered in the next section

HP MediaSmart Connect Review Part 1: Overview

HP MediaSmart Connect Review Part 3: Extender