Buffalo LinkTheater PC-P4LWAG

I have two of these, PC-P4LWAG, and while I love being able to watch my media files on the big-screens, the horrible firmware really detracts from the fun. The units respond to ~1 in 10 remote button pushes, so that to navigate down through 10 files and then play a file frequently takes hundreds of key presses. The units frequently loose network connection while idle, and this requires navigating all the way back to the main menu, frequently hundreds of button pushes on the remote. If a new file is added to the terastation or other media server the units lock up when a "refresh" is done to the server; any file that is playing halts. There are several buttons on the remote that if pushed lock the unit up to the point that a factory reset must be done to recover.

The fast-forward and rewind functions are useless. The "resume" function is just an evil joke. There are NO provisions for playing sequential files or creating a "play list". If you use "pause" resign yourself to the fact the audio will never sync back up with the video during the rest of the playback.

While the wireless performs very well, when connected via lan cable the unit is highly unstable, so plan on installing a wireless router if you don't already have one.

The unit has so much potential that it is really a shame it is so frustrating to operate. If there is anyone in the room with you when attempt to navigate to and play a file they will almost certainly assume you are an idiot and ask you to hand them the remote; their assumption being that you can't figure out how to push the buttons.

With a firmware upgrade this unit could be REALLY COOL, but as it ships it is very frustrating and only a half-a-step above really bad.

Fish4Fun

Quote: The units respond to ~1 in 10 remote button pushes, so that to navigate down through 10 files and then play a file frequently takes hundreds of key presses. The units frequently loose network connection while idle, and this requires navigating all the way back to the main menu, frequently hundreds of button pushes on the remote. If a new file is added to the terastation or other media server the units lock up when a "refresh" is done to the server; any file that is playing halts. There are several buttons on the remote that if pushed lock the unit up to the point that a factory reset must be done to recover. Quote ends.

Mostly true, the buttons to surfe the files is not only up-down. There are small gray buttos under the left and right arrows, these are page up, page down. A small gray button above the right-arrow is Home, brings you back to the main level where you choose the server. You do not have to go back just by using the left arrow. For example pictures inside a directory (or all pictures) can be seen by juts pushing the up and down arrows when a pic is diplayed.