Intro
To start off I thought I'd do this review to set a few people's mind to rest by covering all aspects of the Media Link. The Media link was included with my contract by Phones4u.
My setup is HTC One X, Samsung LCD TV, 300Mbps Wireless network (Multiple access points) and the media link of course.
Hardware
The unit has a sleek exterior and mounting bracket allowing you to stick it to the back of your TV, the device simply slips in and out of it. There is an LED on the face of the device as well as the HTC logo and on top of the device is a single button. On the bottom are the HDMI port and micro usb power port.
Software
You may already be familiar with the screen shown below, it seems the media link is always in this state when powered, the manual does not give instruction on powering down the device and the button serves as a PBC button and reset. standby and HDMI-CEC functions would have been a great addition but you can't have everything.
The device then has four main functions, Image, video, music streaming and mirroring the phone. The respective app triggers the streaming mode and stays in this mode, allowing you to continue using your phone as usual (All be it in landscape) until you press close.
Music
Video
HD Films streamed from the device look fantastic, buttery smooth, in sync. Very impressed, it looks like it's coming straight from the PC.
Photo
Mirroring
Video takes around 5 seconds to buffer
Music takes around 2
and Photos around 1
The device also supports DLNA and is visible on the network as a streaming device
Also interestingly when the handset spots the media link on the network not only does it trigger notifications (I found them very annoying and turned them off in the app's settings) but even with the notifications turned off if you choose a photo from the gallery it offers to show it on the TV for you.
The youtube app also does this however minimizing the youtube app will put the media link back into mirror mode.
Final Thoughts
This device is fantastic, nice small form factor, very portable, easy to set up and for showing your captured content, streaming music and films it's phenomenal. Now I received this for free with my contract, honestly if I didn't I wouldn't pay £80 for it. As good as it is I already have a media streamer and a fully fledged server that hosts my media, for me to put films on my internal memory to send to my tv is a bit silly, however it's still great for showing friends and family photos and videos I've shot and for that reason (As well as bragging rights, it's pretty damn cool) I'll be keeping it.
05/05/2012 02:35 GMT
Whilst downloading shadowgun and using the media link Battery monitor widget measured around 1200ma drain and the battery reached 51 degrees celcius. Don't know how accurate that is but the phone is scorching hot, overheat LED was flashing too
If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.
Please thank if I've helped you.
To start off I thought I'd do this review to set a few people's mind to rest by covering all aspects of the Media Link. The Media link was included with my contract by Phones4u.
My setup is HTC One X, Samsung LCD TV, 300Mbps Wireless network (Multiple access points) and the media link of course.
Hardware
The unit has a sleek exterior and mounting bracket allowing you to stick it to the back of your TV, the device simply slips in and out of it. There is an LED on the face of the device as well as the HTC logo and on top of the device is a single button. On the bottom are the HDMI port and micro usb power port.
Software
You may already be familiar with the screen shown below, it seems the media link is always in this state when powered, the manual does not give instruction on powering down the device and the button serves as a PBC button and reset. standby and HDMI-CEC functions would have been a great addition but you can't have everything.
The device then has four main functions, Image, video, music streaming and mirroring the phone. The respective app triggers the streaming mode and stays in this mode, allowing you to continue using your phone as usual (All be it in landscape) until you press close.
Music
HD Films streamed from the device look fantastic, buttery smooth, in sync. Very impressed, it looks like it's coming straight from the PC.
Photo
Video takes around 5 seconds to buffer
Music takes around 2
and Photos around 1
The device also supports DLNA and is visible on the network as a streaming device
Also interestingly when the handset spots the media link on the network not only does it trigger notifications (I found them very annoying and turned them off in the app's settings) but even with the notifications turned off if you choose a photo from the gallery it offers to show it on the TV for you.
The youtube app also does this however minimizing the youtube app will put the media link back into mirror mode.
Final Thoughts
This device is fantastic, nice small form factor, very portable, easy to set up and for showing your captured content, streaming music and films it's phenomenal. Now I received this for free with my contract, honestly if I didn't I wouldn't pay £80 for it. As good as it is I already have a media streamer and a fully fledged server that hosts my media, for me to put films on my internal memory to send to my tv is a bit silly, however it's still great for showing friends and family photos and videos I've shot and for that reason (As well as bragging rights, it's pretty damn cool) I'll be keeping it.
05/05/2012 02:35 GMT
Whilst downloading shadowgun and using the media link Battery monitor widget measured around 1200ma drain and the battery reached 51 degrees celcius. Don't know how accurate that is but the phone is scorching hot, overheat LED was flashing too
If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.
Please thank if I've helped you.
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