Universal Binary Media Server Software?
I’ve used Mac verisons of Linkserver and Neuston’s Media Server software without any problems on my G4 Quicksilver since hooking a Linkplayer up to my home network. I even had the luxury of rejecting Eyeconnect from El Gato, since it cost $50 and the other two were free.
But since moving over to an Intel iMac, I haven’t been able to navigate past the initial screen:
Selecting “Video” recycles the screen and never lets me move forward. My workaround has been running the server software on my wife’s G4 iMac and using aliases in her movie folder pointed towards files on my Intel iMac’s hard drive (and external Firewire drive).
Whew!
That is functional (so far), but there’s a noticeable response lag to remote commands and also adds a totally unnecessary third computer between the files and Linkplayer.
The problem is, neither Neuston nor I-O Data (Linkplayer & Linkserver’s manufacturer) are particularly attentive to updating their respective software and the current versions obviously don’t work under Rosetta. And other solutions (like Wizd & Swiss Center) are too technically advanced for me to even try and install.
So I’m starting to imagine the solution will cost me $50. El Gato seems to be responding to Mac users with updated versions of EyeTV’s software and I’m hoping they’ll offer a Universal Binary version of Eyeconnect at some point in the future. Until then, I’ll take solice in full-frame HD playback on my computer’s screen…something I couldn’t get from my old G4.
UPDATE: El Gato released a Universal Binary verison of Eyeconnect on 3/17/2006, which is running flawlessly with my Linkplayer. For $50.
Really enjoying your site. Though we approach our purchases differently (I’m a spending lunatic), our goals are the same.
I just, today, bought the Buffalo LinkTheater to achieve similar results as you. After updating it’s firmware, I was able to successfully run EyeConnect from my Intel iMac and share my media effortlessly. It was wonderful.
Where we differ is our DirecTV feelings. I, too, have been a long-time customer. But I just recently bit the bullet and bought the HD-TiVo through them. I immediately hacked it and regularly download shows from it using TiVoTool. I plan on using some of that downloaded content on my new box.
If Apple were smart, they’d be developing products like these. With their design skills alone, they’d be the market leader in no time. FrontRow on a box like this – it’d be over.
Great site. I look forward to every post.