Home > Consumer Reviews > D-Link DSM-750 Wireless HD Dualband Draft 802.11n Media Center Extender

I ordered a DSM 750 online and just received it today. I was totally hyped to get it up and running. Unfortunatly to my dismay the unit was one of the many defective units out there.

When I turned it on I received the welcome screen for 6-7 seconds and then the screen went completely black. There was no setup screens.

I called tech support and they had me reset the unit to see if that would fix it. It did not. After wasting an hour with tech support they told me the unit was defective and that I would have to return it to the store that I bought it from.

I bought it online so this is creating a huge hassle to mail it back to the online store that I purchased it from and will most likely have to wait a couple of weeks to see if the next unit is good or defective. I just want a product that I buy, plug it in, configure it and it works.

It's too bad that the early batches of this device were defective - mine didn't have the previously-mentioned Media Center issues. I ordered it from Amazon and it works great as a stand-alone media streaming device and as a Media Center extender. I primarily use mine as an extender, and I have no complaints about that feature. It connected easily to my wireless N network, and I'm able to wirelessly stream hi-def content to the device.

The only reason I did not give it 5 stars is because of the included remote control. While it is easy to use and comfortable, it does not offer any kind of "universal" functionality that allows you to control your TV's power, volume, or mute. Therefore, you'll be swapping at least 2 remote controls when using the DSM-750.

The product itself is very beatiful and fits very well to other components. I had the idea to buy the DSM-750 after my DVD player was broken. I was intended to see the movies I already had in my computer (divx), using my '.srt' subtitles and profiting from wireless 802.11n speed. I chose DSM-750, not the DSM-520, due to the Windows Media Center Extender. Since I could see DVD movies on my Desktop Windows Media Center, I thought could replace my old DVD player with DSM-750 only by inserting my DVD in my Desktop and watching it on my TV.
Well, after all, I realized that watch a DVD with DSM-750 was impossible. Even the 'Play DVD' link on Desktop Windows Media Center had disappeared on DSM-750 Windows Media Center Extender. So, renting movies is not possible anymore. I couldn't replace my old DVD player. I think I will have to buy a new one.
Another thing: It's also not possible to load subtitles on Windows Media Center Extender mode. On D-Link Media Lounge mode, it is possible to load it, but once loaded, the movie becomes not flat anymore. I thought it was due to a problem on my connection (Desktop - Router - DSM), so i tried directly inserting a USB flashdrive on DSM-750, but, after many tests, the results are always the same: bad quality on video, the audio stops and sometimes even the movie stops. It seems that the hardware does not support such information at same time.
An issue that disapointed me very much is that, altough DSM-520 can play youtube videos, DSM-750 DOES NOT! I already asked D-Link about that, but, after a very long time to reply, they simply said that DSM-750 does not support Youtube videos.
So, I can't use it as a DVD Player, cannot watch YouTube videos, and also cannot load subtitles (as promised). I'm very disapointed with DSM-750, after paying more than US$ 350,00. For what it does, it should cost not more than US$ 150,00.

Obviously, if your using this it is mainly for the extender (even if you don't use the extender that often) function. The media center has fairly good functionality. I generally only watch CinemaNow, Netflix WatchNow, Media Center TV, and DivX movies. I listen to only MP3. I have no problem watching or listening to media most of the time. I like the fact it has no moving parts so the unit is absolutely noiseless. Besides the media playback options the greatest feature has to be the Wireless-N networking. I have a Linksys WRT600N Dual-Band router and I get great reception without having to hide a wire running through my house. Overall, this was a perfect purchase for me. The machine is doing exactly what my initial impression thought it would.

I connected to a dir-655. signal was terrible, the unit was only 1 floor down, 1 room away. Laptop always gets full signal in same spot. I had to get a powerline adaptor to get a signal (defeats the wireless idea) I get pictures, but can get a single video to work, using the media extender nor media player mode. What a waste of money.