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"Skip the Setup Wizard; it's flawed" on by chuckbattle
Pros: Bulletproof once connected
Cons: Setup software apparently doen't write to the device's eeprom
Summary: Don't follow the directions on the box that tells you to run the CD setup program first. You will be in for problems. Just go to the Linksys site, find and run "Easy Link Advisor" to secure your network first. Then, in that utility, find the "add a device" section and follow the prompts. Copy down the settings then open the interface browser for the music bridge and fill in the WEP info that "Easy Link Advisor" gives you. That works great, the first time.
I foolishly followed the directions and tried to use the useless wizard for two hours, unsuccessfully. Finally, frustrated, I saw the default internet address listed on the bottom of the device and went to the devise's internet interface screen and saw the WEP information I had been entering and saving, repeatedly, had, apparently, not been laid down on the device by the so-called wizard. I simply entered the WEP information, manually, saved and exited the web interface. Presto, instant, solid connection. No problem.
I had secured my network with 128 bit WEP encrytion via the Linksys "Easy Link Advisor" utility just prior to the music bridge install; that prompted me to look at the web page for it. Otherwise, I don't know how one would know to go there. But, if you follow what "Easy Link Advisor" suggests to do for the device's internet setup interface it will connect up and work like a charm, even with your totally secure wireless network.
The music streams very nicely. The audio is excellent. I find that Windows Media Player ver. 11 streams to the device, automatically, quite nicely. No need to install and learn a new software music program. -
"Works as claimed" on by sunspot42x
Pros: Fairly easy to setup, uses your music players, glitch-free streaming
Cons: Transmits every noise your computer makes, silences your computer speakers, fidelity's not so hot
Summary: The best wireless music player out there for the money. No remote control or display, but you can get remotes for programs like iTunes elsewhere, or fashion your own wireless remote using a PDA if you want something truly powerful. I'm using this with a matching Linksys Wireless G router, and the signal is flawless - I haven't had a single dropout in over a dozen hours of playback to date. The fidelity doesn't seem to be the greatest over the analog outputs - haven't tried the digital connections yet.
Updated
I've used the WMB54G extensively over the past month, and I've grown to enjoy it even more than I did originally. Connected its coaxial output to my harman/kardon receiver for clean, all-digital sound. It's played for hours through several parties at my house without a single glitch, apart from the one time Windows stuttered while burning a CD and streaming audio (can't blame Linksys for that). I've seen it on sale for $70 - at that price it's a steal, especially if your computer is in or near the room where your stereo resides and you don't really need a remote. Highly recommended.Updated
The WMB54G died over the weekend. My router lost contact with it (over an Ethernet cable, no less), and I couldn't make contact even when I connected it directly to my PC with an Ethernet cable.
I've replaced it with an Apple AirPort Express. The AirPort took about 15 minutest to setup, and so far it's working flawlessly. Better really, since I can select what audio I do and don't want to feed to it, both in iTunes as well as in media players like WinAmp and MediaMonkey, thanks to an output plugin that's freely available on the Internet.
Best of all, if I ever replace the AirPort Express with some other media streaming device, I can always use it as a wireless print server, or as a range expander, or as a base station when I'm on the road with a laptop. Costs a little more than the WMB54G, but should resist obsolescence much better.
This whole experience is one more reason why my next PC's gonna be a Mac. Apple more or less gets it. None of the other computer manufactures seem to have the slightest clue anymore. -
"Can't get past software setup" on by CoryH1
Pros: Hard to find a pro when you can't get it to work
Cons: Could never get the hardware or softward to work
Summary: I had read about the setup snafus, but figured I'd give it a try. I'm not a computer genius, but a reasonably smart guy and can usually manage my way through technical issues. The configuration seemed to go very well using the config. wizard. My problem was in running the utility - it would apparently install and even indicate that it had installed "sucessfully", but I got an error message any time I tried to open it (By the way, I'm on Windows XP SP2). I don't know if the bridge is supposed to work without an operating utility, but the (supposedly properly configured) bridge would not play audio through my stereo. Spent 3 hours with tech support, including a senior technician. No solution. They wanted me to attempt to install on another computer, but at that point I said "forget it" - it is going back to the store. All told, that is 4 hours I won't get back. I should have just bought the Roku Soundbridge.
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"The software is erratic" on by rratney
Pros: Very useful when it's working
Cons: Sometimes I can get sound from my stereo, sometimes not. Same for PC speakers. Sometimes no sound from either.
Summary: The set-up wizard was a dead end. After more than two hours with technical support (in India I think) I got the unit to work.
When putting the unit through its paces I found that I could not switch between the stereo speakers and the PC's speakers. In an EMail exchange with tech support, they said they had never experienced the problem. On my own I discovered that I could make the switch by exiting the music player program (I use Winamp), and then restarting it after I had made the switch on the monitor or the drop down menu. (Another reviewer has reported the same experience.)
Now I find different behavior each time I reboot the computer. Sometimes I can get sound from the stereo, sometimes not. The same is true for sound from the PC's speakers. Sometimes I can't get sound from either. System sounds (like mail notification) sometimes come from the PC while music comes from the stereo, sometimes not at all. The strangest behavior is that I will occasionally get sound from the stereo even though the bridge utility isn't running.
An EMail from tech support said that they don't have a new driver. Maybe they should. -
"Versatile, Crisp, Functional, As advertised" on by jtowle2001
Pros: Stream music from any PC on network to Ent. Center
Cons: Setup should use your browser to configure device
Summary: Unit can be used as wireless or wired music interface to your LAN (network). Outputs include mini-phono, Line (left/right) Optical and Coaxial. Setup is easy if you know how to connect a browser to the default IP address of 192.168.1.210 - instead of using the setup utility (which works, but the web interface is better).
I'll give it a score of 10 (perfect) for what it is and the price. It works, that's perfection in simple terms. I'm streaming Diana Krall right now, while typing this review, and she sounds as good through the WMB54G as she would if directly connected using a CD player
Get the PDF version of the user guide, and save an ISO of the setup CD or get the setup from Linksys (downloads). When you forget how to setup the unit, they're helpful.
Enjoy.Updated
As mentioned before, configure the device using the default IP address. I have WEP enabled, and let the devices DHCP so when off, and turned on, they work at another location (same WEP code, different network IP base address).
I use one in the garage with amplified speakers, another in a den, another in living room and a 4th goes between homes. I use the digital output on my surround sound system, line outout, and the mini-phono jack will power earphones.
Other issues -- on a home network, multiple devices need to have different names, and set the workgroup name to your LAN network name, and finally when you turn on a computer, it may take up to 5 minutes for the device to appear on the network by name (start/run/cmd then net view to see what's known by name in your workgroup).
Patience when first turning on the units and/or a network computer will payoff. Device visibility isn't instant.
Hope this helps.Updated
As mentioned before, configure the device using the default IP address. I have WEP enabled, and let the devices DHCP so when off, and turned on, they work at another location (same WEP code, different network IP base address).
I use one in the garage with amplified speakers, another in a den, another in living room and a 4th goes between homes. I use the digital output on my surround sound system, line outout, and the mini-phono jack will power earphones.
Other issues -- on a home network, multiple devices need to have different names, and set the workgroup name to your LAN network name, and finally when you turn on a computer, it may take up to 5 minutes for the device to appear on the network by name (start/run/cmd then net view to see what's known by name in your workgroup).
Patience when first turning on the units and/or a network computer will payoff. Device visibility isn't instant.
Hope this helps.
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