Sony LF-PK1 LocationFree Player Pak user reviews

Pros For laptop users, a good way of untethering

Cons Knowledge of router programming is not needed, but required

Summary Contrary to what the reviewer writes, the unit will stream wirelessly through a WiFi router, but in order to make that work you need to set up a static IP address in both the unit and the router, and do some other fancy stuff. A wireless game adapter, I used one made by Linksys, will work and will free the unit from the Ethernet tether that is otherwise a necessity (my broadband box lives far away from the video equipment). Here again, a lot of setup is involved, and router programming a necessity.

The unit works well, caches probably 60 to 90 seconds of video/audio in order to buffer connectivity problems, and is able to run at its highest data rate on a 10 mbit wireless link, via the game adapter to the router and thence to a laptop (this using composite video, S-video needs more bandwidth). So if you're ready to spend a couple of days futzing with it, you can achieve good results. But if you don't know how to set up a static IP address and change your DHCP address range, or have a good buddy who does, spend your money on something you'll get more mileage out of. Look at it as a cool toy for the nerdy.

Pros Good quality streaming.

Cons Expensive; Limited Licenses; Limited Connectivity.

Summary I bought one of these in January after buying several PSPs for the kids for Xmas. I was interested in fully exploiting the PSP's features. (I added a wireless access point to my home network the week before to try out the PSP's browser).

Anyway, I was able to set this up without too much trouble. My initial attempts at setup failed due to my not fully understanding networking technical terms. I was able to overcome my own ignorance thru trial and error and was rewared with a TV signal on my Sony Vaio laptop! Cool.

I then set up the feature on my PSP. This is done by turning on the wireless function of the PSP and then pressing a switch on the rear of the LF unit. The two devices comunicate with each other and then they are set to work together.

My TV source is my Comacst Digital box. I set up both my laptop and PSP with the correct software version of the set top box's remote control, downloaded from Sony. The download is straight forward for either a PC or the PSP. Once installed, adjustments are simple and by entering the type of cable box, you are rewarded with a software version of your boxes' remote. For one of the video sources, I hooked up and older Pioneer DVD player that had been replaced by a newer unit. It had a S-Video output, so I selected it for the Video 1 source.

Setup was the same for the DVD player. I selected the Make from the dropdown lists and tested the remote. Once setup, the PSP or laptop can turn the DVD player on or off and access the DVD's menu and start the movie for you. All you have to do is remember to put a disk in the DVD player and you are good to go!

The PSP and laptop both received the streaming video signals well. On occasion, the video would "stutter" on the PSP, however, given the fact that I can watch TV or a DVD player anywhere in my home, it is a small thing.

My only major gripe is that you can only link up to four devices to one LF unit. If you have two PCs and four PSPs (like we do) that means two of the family are left out. An inquiry to Sony's tech support recieved a canned reply when I asked if future software releases would allow the user to set the maximum number of devices that can be attached to one LF unit. In fact, if I had known that two of my family would have been shut out from using the unit, I may not have bought it. That information should be made more visible on the package. Another (similar) complaint is that I need to purchase a $29.00 four-user PC license to add the LF feature to my second PC. In my situation, that translates to three unneeded PC licenses and one out of four PSPs that cannot log on (because I have one PC and three PSPs on it already).

If Sony would allow the unit to register more than four devices and if they provided two PC licenses with the unit, I would have rated this product higher. Maybe someone at Sony is reading this!

Pros Great wireles range, very simple setup to work with the PSP, with a good upstream provider the video quality is great over the internet.

Cons If you don't have a PnP router you better have a degree on computer networks (or a very knowledgeable friend)

Summary This is a great device, I bought it to watch the FIFA WorldCup at my office (I didn't say that) and it has delivered 100%. The video quality is very good (although I had to update my Internet connection for that). I also take my PSP to Panera or Borders and I can still watch the matches with great quality!

The setup is very simple for home access (really transparent with your PSP), but it was a bit trickier for the Internet connection (not at PhD level tricky) but at least I did not have to use Tech support.

One thing to watch out is that many ISP's love to block the default port for the device (5021), so you need a bit of manual adjustments to reconfigure it to use a different one.

Other than that I love this device !!

Pros It has a IR blaster (a remote control like thing) and it can stream basic cable as well as digital cable and satelite.

Cons Only 1 person can be connected to it at a time and it comes with only 1 computer registration code!

Summary When I read the other articles about this on C|net I hesitated a little about buying it but decided to take the risk. When I first got it I did the setup for watching NetAv at home(and it was easy) but when I went to setup NetAv on-the-go it took me a week and a e-mail to sony for me to figure out how to set it up.
If you aren't fammiliar with IP addresses,port forwarding,DNS or Routers you might have to e-mail or call Sony to finshing the setup. When I e-mail sony they were helpful and responded quickly.