Hey, they chose my BluRay player! a mini review

[vance]

I was happy to see that Robert likes the LG BD390, since I just got one a few weeks ago. I can second his assessment, it loads fast and upconverts very well. It handles Netflix streaming at very good quality (if not bluray level), and it can handle most of the video files I throw at it from my computer or an attached USB drive.

It also has CinemaNow for renting streaming movies, but with the Netflix, we have not yet bothered with this. Same with the YouTube channel. My kids have messed around with it, but it has very little value-add for me. Still, these extras are just that: extra, and the primary functions of Bluray, Netflix and home media streaming are excellent.

I have a wirless N network, and this works moderately well, but since we have a huge air conditioning unit right in the middle of the house that interferes with the signal, I actually hooked up a powerline ethernet adapter that works with a more consistently solid connection.

So far, I am very happy with this player and have recommended it.

[mic]

When you say that you are throwing files from your computer or USB drive at it, do you have to run any special software for this to work?

Although the PS3 probably is the best Blu-ray player, so I wouldn't need the Blu-ray drive features, I am looking for a better way to send files from the computer to the screen. I'm currently using a USB drive connected to the PS3, but that has limited space. I'm also evaluating PS3 Media Server, but it has issues. However, not as many issues as TVersity. I've thought about using a NAS, but I hear horror stories about drive failures and such. Lastly, I'm thinking maybe later getting a really fast Laptop and feed HDMI directly into the screen.

Congratulation on your new LG BD390.

[vance]

There are a couple of different ways to stream the content through the LG. First is from the computer or NAS using software like the Nero home server which comes with it (and which I did not like) or TVersity, etc. Or, you can just hook up a USB drive (I use a 500GB Free Agent drive, small and powered through the USB) so that you get a wider range of files.

But, if you already have the PS3 for BluRay, I would look at the new Popcorn Hour. You can provide your own storage, so you can go as big as you like and it covers a lot of codecs. Or, it can stream from other sources as well.